"Ohhh! A gorgeous woman in a swimsuit with short hair!"
The moment Makarov caught sight of Ur her tired yet elegant aura setting her apart his lecherous nature was instantly ignited. He scurried over and, in his best imitation of a gentleman, asked if she would like to sit down and share a cup of tea.
"Damn it! Why is the master so fast?!"
"Ugh, I should've gone for it!"
Macao and Wakaba, tagging along on the journey, were instantly filled with regret.
Mira frowned, planting her hands on her hips. "Master! You can't be so rude!"
Although she had never met Gray's teacher Ur in person, she knew Ultear from the Tower of Heaven incident. Walking alongside Ur now, she felt the resemblance immediately. Ultear's features mirrored Ur's, and that faint, chilly aura surrounding her made it easy to guess her identity.
And, of course, there was that same habit of exhibitionism Gray was infamous for…
"Well, what's the connection? This beautiful and charming lady must be Ur, the ice mage who once shook the northern continent, right?"
Makarov waved expansively and grinned at Ur. "Since you're Gray's master, that makes you my friend!"
Even Mira could deduce Ur's identity. As someone who had lived through the old age of the magical world, there was no way the guild master wouldn't know. In truth, Makarov knew far more than Mira ever could.
"Oh, that was over ten years ago. Now, I'm just a newcomer who can't keep up with the times," Ur said with a sheepish laugh, scratching the back of her head.
There was no false modesty in her words.
During her recent travels, she had heard many new magical theories and witnessed the strength of modern wizards firsthand.
"If a so-called newcomer wielded magic of your level, then all the rookies in Fairy Tail might as well pack up and go home," Makarov said with an easy smile.
At that moment, one poor soul still half-buried in the sand after being caught in Natsu's latest daily scuffle let out a pained groan from his knee.
"Master Makarov, I've heard plenty of rumors about you," Ur said, her voice tinged with respect as she regarded the unassuming old man before her. "When I was just a little girl, you were already a giant in the wizarding world."
"Hahaha, that's all ancient history. Best not to bring it up."
Despite saying so, Makarov clearly basked in the flattery. His hunched back straightened, his chest puffed out, and a smug smile tugged at his lips.
Every father loves being praised in front of his children, and the master of Fairy Tail was no exception.
But Ur's next words froze his grin in place.
"For example, I distinctly remember you flattening half a town during one commission. And wasn't it also you who leveled the eastern mountains? I even recall a certain princess bringing it up "
"Ahem!"
Makarov cut her off with two thunderous coughs and hurriedly gestured toward a nearby table. "Come, come, let's sit and talk there!"
If she kept exposing those kinds of stories, he'd never live it down.
"Ohhh, so the master used to be quite the wild youth, huh~" Mira perked up, thoroughly delighted by the gossip.
"That's right, Old Man. No wonder you became Fairy Tail's master." Chase strolled up with a sly grin, twisting the knife.
Soon enough, the others gathered around, clamoring for juicier details especially about that mysterious princess.
When it came to laughing at their own, Fairy Tail was unmatched in enthusiasm.
The president's juicy scandals?
That was prime entertainment!
Makarov's face turned beet-red. In desperation, he unleashed his authority, glaring daggers at everyone in a futile attempt to shut them up.
"Ms. Ur, would you like something to drink?" Mira asked once she'd returned to the bar.
"Red wine will do. Thank you," Ur replied with a casual wave.
"Coming right up." Mira bustled off to prepare drinks and snacks.
Ur turned back to Chase, who was seated beside Makarov. Her expression softened. "Brother Chase, I'm deeply grateful for what you did on Karna Island. Without you, I wouldn't even have the chance to see this world again, much less reunite with Ultear…"
"Hah, didn't the master just say Gray's teacher is a friend of Fairy Tail? There's no need to make it a big deal." Chase smiled easily.
"That's right. Helping Gray our troublemaker is a privilege." Makarov clapped Chase's shoulder with a hearty laugh.
He had heard some things from Gray about Karna Island. Though he doubted Absolute Freeze was easily undone, if Chase chose not to explain, then it wasn't his place to pry. What mattered was that things had turned out well.
Chase, meanwhile, was silently gritting his teeth. This old man…
"Hahaha, even so, I'll never forget your kindness."
Resting her cheek in one hand, Ur studied Chase with interest and sighed wistfully. "It's such a shame I'm not young anymore, otherwise I'd repay you with my body."
She leaned closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Brother Chase, how about taking a look at my Ultear instead? That girl's got quite the figure~"
Boom!
The sound of a dinner plate being set down rang softly through the guildhall.
"The wine and snacks you ordered."
Mira still wore her usual faint smile, though something about it seemed just a little off.
"Oops, I think I might've said something terrible without realizing it."
Ur, who had seen more than her share of human emotions, immediately noticed the change. Her eyes flickered teasingly between Chase and Mira.
"By the way, Ur, are you here to visit Gray this time?"
Chase quickly changed the subject, choosing to ignore her earlier provocation.
Hearing this, the strange aura around Mira eased somewhat. She turned away, delivering wine to Cana, Macao, and the others who had raised their hands.
"I did want to see him, but judging from the atmosphere here, that idiot isn't around, is he?"
Ur glanced around the half-finished guild building and said matter-of-factly, "Otherwise, I'd already be over there asking for a hug."
Gray would never tolerate something so embarrassing, but those two shameless uncles across the way were practically itching to try.
For the sake of the guild's dignity, Chase decided not to say that out loud.
"That's right. Gray, Natsu, and the others are off on vacation at a resort," Makarov said with a nod.
"So he's on vacation? What a hopeless brat."
Ur swirled her glass of red wine with a sigh, thinking of the boy she had trained eight years ago. "What about Gildarts? Why haven't I seen him?"
"Ms. Ur, you know Gildarts?" Chase asked in surprise.
He had read the original story and didn't recall any connection between them.
"Yes. I met him more than ten years ago while fighting the Snowbeast."
Ur took a sip of wine, a nostalgic smile tugging at her lips. "That man was powerful, but terribly unserious. He tried to use teaming up as an excuse to get close to me, but I turned him down."
Though she said it had been over ten years, for someone who had been frozen for so long, it felt like only a moment. The memory of that battle, and her encounter with Gildarts, was still fresh.
"Subduing the Snowbeast? I think I know which job that was."
Makarov nodded, recalling the monster that had once been a major threat to the northern continent. "What a small world…"
"But Gildarts hasn't returned to the guild in three years."
Ur exhaled softly in relief. "Is that so? Then I don't have to worry. When I first arrived, I was already wondering how to deal with him."
"So, what's next? Do you want to join Fairy Tail?" Makarov asked, seizing the moment to extend an olive branch.
Whether it was middle-aged members like Gildarts and Macao or the younger ones like Chase and Erza, the guild was full of troublemakers. Bringing in someone reliable and steady like Ur would certainly ease his burdens.
"Haha, sorry, Master Makarov. I have no such plans for now."
Ur shook her head. "Joining a guild is the best way to learn about the modern magic world, yes, but being in the same guild as my own disciple feels… awkward."
She smiled faintly. "Besides, I prefer to live freely."
Before coming to Magnolia, she had already visited Lamia Scale, where Lyon was.
Master Ooba, who couldn't stop shouting "Men!" and Jura of the Ten Wizard Saints, had both invited her to join.
"I see. That's a shame, but the doors of Fairy Tail will always be open to you."
Makarov caught the determination in her eyes and let out a sigh, choosing not to press further.
"Well then, thank you for your kindness." Ur dipped her head slightly in gratitude.
"It seems you plan to settle down in Ishgar?" Makarov asked.
"Indeed. After so many years, I have few friends left in the northern continent, and the overall standard of magic there has fallen."
Ur lowered her gaze, staring into the wine in her glass. "Besides, Gray, Lyon, and… Ultear are all here."
"Ah, I nearly forgot your daughter serves on the Council."
Makarov slapped his forehead in frustration, then blurted out what he had been thinking. "I was hoping you could live near my house!"
Mira, passing by with a tray of food, shot him a glare that said it all: You're far too old to still be having indecent thoughts like that.
Compared to him, the man sitting beside him didn't seem quite so bad…
"Well, to be honest, I haven't decided yet."
At the mention of her daughter, Ur's face clouded with confusion and sadness. "I don't know why, but Ultear seems to be deliberately avoiding me."
Before coming to Fairy Tail or Lamia Scale, her first stop had been the Council headquarters.
However, Ur hadn't seen her beloved daughter in several days.
Each time she asked, the staff's response was the same: Ultear did not want to see her.
Ur couldn't understand why, but Chase knew the truth all too well.
Ultear, weighed down by countless sins, simply lacked the courage to face her mother.
Makarov stayed silent. He didn't know the details of Ultear's involvement with Grimoire Heart, but from Mira he had already learned that Ultear was the mastermind behind the Tower of Heaven incident.
This was a matter between mother and daughter. Outsiders like them had no right to interfere.
The cheerful atmosphere quickly grew heavy.
Looking at Ur's troubled expression, an idea suddenly flashed into Chase's mind.
"Ur, I have a way to force Ultear to meet you."
"What way?!" Ur immediately straightened, her eyes sharp.
Chase calmly picked up a piece of fried meat from his plate and popped it into his mouth. Smiling faintly, he raised one finger. "Become the master of an official guild."
The Magic Council oversaw all guilds. If Ur became a guild master, she would have to attend the same council meetings as Ultear. In that case, Ultear would no longer be able to avoid her.
"Brother Chase, don't joke. Where would I even find members to form a guild right now?" Ur let out a long sigh.
Theoretically, it was possible. But setting aside the question of whether she who loved her freedom was even suited to lead a guild, how could she, freshly "resurrected," without connections or influence in Ishgar, qualify to establish one?
Mira, having finished her work, sat down beside Chase with a smile. "Miss Ur doesn't need to recruit people herself. There's already a guild waiting for her."
"I see. That's quite a good suggestion." Makarov nodded knowingly, catching on to Chase's idea.
Ur blinked in confusion at their reactions, uncertain of what they meant.
Chase leaned back and clarified, "There's a small guild called Sabertooth that's on the verge of collapse. If you, Ur, are willing to take over as its master, it shouldn't be difficult."
"Sabertooth?" Ur frowned slightly.
The name was familiar.
Not long ago, the battle between Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord had caused quite a stir. Because Gray was involved, she had paid close attention to the entire conflict. She remembered clearly that Phantom Lord had used Sabertooth as a scapegoat when they declared war on Fairy Tail.
"Although the former master did many shameful things, I've heard the members themselves are good kids with great potential."
Makarov saw Ur's hesitation and said firmly, "Didn't you just say joining a guild is the best way to understand the current state of magic? Taking over Sabertooth would be the fastest way to achieve that."
Entrusting Sabertooth to the woman who had trained a prodigy like Gray it was the best outcome for both Ur and for Minerva and the others.
This kid Chase always seems mischievous, but the idea he just proposed is really excellent, Makarov thought. His opinion of Chase improved noticeably. It was the right choice to consider him as the next master of Fairy Tail.
"But would they accept an outsider like me? And what about the Council " Ur asked, her tone betraying temptation despite her doubts.
Besides her daughter and her apprentices, the thing she cared about most was the pursuit of magic. Becoming Sabertooth's master would let her do both at once.
"The Council is no problem. Those old geezers still owe us a favor. When the time comes, I can write a letter of recommendation myself."
Makarov puffed up with confidence. "As for Sabertooth, you're not connected to Fairy Tail. That makes it easier. If anything, they're desperate for a strong wizard to take over. Right now, they're a hot potato that no one wants to hold."
....
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