In the second-floor reception room of the guild, the aroma of tea filled the air. The two Makarovs sat in the main seats, Chase sat to the side, and Mira, dressed in a wine-red long dress, stood quietly behind him.
Opposite them was a blue-haired man wrapped entirely in a black cloak, with a unique red tattoo on the exposed right side of his face.
"Another world with the same Fairy Tail... I never imagined such a miraculous thing could exist..."
Jellal gazed at the steaming teacup before him, his eyes filled with disbelief.
When he had first arrived and saw the identical Fairy Tail members in the hall, he had been genuinely startled—he thought the guild had fallen victim to some strange magic again, like invisibility or body-swapping spells, just as they had in the past.
"Well, our Mystogan is your counterpart from Edolas, isn't he?"
Makarov took a calm sip of tea. "The existence of multiple worlds isn't that hard to understand, is it?"
Just moments ago, he had briefly explained the guild's collective time travel to Jellal. Of course, details involving Acnologia's defeat and the gods' descent were kept to himself.
His impression of Jellal was still rooted in the Tower of Heaven incident, when Chase had stopped his plan and sent him to prison for rehabilitation. Though he had later learned from Ultear that Jellal was also a "victim," and the man before him didn't seem evil, a basic level of caution was still necessary.
"I never expected you to break out of prison alongside Meredy of the Seven Kin of Purgatory and establish the dark guild Crime Sorcière with Ultear."
Future Makarov clearly knew more details—Natsu and the others had encountered them on the final day of their training camp, just two days ago.
That was also the main reason he had agreed to meet Jellal.
"Shouldering sins to punish darkness—that's the path of atonement we could think of..." Jellal's expression was somewhat dazed, deep regret lacing his words.
"Do whatever you like with that. It's the Magic Council's job to deal with it, not mine."
Though he was relieved that those three had found the right path for themselves, Makarov changed the subject. "You came to see us—it's not just to say hello, is it?"
"About that—"
Jellal set aside his regret and looked up at the two Makarovs with a serious expression. "During the seven years you were gone, we've detected an incredibly sinister aura emanating from the Grand Magic Games every year."
"Because we once fell into darkness ourselves, we're very familiar with that kind of aura. It's deeply connected to the legendary Dark Mage Zeref!"
Makarov frowned slightly. "Dark Mage Zeref, you say. Are you suggesting that the Fiore royal family, as the organizers, is conducting some kind of secret dark magic ritual?"
"We're not certain yet. It could also be coming from one of the participating guilds or individuals."
After a brief pause, Jellal spoke his purpose with a heavy tone: "Master Makarov, if possible, could I participate in the Grand Magic Games as a member of Fairy Tail? I want to investigate the source of that magical power up close."
Both he, Ultear, and Meredy were currently top priority targets of the Magic Council. Without the cover of a legitimate guild, they couldn't get anywhere near the Grand Magic Games venue.
Looking across all the guilds in Fiore, Fairy Tail was the only one that might trust people like them—sinners. Given his understanding of Makarov, a man who cared deeply about the magical world, he wouldn't stand idly by in the face of such a significant threat.
Hearing this, both Makarovs fell silent.
Given Jellal's current position, he had no reason to lie. If the Grand Magic Games were truly connected to some conspiracy like the R-System that could bring catastrophic destruction to all of Fiore, they couldn't ignore it.
But—
"Sorry, but our team slots are already full."
Chase, who had been quietly sipping tea the entire time, set down his cup and said calmly, "Leave the investigation of that dark magic source to me. It's a small matter."
This man?!
Jellal was startled.
Only now, with all his focus on the Grand Magic Games, did he suddenly notice that the unfamiliar man beside him was exuding a magical presence so formidable that it made even him feel a twinge of unease!
Aside from Gildarts, did Fairy Tail have another person like this?
Future Makarov shot Chase a dissatisfied glare, thinking to himself: What an undisciplined brat!
Still, seeing the shock and bewilderment on Jellal's face, a hint of smug pride flickered in his eyes.
His own kids really were impressive. For a moment, he genuinely considered keeping Chase here as a candidate for the next guild master.
"He's Chase. Back in our guild, he's an S-Class mage."
Makarov, unaware of his counterpart's private thoughts, caught Chase's refusal and went along with it. "As he said, leave the investigation to us."
"Impossible! That's far too dangerous!" Jellal stood up agitatedly.
"No one is more sensitive to dark magical auras than Chase. If even he can't handle it, you'd be wasting your time going."
Makarov glanced sidelong at Jellal. "Or do you not trust my judgment?"
This was both backing Chase and the simple truth—who could rival a specialist like Dark Magician in this field?
Jellal didn't know Chase's magic. He turned to the other Makarov to emphasize the danger, only to see the same expression of unwavering confidence.
He knew Makarov well enough to know he wasn't the type to let his own children take unnecessary risks. That unconditional support and trust only made Chase seem even more unfathomable.
And it also told him that continuing to argue was pointless.
"I understand. On the day of the Grand Magic Games, Crime Sorcière will conduct outside reconnaissance and provide support."
Jellal gave Chase a long, serious look. "Please, be careful!"
If Fairy Tail got dragged into this because of him, his sins would only grow heavier. But since the matter had come this far, he had no choice but to trust them.
With that, he turned to leave—he couldn't stay too long.
"Wait, Jellal. There's a small favor I'd like to ask of you as well," Chase called out, stopping him.
"A favor?" Jellal turned back, confused.
"Can you take me to see Ultear?" Chase asked.
When he had sent Natsu and the others into the Card Space, he noticed that the future world members had noticeably denser, more solid magical power. Upon asking, he learned about the "Second Origin."
Since fate had allowed them to travel to this future world ahead of schedule, there was no reason to miss this opportunity to grow stronger.
"Ultear and the others are on the outskirts of Magnolia. Follow me."
Without much thought, Jellal readily agreed.
Though he maintained a basic level of caution toward someone as mysterious and powerful as Chase, he was someone Master Makarov trusted—and that was enough.
"Mira, come along too."
As he followed Jellal out, Chase made sure to call Mira along as well.
***
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