While the guild members were holding a celebration, the master called Zorn and Laxus back to join them, saying they could resume the repairs afterward.
The S-Class Exam was over, and according to the results announced by Zorn and Laxus, the guild had gained two new S-Class Mages.
"Mirajane Strauss."
"Erza Scarlet."
The day after the banquet, the master returned to the guild with its members, leaving only Zorn and Laxus on the island.
"Whew, more than half of it's finally done. Good thing I learned Earth Magic before." Zorn raised a hand and wiped the nonexistent sweat from his forehead, the corners of his mouth lifting as he looked at the fruits of his labor with satisfaction.
Zorn had completely leveled the damaged ground before him with magic. Where the difference in elevation was simply too great, he had turned it into slopes. In any case, it looked much better than the battered mess it had been.
"All right, Laxus, you're done over there too, right?" Zorn rose into the air and flew over to Laxus, where he saw him holding a truck-sized rock and dropping it into a pit.
Boom!
The ground shook as Laxus dropped the rock.
Laxus looked up at Zorn, then immediately glanced at the pit in the ground, which still needed a little work, clearly motioning for Zorn to come down and deal with it.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah."
Clap, clap.
"All right, that's everything. We should head over there now. The master's getting impatient." Zorn dusted off his hands, glanced toward the master in the distance, and placed a hand on Laxus's shoulder. A golden magic circle appeared, and with a flash, they vanished from the spot.
...Fairy Tail—first master—grave of Mavis Vermillion.
"You're here. Come forward and pay your respects." Makarov looked at the gravestone before him with a somewhat grave expression and spoke to Zorn and Laxus in a solemn voice.
Zorn and Laxus's expressions also turned solemn. They stepped forward and closed their eyes. After both had silently expressed their deepest respect, they opened their eyes and looked at the master, who had something to say.
"I kept you two behind because there's a spell I want to teach you."
"Do you remember what I told you before? Magic is formed by combining the flow of energy within yourself with the power of nature, then pouring your entire soul into it. Although magic isn't the power of miracles, love creates miracles. There are many kinds of love: friendship, romantic love, familial love..."
"The guild is one big family, and you're all my irreplaceable children. I love you deeply. As long as I'm here, I swear on my life that I won't let you suffer the slightest harm. That's what a parent should do."
"But I'm old now, and the great trees of the new generation have grown strong. Someday, you'll have to take on the responsibility of supporting the guild and this family. This spell will help you protect your family. The road ahead will be difficult, but with your family beside you, I believe you'll surely make your way toward a bright future."
"Gramps... Grandpa, you..." Laxus felt an unnamed emotion strike his heart at those words, leaving it tingling. His eyes reddened beyond his control as he looked at Makarov, his face full of filial affection.
"Haha, Laxus, it's been a long time since I've seen that look on your face." Makarov laughed heartily, his heart full of happiness.
"Hmph, quit nagging, old man." Laxus immediately wiped the expression from his face and turned his head away, blushing and sulking.
"Pfft." Seeing Laxus like that, Zorn covered his mouth and snickered.
The earlier atmosphere had vanished completely, but the master's words had taken deep root in Zorn and Laxus's hearts.
"This spell is..."
"One of the Three Great Fairy Magics, a super magic created by the first master, Mavis. Fairy Law uses sacred light to vanquish darkness, destroying only those the caster considers enemies. And only members of Fairy Tail can learn Fairy Law."
"Super magic? The Three Great Fairy Magics?" Laxus looked at the master in confusion.
Zorn, however, knew that the other two super magics were...
"Fairy Glitter, an offensive magic that gathers and concentrates the radiance of the sun, moon, and stars, forming a halo to deliver the final judgment upon the enemy."
"Fairy Sphere, a defensive magic that gathers immense magic power and the thoughts of everyone in the guild to form a powerful, invincible defensive sphere."
Zorn thought about them, but although he knew, he couldn't show it here, so he could only look at Makarov with the same puzzled expression as Laxus.
"This is a legendary super magic with absolute power. I don't know about the other two spells. Perhaps only the first master knows."
The master explained in response to their questions, ending on a regretful note as he said he didn't know the other two spells either.
"That's the principle and method behind this magic. Now I'll demonstrate it for you."
With that, Makarov held his hands slightly cupped, one above the other. As he drew on his magic power, a ball of golden light appeared between his palms.
Laxus and Zorn carefully felt the warmth of the magic. Yes, there was only warmth. Zorn seemed to understand something.
Combining the principles the master had explained with his own affinity for the Light Element, he had already mastered this super magic.
"Master, I think I've learned it."
Zorn suddenly called out, embarrassed.
The master and Laxus froze for a moment, then looked at Zorn in confusion, as though they hadn't heard him.
Zorn cupped his hands slightly, just as the master had, and light gathered in them. He immersed his whole being in the magic, and the Light Element all around him seemed to respond, pouring wildly into his hands.
The master and Laxus stared at the sight with their mouths hanging open.
Such a dense concentration of the Light Element. This child... I'll leave it to you.
At that moment, the sleeping first master, Mavis, was also affected by the dense concentration of the Light Element outside. She slowly opened her eyes and used that connection to briefly enter Zorn's mind.
"This is..." Zorn's eyes flew open. In his excitement and shock, the magic in his hands slowly dissipated, and he carefully sensed the other two super magics the first master had just entrusted to him.
This boy really is a genius, the master thought with pride, though his words were still encouraging:
"Did you fail to activate it? You still need to keep studying and gain a deeper understanding, but you've at least gotten a foothold. Keep it up."
"Mm-hmm, all right, Master."
For the next few days, the three stayed on the island, studying the super magic in peace. Zorn didn't mention the first master to the master, either.
The first master had told him that she had only awakened briefly and that he didn't need to say anything, so Zorn could only do as she asked.
Back at the Fairy Tail guild...
The guild was as noisy and lively as ever. Makarov sat at the bar, dozing, a bubble forming at his nose as he slept soundly.
It turned out that the one who had stayed behind on Tenrou Island, the Sacred Ground, was the master's Thought Form.
Tap, tap, tap. The sound of leather shoes striking the ground reached the guild, and everyone turned to see a Magic Council official entering with a group.
"Is Zorn here? I have a document to deliver." The official pushed up his glasses and spoke in an even tone, casually taking out a scroll that hung at his waist.
To be continued...