Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or it's characters.
-The Enchanter of Fairy Tail-
Chapter 43: Leaving Lavender Village
Year: X756. 28 years till Canon begins.
Cade POV:
"So. Do you have everything?" Queried my mother from my right.
"Think so. Like most trips I'm leaving with less then I entered with." I answered back.
Currently I was packing my suitcase that I had came her with. Just about everything was in it, including the birthday gifts I had received. Perish the thought of me losing or forgetting the recipes Han left for me.
It had been six days since I had entered the Etherial State and fused my magic together. Since then I had occasionally exited the village to practise my now fused magic. To better refine it.
You see, I had gotten a bit lucky when I casted that Stone Slicer for the first time. Many of the times after that in which I had tried to cast my Ice and Henshin Magic together often resulted in the spells being around half complete. Sometimes they may not be fully transformed into stone.
I had taken it upon myself to practice outside the village to try and get the idea of how to perfect this, to make sure I was better with it upon returning. Now that I had learned how to fuse my magic, I was quite eager at the idea of going on an A-Class Quest.
Also it meant that I could finally go back to Malvel's spell book, something I had been putting off for a while until I had learned to fuse my magic properly. I didn't want to encounter something in those pages that were beyond what I could possibly do.
My training outside the village had worked pretty well for me. Almost all my attacks were able to be turned into stone on the fly as long as I was focused.
Just about all my attacks greatly benefited from turning into stone. Before even the hardest ice would have shattered if it hit with something thick enough. However, the stone was much compact and solid meaning it was not only more durable, but much more powerful as well.
It hit faster and harder then my ice ever did, showing that the long wait for this advancement was more than worth it.
While I was training however, I ran into a possible hurdle that may be tricky to overcome. Casting two magics at once to fuse them together is quite draining if you do it long enough. Hopefully my magic container would be able to support that,
You see, the magic container a wizard had was an interesting thing.
A few months back before coming here, I decided to expand my knowledge on the topic to see what else I could find out.
I found out that a wizards magicql container will eventually get used to the sudden drain and try to adapt to my new and fancy fusion magic. Practice makes perfect. Still, it would take time.
The drain itself was still pretty bad if I kept casting stone spells for long enough, but if I only use it when fighting in some more dangerous situations I think I'll be fine.
I had also continued to work on my Ice/Stone Extinction spell. Like I thought a few days back when I first learned the spell, the spell seemed to be much more effective when I used it with stone instead of ice. I had still practised it with ice, but stone seemed to be the way to go when it came to that spell.
Either way, progress was slow but I had a feeling I would improve over time.
Other than all this training that I had been doing, I had been preparing to leave the village knowing that my time here was coming to an end.
I had used my fancy new camera to take some pictures of me and my friends in some of the lovely areas in this place. I had plenty film for it, so I didn't need to worry about running out.
I had taken a photo after I had showcased my fusion magic for the first time. I had also snapped a few shots of the monastery, the lake, the saloon, the lovely houses and streets, as well as a shot that overlooked the entire village.
This camera was perhaps the best birthday ever! It allowed me to make these memories last longer which gave me some comfort. I had made sure to insert the photos into the lacrima I also got with it, which would be placed somewhere safe at home when we got back to Magnolia.
While me and my friends had been enjoying the last of our time here, Fea had occasionally approached us. She wanted to hang out with us before we left. For some reason she looked like she wanted to say something to me each time she was around me. But she always got nervous and backed away from me.
Rather… strange behaviour, but I didn't want to ask in case she was sensitive about it.
Han also seemed to spend more time with the lot of us now that my training was complete. He often walked round with us and told us about the history of the building that we were facing. I also made sure to snap a photo of me and him in front of the monastery.
Two as a matter of fact, one for the Master and another for the student to take back with him.
Despite everything I did over those six days, the time seemed to fly by. Before I knew it, I was in my room packing up my suitcase for everything to take back with me to Magnolia. Thankfully, everything was accounted for. Clothes, birthday gifts, money, books and everything else I brought with me.
"That's the rather touching thing about long trips like this. It makes you realise how long you've been away." My mother noted to me.
"Never really thought about it like that." I said as I closed my case over and zipped it up. "Though it does make this little adventure quite worthwhile." I then stood my case up, and held onto the long handle of it, with me now ready to wheel it behind me.
I then turned to my mother. She wore a lovely sunflower coloured dress with some comfortable shoes. She too was also wheeling her suitcase behind her. "The photos as well will also help us remember this." She remarked with a smile.
"I think we should get one before we go." I suggested to her as I left my room, joining my mother outside.
I then turned around and took one last look inside the room that I had been staying in for a few weeks now. I felt a bit sad leaving it, and knowing that I was heading back to Magnolia.
I then slid the door shut, and me and my mother made our way down the staircase to the ground floor where the front entrance was.
Currently it was the early morning and everyone had woken up early to have a big breakfast before we all headed back. Lilly and Cornelia had already packed last night as well as my mother, leaving me to pick up the pace.
"Where are Lilly and Cornelia?" I wondered as we walked down the stairs, the suitcases thudding behind us.
"They are already on their way to the tunnel that leads out to the forest. They left an hour or so before I came to see you." Mother answered as we had now reached the bottom of the stairs.
When we got to the front door of the monastery, we saw Han waiting for us, him leaning against a wall.
"Look who finally packed their case." He joked with a smirk as he saw me coming to the front door. He then approached us both. "I'll take those cases for you until we get to the bottom of the stairs." He offered.
"Oh! That'd be great Han." Mother said as we handed him our cases.
When Han got a grip of them, I saw them disappear into thin air with a white light.
He just… put them into his Requip storage.
"We're… getting those back right?" I questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Of course! I simply put them in my storage so that none of us had to carry them down the stairs." Han quickly assured us.
Mother seemed very skeptical about this. "If I find out that you've been rummaging through my clothing…" She warned Han.
Han immediately held up his hands in defence. "I can't edit the things that are inside my Requip storage, I'd have to take them out for that!" He quickly defended his honor.
Mother thankfully dropped her glare that she had, and the three of us headed out the monastery, with me taking one last look at it before we headed down the huge steps.
I chose to walk down them this time with my mother beside me. It felt fitting in a way, us both leaving the building that had housed us for weeks now.
When we got to the bottom, Han snapped his fingers and re-summoned our cases. We took them off him with my mother looking quite happy to have hers back. We were both about to keep moving on through the village and up to the pathway that exited out of the forest, but Han stopped us.
"Excuse me June? Why don't you go on ahead. I'd like to have a few last words with Cade if you don't mind." Han requested.
Mother seemed surprised at the request, but gave a happy look. "Yes of course! Why don't I take your case for you Cade? It'd save you a bit of trouble going up. I'll wait for you at the top of the tunnel that leads out of here."
"Oh that'd be great!" I said, relieved that I would not be needing to carry it with me until we left the village.
"You know how to get there right?" Han asked mother. "It's that way up there. Just follow the path that leads up there." He instructed her as he pointed to the different ways she had to go.
"Yes, yes." My mother said, her getting ready to leave us alone. "Well I'll see you in a bit Cade. Don't be too long." She said, as she left us alone and made way for the tunnel.
I watched her go away and turned to look up at Han. I had a feeling why he sent my mother off.
"So, what is it you wanted to say?" I wondered with interest.
"I thought about what you said a few days back. When you first found the orb." Han began to say. "If this village is to change in the next few months, then I feel I should be more open with others about my past."
I was surprised to hear the ageless man say that. He continued.
"By talking with you young Cade, you helped me realise that I'm not alone at all with my situation. There are others that can help me through my years. By being more truthful with them, I feel like I can live much more than I did before I met you, if that makes sense." He said to me.
"It does!" I said with happiness. "So… does this mean…?"
"Yes. I will be telling Elder Lotho the truth about my past. I do think I can trust him. Really, I'm now only regretting not telling him sooner." Han informed me with a smile.
"That's great! I'm sure he'll be happy to help you as much as he can!" I beamed at the idea. "Wait… what about the orb?" I questioned with concern.
"I shall continue to watch over it as I always have done. If anyone tries to abuse it's power, then I shall be ready to interfere. With the village potentially moving to the outside in the next few months there will be a higher risk than ever if it getting found out." He assured me.
"Well I'm certain things will go well on your end." I assured him.
The idea of all the villagers suddenly having to leave the safety of the mountain and live outdoors again seems like it will be a difficult process for them to get used to. But with the help of Elder Lotho and Han, I'm sure they'll be able to achieve it.
"I do plan on coming back here one day." I stated to him. "Perhaps for a short getaway from the life of a guild wizard. Make sure to keep a room open for me ok?"
"I'll always be keeping a room ready for you." Han said with a smile, as he then held up a hand to me. I took it and we shook it, creating a bond that I won't be forgetting anytime soon.
"I'll be seeing you Han." I said as I turned away from the man with a deep smile.
"I look forward to it Cade." Han grinned, as he held up a hand in farewell to me.
As I began to walk away from my old Master, an idea hit me.
"Oh hey! If you're ever in the area, be sure to drop by Fairy Tail!" I shouted as I turned back to him.
Han let out a laugh, before answering me. "If that guild is anything like what you said, then that'll be a day I'll never forget! Goodbye Cade!" He shouted a farewell to me as I waved at him.
"Goodbye Han!" I yelled, as I turned away from him and began to move towards the pathway that led up to the forest tunnel.
As I ran up the pathway that led up to the village, I began to think back on all the things that happened to me since I began the long travel here to the village.
To think that so much could happen in two months. This experience really has changed me. I smiled as I thought about all the new friends I had made and the good times that I had experienced.
By the time I had finished recollecting all the good times, I was at the top of the tunnel that led into the forest. I looked back over the village for one last look taking everything in, before I decided to move on through the tunnel with a smile.
I saw my mother just at the entrance, her patiently waiting for me. She looked happy to see me, when I came up to her.
"There you are. Finish everything you needed to say with Han?" She asked, as she handed me back my case,
"Yeah I did. It's sad to be leaving here." I said. "Kinda wish I could stay for longer, but we have a life in Magnolia."
"Yes. I think everyone will be eager to see what we have been up to." My mother said as she turned to the tunnel. "Shall we?" She beckoned to me.
I nodded my head, and we both made our way through the tunnel with our suitcases wheeling smoothly off the stone ground beneath us. We then came to the door that was guarded by a Seeker. They nodded their heads and opened the door for us, presumably being told that we were coming.
We exited the village, and door sealed behind us. In front of us stood Mato.
"Good to see you. Your friends have already gone ahead with Elder Lotho." Mato said as he pointed through the forest. "Reed will be the one giving you a lift back to Crocus. I think you said that you have ways to get back to Magnolia from there am I right?"
"Yeah we can take the train back to Magnolia at Crocus station." I said as I made my way up to Mato. "So then, mind leading us they way to the carriage?"
Mato smiled, and began to lead us both through the forest. While we were walking through the forest, I decided to speak up to the Seeker.
"Hey Mato. Did I ever tell you that I'll be coming back here one day?" I spoke up.
"Hmm. I don't think so." Mato muttered as he scratched his chin in trying to recall that detail.
"Well I am, and I have a favour to ask you. I'd like something from you when I come back here." I requested, which caught the interest of Mato. He turned to me curiously.
"And what is that?" He wondered.
"I want a rematch with you." I declared grinning as I punched my hands together.
The three of us stopped walking when I said that. My mother looked surprised to hear me say that, Mato now showed a look of interest at my challenge.
"Oh?" He wondered as he corked his face in amusement.
"When we first fought the day I entered this village you kicked my ass to the ground so bad that I fell unconscious." I stated, deciding to be brave with my words in front of my mother. Mother raised an eyebrow and gave me a glare, but said nothing.
"I going to get stronger when I get back to Magnolia, so when I come back here in the future, I'll be strong enough to beat you." I declared as I pointed a finger at the large man.
Mato's look of amusement changed into a laugh, but it was not a mocking one. "This is the first time I have received a challenge from someone." He explained. "But… I felt like you had a lot of potential in you when we fought Cade. So I accept your challenge." He answered with a grin.
"Alright! You better start training as well, else I'll be beating you easily." I grinned as we began to resume walking through the forest.
"Don't think that I've ever decided to stop training in my life for a break. I'll make sure to keep up the training, as long as you do as well." Mato stated with an eager tone as he turned around to keep moving through the forest.
While I was excited for the eventual rematch between me and Mato, my mother was snapping me out of my excitement by pulling on my ear.
"I thought I taught you to be mindful of your words Cade." She abruptly said.
"Ow, ow, ow! Oh come on, there wasn't another word that I could think of that explained the situation any better!" I said in a bit of pain.
Mother sighed and let go of my ear, before giving me a glare. "Well try not to use words like that when meeting strangers. It might give you a bad impression." She insisted.
I just rolled my eyes when she couldn't see me. "Alright sure." I lied easily, fooling her.
We then finished walking to the edge of the forest exit and we saw a carriage that was presumably meant to take us back to Crocus. I could see a storage compartment that held some luggage, possibly Lilly's and Cornelia's.
Just in front of the carriage, I saw Elder Lotho and Fea standing there waiting for us. Redd was also there tending to the horses. Lilly and Cornelia were talking with each other against the carriage.
"Here we are. Thanks for the escort Mato." I thanked the man.
"It's no problem on my part." Mato grinned. "I'm afraid I will have to be leaving you now. I have some work to attend to back at the village." He said with a tint of sadness. "I do wish I could see you off."
"Ah it's ok Mato. Work is work." I shrugged at him.
"Just promise me this. Don't keep me waiting too long for that rematch." Mato asked me. "I will be eagerly awaiting your return."
"I don't plan on keeping you too long." I said as I held out a hand towards the mage.
Mato took the hand and shook it with a firm resolve. "Good luck in Fairy Tail Cade. You better be in S-Class when I next see you." He said with a fiery glow in his eyes.
"You may come to regret wanting that." I remarked as he began to depart through the trees and back to the forest. "See ya next time Mato!" I shouted to the man, as he held up a hand in farewell to me before he disappeared from view.
And so, me and my mother made our way out of the forest. When we came out of the forest all five of them saw and turned to face us.
"I'm glad to see that you arrived." Elder Lotho greeted us.
"Took you long enough." Cornelia spoke out. "We've been waiting here for ages." She said with a huff.
"Sorry, just had some stuff to take care of back at the village." I apologised to the two girls.
"Well at least we can get going now that you're here." Lilly said.
"Everything's ready on my end. Should take us about maybe six hours to get to Crocus." Reed spoke up as he came towards us. He then took our luggage from us and put it in the back of the carriage, before returning to us.
Elder Lotho then came towards me.
"Cadewell Philipe while staying here in this village you and your mother have made sure to respect and adhere to the rules I stated upon your arrival. Not only that, but you saved my daughter when no one else was able to. For that, Lavender Village will always be open to you whenever you need a place to go." Elder Lotho remarked as he held out a hand to me.
Like before back in the village, I took the hand and shook it firmly. Thus, securing a good relationship with the community here. Whether they would be inside a mountain or not, I would always be welcome here.
My gaze turn turned to Fea, the last person I had to say farewell to. I broke the handshake with Elder Lotho and turned round to see Fea.
Before I could speak up though, Fea quickly started to speak.
"Listen Cade! There has been something that I have been wanting to tell you for a while now!" She quickly said with nerves, her face turning a bit red.
My mother let out a silent gasp of delight, while Elder Lotho, Lilly and Cornelia looked on with strange anticipation. This confused me.
"Erm… what is it exactly that you wanted to tell me?" I asked nervous that I would upset the girl. Is this what she was meaning to tell me for the last few days?
Fea looked really nervous now. "I erm… I-It's how I feel about you!" She blurted out.
"H-How you feel about me?!" I questioned with surprise.
Fea then took my hands and held them with hers, turning my face red. "Cade! Ever since you rescued me, my feelings towards you changed! At first I saw you as a kind and caring person, but when you held me in your arms and the sun shinned on your face I saw a powerful boy that made my heart explode with love. Cade… I'm in love with you!" She cried with joy.
"WH-WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?" I felt my face turn beet red, with a mixture of emotions flying through me. My mother looked overjoyed to hear Fea say that, while the others were seeming waiting for my answer.
'F-Fea l-loves me! This is what she was trying to tell me!? Argh… I-I don't know what to say back!' I thought with fear.
Before I could answer though, Fea spoke up again.
"So please… stay here and marry me!" She cried with happiness.
"SAY WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?" Came the cries of surprise from me, mother, Cornelia and Lilly who did NOT expect Fea to say that.
Lilly had her mouth open in shock, Cornelia was lost for words and my mother was completely shaken. Elder Lotho nodded his head firmly when Fea said that, as if he was expecting such a request. Reed awkwardly went back to tending to the horses. I guess he was staying out of this conversation.
"M-Marry you?! Marry you!?" I spluttered with disbelief.
"Yes!" Fea replied with her looking like she was in heaven for making it this far. "I think you would make a great Elder after my father. You have the strength, resolve and courage for doing it. Also I find you to be quite the looker." She said blushing, as she took her hands away from mine and held them on her cheeks.
My mother was the next to speak up. Or rather shout up, I should say. "Fea! This is not what we discussed and agreed on! I thought you wished to maintain a long distance relationship with my son! Not immediate marriage!" Mother yelled.
"Y-Yeah! What she – wait a minute. You discussed this?" I questioned, taken aback by this second revelation.
"I never said that!" Fea rebutted back. "Why it is tradition for our villagers to chose a potential marriage candidate for years down the line."
"I never knew that!" Mother argued back, her still blown away by this. She then turned to Elder Lotho. "Elder Lotho, surely you think this is too far. My son is 14 years old and he lives in Magnolia, he is also a guild wizard so he cannot possibly stay here forever!" She stated.
Elder Lotho looked a bit bashful when she said that. "Well when you put it like that… I didn't really think about things that way when my daughter told me she had feelings for Cade…" He muttered.
Fea now looked horrified and aghast. "Father! You aren't going back on what you said right?" Fea pleaded as she looked into her fathers eyes with a sad look.
This completely threw the Elder off his current sway of the argument. "W-Well I mean the choice does fall to Cade right?" He quickly brought up.
I felt everyone look at me now. The decision fell to me… much to my dismay.
'Why did Fea have to fall in love with me! Despite being around her for ages now, I still feel like I barely know her! I… I don't love her back, but I don't think I can say it to her!' I panicked internally.
"Erm, so Fea… about how I feel towards you…" I began nervously. "L-Look. I like you as a friend Fea… but not as a lover." I said with a gulp afterwards. "I'm sorry but a relationship between the both of us wouldn't work! I can't leave my life in Magnolia behind me and come here with you, and you are needed here with your magic and being the Elder's daughter." I finished explaining.
"Please understand!" I cried as I clapped my hands together in a prayer like stance.
Fea looked like her future fantasy world that she had been dreaming of with me suddenly collapsed around her. Her face was stricken with confusion and then sadness. Yet she seemed to pull herself together.
"I-I see." She said with a shaky voice that even I could make out. "I-It's fine if you don't love me. R-Really it's fine!" She said after. "Erm, why don't you and your friends start making your way back to Crocus then." She said as she closed her eyes and beckoned to the carriage, Reed now in the front ready to get going.
Lilly and Cornelia bolted into the back carriage, with mother going after she said that.
"Y-Yes that might be a good idea." I quickly said. "Goodbye Elder Lotho. And goodbye Fea!" I said as I waved to the both of them, before I sprinted into the carriage with my friends and mother.
As soon as I shut the door, the carriage began to move away towards Crocus.
I believe I made the mistake of choosing to look out the window to see how Fea was doing, as when she saw me in the carriage leaving her she immediately burst out into tears.
"GOODBYE CADE! PLEASE DO WELL IN MAGNOLIA AND IN FAIRY TALE!" She cried with tears as she waved goodbye to me. I saw Elder Lotho go over to comfort his daughter as he too waved goodbye to me.
I then turned back to my friends in the cartridge who looked relived to be away from there. I shuddered when remembering what Fea asked for me back there.
"Marriage… To think she wanted to marry me." I said as my turned red a little. Then I remembered an important detail. "Hey! What did you mean back there when you said that you had discussed this with Fea?" I demanded to my mother.
"It was on your birthday that Fea told me that she had feelings for you." My mother explained. "I said that I would be fine with the both of you having a relationship. I just assumed she meant a long distance one."
"Did you two know about it as well?" I demanded to Lilly and Cornelia with suspicion.
Both girls looked a bit nervous when I said that. Lilly broke the silence that was in the air. "Well… erm we asked Fea what she thought of you as we suspected she might be in love with you."
"That's right. We then gave her some advice about how to try and win your heart. Course we didn't know about the marriage…" Cornelia added.
"W-Well it's all behind us now – literally." I said as I gestured my thumb behind us. "Still, despite the awkward ending I loved my time here. I'm planning on coming back here one day, any of you coming with me?" I asked with interest.
My mother gave a snigger. "You still plan on going back even after the proposal just there?"
I was dumbstruck. I didn't think of that.
"Argh! That'll make things so awkward when I go back!" I said with anger to no one, causing the three of them to laugh at my remark just there.
Eventually, Reed dropped us off at Crocus and wished us luck back home. We took our luggage from the compartment at the back of the carriage and waved him off.
When he left us, it was turning dusk so we could either find a hotel for the night, or board a train that took us to Magnolia that had sleeping compartments. We decided to go for the train since the price for a hotel in Crocus was quite expensive, and we were running low on money.
Before we got to the station though, I made sure to pick up some souvenirs for Pierce and Charles. I got the both of them books on different subjects that they were interested in. Afterwards, we paid for and boarded a train that would take us all the way back to Magnolia. The journey time would be two days. The weather was to be nice as well, so chances of delays were also low.
Thankfully, there were no delays at all so we were able to get back to Magnolia swiftly. The time on the train was mostly spent playing some games and chatting with each other about our plans when we got back.
Mother planned to head to the manor immediately to see Pierce and Charles and check the condition of the place. She also mentioned how she wanted to check whether all the money was still in the basement vault in case it was stolen. Lilly planned to head back to her house to see her mother, while Cornelia planned to see her boyfriend and what he was up to.
I would go and see everyone at Fairy Tail to see how they had been since I had left them. I'm sure they would also be eager to see me.
When we arrived at Magnolia station, mother took my case from me and sped off towards the manor saying that she would see me later. I did make sure to give her my souvenirs for Pierce and Charles, so they would get them when she got there.
Lilly then left me and Cornelia to head to her house, bidding us farewell as she left.
Thinking that Gildarts was most likely at Fairy Tail, me and Cornelia headed towards the guild to see if he was there or not. While we were walking in that direction I saw one of my friend from the guild walking past us.
Frag, who I had not seen for a while as he had been on a big job.
"Hey Frag!" I called out to the man with a wave.
Frag turned to see me with a look of surprise at my presence here. "Woah Cade? You're back in town?"
"You bet I am!" I said as I walked over to him, with Cornelia following me close behind. "So how was the job?"
"Ah, it was fine. Nothing I couldn't handle. But it did get Master's attention." He said with a sly smile.
Before I could question on that, Cornelia piped up. "Do you know where Gildarts is Frag?"
"He's at the guild. Say, why don't the three of us walk there? Quite a bit has happened since you left here Cade. When we get to the guild, you can tell me and the others about your training." He suggested.
'Interesting… Frag hasn't noticed my scar yet. Then again it is right over my birthmark, and the lighting is a bit poor right now.' I noted internally. 'Also it's nice that he saves me from explaining everything twice. Would be a pain to do.'
As the three of us walked to the guild, Frag explained everything that had happened since I had left. He had came back only two days after I left, so he got to see everything that happened.
Perhaps the most important thing was the S-Class Trials this year. Ivan actually ended up winning the trial and became S-Class. What was also nice to hear was that Frag was actually selected by Master as a candidate! He lost to Ivan at the end, but it nice to see my friend come that far.
Frag said that Master Makarov was happy to see his son do so well in the trial and become S-Class. Apparently Ivan had gone out on an S-Class job only a few days ago, so he wasn't around in town right now.
And speaking of the recently ranked S-Class Wizard, apparently he and his girlfriend had been getting along quite well with each other. I'm sure Master Makarov is happy to see his son doing so well for himself right now. Master always looked like he wanted the best for his son, and him to earn his place in life instead of just giving it to him.
In other news, Gildarts was now seen as the strongest wizard in Fairy Tail apart from Master Makarov. There wasn't really a tournament to determine this, apparently Gildarts ended up demolishing a dozen wizards at once due to some drunken comments they said about Cornelia (to which she replied with a giggle and turned a bit red.)
Other than that, nothing that much had happened in Fairy Tail or in Magnolia for that matter. Just the same old life everyone lived. A few new members joined the guild and a few members left the guild.
By the time Frag had finished explaining the last two months to me, we were standing outside Fairy Tail.
I wasted no time, and kicked the doors open making myself known to everyone.
"Yo guys! Long time no see!" I shouted into the guild, using one of my hands to project my voice.
I then walked in eager to see everyone. Sure enough, I saw a few familiar faces at their usual spots on the benches. I could see Gildarts playing cards with some others. When I kicked the door open however, everyone looked in my direction.
"No way! Look who's back!" "Long time no see indeed." "How've you been Cade?" "Good to see you." "You've missed quite a bit." "How was your training?" "Get up to much?" "Eh, you haven't missed much." "Was wondering when you'd be back."
Many of the guild members looked happy to see me back here in the guild. It always felt nice for everyone to welcome back someone who had been away for a while. It truly felt like we were a big community. No – a family.
Quite a few of the guild members came up to me to ask me what I got up to in more detail, as they probably didn't know much about my departure, just that I was going away to train in some far away village.
"Well look who finally came back." Remarked Gildarts as he came up to me, him giving me a pat on the shoulder.
"Gildarts! Good to see you." I said, happy to see my friend again.
Gildarts then noticed Cornelia looking a bit impatient next to me. "Ah, it's good to see you as well Cornelia." He said as he moved over to kiss her. When he had done that, I heard a familiar voice through the guild members.
"If my ears haven't failed me yet, I swore I heard the mention of Cade from someone." As I suspected, Master Makarov pushed his way through the knees of the guild members around me. When he got to me I saw that he was wearing his orange jester outfit, and he gave a look of joy when seeing me.
"Cade m'boy! Good to see you!" Master greeted with a big smile.
I swore Master looked a bit older since I last saw him. He had a few more grey hairs along the side of his head, and his moustache was also looking a bit grey as well. His skin did show a few wrinkles.
"Good to see you Master, and everyone else! You won't believe what kind of things I got up to while I was away!" I said with enthusiasm.
Now came the hard part. Trying to figure out what exactly I do and don't hide from the guild members. I could probably tell them about my training with Master Han, and the Etherial State. But I think I might have to hide the existence of the village from them. I doubt they'd go that far north to confirm it's identity.
'Shame I'll have to redact certain details from my time away. Elder Lotho did ask that I keep the village a secret.' I sighed internally, as I beckoned everyone to sit down to tell them everything that happened to me while I was away.
I began explaining how I got to Lavender Village, with a quick rest stop at Crocus, before me and my mother got to the village no problem. I then said that I had to go through an inanition test to prove that I was good enough for the training. Just about everyone in the guild was surprised to hear that I lost the test and was badly injured, but were happy to hear that I still passed and was healed. Master Makarov especially interested at Fea's Healing Magic.
Of course, I had to tell them about Fea's magic, considering what that ends up bringing to the village later.
After that, I said how I begun my training and how I had to enter the mysterious Etherial State. None of the guild members had actually heard of the Etherial State, Master Makarov only hearing rumours of the mysterious technique. I then explained how a man by the name of One Step Ahead Jones infiltrated the village and shot Master Han while also kidnapping Fea. I then explained how I tracked down and fought the man, defeating him but also leaving me with a scar over my birthmark.
Everyone in the guild who was watching and listening was shocked at my scar, many of them not recognising it due to it being over my birthmark. They all asked the usual question of "was I alright?" Of course I was fine which eased then a little.
Nearing the end of the story, I told them how I completed my training while also learning a pretty good new move while I was at it. My birthday was next and I said how Cornelia and Lilly came up to see me there. I did say that I got a camera from my mother to take some photos of places and people I didn't want to forget.
Finally, there was the Etherial State. This was the part of the story that everyone was interested in. They were all eagerly listening as I told them about how I entered the state and fused my large strands of magic together. I then took a step back and held out my hand and summoned a few stone shards while going "ta da!" This made everyone happy, as they had always wanted me to fuse my magic successfully.
When it came time to explain my departure from the village I just said that I gave a fond farewell to Han, Elder Lotho, Fea and Mato. I chose NOT to mention the marriage proposal, something I knew the people here would chose not to forget anytime soon. I swore I saw Cornelia smirking as I voided that detail.
When I finished my tale there were several of the usual questions, of which I answered as good as I could. Eventually many of the guild members chose to go back to whatever they were doing. Master Makarov was about to leave before he spoke up to me.
"It's good that you were able to fuse your magic Cade. Looking forward to seeing how you go forward now." He said with approval before he left for his office.
"Nice work with the fused magic!" Gildarts praised with a pat on the back. "So what's next for you then?" He wondered.
"What's next is that I spend the rest of year here in peace, I'm so tired after all that training and hard work… I need a few months rest I think." I sighed.
"Don't forget about paying for you and your mothers rent!" Cornelia reminded me with amusement.
"Don't remind me!" I yelled at her in annoyance. "Anyway, I'm heading back home. I'll see you guys around." I said as I waved farewell to them and headed back home.
When I came up towards our manor I did feel a sense of comfort and calmness at being back here after being away for so long. I walked up to the huge doors and tested to see if they were unlocked or not. They were so I went in, and saw who I was expecting to see inspecting the carpet.
Pierce and Charles looking quite happy at the moment. They turned their heads to see who it was that walked into the manor. When they saw me they came over to see me with a smile on their faces.
"Hey there you two!" I greeted them with a grin.
"Sir Philipe, it is good to see you." Pierce said with a nod.
"Your mother has told us just how busy you were up there for all those weeks. Worry not, the both of us have kept cleaning the manor." Charles assured me.
"I knew you would, so I wasn't worried at all." I said to them. "Did my mother tell you about the souvenirs I got you?"
"She did indeed. A book on the history of Fiore for me, a subject I have been meaning to read up on." Charles said.
"And for me it was a book on gardening, something that I have been meaning to better myself on." Pierce said.
"By the way… did she say that we got some brand new recipes for you two to cook for us! The best part is that they were delicious! You'll love them!" I declared to the both of them.
Both servants looked thrilled to hear that, and I told them I would get the recipes and leave them in the kitchen for them tomorrow. With that said and done, I headed upstairs to see my bedroom again.
Upon opening the bedroom I felt comfort being here again. Everything was where it was meant to be. My desk and the things on it, the shelves with books, even my pillows were in the right place. But, seeing my room now gave a weird feeling that I hadn't felt before.
'Hmm… Perhaps my room is due for a cleaning out.'
And there we have it, the Lavender Village arc is finally over.
Do let me know how you felt about the arc and this chapter. I don't think most of the other arcs will be this long in the future. There are a few that I can think of (not including canon ones) that may go on for as long, but not longer hopefully.
Anyway, with Cade now back home in Magnolia and with Fairy Tail, he can start hopefully making his way up to the harder jobs that he couldn't do before. But we will have to wait and see how he does with that.
With all that said, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I look forward to seeing you in the next!
Guest - I'm happy that you liked the last chapter. I hope that you continue to enjoy the story!
Zazerr55 - I can't exactly say how strong Cade will be, but I can say that I definitely don't plan on heavily nerfing him to make him on the same level as Natsu. Cade will be over 40 years old when canon starts, so that should be a hint as to his estimated strength. Anyway, I am glad that you are enjoying this story!
MaaRR15 - I can't exactly answer whether Cade will move away from Ice/Stone without spoliers, but I do plan on having him explore Enchantment Magic in various ways. And I am glad that you are enjoying this story!