"Phew… finally here."
Kael and Guild Master Makarov stepped into Magnolia City. The entire journey had been a whirlwind of Kael's magic, which allowed them to travel at incredible speed. Makarov could feel, firsthand, the terrifying power radiating from Kael.
"The shape of the town… it's like Gildarts' pattern. Looks like he's back," Makarov noted, observing the layout. Houses lined both sides of a straight road leading directly to the Fairy Tail Guild.
As they neared the guild gates, two figures suddenly leapt into view.
"Yo, Natsu Dragneel, greeting us personally?" Kael's lips curved into a small smirk as he faced the two in battle stance.
"Natsu, Gray, what are you—" Kael began, but was cut off.
"Kael, we're challenging you!" Natsu and Gray said in unison, their faces serious and unwavering. Their determination immediately made Kael drop his playful expression.
"Alright then," Kael said with a grin, "let's see how much you've improved."
"Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"
"Ice Form—Ice Holy Sword!"
Both attacks were augmented with Haki, and both Natsu and Gray surged forward at lightning speed.
Kael responded instantly, coating his hands in Armament Haki. He raised his right hand and extended his left to intercept both magical assaults. The force, however, was enough to push him back, sliding several meters across the cobblestones.
"Wow—"
"Even Natsu and Gray have grown stronger! Their regular attacks can move Kael this far?"
"Yeah… amazing!"
"Awesome!"
The guild members poured out from every corner, cheering as they witnessed Natsu and Gray's advancement.
"Great job, you've improved a lot. Keep at it," Kael said sincerely, patting both of them on the shoulders. He genuinely felt proud of their progress.
"Alright, alright, now pay up for losing!" Kael joked, smirking.
"Kana, I didn't think you'd expect Kael to get pushed back by them," someone said.
"Hahaha, of course," Kana laughed heartily. She knew exactly how powerful Natsu had become, especially after their encounter on Tenrou Island.
Inside the guild, the scene was lively.
Gildarts sat at the bar, chugging beer, while Laxus leaned against the second-floor railing, daydreaming.
Mirajane and Erza were at the second-floor mission board, arguing over which missions should be assigned to whom. Their hands pushed against each other as their debate continued.
"Yo, welcome back, Gildarts! How were the missions?" Makarov jumped onto the bar, prompting a server to pour a drink. He clinked glasses with Gildarts before speaking.
"All successful, of course! Hahaha… though I wish for an even tougher challenge," Gildarts said, laughing and scratching the back of his head.
"Well… maybe. But first, let's have a proper celebration," Makarov suggested.
Nearby, Kael furrowed his brow. So this is it… I need to figure out a reason to stop him. This is going to be tricky.
"Something wrong, Kael? You seem troubled," Kana asked perceptively.
"Oh, it's nothing. Just some confusion with certain magic," Kael replied casually, hiding his concern.
"Everyone! To celebrate Kael becoming a Ten Wizard Saint, and Gildarts completing the ten-year mission, let's throw a feast!"
"Yay! Party!"
"Feast! Feast! Feast!"
The guild erupted in cheers. The celebration continued late into the night, showing no sign of stopping.
Later, Gildarts gathered the S-Class wizards on the second floor around a table.
"You all know, above S-Class missions there are ten-year and even hundred-year missions. The difficulty increases exponentially," he began.
"I've decided to take on a hundred-year mission. I don't know when I'll return, so I'm leaving the guild in your hands," he admitted, slightly embarrassed. He rarely returned to the guild in a year. Since Kael and Laxus had been promoted to S-Class, this was the first time he had come back, and now he was leaving again.
"I don't agree. A hundred-year mission can wait. There's no need to rush," Kael said firmly, locking eyes with Gildarts.
"Do you have any concerns, Kael?" Gildarts asked softly, noticing his unusual reaction.
"No… just not yet. If you insist, wait a few days," Kael replied and stood, leaving the meeting and the guild.
Laxus, Erza, and Mirajane exchanged glances, confused. They had never seen Kael react this strongly before.
Gildarts lowered his head in thought, observing the situation quietly. The guild members hadn't noticed, but Makarov watched Kael leave, connecting the dots between Kael's odd behavior and Gildarts' hundred-year mission.
After several days of consideration, Gildarts ultimately decided to proceed with the mission.
A few days later, after training Natsu and the others in the East Forest, Gildarts tried taking a shortcut to the tavern. Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared before him.
"Kael? So you really did come."
"Yes, uncle," Kael replied calmly.
"You seem to know a lot, Kael," Gildarts said, his eyes scanning him for details.
"Uncle… if you go, you might not return safely. Even if you do, your body could be harmed. Knowing this, would you still leave?" Kael said in a low, serious tone.
Gildarts' reaction was exactly as Kael expected—unmoved.
"Hahaha, the future isn't fixed, Kael. But your warning greatly increases my chance of returning safely," Gildarts said confidently.
Kael nodded.
"This is for you, uncle. Take care on your journey."
Kael floated into the air, golden and blue magic flowing around him. His hands hovered at his chest, forming twin magic circles that enveloped the sky. He muttered in an ancient language, his expression straining but controlled, maintaining the immense magical output.
The guild members felt the energy ripple through the city and stepped outside to witness the colossal sky-spanning magic circle.
"This… it's the ultra-magic from the ruins mission," Laxus and Kana said, recognizing the spell Kael had used in the past, when they had received his blessing.
"Master, look! The guild emblem is glowing!" Erza shouted, noticing the mark on her left arm.
Everyone's Fairy Tail insignias began glowing as well.
"Kael… you…" Gildarts hesitated, worried about interrupting the magic for fear of backlash.
"Ultra Magic—Starlight Blessing & Twelvefold Holy Shield Defense"
The spell completed, surrounding Gildarts' Fairy Tail mark with a golden shield that drew upon all of Kael's power. This was no ordinary magic; it was meant to protect Gildarts from fatal harm.
Kael's energy spent, he fell from the sky, but Gildarts caught him in a swift motion.
"You really are reckless," Gildarts said, smiling.
"Still… thanks for caring," Kael murmured, exhausted, and Gildarts carried him back into the guild.
After a few days of rest and confirming Kael was unharmed, Gildarts set out on the hundred-year mission.