Hearing the past of her father and mother, Erza felt a sense of thrill and dread. It was an era that hadn't even been clearly recorded in history books; they simply stated that all dragons vanished from the world, allowing human civilization to survive and endure.
Seeing Erza's face full of questions, Irene said with a hint of pride, "Actually, your mother is the founder of Dragon Slaying Magic. Back then, I used Enchantment Magic to bestow Dragon Power upon humans, which allowed them to fight against dragons. I also made a great contribution to the Human-Dragon War."
If she hadn't created Dragon Slaying Magic, humanity might have long since been wiped out; it wouldn't be an exaggeration for history to label her a hero.
"Fine, you're the most amazing, okay?"
Erza looked at her mother's 'hurry up and praise me' expression with a heart full of helplessness. Despite her age, she still acted like a child.
She looked at Acnologia and asked, "Then should I go tell Natsu and the others?"
Acnologia thought for a moment and said, "Bring Natsu over first. Tell him I want to give him a physical examination. As for the Dragon Soul Technique, don't mention it yet. If Igneel is no longer inside them, Natsu might go crazy."
"Understood!"
Soon, Erza hauled a reluctant Natsu over and threw him in front of Acnologia. "Here, take a look!"
Natsu felt like his bones were about to be broken by this violent woman and couldn't help but hiss in pain. "What are you guys doing? What physical exam? I'm not sick! My wounds have all healed!"
Hauling him over without a word—she was way too overbearing.
"Whether you're sick or not is for me to decide. Behave!"
"No, no, no! What are you trying to do!"
"Help! Somebody save me! Murder!"
Natsu screamed in terror, twisting his body and struggling like a pig waiting to be slaughtered. Getting annoyed, Acnologia knocked him out with a single punch.
"Now it's much quieter!"
Acnologia placed his hand on Natsu's abdomen, and his magic power began to permeate inward. His consciousness felt as though it had entered a volcanic region of flowing lava, with eruptions of fire everywhere.
However, he soon frowned. He could sense the aura of the Fire Dragon King Igneel, but he could not sense his presence.
Furthermore, there was another dragon's aura—one that felt somewhat familiar, as if he had encountered it in the distant past.
Acnologia withdrew his hand and racked his brain, trying to remember which fellow that dragon's aura belonged to.
He had definitely seen it before, but he couldn't recall it for the moment.
Erza asked urgently, "Did you feel it? Is Igneel still there?"
"He's gone!"
Acnologia said, "Actually, it's within reason. The Dragon Seed shouldn't be that difficult to nurture. There's no point in them continuing to stay inside Natsu and the others."
"Then where did they go?"
Erza was somewhat puzzled. Since the Fire Dragon King Igneel had already come out, why didn't he see Natsu first? At the very least, he could have left a message.
The same went for Gajeel and Wendy's dragons; they hadn't left a single piece of useful information.
"The Northern Continent, the Western Continent, or even the East Continent. At the very least, I can't sense their presence in Ishgar."
Acnologia figured those five fellows must have left for some urgent matter. As for the reason, he likely wouldn't know until they met.
"Hey, Acnologia, Irene, Erza! We're getting ready to head back!"
In the distance, Gray waved his arm and called out the names of the three.
"Coming!"
Erza responded, then looked at the sleeping Natsu and woke him up with three consecutive slaps to the face.
"Wake up, wake up!"
"Ow, that hurts!"
Natsu opened his eyes groggily, rubbing his aching cheeks. He asked as if he had amnesia, "What happened? My stomach hurts, and my face hurts too."
Erza said without changing her expression, "You suddenly fell asleep just now. You were probably having a nightmare and slapped yourself."
"Really?"
Natsu looked skeptical, but in front of this family of three who were not to be trifled with, he ultimately swallowed his words of doubt like a coward.
The four walked back to the gathering point. Everyone was present, even Laxus, who was happily reunited with the Thunder God Tribe. There was no need to ask how things had turned out.
At that moment, a cute girl with golden hair, a pair of small wings on her ears, and an elf-like appearance came skipping over.
She put her hands behind her back and greeted them with a smile: "Hello, I am the First Master of the Fairy Tail Guild, Mavis Vermillion."
Makarov looked at the elf-like girl in shock: "Fi... First Master..."
"The First Master? She's so young?"
"A little girl?!"
Everyone's eyes widened in shock, unable to believe it.
Makarov had naturally seen the First Master before; her body was kept beneath the guild, which was also the Fairy Tail Guild's greatest secret.
However, based on the First Master's age, she should be about the same age as Porlyusica. How could she appear here, and how could she be so young?
"Because I was cursed by magic..."
Mavis gave a brief explanation, telling everyone that she was a Ghost and that only those with the Fairy Tail emblem could see her.
Wendy looked delighted and reached out to carefully poke her. "So you're a Ghost!"
The First Master was very cute and small, just like her (≧▽≦).
"Makarov, I didn't expect you to have grown so big already."
Mavis looked at everyone, a gratified expression appearing on her face. "Everyone is very strong."
"Under your leadership, the guild and everyone in it are full of hope for the future. It's truly vibrant."
Makarov was flattered and waved his hands, his face turning red. "It's because you laid such a good foundation for the guild that we've been able to come this far. Without you, we wouldn't be gathered here today."
Mavis looked at Cana and said with a smile, "It's thanks to you. If you hadn't activated Fairy Glitter, I wouldn't have woken up so soon."
"Obtaining Fairy Glitter—that was your S-Class Promotion Trial, right?"
Hearing this, Cana said with a grateful expression, "I could feel it. When I was receiving Fairy Glitter, you gave me a helping hand. Otherwise, I wouldn't have succeeded so easily."
Gildarts put his arm around Cana's shoulder, grinning foolishly. "This year, my daughter Cana is an S-Class Mage!"
Makarov nodded in agreement. "Both Cana and Lucy did exceptionally well. They already possess wisdom, courage, and strength. Cana's S-Class rank is well-deserved, and next year, Lucy will also be eligible for the trial."
Lucy waved her hands modestly. "I didn't really contribute that much!"
"Congratulations, Cana!"
"You too, Lucy! I definitely won't lose to you in next year's trial!"
Everyone smiled, feeling happy for their comrades' growth.
Mavis looked toward Acnologia, and a look of confusion slowly appeared on her face. "You seem to have the Power of Death on you. It's very similar to my Death Curse?"
Through the Fairy Tail emblem, she could sense her comrades' magic power. Although she didn't know why Acnologia was cutting off that connection, she could still sense something.
There was no mistake; it was the curse that had entangled her and Zeref for their entire lives.
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