Bonus Chapters every 100 Power Stones
"Normal Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
[Year X789]
~ With Shisui ~
The conversation with Warrod had been straightforward enough. Shisui had explained his situation through a communication Lacrima to Warrod.
"Fairy Tail can handle themselves now," Shisui had said. "They've proven that during the Games. What they needed was confidence in their own abilities, not dependence on mine."
Warrod had nodded thoughtfully. "And now you need time to focus on your own growth. I can see it in you, that restless energy. You've been holding back for months."
"There are threats in this world that require more than what I currently possess," Shisui had admitted. "If I'm going to protect what matters to me, I need to push myself beyond my current limits."
The Wizard Saint had smiled then. "I believe I have exactly what you need."
~ With Shisui, two days later ~
Two days later, Shisui stood before Fairy Tail's mission board as Macao carefully pinned up a new request. The parchment bore the official seal of the Magic Council, and its classification marking drew immediate attention from every guild member present.
Although it was an S-rank mission, Shisui never really stood with the S-class tradition and had never hung around the S-class area on the second level of their guildhall. So, Macao thought it would be better to pin the request on the guild's main mission board.
"S-rank?" Jet's voice cracked slightly as he read the designation. "An actual S-rank mission? Posted directly to our guild?"
The reaction was overwhelming. Guild members who'd been scattered around the hall suddenly converged on the mission board, voices rising in excitement and disbelief. After years of struggling to secure decent paying jobs, having an S-rank mission specifically requested for their guild felt like validation of everything they'd accomplished.
"Long-term investigation." Bisca read aloud, her voice carrying clearly over the excited chatter. "Requires expert-level magical sensing and combat capabilities. Minimum duration: six months. Maximum duration: 10 months. Compensation commensurate with S-rank classification."
"Six months?" Droy looked concerned. "That's a long time to be away from the guild."
Romeo, who'd grown significantly in both height and confidence over the past months, stepped closer to the board. "It says here that the mission specifically requests Shisui by name. This isn't just any S-rank job. Someone important wanted him for this."
All eyes turned to Shisui, who stood near the back of the crowd with his arms crossed. He'd known this moment would come eventually, but that didn't make it easier to see the mixture of pride and worry on his guildmates' faces.
Max stepped forward, his expression serious despite the celebratory atmosphere around them. "Are you sure about this? Six months is a long time, and if it's truly S-rank level work..."
"I'll be fine," Shisui assured him. Seeing the disbelieving and still concerned look on their faces, Shisui added.
"Don't worry about me, guys. Really. I could complete this mission with my hands down. Most probably. I hope." he said light-heartedly, attempting to ease his guildmates concern.
Alzack and Bisca exchanged glances before Alzack spoke up. "We trust your judgment. And honestly, after these past months, we know Fairy Tail can handle whatever comes our way."
"Speak for yourself," Wakaba muttered from his usual spot at the bar. "I was just getting used to having missions that actually paid well."
His complaint drew laughter from the guild, breaking some of the tension that had started to build. Despite their concerns, everyone understood that this opportunity represented something important for both Shisui and the guild's future.
"Besides," Bisca added with a confident smile, "we've got A-rank missions coming in regularly now. We can keep building our reputation while you're away."
The support in her voice was echoed by nods and whispers of agreement throughout the hall. Team Fairy Tail had proven themselves capable during the Games, and the guild as a whole had regained the confidence that had been missing for so long.
Romeo approached Shisui directly. "You'll be careful, right? S-rank missions aren't like the ones we've been doing together."
"I promise," Shisui replied, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "And when I get back, we'll continue your training. I want to see how much stronger you've gotten in my absence."
The promise seemed to satisfy Romeo, though concern still lingered in his expression. The bond they'd formed over months of training had become important to the both of them.
~ With Shisui, two days later ~
Two days later, Shisui found himself sitting across from Warrod in the Wizard Saint's comfortable home. The old mage had prepared tea, but this time the atmosphere was more serious than their previous casual conversations.
"Fairy Tail's performance in the Games was remarkable," Warrod said, settling into his chair with obvious satisfaction. "Eighth place without their S-class member participating. That speaks to genuine growth, not just borrowed strength."
"They've come a long way. When I first joined, they were barely holding together. Now they're functioning as a proper guild again." Shisui agreed.
"Your influence has been considerable as well. The Magic Council has taken notice of their transformation. No collateral damage incidents in over a year, consistent successful mission completions, and a team that represents the guild with honour. That's not common, especially for a guild with Fairy Tail's... explosive historical reputation." Warrod observed.
Shisui chuckled at the diplomatic phrasing. "They still have that fighting spirit, but they've learned to channel it more effectively."
Warrod's expression grew more serious as he leaned forward slightly. "Which brings me to a concerning matter that occurred during the Games. Something that only the upper echelons of the Magic Council are aware of."
The change in tone immediately put Shisui on alert. He set down his teacup and gave Warrod his full attention.
"During the period when security was most focused on the Games themselves," Warrod continued carefully, "there was a security breach at one of our most secure facilities. The prisoner being held there, Jellal Fernandes, managed to escape."
Shisui kept his expression neutral, though internally he felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. Their plan had succeeded, but hearing about it from Warrod's perspective added a layer of complications and consequences that he really did not want to handle.
"That should have been impossible," Shisui said, injecting the right amount of surprise into his voice. "The security around someone like Jellal would have been extraordinary."
"Indeed," Warrod agreed grimly. "Multiple S-class guards, runic containment systems, magical suppression fields. Yet somehow, he simply vanished from his cell. The breach wasn't discovered until routine prisoner check revealed his absence."
Warrod paused, his eyes studying Shisui's face with an intensity that suggested deeper thoughts beneath his words. "I have my suspicions about who might have been capable of such a feat, but the investigation remains ongoing."
The implication hung in the air between them, though Warrod made no direct accusations. Shisui found himself impressed by the old mage's perceptiveness, even as he maintained his innocent facade.
"Jellal was always a complicated case," Warrod continued, his voice taking on a more reflective tone. "The boy was dealt such a difficult hand in life. Mind manipulation, forced servitude, used as a weapon against his will. Even after everything he did, I've always felt that justice and mercy should have been balanced more carefully in his sentencing."
The genuine compassion in Warrod's voice surprised Shisui. Here was one of the most powerful mages in Fiore expressing sympathy for someone the Magic Council classified as a dangerous criminal.
"Now that he's free, I can only hope he chooses a different path than the one forced upon him before. Perhaps freedom will allow him to find redemption through his own actions rather than through punishment imposed by others." Warrod said softly,
Shisui nodded carefully, choosing his next words carefully. "Sometimes people need the chance to prove they can change. Prison doesn't always provide that opportunity."
"Exactly," Warrod agreed, and something in his smile suggested he understood far more about the situation than he was letting on. "I have faith that if Jellal is truly free to make his own choices, he'll choose to help rather than harm."
~ End of Chapter 55 ~
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