Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Crocus.
July 9, x791.
With the speed of the two airships, the Blackbird and the Fairy's Tail, it did not take long for the wizards of Fairy Tail to return to Magnolia. And when they did, they had another celebration for winning the Grand Magic Games for the fifth time in six years. However, partway through the celebration, some of the higher-ranked members of the guild, namely Mavis, Alfonzo, Ur, Gildarts, and Irene, disappeared into Mavis' office.
"So, we talked about what happened while you were on the other side back at the hotel." Mavis said after taking a seat behind her desk. "And it was confirmed that six of the seven dragons attacking that version of Crocus were taken down. Five of which left bodies behind. But what did you do with those bodies? Surely, you did not leave them behind, did you?"
"Of course not." Alfonzo replied with a slightly embarrassed expression on his face because he was the reason there were only five corpses instead of six thanks to overestimating Levia's defense and underestimating the power he could bring to bear with Riot and Bedlam's powers fully released. "So much good material, there's no way in hell I'd leave something like that behind."
"Really?" Ur asked in a shocked tone. "But when did you pick them up? Even more important, how did you bring them back? I mean, I saw you helping with the reconstruction almost the whole time after the fight. When did you even have the time?"
"Oh, I can't take credit for that." Alfonzo said, his embarrassed expression turning into a smile. "But I do have them with me."
Alfonzo then reached into one of his pockets and took out five cubes the size of dice. Etched onto each cube were a number of microscopic sigils, the purpose of which was to preserve the dragon corpses in the state they were in when they were put into the cubes.
"We actually have Irene to thank for that." Alfonzo said while shooting a glance in Irene's direction. "Her [Enchantments] are really useful for shit like that, you know?"
"Yes. Using [Enchantments] to shrink the corpses down to a size that would fit in the magic items Alfonzo made then using more [Enchantments] to shrink the magic items down to the size you see here was child's play." Irene replied casually. "And releasing the [Enchantments] in reverse order will leave us with a set of five, mostly intact, dragon cadavers."
"Damn... I never even noticed any of that." Gildarts said with a good natured chuckle. "You two are really sneaky."
"Well, it makes sense that you didn't see shit, Gildarts." Alfonzo said in a teasing tone. "We did basically throw you out of the city during the times we were rebuilding. Couldn't have you breaking shit right after we put it back together, could we?"
"Hey! I'm not that bad anymore." Gildarts protested. "I mean, when was the last time they had to use the Gildarts Shift here in Magnolia?"
"That's only because Alfonzo added something to the barrier surrounding the town." Mavis said calmly. "That something nullifies the passive magic power you release. So, you can't just walk through whatever stands in your way anymore."
"I see..." Gildarts said while raising his right hand to rub his nose. "I was wondering what happened that one time I broke my nose."
In fact, shortly after Alfonzo installed the defensive barrier around Magnolia, Gildarts returned from a quest. And although he was surprised that the Gildarts Shift was not activated at that time, he paid it no mind, thinking that he had gotten better at not destroying everything around him.
And that would be true... When he's outside of Magnolia. However, as soon as he returned home, his old habits kicked in. He then walked in a straight line towards the guild hall. However, when he came across his first building, he walked straight into it, breaking his nose in the process. Though, he had never mentioned that little fact to anyone, telling the story in a way that made it seem like he broke it while completing the quest.
Snickers could be heard from everyone in the office. They all remember the day when Gildarts came back with an injured nose. And now, they finally understood why that was. Gildarts, on the other hand, put on an embarrassed expression after realizing he had just told his secret without even being prompted.
"Anyway, what do you plan to do with those dragon corpses?" Ur asked after she was able to stop laughing while holding Gildarts hand with a smile on her face.
"What else is there to do with them?' Alfonzo asked with a shrug. "I'll try to make upgrades to Erza's [Dragon Slayer Armor]. Oh, I'll work with Irene to make some Dragon Slayer Lacrima, too."
"And if it works, we might be able to add five more Dragon Slayers to the guild." Irene added with a smile. A moment later, however, her expression turned solemn as she continued. "But I'd suggest that we don't give them to any of our existing wizards. Other than my [Enchantment Magic], I've never seen other kinds of magic interact well with [Dragon Slayer Magic]."
That caused the office to fall silent while everyone took a moment to think about the possible consequences of mixing [Dragon Slayer Magic] with incompatible types of magic.
"Hmm... That may be true." Mavis said, the first to break the silence. "But there are precedents. Like you said, your [Sage Dragon Slayer Magic] and your [Enchantment Magic] meshed well together. Then there's Laxus' [Lightning Magic] and [Lightning Dragon Slayer Magic]. So, it's not impossible to give some of those Lacrima to existing members of the guild."
"You mean Juvia, right?" Alfonzo asked, catching onto Mavis' thought process rather quickly. "Oh... Wait... I killed the one that used [Water Dragon Slayer Magic]. So, there's no corpse to convert into a Dragon Slayer Lacrima."
That caused Mavis' head to snap up quickly and stare at Alfonzo in disbelief. However, instead of getting angry, she just exhaled a defeated sigh and moved on.
"Yes, that's right." Mavis replied while shaking her head. "What were the other dragon's elements?"
"Uh... Jade, Diamond, Darkness, Rock, and... Actually, now that I think about it, I don't know about that weird one with the scissors on its head." Alfonzo said while scratching the side of his head.
"Who fought that one again?" Gildarts asked.
"Laxus and Lici." Ur replied. "But I don't think they even gave it a chance to attack. So, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't know, either."
"Well, that could be an issue." Mavis said solemnly.
"Why would you say that?" Irene asked while tilting her head, the gesture being much cuter than it had any right to be coming from such a sadistic woman. "There are no weak forms of Dragon Slayer Magic. Just because we don't know what kind of wizard it would be compatible with, does that even matter? We can just give it to someone who doesn't specializing a particular kind of magic."
"That's true." Mavis replied with a nod. "I suppose I was being a bit too greedy."
"That's understandable." Alfonzo said. "You only want to make the guild stronger. But do we really have to use all of them?"
"What are you talking about, Kid?" Gildarts asked with an eyebrow raised.
"I mean, couldn't we sell some of them to our allied guilds?" Alfonzo replied with a question of his own. "On top of making our allies a bit stronger, we would make quite a bit of money, too. And that always goes a long way when training new wizards, doesn't it?"
"Something tells me you have plans of adding to the new wizards that will eventually join the guild." Gildarts said while wearing a smile that most men would be familiar with and waggling his eyebrows.
"Well, I already know that Amar'e wants to be a wizard." Alfonzo replied with a shrug. "And although I'm not sure about Bianca and Calvin yet. I bet Bianca will want to learn some kind of magic that can help her learn how to cook. Well, if she keeps an interest in cooking after she grows up a little more."
"If we're lucky, we'll be adding to the number of new wizards soon, too." Gildarts added without losing that smile.
"Stop it, Gildarts." Ur said while smacking Gildarts on the shoulder.
"Yes, Honey." Gildarts said dutifully.
"Hmm… I think I want to have another little one, as well." Irene said while flicking her eyes at Mavis mischievously before turning back to Alfonzo. "You'll help me with that, won't you darling?"
By now, Mavis was looking at the pair of couples sitting in front of her with a deadpan. Unfortunately, none of them should have known that she once had a child. But because she had to be sealed in the Lacrima, she never got to see it grow. IN fact, she did not even know if the child is still alive or not.
Naturally, Alfonzo and Elicia, who was not in the office at the moment, know about Mavis' child. And when the time comes, they'll do what they can to keep them alive… And unstabbed by Brandish.
'For some reason, I wanna find Doranbolt/Mest and kick his ass.' Alfonzo thought to himself. 'IN fact, I think it's about time he came back to our side so I can do just that.'
"By the way, Master Mavis." Alfonzo said in a curious tone. "When are we bringing that guy back into the fold?"
Alfonzo's abrupt change of subject caused the atmosphere that was making Mavis uncomfortable to break immediately. And with a serious expression, Ur turned away from flirting with Gildarts to look at Mavis, as well.
"Which guy are you talking about?" Gildarts asked curiously.
"Mest Gryder." Ur replied. "I told you about him going under cover to infiltrate the Magic Council years ago, remember?"
"Um… Not really." Gildarts replied while scratching his head.
"I'm not aware of who this Mest is, either." Irene added with a raised eyebrow.
"That's because he had already been undercover before you came from Alakitasia." Alfonzo replied. "In fact, normally, thanks to his magic, I shouldn't even remember who he really is. But after fully unsealing Riot and Bedlam, his magic lost its effect on me."
"Interesting." Mavis said, her eyes lighting up at the new magical knowledge. She then stood up on her chair and leaned across her desk while staring at Alfonzo intensely. "Tell me more, Alfonzo. Tell me how it felt when your memories snapped back into place without the magic being released…"
Like that, Mavis continued to barrage Alfonzo with rapid fire questions. Though, they were not only about Mest's magic losing its effect. But she also asked about the abilities and power that Upheaval granted him. She then ended her line of questions with a devastating pout on her face as she asked.
"So, Alfonzo, why don't I have a [Soul Armament] yet?" Mavis asked, her cute and pitiful expression making Alfonzo feel as if he had truly done something wrong. Something for which, his death would only be considered a light punishment.
"I… Well… I mean…" Alfonzo stammered to answer under Mavis' aggrieved, pouty glare that was filled with disappointment. "I'll…"
Seeing Alfonzo, who usually always had something to say, stammering like that, Gildarts, Ur, and Irene could not help but laugh to themselves. Though, they made sure not to laugh out loud, as Alfonzo could be petty about some of the strangest things. Mavis, on the other hand, who just wanted to tease Alfonzo a little bit, felt bad for making him so panicked. However, before she could apologize, the elevator doors opened.
"Hey Fonzie!" Elicia shouted as soon as she caught sight of Alfonzo through the elevator doors. "We need you to get back downstairs. All the food is gone, and those guys are starting to rampage!"
Immediately, Alfonzo vanished from the couch he was sitting on in a flash of violet light, reappearing next to Elicia in the elevator only an instant later. When he did, the relieved look on his face made it hard for Gildarts, Ur, and Irene to keep their laughter inside while Mavis felt even worse.
"Got it." Alfonzo said quickly as he quickly pressed the button to send the elevator back to the ground floor. "I'll get to cooking immediately. Oh, and Master Mavis..."
Reaching that point, Alfonzo looked up and made eye contact with Mavis, an apologetic smile on his face.
"You'll have your [Soul Armament Embryo] tomorrow morning, I promise." Alfonzo said just as the elevator door closed.
And with that, Gildarts, Ur, and Irene finally lost their struggles to keep their laughter inside. Meanwhile, Mavis only sighed. The [Soul Armament] wasn't even that important to her, as she had no intention of fighting any time soon.
'I'll just apologize to him later.' Mavis thought to herself. 'But I won't stop him from making the [Soul Armament Embryo]. You never know when it will come in handy, after all.'
Mavis then turned to look at her laughing comrades and shook her head.
"Alright, you three, let's head downstairs ourselves." Mavis said while continuing to shake her head. "Ur is one of the people this celebration was meant for, after all."
With that, Mavis hopped off of her chair and started walking towards the elevator, the other three following her shortly afterwards. Though, neither of them had stopped laughing at the expression on Alfonzo's face quite yet.