Fairy Tail again? Why is my luck so rotten today?!
Kageyama was utterly panicked, especially with Fairy Tail's master, Markov, standing before him. The elder had an air of both wisdom and strength that made it impossible to simply blow him off.
Thinking quickly, Kageyama plastered on a forced smile. "Well, uh…would you like to hear me play a tune?"
Markov squinted at the flute in Kageyama's hand. His voice carried a mix of curiosity and caution. "That flute… it doesn't look like something I'd enjoy listening to. Are you sure you want to play it?"
Kageyama's nerves were frazzled, but he pressed on. "Don't judge it by appearances. The sound is where it truly shines!"
Markov crossed his arms. "You seem awfully determined. Fine, I'll listen. But only one song—I'm busy."
"Of course! Just one song!"
Kageyama stroked the wooden flute in his hands. Its eerie design, carved with three ghastly skulls, didn't unnerve him anymore. Instead, it gave him a twisted sense of hope. This is it. Everything will change after this song.
With a deep breath, Kageyama prepared to play. Thoughts of vengeance, of proving himself, and of escaping the miserable darkness that defined his life filled his mind.
I will no longer be a lowly member of the Iron Forest. I'll become powerful and respected. No one will look down on me ever again.
Just as he raised the flute to his lips, Markov's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Nothing will change," Markov said calmly, his eyes filled with a wisdom that came from years of experience.
Kageyama froze.
Markov took a step closer, his voice growing gentler yet somehow more commanding. "Weakness is not something to be ashamed of. We are all weak, inherently so. But that's precisely why we need others. Companions, guilds, friendships—they're what help us grow stronger."
Kageyama felt his grip on the flute loosen slightly.
Markov continued, "You don't have to rely on something like that flute. You can achieve true strength by taking steps forward, little by little, with the help of those around you. Believe in tomorrow, and you'll find a way."
For a moment, Kageyama wavered. Markov's words were like sunlight breaking through the darkness he'd known his whole life. But as quickly as that light came, the shadows returned, fueled by years of bitterness and frustration.
"Damn it! What do you know, old man?!" Kageyama snapped.
Markov didn't flinch, his calm gaze never leaving Kageyama.
"What companions?! What guild?! All high-sounding nonsense! Do you think believing in tomorrow will magically make things better? That it will make me stronger? I've tried—over and over—but nothing changes!"
Kageyama's voice cracked as he unleashed years of pent-up anger.
"The strong crush the weak. That's the way the world works! You talk about guilds and camaraderie, but aren't regular guilds and dark guilds just labels created by those in power? Why should I have to cower in the shadows like a rat?!"
The fury in his voice crescendoed. He raised the flute again and blew into it with all his might.
But instead of a soul-crushing curse song, an odd moaning sound filled the air.
"Ahhh… aahhhh…"
Markov blinked, utterly confused. "What in the world…?"
Even Kageyama froze, his face turning bright red. "What the hell is this?! What's going on?!"
The sound grew louder, more embarrassing with every passing second.
Markov rubbed his temple, both amused and slightly annoyed. "It seems your cursed flute has a… peculiar tune."
From behind a tree, Kira emerged, unable to contain his laughter. "It's not the flute's fault, President. This is a result of… a little modification I made."
Kageyama's face twisted in realization. "You switched the flutes! It was you!"
Kira gave a nonchalant shrug. "I even apologized for bumping into you. You forgave me, remember?"
Kageyama's eye twitched. His rage bubbled over as the humiliating sound continued to play.
Nearby, Natsu, Gray, Erza, and Lucy were frozen in place, their faces flushed with secondhand embarrassment.
"This… is something else," Gray muttered, averting his eyes.
"Why… why won't it stop?" Lucy whimpered, hiding her face in her hands.
Even Erza, usually composed, looked like she didn't know where to look.
Kira noticed their reactions and grinned inwardly. Ah, the innocence of youth.
Finally, Kageyama couldn't take it anymore. He hurled the flute to the ground and stomped on it, smashing it into pieces. The humiliating noise ceased immediately.
Markov let out a sigh of relief. "Well, that's one way to solve the problem."
….
Meanwhile, at the Magical Council headquarters, ERA, the aftermath of the Iron Forest incident was being discussed.
"The Iron Forest was wiped out by a single Fairy Tail wizard," one councilor remarked, his tone both impressed and frustrated.
"And Kunuki Station was nearly destroyed in the process," another added, throwing a report onto the table.
"But they prevented a disaster," interjected Zekelein, his arms crossed. "Had Larabai been activated, the consequences would have been catastrophic."
Another councilor chimed in, "That's all well and good, but Fairy Tail's destructive tendencies can't be ignored. They're almost as much trouble as the dark guilds!"
"Don't forget," someone else added, "they haven't handed over Larabai yet. That cursed artifact can't remain in the hands of a guild."
"I think we can rely on Kira," said one councilor.
"Kira?"
"Yes, that young man from Fairy Tail. He's sharp, responsible, and one of the few in that guild with a proper sense of judgment."
Even as the council debated Fairy Tail's actions, one name seemed to rise above the chaos: Kira.
But not everyone was impressed.
Sitting quietly at the edge of the table, Urrutia smirked. "Kira… 'Sage,' huh? I haven't forgotten about Karna Island."
Her fingers curled into a fist. "One day, we'll settle that score."
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