The morning sun struggled to pierce through the winter clouds hanging over Magnolia, but inside the Fairy Tail guild hall, the atmosphere was brighter than the height of summer.
"Look! Everyone, look! Have you seen her? This is my daughter! My Cana!"
Gildarts Clive, usually the picture of a rugged, lone wolf, was currently darting around the guild hall like an excited child with a new toy.
He held Cana high in his arms, spinning her around and showing her off to anyone who would look—and even those who tried to look away.
"We know, Gildarts! You've told us fifty times!" Macao yelled from a table, though he was grinning broadly.
"She has my eyes, doesn't she? And Cornelia's nose! Ah, she's absolutely perfect!" Gildarts rubbed his stubbly cheek against Cana's, oblivious to her embarrassment.
"Dad... please put me down... everyone is staring at us..." Cana murmured, her face flushed a shade of red that rivaled a ripe tomato.
Despite her shy protests, her small hands clung tightly to his cloak and a shy, genuine smile played on her lips.
Raizel watched the spectacle from his usual spot at the bar.
He sat sideways on the stool, resting his chin on his palm with a glass of juice untouched before him.
"He's completely lost his mind," Raizel commented dryly, though his eyes were warm. "I've never seen the old man look this foolish."
Makarov sat cross-legged on the counter next to him, nursing a tankard of ale.
He glanced at Raizel with a knowing look.
"Was it you who told him? I suspect only someone as meddlesome as you would interfere in family matters."
"Indeed, it was me." Raizel separated his thumb and index finger, placing the web between them against his chin in a thoughtful pose.
"I've known since Cana first arrived at the guild. I originally thought she would say it herself—it's her story, after all. But in the end, she was too conflicted. Watching her stare at his back every time he left... I couldn't stand watching it anymore."
"Well done," Makarov nodded approvingly, raising his glass. "Sometimes, people just need a little push."
Raizel raised his glass and clinked it against the Master's.
"Cheers to that."
Eventually, Gildarts calmed down enough to set Cana down, though he hovered protectively over her.
They sat down next to Raizel at the bar.
"So, Cana," Gildarts beamed, leaning in close. "Will you move in with Daddy? I'll clean the house! I promise! Or we can buy a new one!"
Cana shook her head gently.
"No. I'll still stay in the girls' dormitory. Dad's house is... well, it's really dirty. And besides, you have to go out on missions often. I don't want to be alone in a big house."
It seemed Cana had inherited her father's pragmatic streak.
They had discussed it the previous night, but Gildarts still looked like a kicked puppy at the rejection.
"Rejected by my own daughter..." Gildarts slumped over the counter.
"It's for the best," Raizel interjected. "The dorm is safe, and she has friends there. But you should pay for it now, old man. Grandpa has been covering her expenses this whole time."
"Of course!" Gildarts slammed a heavy bag of jewels onto the counter. "I'll pay the rent! 70,000 Jewels a month, right? I'll pay for the whole year! Master, take good care of the finances for me."
"That's good," Raizel nodded. "If new young girls join the guild in the future, the dorm will be lively. They can all play together."
He was thinking of the future—Levy, Laki, Erza, and Bisca would all eventually call that dormitory home.
Gildarts stood up, his demeanor shifting slightly as he placed a heavy hand on Raizel's shoulder.
He turned to smile at Cana, his eyes softening.
"Cana, stay in the guild for now and play with your cards. Dad needs to talk to Raizel for a bit."
It seemed Gildarts was now determined to inform Cana of his every move, terrified of disappearing from her life again.
"Master, please take good care of Cana for me," Gildarts added, turning to Makarov with a serious expression.
"Understood. You can go," Makarov waved him off.
Honestly, what could possibly happen in the guild?
But he didn't say anything, knowing the joy of being a new father and the protectiveness towards one's child, fearing they might get hurt even a little.
....
The Canal Bridge
The wind was biting as they stood on the stone bridge overlooking the canal, the same spot where Raizel had revealed the truth the night before.
"The Master told me yesterday that you want to go to the Northern Frontier," Gildarts spoke first, leaning against the railing.
"And he said you might need my help. You've come to the right person; I'm quite familiar with the North."
Gildarts looked at Raizel with his earnest expression.
"Even if you hadn't helped me reunite with Cana, I would have helped you. But now? I owe you everything. Name the target, and I'll crush it."
"I appreciate that," Raizel said. "We're going to two places specifically. One is the Bureau of Magical Development, and the other is deep in the frozen wastes of the Northern Frontier. The exact location of the second target can only be determined after we raid the Bureau."
"Why are we going to the Magic Development Bureau?" Gildarts frowned, puzzled. "Isn't that a government facility sanctioned by the Council?"
Raizel's gaze darkened.
"On the surface, yes. But they've gone rogue. The current director, a man named Brain, has fallen into dark magic. He's capturing children—specifically those with high magical potential—to use as living batteries for human experiments. He's trying to create something dangerous."
Gildarts' grip on the stone railing tightened until spiderweb cracks appeared in the masonry.
"Human experiments on children?"
"Yes. Additionally, there's a demon from the Book of Zeref named Deliora rampaging in the northern regions. I intend to kill it."
"Is this also from your 'foresight' ability?" Gildarts asked, looking shocked. "That power of yours is really all over the place. First my daughter, now dark bureaus and demons?"
"Ah, well, don't worry about the details," Raizel waved his hand dismissively. "There's also a specific little girl at the Bureau. She was born with overflowing magic power that is destroying her body. The reason I learned the theory for the Arc of Time from the First Master is to save her."
"Huh?" Gildarts blinked.
"Practicing the Arc of Time requires massive amounts of magic power and natural talent. Coincidentally, she has that talent. It's the only way to stabilize her."
"No, that's not what I meant," Gildarts grinned, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes.
He covered his mouth while snickering.
"I meant... are you involved with her?" He rolled his tongue suggestively on the word 'involved.'
Raizel stared at him blankly.
"Don't tell me Natsu learned this behavior from you in the future... Bad influences really do corrupt good manners."
"Who's Natsu?"
"Never mind. And no, that little girl is probably only about the same age as Cana right now. I'm not a pervert."
"I see," Gildarts' expression softened, turning solemn. "I heard from the Master that you're an orphan. Is that the reason? You can't stand seeing kids in trouble?"
"Something like that," Raizel muttered, looking down at the flowing water.
He didn't know how to explain his transmigration, so letting Gildarts believe it was out of empathy for fellow orphans was easier.
"Oh! That's really manly of you!" Gildarts suddenly slapped Raizel's back with enough force to rattle his teeth.
"Keep patting like that and you'll beat me to death before we even leave Magnolia," Raizel groaned, rubbing his shoulder.
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry." Gildarts rubbed his own hair sheepishly. "So, when are we leaving?"
"After Christmas," Raizel decided. "I can't have you abandoning Cana right after reuniting with her. Spend the holiday with her. This trip will likely take a few months, and it's going to be dangerous."
...
Christmas and Departure
Laxus finally managed to return to the guild just before Christmas Eve, looking exhausted but triumphant.
The three of them—Raizel, Laxus, and Gildarts—celebrated together in a corner.
Laxus even shoved a wrapped box into Raizel's chest.
"Here. Saw it in a shop and thought of you," Laxus mumbled, looking away.
Raizel opened it to find a heavy fur coat with a high collar, almost identical to the one Laxus wore.
"Thanks, Laxus. But..." Raizel put it on. It was heavy, and since he wasn't quite as bulked up as Laxus yet, it hung a bit loose.
"I look like a mob boss's kid."
"Grow into it then," Laxus scoffed, though he looked pleased that Raizel kept it.
Two days after Christmas when the snow was falling thick and fast.
It was time to leave.
Gildarts stood outside the guild entrance, kneeling down to be eye-level with Cana.
"Cana, I'm going on a mission with Raizel. It's important work," Gildarts said gently, placing both large hands on her shoulders.
"You need to behave and listen to the Master while I'm gone. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes, I understand, Dad," Cana smiled bravely, nodding vigorously.
She held back her tears, not wanting to worry him.
Laxus was leaning against the guild wall, wearing his signature spiked earphones, arms crossed over his chest.
He watched the scene with a mix of envy and respect.
"Hey, is the place you're going to really that dangerous? You're even taking the old man along," Laxus asked Raizel.
"Well... it should be fine, but it's better to be cautious," Raizel replied, adjusting his backpack. "There are things up North that standard magic can't handle."
Makarov stepped forward, his small stature betraying none of his immense presence.
He tapped his cane firmly on the cobblestones.
"Listen carefully, both of you," Makarov said, his tone unusually severe. "The mission is secondary. Staying alive is what matters most. If things become impossible, do not fight recklessly. Retreat. Don't forget there are people waiting for you to return to this guild."
"Yes, don't worry Grandpa. I haven't lived long enough yet," Raizel grinned, patting his chest.
"Hmph, you better remember those words," Makarov pointed his cane at Raizel's nose. "If you die, I'll drag you back from hell just to beat you myself."
"Yes sir!" Raizel straightened up and gave a playful salute.
"Alright, let's go," Gildarts stood up, turning to face the road. He glanced back at Laxus.
"Oh, and Laxus. Take good care of Cana for me. If she gets even a scratch, I'll make sure to thank you properly."
Gildarts raised a fist, a dark, intimidating aura flaring up for a split second behind his grin.
"I'd do that even without you telling me, old man," Laxus scoffed, pushing himself off the wall.
He met Gildarts' gaze without flinching, then turned to Raizel.
"Make sure you come back in one piece. We still have a score to settle."
Raizel gave a thumbs-up. "Count on it."
Slinging their heavy backpacks over their shoulders, the two mages turned their backs to the guild and set off into the white haze of the winter storm.
Makarov, Laxus, and Cana stood in the snow, watching their figures gradually shrink into the distance until they were swallowed by the white horizon.
"Grandpa," Laxus broke the silence, his fists clenched at his sides. "I'm going to train. I never want to feel useless like this again."
Laxus had originally wanted to join the expedition to the Northern Frontier.
He had argued for it, but Raizel had shut him down, concerned that without S-class strength, the demon Deliora might be too much for him.
Being left behind stung him.
"Laxus, can I come with you?" Cana tugged on Laxus's coat. Her small face was filled with determination.
"I want to help Dad too. I want to be strong enough so he doesn't have to worry about me."
Laxus looked down at her, his expression softening.
He saw a bit of himself in her desire to be acknowledged.
"Oh! Come on then," Laxus grinned, flexing his bicep. "Let's get stronger together. I'll teach you the basics."
"Don't let Cana get hurt!" Makarov tapped Laxus's shin with his cane, panic flashing in his eyes. "And don't use your crazy training methods on her! She's a Card Mage, not a brawler like you and Raizel!"
As the snow continued to fall, burying the footprints of those who left, the seeds of the future Fairy Tail were being sown right there in the courtyard.