A/N: I would like to apologise for the late update and I really appreciate to the readers who stayed and waited for this chapter to be updated.
So once again, here's the next chapter ^-^
"Wait … let me get this straight. You're telling me that these two idiots of our friends, said a wrong phrase consecutive, made Riega run off course and almost fell off the cliff?" Reina enquired Rin for the 6th time after hearing the worst and by far, coldest joke of their life. Tatsuya and Reiku were literally rolling on the forest floor, re-enacting the parts repeatedly, and every re-enacts, they burst out laughing. The two boys got into a tandem position to pull off the joke that they had just heard.
"Nashi, Deer!" Tatsuya, in front, pretended to be Silver and pointed to an imaginary deer.
"Yes, Honey!" This time, Reiku pretended to be Nashi and Tatsuya pretends to jerk the rein to the right. The two boys break from their tandem position while having their sides connect and fist bump for their joke. In less than 5 seconds, they had begun to laugh once more. It's hard to believe that Reiku is a Scarlet as his outburst was apparent an unknown factor from his parents.
Over the years, Reiku and Tatsuya had bonded well with each other due to one similarity that they had.
Their dads were rarely here. Mirai was, after all, a semi-member in the 'fatherless for a few months' clubs as she knows where her dad would roughly be. As for the two boys, they had zero lead, but that was a story for another time.
At the background, Silver was still trying to catch his breath while Nashi was still figuring out what the joke was. She's dense and oblivious to the humour that befalls upon them. The incident happens about 30 minutes ago, where the team decided to split responsibility for their meals.
"The hunting team would consist of Nashi and Silver with the assistance of Riega. Reina, Eev and Yumi would be gathering woods for the fireplace. Tatsuya, Reiku, and Mitsu for edible plants. Rin and I would be setting up the dining area and cooking as well. Any objection?" Mirai asked and received silence.
Despite the team's original plan of having Team Mirai oversee the meal and Team Reiku for cleaning up, the two leaders had decided to share responsibility.
The team had returned to the clearing outside Fairy Tail's 2nd building, also known as their 'Rest Space,' and that's where they usually have their meals. The building is just a hollow place for them to rest, which is why they didn't want to build a functioning kitchen as that would cost money for them to maintain.
"Are we seriously trying to put those two together again? I mean… those two can't even stop glaring daggers for less than 1 minute." Reina voiced out her concern as she senses ember shooting off from the sideline. "Correction, 5 seconds." And another icicle flew back.
Reiku, who was leaning against a tree with his arms crossed against his chest, glared to the two fighters which give them the chill.
"I have been keeping myself silent for the past few minutes so before I thump you two again, work together to get food back. If you do succeed, I will allow you two to fight 1-on-1." Reiku spoke up, and the two immediately saddle up on Riega. Silver is the one in front and Nashi behind where she wrapped her arms over Silver's waist. If Natsu were to see this, he would flip while Lucy would have awe in cuteness at how adorable her daughter is to her rival.
It was also an ideal position to prevent any unwanted hand touching, but then again, the two kids don't care about it. The two desire a real fight, and with that simple task, what could go wrong?
'Touch all you want. I'm not responsible for anyone who flew off from Riega's speed.' Nashi voice rang through Silver's mind, but he disregarded soon after. She said that previously when she was in charge of the reins and Silver, who had nowhere to hold, flew off from Riega a couple of times. His friends teased him when he held Nashi's waist.
Nashi took a sniff before licking her lips as she found a perfect dish for the team. "I smell something a few hundreds of meters to our right. I think it's a deer or boar."
"We will be back soon." Silver said as he pulled the reins to the right in which Riega followed, and the 3 of them soon disappear from the rendezvous point.
Once they were in the distance, Mirai walked beside Reiku with her arms over her chest and asked, "Do you think they would eventually fight for real?"
Reiku chuckled, "Neh, those two are bound to create trouble, so I said it just to get them started. We know their personality, and it won't change overnight. I hope one day; they would be able to see eye to eye with each other. They do make a good team occasionally. Maybe once in a blue moon. Also,… we may need another team to get food as well." Reiku sigh as he suspects something would go wrong when the two-gather food.
"I'll do it." Rin volunteer from the side and some of her friends were still worried about her. Reason being, Rin is an animal spirit mage. As a result, everyone naturally assumes eating meat in front of her would typically trigger a lecture or something, but she had spoken up that whatever things that happen, are part of nature. Even if they didn't eat the unfortunate deer or boar, another predator would have devoured it. It's a survival instinct, after all. Nonetheless, she still prays for their souls.
"Will you be fine? Riega is being activated right now." Yumi asked with concern as summoning two beings aren't easy. The spirit animal mage nod.
"I could roughly... do two summonings... at the same time…" Rin softly spoke as she raises her Tiger plush to her face, also known as the leader of her pack, Renga. "I need... your assistance, Renga."
Rin brought their forehead together and a light orange glow emitted from the pair. Renga float beside her as he soon grew. His harmless paws were replaced with a ferocious, deadly claw that protrudes out, gleaming fangs and eyes as sharp for hunting. Once the light had died down, Renga stood on all four with blue flame ignited from his front and hind legs and with a loud and muscularly roar; he completed his transformation.
Rin walked over before climbing onto Renga's saddles and grabbed hold of the leading reins. Just like Rin's wolf summoner, Renga too was well equipped with riding equipment.
"Be careful out there, Rin." Mirai called out to the soft-spoken girl. A slight nod was noted before Rin and Renga disappear into the lush forest with a leap.
"Stop being a worrywart, Mirai. Everyone here is capable of taking care of themselves EXCEPT for two babies in the group which happens to be on a love ride as we spoke." Tatsuya commented before an iron fist slam against his head which forces him to lose balance and fell to the ground.
"Less talk, more work." The girl who struck her fist was none other than Yumi, who however seems to be annoyed at Tatsuya for leaving the guild unnoticed for two months. Her glares were still fixated on him.
"Owh, I said I'm sorry, didn't I!" The purple haired poison dragon slayer rubbed the slight bump on his head as he tried to defend himself from this form of 'cold shoulder' treatment.
"Hmpf." Yumi huffed before walking off to the fireplace with a massive pile of wooden planks in hand. How did she manage to even keep the wooden plank towering her small figure in place was questionable.
"What's her deal…" Tatsuya mumble as he carefully rubs a physical bump above his head and soon, Mirai came into view.
"You know, you two looks like a fine couple." A snicker escaped her glossy tender lips as Tatsuya grasp with wide-open mouth. One big enough to fit a small insect if someone wanted to prank him.
"Where did that deduction came from?" Tatsuya enquired with an eyebrow raised, and his response was just a shrugged from Mirai before walking over to the wood gatherer team.
"Tat-chan, Tat-chan! Let's go!" Mitsu called out and waved to the distracted poison dragon slayer as she and her older brother were waiting for him to gather edible plants together. They required him as he could detect which plants are edible and which one contains poison. Even if he does get poison, it would merely be a bonus snack to him.
Tatsuya pocketed his hand in his jacket before strolling to the two Fernandes, where they began to walk towards the wood, away from their base.
"Did your enhanced sense fail? We have been walking for 10 minutes even after you said 'it's close by'" Silver grumble as the trio venture along the cliff of the forest.
"Geez, I don't know. Animals do run off too, isn't it? So before I stick my fist into your face, shush." Nashi rolled her eyes and begun to sniff the air once more. She swore the scents were getting stronger, but they can't seem to find their meal.
A sudden rustle in their direction was heard, and Silver noticed the leap of a 4-legged shadow animal.
"Nashi, deer!" He prepared to chase after their loot, but Nashi was distracted from a nearby recently abandoned beehive.
"Yes, Honey!" Nashi bluntly exclaimed and this distracted Silver. His face went red, almost the same colour as Nashi's hair. The grip on the rein was tilted right, causing Riega to run to the noticeable drop.
'Honey? What? She harboured feelings for me?!' Silver thoughts were abruptly interrupted from the constant smack of the panic fire dragon slayer.
"PULL THE REIN! PULL THE GODDAMN REIN!" Nashi panic as she strikes the back of Silver to gain his attention. At a time like this, she had no idea why is Silver distracted.
"Oh shit!" Silver quickly pulled the rein back and just at a nick of time, they stopped at the edge of the cliff where pebbles and tiny stones fall off the cliff and down towards the lower section of the forest.
"What was that for?!" Nashi screams out as she got off from the back. Silver, as well had made the exact same move.
"Me?! You were the one who distracted me! Look, our loot is gone too!" He pointed to the spot where he last saw the deer.
"What?! All I said was 'Honey'! What does that even have to do with your distraction?!"
"You don't know, do you?! Whatever! I'm done being friendly!" Silver threw his top away, which was blown off from the wind and get into his fighting stance where ice particle began to form on his palm.
"Fine with me!" Nashi dashed towards him with her fist ignited with flame. Silver block her move with his ice shield before swinging a makeshift ice sword to her shoulder. The girl ducks down in an attempt to dodge and swing her legs to his, to push him off. However, he turned his legs into water where Nashi's attack quickly went through. And thus, the second round of fight erupted.
As they were trained in both reflex and quick thinking, none of these stealthy movements was able to injure the other critically.
Riega, on the other hand, had comfortably seated on the terrain cliff, yawning away as he observed the fight. It was an occurrence event that happens every once in a while, under his vigilant watch.
"What… are you two... doing?" A soft voice came from the forested area, and Riega was on his heel, wagging his tail to the familiar person he laid eyes on. A gentle smile graces the spirit animal mage upon seeing her wolf summoner.
The two, fire ice-water mage halted their battle after hearing the voice but were both pulling each other's cheeks.
"Yu Rin!" Nashi had tried to greet Rin cordially, and as Silver turn slightly to glance at the spirit mage, he noticed a dead deer at the back of Rin.
The two ultimately stop their battle as Nashi's stomach grumble loudly and after a couple of seconds later, Silver's too. Guess the two rivals won't be able to fight to their heart's content since they failed their mission, but on the other hand, at least someone brought back a meal.
"Alrighty! Food is served! Let's fill those tummies right up!" Mirai announced with an apron in front of her while holding onto a silver ladle as the aroma of the stew in the pot, boiled over the make-shift outdoor fireplace, filled the air. A stampede of hungry mobs swarmed right to the dining area.
"Silver, your clothes!" Yumi grumbles as she was hit face first from the sudden strip of his new shirt.
"Wash your hands! It's basic hygiene for Mavis's sake!" Eev shouted as a reminder as she places the filled plates onto the placemat for each of them. Everyone at the table turned and grinned to Silver with mischievous written all their face. He had expected it, and with a sigh, he created a stream of water, for them to soak their hands with fresh, ice-cold water. After that, he dispelled it by spewing the 'dirtied' water onto a nearby root, as a form of watering.
That is one efficient method to 'use' the magic of Silver.
"Start without me. I would need to check on Arachne. She was injured during the battle with Reiku." Mirai took off the apron as she folds it and placed it on her bench seat. Nashi shivers upon recalling who Arachne was.
"Th-the, spider, lady?" Nashi asked as she began to shake from her insects' phobia. No one knew why a fire user would be worried about insects as she could easily burn them and she too grew up in the middle of a forest, so she was known to be used to it. Unfortunately, her phobia stands.
Mirai nod with a smile before waving off to enter the vast silent forest. She made sure she didn't wander off too far as she was hungry also. Finding a spot with a few small mammals running around, Mirai sat on the grassy field and crossed her leg into a meditation position. Slowing closing her blue eyes and soften her breathing, she relaxes both mind and body.
In this state of calm, Mirai focus on bringing herself to her inner world, in which she found herself sitting on a couch in a vacant wooden cabin. The lunette moonlight shines through the window, giving light to the dim cabin. Mirai had noticed that whenever she arrives, it will always be night with the changing cycle of the moon. Murmurs could be heard outside, and that's where she would be leading too.
"I'm telling you, we got to break the news to master sooner or later!" a three-headed puppy took turns to spoke as it was the smallest creature in the discussion circle with the other demons.
"And give her a heart attack? You knew how much she loves each one of them." A flying yellow-golden cat with an Egyptian hair ornament answered while reasoning with the puppy.
"I'm definitely not talking to her about that." The third voice said, and it was the demon she was finding. Arachne was indeed a spider lady as her main spider body, and six limbs were coated with impenetrable dark purple scaly armour while her other two limbs act like hands. Her upper body resembles a young 20 years old busty female with peachy-like skin for someone with dark colour armours. Her hair was waist length and wavy dark purple as well.
"Shush! She's behind!" The three-headed puppy immediately interjects as it noticed their master walking out of the cabin and into the field that the three demons were discussing. The other two were acting weirdly, and that would definitely lose some points in 'acting normal.'
"What were you three discussing?" Mirai asked calmly while pulling out a fake smile. The three demons sweat drop upon receiving such threats, and though they were demons themselves, the young Dreyar herself was a real 'demon.'
"N-nothing! Nothing at all! Right?" The yellow cat stutters as she looks back and forth with her friends as they hastily agreed with her. This only raises Mirai's suspicion, but she wasn't here to eavesdrop on them. She looks straight to Arachne, in which the spider demon swallows a lump down her throat.
"How are you feeling, Arachne?" Mirai asks, and Arachne's tension gradually fades. She began to inspect herself as she didn't realise the injuries she had sustained while fighting with Reiku.
Demon Beast, like Celestial Spirits, are vulnerable to injuries, but they would never die. Their soul is chain to the underworld, and reincarnation was never the option.
"Not that much damage. Just shaky from being exposed to fire. Other than that, I'm certain that I could enter the battlefield soon." Arachne informed and Mirai nods with understanding. The last thing the young summoner wants are to exhaust her demons. Mirai is human but was 'cursed' to have a demon body. In a better term to use, a demon host.
"Alrighty, the team and I would be commencing phrase 2 of our training after lunch, so have a good rest, and I would see you three soon." Mirai smiled before disappearing from their view. The three demons look back and forth between each other, and Cerberus let out a deep and exhausted breath.
"If Mirai found out about Nashi's kidnapped, she would flip."
"What's new? It runs in Nashi-chan's family. Be it kidnap or headline." Sphinx continued as she folds her arms together. The three demons concluded that their conversation would halt as they would not want to criticise the dense Dragneel further.
Slowly opening her eyes, Mirai was greeted with the afternoon sun ray and chirping of the birds. One baby bluebird landed on top of her hands, and Mirai lifted it. She smiled serenely at it but suddenly, her vision fizzled between the bright blue sky and the dim moonlight. The bird that was formerly on her hand fell dead onto the bloody grass that she was laying on. In amidst of panic, Mirai pulled her hands back while screaming but her voice failed to escape. She blinks multiple times before returning to her senses.
The dead bird was nowhere to be found but instead, up in the sky, along with its parents. Mirai scans her surrounding to ensure that she's back in reality before letting out a sigh. The vision she had seen was beyond what she could imagine, and never would she ever want to experience it. It's like being a sole survivor in an apocalypse.
"What was that? It never did happen whenever I visited them..." Mirai thought long for an explanation, but since it's her first time, she decided it was merely overused of her magic. Stretching while flexing her arms and legs, she stood up before heading back to where her friends are.
Moving the final leaves aside, she made it back to their resting zone while hearing boisterous laughter exchanged around the table. She could vaguely hear the constant childish curse between Nashi and Silver and was shoved down a spoon full of hot soup by Reiku. Both kids… or instead, Silver, yelled out as the heat burned his throat. Nashi, on the other hand, swallows it as if it was nothing. An advantage of being a fire wizard.
"What did I miss?" Mirai asked as she settles herself on her designated seat as Eev passed a clean spoon to her. At the corner of her eyes, she saw Reiku feeding Mitsu's who gladly took the offer. Just like Mirai expected, Reiku does act like an older brother to his precious, adorable little sister.
"Nothing much, other than those two quarrellings about almost anything they could find." Tatsuya answered as the girl in question chuckle.
"Typical." Mirai answered before sipping her stew, in which she learned the recipe from her beloved mother. A satisfying sound was heard, which only means that this stew was a desired taste.
"Speaking of which…" Reina spoke, which gained attention from the group.
"Eev's magic and Mirai's magic. What are their differences? Both are take-over magic and beast related, but it seems different too."
Mirai places her spoon into the bowl as she interlocks her fingers together and places them on the table. She cleared her throat as she began. "Let me be as succinct as possible. For starters, Demon Beast magic comprises of the dark form of mythology. My magic mainly uses Greek mythology. They either opposed the gods like Arachne or guard the gates of the underworld like Cerberus. Sphinx would drag human's to their death if they failed to solve her riddles. With that said, users of demon beast magic are cursed with demon particles in their body. I have yet to encounter anyone who uses demon beast magic too."
"On the other hand, Beast Magic closely resemble the beast around this Earth. Lizardman, golem, werebear, etc. This two magic could never be used interchangeably as it's two different kinds of magic." Eev continued from where Mirai had left off.
With her question being answered, Reina nod with understanding and soon, casual conversation surfaced and time indeed flies when they are having fun. Their bowl was refilled numerous times, and the stew in the main pot was cleared clean. The team began to help one another to clear their dining area, which includes putting the retractable table and pot back inside the 2nd building hall.
Immediate exercise after lunch is prohibited as it would make them feel sick. So, the team decided to take an hour rest. Nashi and Silver established a truce with one another in which they would cease all form of physical and magic attack.
Reiku and Mirai were inside Fairy Tail 2nd building looking at the training footage captured by the lacrima camera while taking notes. Tatsuya and Silver were mainly gossiping on the fact that the gender ratio of the next generation of the guild was unfair. Rin and Eev were taking a stroll in the forest, both optimistic in gathering/helping a monster/animal.
Little Mitsu, however, has a plan on her own. She ran into the guild's hall to locate her tiny backpack and pulled out a dark blue cover book, before running back outside. She leans chests down against the ground before flipping open her book. The older kids who noticed her were Nashi, Yumi, and Reina.
"What are you reading, Mitsu-chan?" Yumi asked sweetly, taking a seat beside the young Fernandes as she crooked her head to look at the older iron dragon slayer. A pleasant beaming smile formed on her lips, causing the three girls to squeal internally.
"Magic! Papa wrote this on Heavenly Body Magic for me! He said he couldn't be there to teach me every time, so he told me to read the knowledge and steps of it! However, I still don't quite understand some of the steps... Mama said she could only teach me Gra… Grande Charlotte but that's too much for me. Even Nii chama couldn't learn from mama too."
The girls were thinking about what kind of magic 'Grande Charlotte' was, and Reina snaps her finger as a light bulb appears above her head.
"Grand Chariot, you mean?" those words had enlightened the two slayers as though they felt enlightenment from it. Nashi would have thought of a drink, but that's a little too far off from their current conversation.
"Studying, huh? Mitsu-chan is such a good girl!" Yumi ruffled the young scarlet hair while Mitsu smiled in delight. She loved being praise from the elder after all.
"The other time when we went to a library to research on lost magic, Nashi fell right asleep." Reina giggles at the memory of the pinkette and the said girl pout in response.
"It's a thick book, and I only read my mum's book! Though most of the times, I don't quite understand what she meant." The pinkette shrugged.
"Correction, your mum read HER books to you and your dad." Yumi corrected the pinkette, and she kept quiet since it was true. Nashi can read and write, but her vocabulary is weak. If it weren't for the constant appearance of Capricorn, she would have been the same lost cause as her dad when he first joined the guild.
"I'm more of a hands-on person. Classroom material isn't that compatible with me."
"Yeah, I remember Nashi-chan being dragged back home to learn her spellings when she was eight or nine." Reina continued to tease the fire dragon, and she loved to see the 'pained' expression from her.
"Did you know what my mum was trying to teach me?! Vesage! Ubitquilety! Packafist! Data deal! "
"...You mean 'Vestige,' 'Ubiquity,' 'Pacifist' and 'Daffodil'?" Yumi once again corrected Nashi's words while the pinkette turn with a horrifying look.
"How the hell do you recognize those words?! What are you?! A walking dictionary?!" Nashi grasped in surprise as Yumi smirked victoriously. It was known that Yumi was the smartest one in the group. It may have been her mother's love of books that influenced her as she had been reading middle-grade fantasy books at the age of 3. It started when her dad had offered her to read a picture book for bedtime, but she had already completed all the picture books on her own during babysitting. A total of 185 picture books was read in 1 year, and she does reread it occasionally.
That's where Levy begins to dig through her collection of books for Yumi to read, and since then, she became engrossed with it. On days that the team decided to rest, Yumi would be found reading in a corner and Mitsu would inevitably be the one being read to.
"Mind you, Nashi, I do read and scan through the dictionary once in a while." Yumi laughs at Nashi's expression of sheer shock while Reina had to be the one to pushed Nashi's gaping mouth back.
"Yu-nee chan, what's the meaning of this?" Mitsu tugs onto Yumi's sleeves to get her attention, and the Iron Dragon Slayer hover over her book at where Mitsu was pointing.
"Let's see here…'In Order to cast far distance 'Meteor,' the user has to visualize their destination. One must always be vigilant while casting Meteor as the magic allows the user to move through the air at an astonishing speed. If one isn't wary, injuries might be sustained.' Hmm, it means that Mitsu-chan has to plan where you would be going. Let say that you would want to run to a place which is 50 meters, but Nashi and Reina are in your path. So, if you want to avoid them, you have to go around. If not, you might crash into them."
Mitsu formed an 'o' shape with her mouth and nodded with understanding as she gathers this new piece of information. She was still a young heavenly body mage with her meteor range of 2 meters, and Jellal told her that if she wants to improve, she got to work on her endurance and stamina. This was a reason why she tags along with the elders during their training.
As Reina and Nashi observed Yumi guiding or rather, teaching Mitsu on her uncertainty, Reina passed on a casual comment.
"I'm certain she will be a lovely older sister if she ever had one." Nashi raised an eyebrow, quite surprised that Reina had mentioned it. At this point, Nashi was still unknown on how babies are delivered. She still believes in the stork and baby story.
"You think so? I don't know about that. She's pretty attached to her parents and having to share attention might not be a good idea. If she's anywhere like my dad and me, fighting over my mum's attention, I honestly think she will have trouble with her siblings."
"Hmm? That's a pretty mature thought right that."
"I'm taking that as a compliment." The two girls laugh before lying against the grass; watching clouds form images in the sky.
Before long, an hour has passed, and Reiku had fired a blue flare up into the sky to get everyone attention. Eev and Rin returned 10 minutes before the flare was up, as they didn't want to delay their next training regime.
The ten next-generation gathered in a circle where they could efficiently communicate with each other. This time, Reina took the lead for their next training session.
"Let's have our first 'Escape the maze' training start! As the name suggests, each team would enter the maze, and they would have to work as a team to escape it. Since it's the first time that we are executing this, I would need Yumi's help on her iron wall magic to build the path, and I will keep it simple with only one pathway. The team that isn't participating in the maze your free to be located randomly to block their path or you intentionally could create a 'trial' for them to pass. Remember, humiliation is forbidden, and I will be the one monitoring this activity so the big brother over there, stop emitting sinister aura." Reina wasn't affected with Reiku's wrath but the aura that he was giving out means business too. Some of the next generations had moved away from his anger.
"Whoever hurt her, I'm killing them." Reiku threatens with a deadly glare, but Mitsu had her own way of settling her older brother.
"Bad Nii-chama!" Mitsu had jumped and smacked the back of his head, but due to her frail and young body, it doesn't hurt that much. Reiku rubbed the spot she had attack, pretending that it hurt. He had to humour her, after all.
"So, we get to punch everyone using our magic? Including Reiku?" Nashi put it bluntly as this, in fact, cause a slight sparkle in her eyes. Throwing punches to Reiku is always a great form of motivation since he does indeed come from an overpowered family. Mirai could not contain her giggles as Reiku facepalmed himself.
"That's blunt but pretty much the idea. Sudden attacks and reflexes are what this training is all about. So… shall we have Reiku's team enter the first round?" Reina asked while looking at him who received a nod from the blue haired mage.
"All right! Let the next part of our training start!"
The sun was setting, which indicated that the kids had been going on from afternoon to dusk. Almost everyone was lying spread eagles on their rest area, except for Mitsu and the two leaders. Despite being in her brother's team, Mitsu was continually being protected by them. The only training that she did was in Mirai's trial where the Dreyar trained her in stamina by playing tag. However, for the other members, it was an insane battle session.
The training was taxing as the trial that each member plan were killers. Most trials involved running and avoiding objects, while some had to undergo intense exchange blows.
The two leaders and Mitsu had prepared dinner for the team, judging the fact that none of the members could move a muscle.
"I can't feel my legs, woman..." Eev was exhausted as she couldn't even muster her yelling.
"I second that. Eev, you almost killed us from your boulders!" Yumi tried to flip over to confront the take-over mage, but her body aches just from turning.
"And you almost killed us from those chainsaw attack." Reina rebuts, and the 7 next-generation members were throwing insults at each one of their insane trials. Though spike words and inappropriate wordings were exchanged, no one had taken the words to heart. At the end of the day, they were still friends, coming from the same guild and the same extended family.
"Dinner's ready!" Mirai called out from across the field with a ladle in her hand, and magically, the seven members had a sudden rush of adrenaline. They were all up and running towards the dining area, pushing each other away to get to it first; forgetting the aches, they had earlier. Once again, Silver was in charge of washing their hands using his magic.
"What did I say? Give them food, and everyone is back to normal." Reiku chuckle as he and Mitsu help to serve the potato stew for the 'zombies' before taking a seat at the dining table. Mirai cleared her throat as she made a toast.
"I declare, the first day of training, secured! There are two more days but for now, let's enjoy for the rest of the day~" Mirai toast which was accompanied by her friends as well. The next generation dines into their dinner, which was always a bliss whenever Mirai takes the stove.
Midway through dinner, Nashi remembers something that she should have spoken up hours before.
"OH, RIGHT!" Nashi exclaimed out and stood up on her seat with her two feet, emphasizing her point in speaking.
"Just earlier this week, I have gotten myself into trouble-"
"Naturally" Silver interrupted her which received giggles from the others but Nashi cough once more to get their attention.
"Some weird cloak group decided to mess with the wrong family and gotten themselves captured by the councillor (chapter 12). Suckers!" Nashi laughed and was expecting her friends to join her, but they remain silent. At that seriousness of the news, no one dared to utter a sound related to happiness or joy. Even little Mitsu, who was five years old, decided to be quiet.
The one who broke the silence was Tatsuya.
"That group had surfaced this fast?" It was a mere statement but the two eldest member state otherwise.
"What?" Reiku question with a frown.
"Back when I was an intern' at Crime Sorciere, I overheard the adults discussing on a facility that involves the capturing of young children's whom process tremendous power. Their hideout was never found, and their lackey members are in the dark of the true intention of the facility. In my guess, it should be related to the New Balam Alliance that I heard off from Jellal-san."
"Are you sure it's not 'eavesdropping' on a confidential conversation?" Yumi teased since it was the most prominent and 'neutral' way for Tatsuya to listen on.
Mirai exchanged look with Reiku, and through they had not prepared any discussion on this matter, it was as if the two eldest knew what to do. Clearing his throat and clasping his hands together, Reiku spoke up on behalf of Mirai.
"I'm sure our parents knew about these threats, and yet, they allowed us to have our training camp. It's still early for me and Mirai to say this but ever since our previous training camps, this proves one point, and that's when we are together. Our teamwork, our footwork, and our friendship. We had each other's back, and that only strengthen our power. We support one another, and I guess that's important in this friendship of ours."
Grins and cheers were exchanged among them as everyone agrees with Reiku. No matter what, each one of them is a valuable member of the team.
For the next two days, the kids were exchanging blows with each other and despite their body begging for them to stop, a good night rest and Mirai cooking rejuvenated their tired souls.
Training camps are meant to be a practice to the real world where they fought each other with everything they got to see how they can improve themselves to be stronger with no killing involved. They are kids, children to their parents and were too young to smear their hands with blood. They have years to prepare themselves for the occasion, but the time has not yet arrived. They need a childhood where they can be taught values, compassion, appreciation, emotions, and most importantly, friendship.
- Meanwhile, at the dock of Hargeon Town-
"Papa! Mama! We are here!" A 3 years old girl, wearing an orange floral dress, run enthusiastically down the plank as soon as their ship dock properly. Her parents, brother and a few of the Spriggan 12 were close behind. Mainly Irene, Brandish, Invel, and August.
"Zera! Be careful! Geez!" The first master of Fairy Tail, Mavis, called after her daughter for being reckless. She shakes her head in a disapproving manner, but the young girl laughs it off.
The Alvarez Empire team had finally reached Fiore after 5 days as Zeref had decided to stop over at Caracole Island for 3 days since Mavis had told him about the popular tourist resort on the island. The Star Mango Gelato was to die for and Brandish patronized the shop throughout her stay on the island.
As soon as the members were on solid ground, Mest spoke up to Mavis, "First master, the carriage for our ride to Magnolia is waiting for us at the entrance of the dock. I will first return to Fairy Tail and inform the current guild master on your arrival."
"Thank you, Mest, for your hard work." Mavis smile at him, which causes Mest to blush slightly but nod before teleporting away. After all, Mavis's husband was nearby.
"If I sense any hints coming from him, I will personally strangle him." Zeref mutter, pulling Mavis's waist closer to him. Mavis giggle at his jealousy and wonder how she managed to get such an adorable husband.
"Come on, let's go and meet the extended family." Mavis held his hand before quickening her pace(dragging him in the process) to catch Zera, but Larcade had beat her to it. He lifted Zera and placed her on his arm stock where the girl pouts from disappointment.
"I wanted to explore the place!" She whines out while folding her arms; attempting to throw a tantrum.
"After we meet the others, I will bring you out here once more. It's a promise." Larcade calmly spoke, and Zera looks at him with her large dark green eyes.
"Really? Pinky swear it!" Zera stretches out her pinky where Larcade seal the promise with his as well. A smile grace Zera's face and that's what Larcade wants to see. He doesn't want his sister to suffer the same fate he went through.
"I promise."
Mavis and the others joined up with them before walking to the entrance of the dock where their carriage was waiting for them. At long last, the Alvarez Empire would meet their once 'enemy.'
-Chapter Ends-
A/N: Look what we got here~ Would Zera be able to fit into the next generation or would she be left out due to her parent's past? Let's find out in the next chapter~
Do review and give any feedback on how I can improve the story, thank you~