Afterwards...
Ian dragged Laxus to conduct countless experiments, gathering extensive data in the process.
This data would form the foundation for Ian to eventually help all of the Fairy Tail guild members develop their Second Origin of magic, and even work on creating a side-effect-free Third Origin.
Yes, without Laxus's selfless contribution today, there would be no glorious future for Fairy Tail!
Though Laxus might be rebellious in the future...
Still...
Ian could prove to everyone that Laxus, indeed, made immeasurable efforts to ensure that Fairy Tail could become the world's top mage guild.
Let's give a big round of applause to Laxus!
Laxus, you're the best…
Your grandfather isn't just one of the Ten Wizard Saints admired by the world!
You are also the grandson of Makarov, the guild master of Fairy Tail.
Not only that, but you're also the great-grandson of Yuri, one of Fairy Tail's founders!
Laxus, who had always planned to remove any labels associated with Makarov, stated: "In the whole world, only Ian doesn't treat me as Makarov's grandson! He doesn't even treat me as a human being."
Years later, in Laxus's memoirs, he wrote: "I wanted to rebel back then, but my plans were thwarted before they began! That monster Ian shattered my rebellious dreams with three punches."
October 7th.
On this day, the entire Fairy Tail guild, and indeed the whole town of Magnolia, was in a festive mood.
In the Fairy Tail guild.
"Everyone, I have something very important to say."
At this moment, Makarov, as guild master, stood at the podium with his hands behind his back. He looked serious as he gazed at all the mages in the guild, his brows furrowed and an air of solemnity in his eyes.
The mages in the guild rarely saw Makarov look this serious!
For a moment, all of the guild's mages straightened their postures under this tense atmosphere.
"Today is a significant day, as you all probably know well. So, I won't say more unnecessary words. What I do need you all to do is remember well what I'm about to say..."
Makarov paused and took a deep breath.
Then, he shouted loudly, "My dear children, today is a celebration! All of you should enjoy it to the fullest! As mages of Fairy Tail, I want you to put your heart into enjoying this festival!"
"Yeah!!"
As Makarov's voice fell, the entire Fairy Tail guild erupted in cheers. The cheers were so deafening that passersby outside the guild stopped in their tracks, wondering what was happening inside.
Outside the Guild...
"What's going on?" a bystander asked, hearing the commotion.
"Oh," someone replied with a chuckle, "it's the Fairy Tail annual festival. It started as Magnolia's Harvest Festival, but now it's practically a Fairy Tail performance fest. Let's just hope they don't stir up too much trouble this time…"
Although, based on his knowledge of Fairy Tail...
These troublemakers who usually thrive on chaos are probably preparing something big again.
---
"A festival?!"
"So, what are the rules this time?"
"Do we just start fighting, or is there some kind of warm-up?"
The Strauss siblings who recently joined Fairy Tail, plus Erza, and Ultear who had been away training despite being a long-time member, all looked at Ian confusedly, seemingly waiting for him to explain the fighting rules of Fairy Tail's festival.
"Um..."
"What fighting? You guys got it wrong."
"This is just a regular festival…"
"Like the ones you always hear about, a totally normal celebration."
Ian seemed a bit exasperated; Fairy Tail's reputation for chaos ran so deep that when there was a perfectly normal festival, everyone seemed to find it unbelievable.
"Eh?!"
"It's really just a regular celebration?"
"I thought it was some kind of fight tournament!"
"For Fairy Tail, that's almost impossibly mundane…"
Ultear looked shocked, not quite believing what she heard.
"Sigh..."
"It really is just an ordinary festival."
Ian sighed, thinking about how deeply rooted Fairy Tail's wild nature had become...
Not long after, Ian seemed to think of something and continued, "How about this—I'll take you guys around to see it all."
"Okay!"
With Ian's words, everyone nodded in agreement.
Thus, under Ian's guidance, the group walked towards the stalls lining either side of the path.
"Yo!"
"Isn't that Ian?"
"What are you looking for?"
As Ian led the children to Fairy Tail's stall, someone approached, calling out to him.
This was the stall set up by Makarov, specifically to introduce the Fairy Tail mages to the townspeople of Magnolia.
In other words, this was an insider's area.
"I'm just showing the kids around..."
"What are you selling here?"
Ian looked at the mage dressed like a vendor and asked.
"I mainly sell figurines of our guild's mages."
The mage responded, placing several highly detailed figurines in front of Ian.
Of course, the characters represented by these figurines were all Fairy Tail members…
And each figurine had a base with a magic anti-counterfeiting mark from the Fairy Tail guild, to prevent other vendors from imitating them.
"Who's selling best this year?" Ian asked the vendor in front of him.
Every year during the festival, the mages in the guild would have a huge argument over whose figurines sold best! It seemed this year would be no different.
"Sorry, but this year is different from previous years!"
"This year, the top of our guild's figurine sales leaderboard is undisputed."
"She utterly crushed the second place with an overwhelming lead…"
"And that person is Ur Milkovich!"
The vendor spoke as he pulled out a life-like miniature figurine of Ur, placing it in front of Ian, while leaning closer and whispering, "Also, if you press here, her clothes come off~"
"Wow~"
In an instant, Ur's outer robe disappeared, revealing her usual training outfit from when she trained with Gray and Lyon.
"Alright, I can see why Ur's figurine became the sales champion with such an overwhelming advantage."
Ian looked at the detailed figurine of Ur.
Honestly, even he wanted to buy one now.
"Mother's figurine…"
Ultear, seeing the figurine, twitched slightly. After taking a deep breath, she looked at the vendor and said with a forced smile, "Hey, if you dare make a figurine of me like this, I will kill you."
"Same goes for me."
Erza added, drawing her knight's sword.
"Me too."
Mirajane had already activated Satan Soul.
Suddenly, a terrifying pressure enveloped the clerk.
"I got permission from Lady Ur..."
"After all, she receives seventy percent of the profits from each one sold."
The vendor stammered, trembling.
"I know, that's why I'm telling you not to make my figurine, not telling you to take down mother's figurines."
Ultear sighed. Her mother was always carefree and had an open nature, never caring about such trivialities…
After all, Ur's normal attire often covered even less than this figurine did.
"Father, what are you looking at?"
"You're not planning to buy one, are you?"
Erza looked at Ian with a mischievous grin.
"Ahem..."
"Of course not, I'm not interested in things like that."
Ian coughed lightly, while subtly winking at the vendor, signaling for one to be set aside for him.
"Got it."
The vendor discreetly made an "OK" sign.
It looked like this guy was quite used to doing things like this...
It was said that most of Ur's figurine customers were middle-aged men who were already well-off!
"Alright, that's enough of the stalls for now…"
"There's a big event happening in the guild hall."
Ian quickly decided to move on, not wanting to linger at this little stall of treasures. He pulled Erza and the others away.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
"Let's give it up for Fairy Tail's first-ever beauty contest!"
Inside the Fairy Tail guild hall, the host, Macao, stood on stage, his body aflame, announcing the start of the most anticipated event of the year—the Fairy Tail Beauty Contest!
Yes, even more important than the evening parade or the year-end S-Class Mage trial was the annual beauty contest for the long-time members of Fairy Tail.
"First, let's welcome the top Ice Mage of Fairy Tail, the strongest molding mage on the continent, and a fellow Ten Wizard Saint with Master Makarov—Ur Milkovich!!!"
As Macao's announcement echoed, the well-endowed Ur confidently stepped onto the stage, taking center stage with an elegant pose, appearing before all of the Fairy Tail mages and the residents of Magnolia.
Indeed, Fairy Tail's beauty contest was completely open to the public...
Even the residents of Magnolia could come and participate or spectate.
"Ur! Ur! Ur…"
As soon as Ur stepped onto the stage, a chorus of wolf-like howls erupted from the guild as they all chanted her name with wild enthusiasm.
"Miss Ur, what talent will you be showcasing?"
Macao, with microphone in hand, asked Ur as she stood before him.
"Do I even need to say it?"
Ur smiled confidently.
"Yeah! Mother will definitely showcase her Ice Make magic…"
Ur, watching from the audience, smiled.
"Of course."
Gray and Lyon both nodded in agreement.
"Of course it's instant strip technique!"
And, just as Ur finished speaking, her coat vanished without a trace.
"Whoa~"
All the guild's "wolves" instantly widened their eyes.
"As expected of Ur."
Ian's eyes twitched slightly, but he had to admit he was impressed.
"Mother, you fool!"
Ultear could only shake her head in frustration.
Why, in this family, was she the only one who was normal?
"Damn it! What is Master Ur doing?"
Gray and Lyon, meanwhile, had the "can't stand it anymore" look in their eyes, clearly distressed.
"Gray, Lyon, your clothes..."
Finally, Cana, unable to stand it any longer, spoke up.
"Huh? Oh no, where did our clothes go?"
Gray and Lyon looked at each other in shock and panic.
"Judges, please score now."
Meanwhile, Macao, the host, wiped away the red from under his nose and looked toward the judges for the Fairy Tail beauty contest.
"One hundred points!"
"Definitely one hundred points!!"
Sitting at the judges' table were Makarov, Gildarts, and Ian, all three holding up their scorecards with bright smiles.
Yes, all were clearly perfect scores…
With Ur's figure, what other score could there be but one hundred?
"My my, Ian~"
"You seem quite captivated, don't you?"
"Is that woman's figure really that alluring?"
Just as Ian was holding up his score card, a bewitching mature voice that made people feel weak just hearing it slowly sounded from behind him.
"It's alright, it's alright…"
Ian turned to respond with a smile to that familiar crimson figure.
"Hmm?!"
However, the moment he turned back, he found Erza still standing in front of him.
Question: if Erza had been in front of him the whole time, then who was that crimson figure he just saw?!
In that instant, Ian froze...
Suddenly, he could feel a hint of murderous intent quietly lingering around him.
"Mother."
At the same moment, Erza seemed to notice something, moving gracefully to stand in front of Ian. She bowed towards a certain powerful woman exuding an overwhelming aura.
"Yo! Irene, it's been quite a while."
Ian knew there was no point pretending anymore…
He slowly turned to face the stunningly beautiful woman who had appeared behind him, smiling in greeting.
---
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