She does always like to see him working on his magic tools. It's always so fascinating to watch.

The possibilities of magic tools are numerous and many. Not many know how to create one, but Mystogan is one of the few who does. He is probably the only one on Earthland with the knowledge of how to create magic tools of Edolas' design and technological know-how.

Every single component of a magic tool is critical for it to function properly as intended. From the body, the core, the other corresponding parts like the amplifier and the lacrima, every single component plays a part in allowing a magic tool to function the way it is supposed to be.

Mystogan likes to go hunting for materials to make new magic staves. His staves are almost all made of magic saturated wood. The lacrima he has are what decides the nature of the power the stave will wield. Usually, such lacrimas are either harvested from magical beasts or taken from lacrima mines. The magical programming he inscribed into the core is what determines how the power will manifest and be controlled and how efficient that process will be. A top notch programmer will allow the caster to use the magic tool as though it is an extension of their body, an unskilled one might cause the invented tool to have troubles trying to even emit magic in the first place.

The type of magic Mystogan programmed into his staves are so beautiful, so otherworldly, so different from the other types of magic she had seen before. According to him, his knowledge of how to create his own magic staves was learnt when he was still the Prince of Edolas. Anima is technically one giant magic tool. To stop it, one has to learn how it was created in the first place.

"Done."

He gave his new stave a few practice swings. She tiptoed a little closer to see what this stave is all about.

"This one allows me to cast convincing illusions."

As if sensing her unasked question, he explained further what this magic stave can do. He showed her the illusions his new stave can create, making her go starry eyed in wonder.

So beautiful.

"Close your eyes. I have something for you too."

She did as she was told. She felt his hands hanging something around her neck and when she opened her eyes, a beautiful necklace with a beautiful gemstone encrusted into it now hangs around her neck.

"This…"

"It will protect you whenever I am not there to do so for whatever reasons. Don't ever take it off without a very good reason, okay?"

He ruffled her hair with his large hand as she nodded eagerly, happy to receive a gift from him.

Soon, they packed up and embarked on their next great adventure with smiles on their faces. It's been a year since she was separated from Grandeeney but it's not a sad one year for her, not with him by her side.

She will find Grandeeney, and when she finally finds her they can be a family. Grandeeney, her, and Mystogan.

That sounds like something to look forward to.

"And there's one time Mystogan and I found a bird thiiiis big."

I watched on with a quiet smile on my face as Wendy chattered excitedly to her new friend. It's been some time since I saw her act like this. She should have friends her age instead of following me around.

"You sure you two ain't staying over for a night or two? You guys won't be imposing on us, really!"

"If it's not too much trouble."

"Nonsense! Of course not!"

It is with mixed feelings that I accepted that offer the girl's father gave to us, the reason being the identity of the new friend Wendy had befriended in the small town here.

Meredy.

Not many people in this world have pink hair. I had thought that there was something weirdly familiar about this girl until she introduced herself to Wendy while they were playing in the town's playground. The two girls had hit it off immediately, becoming close friends in a matter of minutes.

The names of Meredy's parents are Malcolm and Mary respectively, something I wouldn't have known from my foreknowledge. Not like I could remember everything from back then since my memories have been steadily eroding ever since I woke up only to find myself as Prince Jellal of Edolas, but I remember enough to know that certain things will happen soon.

Soon, Grimoire Heart will come to massacre this town in their attempt to locate the keys in awakening Zeref. Meredy will be picked up by Ultear and groomed into one of the Seven Kin of Purgatory. She will live the life of a dark mage for most of her life until she was given a personal pardon from Hisui when she's about twenty years of age.

The life that awaits her is not an easy one. Is there something I can do about this without revealing my foreknowledge? Will me attempting to save Meredy be better or for the worse for the overall plot?

I have no idea. I have no idea what is the right thing to do. I have no idea what to do if I really do intend on changing her fate.

Wendy is ecstatic at being able to stay longer in this town because this means more time to play with her newfound friend. The same goes for Meredy. It's after seeing how close they are after knowing each other for the short span of a day that I came to a decision to try and alter Meredy's fate like how I had altered Edolas' and the exceeds'.

It would be too cruel if Wendy and Meredy somehow found themselves fighting for opposite sides one day. I have no idea if Wendy will still join Fairy Tail because she is so attached to me but if she does, then she would most likely fight in Fairy Tail's war against Grimoire Heart. That would possibly mean fighting against Meredy and I don't want her to go through that kind of heartbreak.

Besides, saving Meredy felt like the right thing to do. I'm not sure if I could live with the knowledge of what is to happen to her weighing on my conscience if I were to turn a blind eye right now. There has to be something that I can do, however small it is.

I just need to find it.

Malcolm and Mary are very warm and welcoming people, which only spurred me on to try and find a way to avert their inevitable fate. I have no idea when Grimoire Heart will strike, only that they do. I know Wendy will be safe thanks to the necklace I gave her but what about Meredy? How can I save her and her parents?

Wendy and I ended up living at Meredy's place for an entire week. Their hospitality is infectious and I can tell Wendy is starting to feel unwilling to leave this place at all. Truthfully, I am starting to feel the same way as well.

My suspicions were confirmed when Wendy came to find me one night.

"Mystogan? Can we… stay here?"

And at that moment, I knew what I had to do. I reached out a hand to ruffle Wendy's hair with a smile on my face.

"Of course we can."

Amidst Wendy's happy smile and her hugging me and repeating her thanks over and again, it dawned on me that I really want to do all I can to protect her smile and innocence. Not just for her, but also for Meredy and her parents. They are people that I had grown to care about. All is not lost yet, I still have time to prepare.

The problem lies in how much time there is left.