"Ooooh! A beautiful short-haired woman in a swimsuit!"
Seeing Ur, with her unique travel-worn charm, Makarov's old pervert nature was instantly inspired. He hopped over and, putting on a gentlemanly act, asked if she'd like to sit down for some tea.
"Damn it! How did the master get there so fast?!"
"We should have been more bold!"
Macao and Wakaba, fellow perverts, were full of regret.
Mira frowned, put her hands on her hips, and followed him. "Master! Don't be so rude!"
Although she hadn't met Gray's teacher Ur in person, she had participated in the Tower of Heaven incident and knew Ultear. The two women had even chatted on the way back to the Council.
And Ultear looked so much like Ur. Combined with the faint chill emanating from Ur, it was easy to guess her identity.
Of course, the most important clue was the exhibitionism she shared with Gray...
"Well, what's the harm? This beautiful, sexy lady must be the famous Ice-Make wizard from the Northern Continent, Ur, right?"
Makarov waved his hand, looked at Ur with a beaming smile, and said, "Since you're Gray's teacher, you're an old friend of mine!"
If Mira could guess Ur's identity, there was no way the old man — a product of the older generation of the magical world — wouldn't know.
In fact, he knew far more than Mira!
"Oh my, that was over a decade ago. Now I'm just a newbie who can't keep up with the times!" Ur scratched her head, a bit embarrassed.
She wasn't being modest.
During her recent travels, she had heard many new magical concepts and theories and had witnessed the power of modern wizards.
"If someone with your level of magic power is a newbie, then our guild's newbies would need to find a hole to bury themselves in," Makarov said calmly.
At that moment, someone deeply buried in the sand, collateral damage from Natsu and Gray's daily fights, suddenly felt a twinge in their knee.
"Master Makarov, I've heard various stories about you too."
Ur looked at the unassuming little old man before her, her tone somewhat respectful. "When I was still a little brat, you were already a famous big shot in the magical world!"
"Haha, all in the past. Not worth mentioning."
Despite his words, Makarov was clearly enjoying this mutual flattery. Even his back straightened, a proud smile on his lips.
Getting praise and affirmation from a beautiful woman in front of the children naturally made the old father happy.
However, Ur's next words immediately froze his smile.
"For example, that time you destroyed half a town on a job — I remember it vividly. Oh, and leveling the eastern mountain range — that caused quite a stir. And then there was that kingdom's princess who—"
"Ahem!"
Makarov completely couldn't hold it together. He coughed heavily and quickly ushered Ur to a nearby table to sit down.
If she kept revealing things like this, his old face would be completely ruined!
"Ara ara. Looks like the master was quite the passionate youth when he was young~" Mira was very happy to hear this gossip.
"So, old Makarov, you deserved to become Fairy Tail's master after all," Chase added, walking over slowly.
The other guild members also gathered around, egging Ur on, wanting to hear even more explosive things — like that princess.
When it came to enjoying their own people's misfortunes, Fairy Tail members always showed far more interest and passion than other guilds.
What? It's the master's gossip?
Then it's even more worth eating!
Makarov's little face turned red from holding back. He could only abuse his tyrannical power, glaring at the members with murderous eyes until they backed off.
"Ms. Ur, can you drink alcohol?" Mira asked from behind the counter.
Ur didn't stand on ceremony. She raised her hand casually. "Red wine would be great. Thanks."
"Okay." Mira started preparing the drinks and snacks.
Ur turned to look at Chase, sitting beside Makarov, and said with gratitude, "Chase, thank you so much for what happened on Galuna Island."
"Without you, I wouldn't even have the chance to experience this world again, let alone be reunited with Ultear..."
"Didn't the master just say? Gray's teacher is the guild's friend. Don't worry about such a small thing," Chase said with a smile.
"That's right! That troublesome brat who's always causing problems should consider it an honor to help!" Makarov patted Chase's shoulder.
He had heard some of the Galuna Island story from Gray.
Although the old man also thought Iced Shell wasn't something that could be broken so easily, since Chase didn't elaborate, he must have had his reasons.
The outcome was good, and that was enough.
Chase: "..." This old fart!
"Haha, even so, I'll never forget this kindness for the rest of my life."
Ur propped her cheek on her hand, looked Chase over with interest, and sighed deeply. "It's a shame I'm not young anymore, or I'd have to repay you with my body."
"Chase, how about my daughter Ultear? That kid has a great body, you know~"
THUD!
The sound of a plate being set on the table.
"Your wine and snacks."
Mira still had a faint smile on her face, but no matter how you looked at it, something was slightly off.
"Oh dear, seems like I accidentally said something bad."
As someone who'd been through it, Ur instantly saw the dynamic. Her gaze warmly shifted back and forth between Chase and Mira.
"Hey, Ur, did you come to visit Gray?" Chase quickly changed the subject, completely ignoring her previous suggestion.
Hearing this, the strange aura around Mira dissipated somewhat. She turned to serve wine to Cana, Macao, and others who had raised their hands.
"That was part of it. But judging by the situation, that idiot probably isn't in the guild right now, is he?"
Ur looked around the still-not-completed new guild hall and said matter-of-factly, "Otherwise, he'd be running over for a hug right now."
Gray probably wouldn't do something so embarrassing. On the other hand, those two pervy uncles over there seemed to have that kind of impulse...
To protect the guild's image, Chase decided not to say that out loud.
"That's right. Gray and Natsu went on vacation to a resort," Makarov nodded.
"A resort? What a lazy, unambitious brat!"
Ur complained, swirling her wine glass. She thought of a Fairy Tail wizard she had encountered by chance eight years ago. "What about Gildarts? I don't see him either."
"Ms. Ur, you know Gildarts?" Chase asked, surprised.
Having only read the original story, he didn't remember any connection between them.
"Yes — I met him once over a decade ago, while subjugating a snowball monster."
Ur took a sip of wine, a reminiscing smile on her lips. "That man was very strong, but a bit perverted. He tried to hit on me by suggesting we team up. I turned him down."
Over a decade ago, but to her — frozen for so many years — it felt like just a short time. The memory of meeting Gildarts was still vivid.
"The snowball monster subjugation? I think I know which job that was."
Makarov had a strong impression of that monster, which had once posed a serious threat to the Northern Continent. He sighed, "Fate is truly amazing..."
"But Gildarts hasn't returned to the guild in three years."
Ur relaxed. "I see. That's a relief. When I first arrived, I was wondering how I'd deal with him."
"So, what are your plans now? Would you like to join Fairy Tail?" Makarov extended an olive branch in due course.
Whether it was the middle generation like Gildarts and Macao, or the younger generation like Chase and Erza, the current guild was full of troublemakers.
If he could bring in the strong,steady Ur, it would definitely save him a lot of worry!
"Ah ha, sorry, Master Makarov. I don't have any plans to join a guild right now."
Ur politely declined Makarov's invitation. "Although joining a wizard guild is the best way to learn about the current development of magic, being in the same guild as my student feels a bit strange."
"Besides, I prefer a free and unrestrained life."
Actually, before coming to Magnolia, she had already visited Lamia Scale, where Lyon was.
Master Oba, who kept saying "spinning in circles," and Jura the Rock, a Ten Wizard Saint, had also invited her to join.
"I see. That's a shame. But Fairy Tail's doors are always open for you."
Makarov caught the resolution in Ur's eyes and sighed, not pressing further.
"Mm! Thank you for your kindness." Ur bowed slightly.
"It looks like you're planning to settle in Ishgar, then?" Makarov asked instead.
"That's right. After all these years, I don't have many friends left on the Northern Continent. And the overall level of magic there isn't high."
Ur looked down, her eyes fixed on the wine glass on the table. "Besides, Gray, Lyon, and... Ultear are all here."
"Ah, I almost forgot your daughter is a Council councilor."
Makarov held his head in chagrin and spoke directly of his ulterior motive. "And here I was hoping you'd just settle down near my place!"
Mira, passing by with a tray, gave him a speechless look. How can you still have such perverted fantasies at your age?!
By comparison, that damn card addict next to him seemed slightly better?
"About that — to be honest, I haven't decided yet."
Mentioning Ultear, a faint look of confusion and sadness appeared on Ur's face. "For some reason, that child, Ultear, seems to be deliberately avoiding me."
Before Fairy Tail and Lamia Scale, she had first gone to the Magic Council headquarters.
But for several days in a row, she hadn't been able to see her longed-for daughter.
The staff's answer was always the same: Ultear didn't want to see her.
Ur couldn't understand why. But Chase knew the reason well:
Burdened with so many sins, Ultear simply didn't have the courage to face the mother who loved her most!
Makarov also remained silent.
He didn't know about Ultear's connection to Grimoire Heart, but he had learned from Mira that Ultear was the one who had started the Tower of Heaven incident.
This was a matter between mother and daughter. They, as outsiders, had no right to interfere.
The harmonious atmosphere suddenly became somewhat heavy.
Looking at Ur's troubled face, an idea suddenly flashed through Chase's mind.
"Ur, I have a way to make Ultear unable to avoid meeting you."
"What is it?!" Ur immediately perked up.
Chase calmly picked up a piece of crispy fried meat from the plate, popped it into his mouth, and held up a finger with a smile. "Become the master of a legal guild."
The Magic Council was the organization that regulated guilds. If Ur attended various meetings as a guild master, Ultear, as a councilor, wouldn't be able to avoid her!
"Chase, stop joking. Where am I supposed to find people to start a guild now?" Ur sighed deeply.
In theory, this method was feasible.
But aside from not knowing if she — who loved freedom — could even manage a guild, having just been "revived" with no connections or reputation, what right did she have to start a guild in unfamiliar Ishgar?
Mira, having finished her tasks, sat down next to Chase and smiled. "Ms. Ur doesn't need to find people. There's already a ready-made guild."
"I see. That's a very good idea!" Makarov had also guessed Chase's intention.
Ur was confused by their reactions, unable to make heads or tails of it.
Chase finally explained it to her. "There's a small guild on the verge of dissolution called Sabertooth. If you're willing to take it over, the difficulty shouldn't be too high."
"Sabertooth?" Ur frowned slightly.
The name wasn't unfamiliar to her.
Recently, the battle between Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord had been all over the news. Because it involved Gray's guild, she had paid close attention to the whole affair.
And Phantom Lord had used Sabertooth as a sacrifice to officially declare war on Fairy Tail!
"Although the original master of that guild did a lot of cowardly things, I've looked into it. The members are all good kids with great potential."
Makarov saw Ur's headache and said in a low voice, "You just said joining a guild is the best way to learn about modern magic. Becoming Sabertooth's master would definitely be the fastest route."
Having Ur, who had trained a fine wizard like Gray, taking over Sabertooth would be the best outcome for both Ur and Minerva and the others.
That brat Chase usually seemed so unserious, but this idea of his was truly good!
Makarov's impression of Chase improved somewhat. He really had made the right decision in making him a candidate for the next master!
"But... would they accept an outsider like me? And what about the Magic Council..." Ur was clearly tempted.
Besides her daughter and two students, what she cared about most was exploring the magical field.
And becoming Sabertooth's master seemed like it would perfectly balance both aspects!
"The Council is easy. Those old fogies still owe us a big favor. I'll just write a letter of recommendation."
Makarov was quite confident about this. "As for Sabertooth — since you have no direct connection to Fairy Tail, it shouldn't be too hard."
"Or rather, they're already a hot potato. They'd probably be eager to have a strong wizard take over!"
***
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