Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
----------
It was an exceptionally tall and thick tree, visible even from several kilometers away, its immense size making the island it stood on look like a potted plant.
The giant tree's roots were deeply embedded in the earth, integrated with the entire island, hence its name, befitting the island—the Tenrou Tree.
On Tenrou Island stood the Tenrou Tree, and on the Tenrou Tree... there was a little girl.
The little girl was only about 1.2 meters tall; describing her as a loli would be more fitting.
She had long, light-golden curly hair, wore small wing-like ornaments on her head, a long white dress, and sat barefoot on a branch, her fair feet dangling.
The sky was bright, and the sunlight added a touch of sacredness to the Tenrou Tree.
The little loli skillfully climbed to the top of the Tenrou Tree, humming an unknown tune as she found a comfortable spot to sit, her gently swinging feet indicating her good mood.
Her gaze swept over Tenrou Island, taking in the same scenery that had rotated for decades, yet the little loli didn't find it boring.
After all, for a ghost, being able to feel the changing seasons and witness the blossoming and withering of life at different times was already a great privilege.
Moreover, she had lived on Tenrou Island for over a decade.
Who would dislike their 'home'?
"Oh?"
The little loli turned her head to look at the sea outside the island; she saw a small black dot approaching Tenrou Island from afar, though the distance prevented her from seeing the specifics, it didn't hinder her analysis.
Tenrou Island was protected by special magic; only members of Fairy Tail could see this island "hidden" by vast magic, and only they could approach Tenrou Island unhindered by the magic barrier.
"At this time... is it Makarov?"
The little loli tilted her head, her eyebrows curving as she muttered to herself, "It seems another junior has become an S-Class Mage."
Since the Second Guild Master of Fairy Tail, there had been an unwritten rule.
Whenever a guild member passed the S-Class assessment, the current Guild Master would bring him to Tenrou Island to pay respects before the First Guild Master's tombstone, allowing the First Guild Master to witness the guild's development.
The little loli remembered that in the past four years, Makarov had brought four juniors to pay respects to her, and once, the S-Class assessment was even held on Tenrou Island itself.
The last time, the junior named Mystogan left a particularly deep impression on her; he was an ordinary person with no Magic Power, yet he became an S-Class Mage relying solely on a few magic staves.
Truly amazing and strange.
The black dot gradually enlarged; it was a magic-powered sailboat flying the Fairy Tail emblem flag. It was indeed Fairy Tail.
"Something feels off."
The little loli, or rather, Mavis, the First Guild Master of Fairy Tail, furrowed her brows and murmured, "The next S-Class assessment is still far off, and today isn't any special commemorative day. Why would they come to Tenrou Island?"
Mavis was given the title of "Fairy Tactician"; this title wasn't earned solely by high intelligence. Her astonishing way of thinking and calculating power were the fundamental factors that convinced the magic world of that era.
In just a dozen seconds, Mavis had already thought of dozens of possibilities, even considering the possibility of the guild facing a major crisis and coming here to seek refuge.
But in the end, Mavis cleared her mind.
She was just a ghost who hadn't left Tenrou Island for decades; her knowledge of the outside world was completely dark. Rather than overthinking, it was better to hide and observe first.
Mavis continuously leaped down the tree trunk, and thanks to her intimate knowledge of Tenrou Island's terrain, she quickly found a tree with an open view and very dense foliage.
Mavis climbed the tree, and the lush branches immediately completely obscured her insubstantial ghostly body, leaving only eye-sized gaps for her to secretly observe.
About twenty minutes later, Mavis "heard" the sound of a ship docking. She calmed her mind and silently counted the footsteps:
"One, two, three... eleven."
After analyzing the force, spacing, and frequency of the footsteps, Mavis quickly concluded that among the arrivals were two elderly people, one male in his prime, and seven young people.
And one with very light footsteps, possibly a small animal.
"Eleven... so many people coming to Tenrou Island."
"Could the guild truly be facing a severe crisis? Are they here to retrieve that magic from my tombstone?"
"Wait, why does the Tenrou Tree tell me it only sensed nine guild emblems? Are there two outsiders who also came to Tenrou Island?"
Mavis hesitated for a moment, deciding not to show herself until the matter was clear. Mavis would only appear if the guild truly faced an insurmountable crisis.
After all, she was a ghost hidden for decades; even Makarov didn't know of her existence. What if suddenly appearing scared someone badly?
Thinking of this, Mavis shrunk her insubstantial, petite body...
"Successfully arrived at the holy land of Fairy Tail, Tenrou Island."
"Oh, Tenrou Tree is so beautiful!"
"Look at the distant sea."
As soon as they landed on Tenrou Island, Natsu, Gray, and Happy, three inexperienced youngsters, exclaimed in admiration.
Cana proudly puffed out her chest. She wouldn't say that she had already been to Tenrou Island four years ago, when the S-Class assessment was held in the holy land.
However, it was a pity that Cana was not in the mood to enjoy the scenery of Tenrou Island at that time, as she was still immersed in the failure of being eliminated by Laxus.
Makarov walked at the front and said to Noah, "Let's go to the Tenrou Island camp first, settle these brats, and then go find that person."
Noah, of course, had no objection, as the large group behind him could be said to have been attracted by him. He wished he had just knocked Natsu out and taken him away.
August also did not object. In fact, the moment he stepped onto Tenrou Island, his agitated heart, eager to see Zeref, inexplicably calmed down. This tranquility was something he had never experienced before.
Arriving at the Tenrou Island camp, everyone began to set up tents, build a fire, gather firewood, clean cooking utensils and ingredients... it felt very much like a camping trip.
Noah casually drove a wooden stake halfway into the ground and asked Makarov, "Old man, you've been to Tenrou Island many times. Have you noticed anything strange?"
Makarov shook his head. "Did you find something, kid?"
"I just feel that fate is a wonderful thing."
One sentence left Makarov puzzled. Noah didn't explain, only subtly glanced at the loli ghost, who thought she was well hidden, in the big tree outside the camp.