"Precht, I never imagined you would fall into darkness..."
Mavis looked down at Precht, who was lying on the ground, near death. The tears streaming down his face undoubtedly represented the extreme pain in his heart.
An old friend is going to pass away eventually.
"Mavis... you're as naive as ever!"
"Magic originates from the miraculous power of darkness. I merely wish to explore the abyss of Magic Way to uncover the truth of this world. Only the Great Magic World is the Magic world that should have existed in the first place."
"I would give anything for this wish, it's just a pity I fell short by a little bit."
Precht became more and more excited as he spoke, reaching out to look at the sunlight in the sky, as if he could reach out and grasp the darkness that had been dispelled.
"Is that so? It seems you've forgotten the reason Fairy Tail exists!"
"Magic wasn't defined by anyone; it originated from the Beliefs and desires in everyone's heart."
"Magic is alive; it can take any form—darkness, sunlight, trees, rivers, the sky... it is free."
"Fairy Tail is also free, which is why these Children, through their Beliefs and strong Bonds, formed an invincible force and defeated you!"
Mavis's body slowly floated in the air, surrounded by light. Looking at the brilliant sunlight in the sky, what she saw was completely different from what Precht; she saw a bright and sunny future.
Precht stared blankly at Mavis, and hearing Mavis's words, it was as if he had returned to his youth, when his friends were all very happy and noisy, as if those days were indeed wonderful!
However, he does not regret everything he did; everyone has their own pursuits.
"Still so stubborn, Precht!" Mavis looked down at the Second Guild Master, trying her best to suppress the sadness in her heart, but the tears falling down her face expressed her inner emotions.
Although the tears vanished in mid-air, they stirred something within Precht's heart.
It reminded him of the child he had personally abandoned. Perhaps if he didn't speak up this time, no one would ever remember him again, which would be incredibly cruel to Mavis.
That child possesses a powerful Magic Power that belongs neither to light nor darkness; he will surely survive. The mother and child can surely imagine this if I tell them.
"Mavis, there's something I might say now, and if I don't tell you now, it might go to my grave with me..."
Precht paused here, then looked at Mavis's lonely figure and slowly said, "Mavis, actually, back then... when I sealed you in the crystal... I discovered... you were already pregnant."
"What... the child..." Mavis paused, turning around in disbelief to look at Precht, then slowly placed her hand on her abdomen and asked, word by word, "What did you do!"
"That child... inherited your light Magic Power, and also a powerful... dark Magic Power. I considered it an ominous sign, but I couldn't bear to kill him, so I... abandoned him."
"He's probably still alive somewhere in the world right now!"
As Precht spoke, blood gushed from his mouth, and he could only stammer out the information he knew to Mavis.
After saying it, it felt like a relief; his body slowly relaxed, and he stared blankly at the sky, quietly and peacefully ending his life.
As she lay dying, images of her entire life flashed before her eyes like a revolving lantern, and a smile slowly appeared on her face.
Mavis stared blankly at the deceased Precht, perhaps thinking of the child.
Zorn also withdrew his Magic Power; his mission was complete. He had used a few tricks to bring up August's affair, hoping to reverse that tragic ending.
A child who has never been loved by his parents in his life, and who only longs for their parents' love.
"First Master, are you alright?"
"Zorn asked softly."
Back at the camp, Wendy, who had recovered, was treating everyone, but somehow, a long line slowly formed.
Elfman: "Even men need a little treatment."
Gajeel: "Lily, you should also have Wendy treat your wounds; you still have some injuries here!!"
Lily: "Your injuries are more serious, Gajeel!"
Levy: "Haha, good... it seems everyone's lining up on their own!" Levy was first in line, said slightly embarrassedly.
"It's alright, I've fully recovered. Now is the time for me to show my skills and treat everyone!"
Wendy was very happy to be able to help everyone. After all the battles she had gone through, she felt that she needed to study Magic Power properly and master Magic so that she could better help everyone.
Just as Wendy was feeling happy, an extremely seductive voice came from beside her. "Wendy, let me help you~"
A pink-clad Erza, dressed in Nurse Uniform, posed slowly towards the crowd. Erza appearance caught everyone's attention, and they couldn't help but want to move closer.
"Erza... you're dressed like a nurse... you really do look like..." Wendy asked blankly.
Levy, her face full of exasperation, looked at Erza and muttered, "Here she goes again! That damn competitive spirit!"
"You have absolutely no ability to heal others!" Carla retorted, her forehead covered in cold sweat.
"The outcome isn't determined by strength, but by determination."
"What? Come on, tell me where it hurts. Should I take your temperature, or should I give you an injection first?"
Erza, holding her notebook, sat on the box, striking a seductive pose, and asked the boys queuing across the street in a sweet voice.
"Ugh, I thought Erza was up to something again."
"He must be out of his mind!"
"But it seems that way!"
While the boys complained, they were all shrewd and quick in their actions, lining up here fast and accurately, and even arguing and bickering with each other to compete for first place.
Even the Guild Master joined the queue.
Gildarts, on the other hand, scratched his head and stood obediently to the side under Cana's "You want to queue? Then try it" look, though his eyes kept glancing in that direction.
Laxus stood far away, glancing occasionally in Mirajane's direction, as if confirming something.
Wendy was extremely disappointed, gazing at Erza's perfectly curvaceous body, tears of deep envy welling up in her eyes.
Levy, with a hint of helplessness and envy, comforted Wendy, "Well, at least you can rest now."
She looked at Gajeel with even more anger.
"Where did Zorn go? I haven't seen him since I got here!" Cana looked around but didn't find him, so she murmured worriedly.
"What's wrong, Cana? You miss her so much after just a short time apart!" Lucy heard Cana's murmur, nudged her shoulder lightly, and teased Cana while covering her mouth.
The two girls were both embarrassed and teasing each other.
When a Magic Circle suddenly appeared, two figures simultaneously appeared within Magic Circle.
A small figure suddenly broke free of Erza's bandages and stood up, a surprised and aged voice suddenly ringing out. "The First Master Guild Master?"
Alvarez Empire
In a pavilion atop the high walls of the Capital.
August, leaning on his cane, gazed anxiously into the distance. "Your Majesty, where are you now?"
"Father..."
To be continued~