Bonus Chapters every 100 Power Stones
"Normal Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
[Year X789]
~ With Fairy Tail ~
Six months had transformed Fairy Tail in ways that would have seemed impossible during those dark hours when Ultear first spoke of Tenrou Island's fate.
Macao sat by the bar, holding a glass in his hands as he watched his guild members prepare for another day of missions. The request board was fuller than it had been in years, populated with jobs that actually paid well instead of the scraps they'd been forced to accept. A-rank missions appeared regularly now, and clients specifically requested Fairy Tail by name.
"Master," Kinana called from behind the counter, holding up a letter with an official seal. "Another interview request from Sorcerer's Weekly. They're being quite persistent."
Macao chuckled, setting down the glass he'd been holding. "Same answer as always. We appreciate their interest, but our S-class mage prefers to let his work speak for itself."
It had become a familiar routine. Ever since their reputation began climbing again, magical publications had been desperate to get an exclusive interview with the mysterious mage who'd turned Fairy Tail's fortunes around. But Shisui had made his position clear from the very beginning.
He had no interest in publicity or fame.
The guild respected that choice, even when it meant turning down potentially lucrative media opportunities.
Instead, Sorcerer's Weekly had taken a different approach. They had tracked down clients from Fairy Tail's recent missions, conducting interviews about their experiences. The results had been better than any planned publicity campaign could have achieved.
"The mage who calls himself Shisui handled the situation with remarkable efficiency and speed," one mayor had told the reporter. "No property damage, no collateral harm to civilians, and the threat was neutralized within hours of his arrival. It was like watching a master at work."
"He moved so fast we could barely follow him," a merchant had described. "One moment the bandits were there, the next they were all unconscious and tied up. It was like he seemed to be able to appear and disappear at will."
When Sorcerer's Weekly published their investigative piece titled "The Mystery Mage: Fairy Tail's Secret Weapon", the magical world had exploded with interest.
The article connected Shisui's guild affiliation with the legendary independent mage who had been making a name for himself almost a year ago before suddenly disappearing under the radar.
Suddenly, everyone understood what had happened to Fairy Tail. They hadn't just recruited any mage. They'd somehow convinced an S-class mage to join their ranks.
Shisui the Teleporter.
The revelation had sent shockwaves through Fiore's magical community. Guild masters who'd written off Fairy Tail as a has-been organization suddenly found themselves reconsidering. The Magic Council began taking notice of their mission completions again. But perhaps most importantly, public perception shifted dramatically.
Fairy Tail was back.
~ With Sabertooth ~
Far to the north, in Sabertooth's guild hall, Sting Eucliffe had been lounging in a chair when the magazine article reached his hands. His blue eyes had scanned the pages with growing interest, a slow grin spreading across his face as he reached the section detailing Shisui's confirmed identity.
"Well, well," he'd muttered, tossing the magazine to Rogue. "Look who's making headlines."
Rogue read the article with his usual quiet interest, his eyes reflecting something that might have been anticipation. "So he did join a guild after all. And it's Fairy Tail to say the least."
"This year's Grand Magic Games just got a lot more interesting," Sting had declared, leaning back in his chair with obvious satisfaction. "I was wondering when we'd get a chance to test ourselves against him properly."
~ General POV ~
Their excitement had been shared by guilds across Fiore. The prospect of seeing legendary mages compete against each other had elevated the X789 Games to unprecedented levels of public interest. Betting pools opened, predictions flew, and magical publications devoted entire issues to speculation about potential matchups.
What none of them knew was that Shisui had already made his decision about the Games. He would not be participating.
When Team Fairy Tail entered the qualifying round without their S-class member, many observers had written them off as a curiosity. Here was a team representing a guild that supposedly housed one of Fiore's strongest independent mages, yet he was nowhere to be seen. Speculation ran wild about possible injuries, political restrictions, or internal guild conflicts.
However, the team had let their performance provide the answer.
Max led them through the preliminary challenges with tactical prowess that caught even veteran observers off-guard.
Alzack and Bisca's combination attacks had evolved into something approaching artistry, their magical bullets fired in patterns that left opponents scrambling to defend.
Jet and Droy's coordination had also reached levels that reminded older spectators of what the Thunder God Tribe had once been capable of, albeit with the lacking presence of one Laxus Dreyar.
Team Fairy Tail had dominated their qualifying group, earning their place in the main tournament through skill rather than reputation. When the bracket was announced, placing Fairy Tail among the top twenty guilds, the magical community began to understand something important.
This wasn't just about Shisui's power. Fairy Tail itself had grown stronger.
The main tournament confirmed what the qualifiers had suggested. Team Fairy Tail fought with heart, determination, and genuine teamwork that impressed even their opponents. They didn't win every battle, but they earned respect in each one. By the time the final rankings were announced, their eighth-place finish felt like a victory that belonged entirely to them.
The award ceremony had been held in the capital's grand coliseum, with representatives from every participating guild gathered on the central platform. As Team Fairy Tail stepped forward to receive their medals, the crowd's cheers echoed off the stone walls.
But it was what happened next that truly mattered to those who understood Fairy Tail's journey.
As one, every member of Team Fairy Tail raised their right hand high above their heads. Their index fingers and thumbs pointed skyward, forming the guild's traditional sign in perfect unison. Behind them, Macao and the other guild members who'd come to support the team raised their hands as well, the gesture spreading through their small section of the stands.
Six months of dedicated training, mission completion, and genuine growth had restored what years of decline had taken away. Not completely, perhaps, but enough to matter. Enough to prove that Fairy Tail could stand on their own strength once again.
The crowd might not have understood the significance, but the gesture needed no explanation for those who mattered.
It was their tribute to the fallen. Their promise that Fairy Tail's memory would live on through their actions rather than their grief.
~ End of Chapter 54 ~
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