The day after Fairy Tail's grand celebration, the news that would shake the magical world spread like wildfire: a new Ten Saint had been named.
In the Tavern
In a dimly lit tavern on the outskirts of a bustling city, the air was filled with the clinking of mugs, the hum of idle chatter, and the occasional burst of laughter. A man in a tattered cloak sat at a corner table, poring over the latest edition of the Magical Herald. His voice cut through the noise as he slapped the paper onto the table.
"Listen to this!" he barked, drawing the attention of the nearby patrons. "There's a new Ten Saint!"
The room fell silent for a moment before erupting into murmurs. A burly man at the bar grunted, his curiosity piqued.
"Who's the lucky bastard?" he asked, leaning over the counter.
The cloaked man smirked, his finger tracing the bold headline. "Rain. That S-Class mage who took on a Ten-Year Quest and finished it in less than a year. Not only that—he defeated Joseph to secure his spot."
A younger patron, barely past his teens, leaned in with wide eyes. "Rain? You mean that Rain? The one who fought an entire battalion single-handedly during his Quest?"
"That's the one," the cloaked man replied. "They're saying he's got power that could rival the Heavenly Kings."
The bartender snorted, shaking his head. "I'll believe it when I see it. Power like that doesn't come without a price. Mark my words—this Rain's got a storm following him, and it's bound to break."
The tavern buzzed with speculation as the news continued to spread, carried by couriers, magical crystals, and travelers moving between towns. Rain's name was on everyone's lips, from the smallest villages to the grandest cities.
In the Alvarez Kingdom
In a lavishly decorated room within the sprawling capital of the Alvarez Kingdom, a red-haired woman lounged gracefully on a chaise. The room was filled with golden sunlight streaming through towering windows, casting shimmering patterns on the marble floor. She held the newspaper delicately, her emerald eyes scanning the text with a mixture of pride and amusement.
"Rain," she said softly, the corners of her lips curling into a smirk. "You've finally stepped into the spotlight."
She set the paper down and rose to her feet, her movements as fluid and deliberate as a dancer's. Her voice grew more thoughtful as she continued, speaking to no one in particular.
"I remember the boy who had so much Potential in his magic, the one who stubbornly refused to quit no matter how much Selene and I pushed him. And now, look at you—a Ten Saint. I should have known you'd surpass our expectations."
Walking to the window, she gazed out at the distant mountains. Her expression softened, and for a moment, a trace of vulnerability flickered across her face.
"You became more than just a student to me, Rain. In those years we spent training, you felt like the little brother I never had... and maybe even more."
She sighed, her smile returning but tinged with sadness.
"But don't think for a second that I'll go easy on you if we meet again. The next time we cross paths, it may not be as allies. Unless, of course, you decide to visit me first." Her voice carried a teasing lilt, but her eyes betrayed a deeper longing.
In the Hidden Dimension
Far from the physical world, in a realm bathed in soft, ethereal light, a woman with snow-white hair sat on a silk cushion. Her surroundings shimmered with a dreamlike quality, the air filled with the faint hum of magic. She held the newspaper delicately, her pale fingers tracing the letters as she read.
"Rain," she murmured, her voice as gentle as a breeze. "You've come so far."
Her silver eyes shimmered with emotion as she set the paper down beside her. Gazing into the swirling expanse of her dimension, she spoke again, as if addressing someone unseen.
"I've always believed in you. Even when the world seemed to turn its back on us, I knew you'd find your path."
She clasped her hands together, her expression growing wistful.
"I wish I could see you now, standing among the Ten Saints. I wonder if you've changed. Do you still carry that same fire in your heart? Or has the weight of this world hardened you?"
Her voice faltered, and she looked away, her eyes glistening.
"There's so much I want to tell you, so much you don't know. But I wonder… will you even want to hear it? Or have you moved on from those days we spent together?"
A single tear traced her cheek, but she quickly brushed it away, her resolve hardening.
"No matter what, I'll find you, Rain. And when I do, I hope you'll still remember me."
In the Council Chamber
In a grand chamber with high ceilings and towering stained-glass windows, three men sat at a round stone table. Their faces were stern, their postures rigid as they deliberated the implications of recent events.
"So, it's true," said the first man, his voice low and grim. "Serena has betrayed us."
The second man scoffed, slamming his fist onto the table. "A Ten Saint turning traitor… it's an embarrassment to the Council. We can't let this stand."
The third man, Wolfheim, leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed. His gaze was sharp and calculating.
"We can't change what's already happened," he said. "But we can decide how to move forward. Serena's spot needs to be filled, and the boy Rain seems to be the obvious choice."
The second man frowned. "Joseph's endorsement carries weight, but I'm not convinced. A title like Ten Saint isn't given—it's earned. Rain will need to prove himself to us."
Wolfheim nodded, his expression hardening. "Agreed. We'll summon him for our own test. If he's truly worthy, he'll pass. If not, we'll find someone else."
The first man glanced at the others. "What about Makarov? Should we inform him?"
"Of course," Wolfheim replied. "He'll want to prepare the boy for what's coming."
The room fell silent as the decision was made.
Across the Continent
As Rain's name spread across the lands, reactions varied. Some hailed him as a hero, a beacon of hope in uncertain times. Others whispered doubts, questioning whether he had the strength to shoulder such a heavy title.
Meanwhile, Rain stood atop a cliff overlooking the ocean, the wind whipping through his dark hair. The weight of his new title pressed heavily on his shoulders, and his mind was a storm of thoughts.
"Ten Saint," he murmured, the words feeling foreign on his tongue. "What does that even mean? Is it a reward for what I've done… or a challenge for what's to come?"
He clenched his fists, his gaze hardening as he stared at the horizon.
"If this title means anything, I'll prove it. To the Council, to the world… and to myself. And if Acnologia is still out there…" His voice dropped to a whisper. "Then I'll make sure he knows my name."
With renewed determination, Rain turned and began the long walk back, ready to face whatever trials awaited him.