The Fairy Tactician's Miscalculation
The devastating news, like the coldest wind, swept across the entire Kingdom of Fiore overnight.
The Fairy Tail guild's main members were wiped out on Tenrou Island.
When Mest's report, written in trembling handwriting, arrived in Magnolia Town along with the official announcement from the Magic Council, the entire guild fell into an unprecedented silence.
"It's... it's a lie, right..."
Macao's wine glass crashed to the ground with a bang, the amber liquid mixed with his tears, spilling all over the floor.
He remembered that not long ago, he was bragging to Wakaba that when Chairman Makarov and the others came back, it would definitely be that kid Natsu would advance.
Wakaba's pipe, which had been dangling from his mouth, had fallen out at some point. His eyes were bloodshot as he stared intently at the cold, official announcement, as if trying to bore two holes into it.
"Laxus... Erza... Natsu... Gray..."
"How is this possible?! How could that monster Jiang Bai possibly be dead?!"
One familiar name after another was uttered with difficulty from his mouth.
Each name was like a knife, stabbing deeply into his heart.
The entire guild was shrouded in an atmosphere of despair.
Nobody wanted to believe it.
No one can accept it.
How could those companions, who were like family, those top mages of the Kingdom of Fiore, just... vanish without a trace?
However, the Magic Council's announcement was in black and white, leaving them no choice but to believe it.
Tenrou Island has been confirmed to have disappeared.
All signs of life on the island have been reduced to zero.
However, beneath this storm of sorrow sweeping across the continent, a strange undercurrent was brewing within the Magic Council.
In that airtight conference room, the chairman of the Magic Council made a decision that caught everyone off guard.
Effective immediately, the Fairy Tail guild will be placed under the highest level of protection for five years.
"Within five years, no organization or individual may, for any reason, attack or harass the Fairy Tail guild and its members in any form. Violation of this rule is tantamount to declaring war on the Magic Council."
This order left everyone confused.
Perhaps it was the last vestige of conscience remaining in those high-ranking figures that made them want to make some compensation for their indirect "aid to the enemy."
But many people speculate that there is only one real reason.
--They did not find Jiang Bai's body.
That man who single-handedly crushed the legendary black dragon to the ground, that monster who stood between heaven and earth like a god.
Until his death is 100% confirmed, fear will gnaw at the hearts of everyone who knows about that battle, like a leech clinging to a bone.
These five years of protection were less a form of compensation and more Magic Council of self-preservation from the council, offered to a potentially still-living, unknown, and terrifying entity...
A small, humble gesture of goodwill.
Just as the entire continent was mourning or secretly rejoicing over the "destruction" of Fairy Tail.
In that sea area that has disappeared from the map.
Tenrou Island, which should have been completely wiped out by the Black Dragon's Roar, is now completely enveloped by a huge sphere radiating a soft golden light.
On the island, time seemed to have been paused.
Everyone— Natsu, Gray, and even the gigantic Makarov —remained frozen in place, still in their charging stance.
At the heart of it all, a handsome figure stood facing a blonde little girl floating in mid-air, displaying a complex, constipated expression.
Let's rewind to the moment when Tenrou Island disappeared.
As the Black Dragon King's Roar was about to fall, Jiang Bai prepared to forcibly activate Space Transfer and escape with everyone.
But just as his magic surged, an even greater and more sacred magical power took the lead and enveloped the entire island.
One of the Fairy Tail's Three Great Magic - Fairy Sphere.
This is an absolute defensive spell that uses bonds as its power to completely freeze the time of friendly units, thus making them immune to all external damage.
After activating this Super Magic, even the ghostly body of the first president, Mavis, appeared somewhat dim.
She looked at the guild members protected by the golden sphere of light and breathed a sigh of relief.
According to her calculations, although this magic would freeze everyone for seven years, at least it would save everyone's lives.
"Phew... I finally made it."
Just as she was about to leave contentedly and continue guarding the guild's sacred ground as a ghost, an unexpected figure appeared before her without warning.
It was Jiang Bai.
Jiang Bai's expression at this moment was indescribable.
He had planned everything meticulously, but he hadn't anticipated this turn of events.
He simply wanted Natsu and the others to personally experience what it was like to fight against the world's top fighters, to feel the thrill of flirting with death, and to unleash their potential.
How come when it comes to the first president, it's become that they're all about to be wiped out and need her to save them?
Although he knew that Mavis meant well.
But the problem is... you're a legendary figure known as the "Fairy Tactician"!
He is the legendary strategist who led Fairy Tail through countless battles, strategizing and achieving final victory!
How could they be so presumptuous as to overlook their own spatial ability, which was more than enough to easily carry everyone away?
Although I didn't really use much Space Magic during my fight with the black dragon...
"First Generation, you..."
Jiang Bai opened his mouth, about to say something in response, but was interrupted by the other party's proud expression.
You're welcome!
Mavis put her hands on her hips, puffed out her non-existent chest, and wore a smug look on her face that seemed to say, "Praise me! Praise me!"
"Protecting the children in the guild is what I, as the first guild leader, should do!"
"No, that's not what I meant." Jiang Bai felt his temples throbbing.
"Have you... forgotten that I have spatial abilities?"
"..."
The smile on Mavis's face froze instantly.
Space... ability?
That's right!
He... he can teleport, can't he?!
At that moment, Mavis's brain went blank.
Her mind was still filled with the terrifying image of Jiang Bai using the "Heaven and Earth Transformation" technique to grab the Black Dragon King and ravage him like a god.
So when she saw the Black Dragon about to unleash its ultimate attack, and Jiang Bai was already out of magic, her tactical mind went completely offline. She relied entirely on her instinct to "protect her family" and subconsciously activated her final protective magic.
As a result... it turned out to be a huge blunder.
Seeing Jiang Bai's "Are you kidding me?" look, Mavis's cute little face instantly turned bright red.
She floated in mid-air, her fingers nervously clasped together, her eyes darting around, but she dared not look at Jiang Bai.
Um... well...
"Um..."
"That... that..."
After stammering for a while, Mavis finally came up with a brilliant way to perfectly resolve the current awkward situation.
She suddenly raised her head and gave Jiang Bai a bright, adorable smile that could melt ice and snow, and even winked playfully.
Please forgive me, considering how cute I am!
"Hey!"