Earth Land, Ishgar, Era.
March 15, x786.
After his conversation with Edward and Alphonse, Alfonzo enjoyed the time he had at Akane Beach. As a group, he, Marin, Sun, Winry, Lucy, Edward, and Alphonse spent a lot of time just having fun. Though, Alfonzo did make time to have finish his motorcycle. He even made time to take each of the girls for a ride. He also managed to keep its key out of Winry's hands.
On top of taking the motorcycle for a spin, the group spent a day at the Akane Resort doing everything they could to have fun. They also spent time playing on the beach and just relaxing, as well.
However, like all good things, the vacation eventually came to an end. And when it did, on March 13, Marin, Sun, Winry, Lucy, Edward, and Alphonse all piled into Lucy's 1500 and made their way back to Magnolia. Meanwhile, Alfonzo boarded Sixth Sense and set sail for Era.
At the present, Alfonzo was only about half an hour out from the Magic Council's port. And if everything went as it was supposed to, he would be an hour early for his appointment with the Magic Council.
"*Sigh* I really need to make more time to just relax like that." Alfonzo said while steering the ship. "I feel so refreshed after only doing the things I wanted to do, rather than the things I had to do."
["Yeah, a little R&R is good for the soul."] Bedlam added. ["Hell, even Riot seems a lot less angry than usual."]
["Fuck off…"] Riot replied without even looking in Bedlam's direction.
["But seriously, what do you think this summons from the Magic Council is about?"] Bedlam asked, his expression turning much more serious. ["I mean, we've known about it for a month. But we really haven't spent any time thinking about it."]
["I bet they want Alfonzo to build a state of the art HQ for them."] Riot said with a sneer. ["And when they do, I'm sure they'll end up properly fleeced."]
"Well, I hope that's all they want." Alfonzo said while checking the sea chart. "But something tells me it's gonna be much bigger than that."
["You really think they're gonna do that?"] Bedlam asked.
"Yeah, I do." Alfonzo replied solemnly while nodding his head. "And if they do, I'm gonna refuse. Unless they meet my demands, that is."
["If you go through with it, you'd better win!"] Riot shouted. ["Defeat is not an option!"]
"I know." Alfonzo replied. "But the more important issue is whether or not he'll accept my challenge. Hell, he might not even be there today."
["One can only hope."] Bedlam said. ["Anyway, until they make their announcement, we have no idea what the Magic Council actually called you in for."]
"I know, I know." Alfonzo replied. "I just hope it's worth the trip."
Like that, Alfonzo continued to sail towards Era while chatting with his [Armament Spirits]. Then, after half an hour, just as he expected, he caught sight of the Magic Council's dock where their entire fleet was docked.
"We're here." Alfonzo muttered as he looked upon the large building that acted as the Magic Council's headquarters.
["Yeah, and they sent a welcome party, too."] Bedlam said.
["Too bad they're not hostile."] Riot said in a disappointed tone. ["For as long as you've had this thing, you've never had the chance to test its weapon system on live targets."]
"Yeah, kinda makes me wish I had built it right after I made S-Class." Alfonzo said wistfully. "If I had, I could have used it against the Leviathan. I mean, that's the only naval battle I've ever been a part of in my whole career."
{"Attention! Approaching vessel, please stop!"} A male voice rang out over the sea with the use of a magic item. {"You are entering Magic Council controlled waters. Please allow us to inspect your vessel. Otherwise, we will deem you as hostile and attack! I repeat…"}
["Hey, let's pretend we didn't hear them."] Riot said with a smile.
"You're trying to turn me into a dark wizard, aren't you?" Alfonzo asked while rolling his eyes.
["Ignore this idiot."] Bedlam said. ["We've got more important things to worry about than causing explosions."]
["Fuck you!"] Riot shot back.
Ignoring the bickering from his [Armament Spirits], Alfonzo did as asked and cut the engine to his ship. Then, after a few minutes, the ships from the Magic Council approached. And when they did, Alfonzo stepped on to the deck. Not long later, a squad of Rune Knights led by Mest, who was still acting as Doranbolt, boarded Sixth Sense.
"Alfonzo Marcus, we we've been expecting you." Mest said in an authoritative tone. "Please, present your documents for inspection."
Without a fuss or any unnecessary words, Alfonzo showed the squad from the Magic Council all the documents they asked for. Then, once the inspection was over, Mest led the Rune Knights back to their ship before Alfonzo followed them back to land.
Fifteen minutes later, Sixth Sense was moored alongside the Magic Council fleet, and Alfonzo was being escorted to the waiting room in the Magic Council building by Mest. However, they did not engage in small talk along the way, despite the fact that Mest had regained his memories of his time as a Fairy Tail wizard. No one knew who was listening, after all.
"So, you still can't tell me why I was called here, can you?' Alfonzo asked in a bored tone.
"As stated back in February, I was not made aware of the Magic Council's reason for summoning you." Mest replied in a professional tone.
"Well, can you at least tell me who is here?' Alfonzo asked.
"If I'm not mistaken, the entire Council is present for this announcement." Mest replied.
"So, the former guild masters and the two through nine of the Wizard Saints then." Alfonzo muttered.
"Precisely." Mest replied as he stopped in front of a door. "We have arrived."
With that, Mest pushed the door open before ushering Alfonzo inside.
Shrugging his shoulders at the lack of information, Alfonzo walked into the waiting room. And what he saw was a typical waiting room with a couch, a coffee table, a few decorative plants, and a pot of tea waiting on the coffee table.
"If you need anything, you can press this button." Mest said while pointing at a button near the door after Alfonzo entered the room. Until then, please wait here. "And should you need the rest room, there is one adjoined to this room."
As he spoke the rest of his sentence, Mest pointed at a door on the opposite wall.
"Alright, I got it." Alfonzo said as he flopped down on the couch. "*Sigh* I kinda hope they call me late. Spending two days alone on the sea is more tiring than I thought it would be."
In response, Mest let a small smile slip. However, he did not reply. Instead, he nodded one last time before closing the door behind him.
Meanwhile, Alfonzo spread his arms and rested them on the couch's backrest with his eyes closed.
'They're watching me.' Alfonzo thought to himself. 'There are five recording lacrima set up in this room. But why do they need so many?'
And just as Alfonzo thought, the members of the Magic Council were all watching him.
Currently in one of the rooms, Makarov, Ur, and Shizuka were watching the waiting room through a magic projection connected to one of the five recording lacrima.
"He looks so tired." Shizuka said in a worried tone. "Is he gonna be alright?"
"it's probably just from sailing for so long by himself." Ur said while smiling wryly. "You really don't need to worry, Shizuka."
Though that only lessened Shizuka's worry for Alfonzo by a little, she nodded her head vigorously, which caused her breasts to bounce along with the movement. And naturally, Makarov's eyes were drawn directly to the bounce.
*Smack!*
"Seriously, you're like a boy in puberty." Ur said as she slapped Makarov upside the head. "Can't you act your age at least once?" I mean, for God's sake, you're already ninety."
"If you know I'm so old, Ur, you should be more gentle." Makarov grumbled.
"When you act like someone worthy of gentleness, I'll be more gentle." Ur replied sternly. A moment later, her tone changed back into her usual tone. "Anyway, do you think he figured out why he was called here?"
"Probably." Makarov replied while continuing to rub the back of his head. "he's always been a smart boy, after all."
"Why was he called here, anyway?" Shizuka asked in a clueless tone. Then, she turned her attention towards Ur. "You never told me about it, Master."
Immediately, Makarov and Ur fell silent. Although there was no point keeping the reason for Alfonzo's summons secret at this point, for some reason, they felt like Shizuka would find a way to let him know before the announcement was made.
"You'll just have to wait and see." Ur said in a mysterious tone, causing Shizuka to pout and stare at her with puppy dog eyes.
'Just don't look, Ur.' Ur said as she quickly turned her head away. 'If you don't see those eyes, you'll be fine.'
Even Makarov, who had decades more experience dealing with people than Ur, had to quickly turn his head away from Shizuka.
'Seriously, that's just not fair.' Makarov thought to himself. 'How can someone with such a hot body be so cute?'
At the same time, in another room, three elderly men were also watching Alfonzo's waiting room.
"He's quite composed for such a young man." The first of the three men, an older gentleman with clean-cut, dark purple hair and a well-groomed mustache of the same color, red eyes, pointy ears, and a cross-shaped tattoo on the left side of his forehead wearing a black cape, white button down dress shirt, a lightly-decorated black vest, black slacks, and a black bow tie, said while watching the monitor. "He looks as though he would make a good addition to our ranks."
This man was Draculus Hyberion, the second seat of the Ten Wizard saints and one of the Four Gods of Ishgar.
"Oi! Can we just get this over with?" The second of the three older men, an older man with a dark green beard wearing a dark blue shirt, a light blue vest, dark blue slacks, dark brown rimmed glasses, and a large, light grey hat that covered his hair, said in an impatient tone. "If he's not suitable for the position, we'll just kick him out. Oi!"
This impatient man was the third seat of the Ten Wizard Saints and one of the Four Gods of Ishgar, Wolfheim.
"I don't think that will be a problem, Wolfheim." The last man in the room, an old man with facial features that resemble a slightly gnarled tree trunk, hair reminiscent of a leafy tree top wearing a high colored grey kimono tied closed with a light green belt, loose-fitting light green trousers, and a pair of black boots, said in a friendly tone. "I bet he can even take a joke, too."
And last, but certainly not least, the man with the tree-like appearance was Warrod Sequen, four seat of the Ten Wizard Saints, one of the Four Gods of Ishgar, as well as a founding member of Fairy Tail.
While Draculus nodded in agreement with Warrod's assessment, Wolfheim grunted in annoyance. Then, Draculus stood from his seat. And as he did, he picked up the cloak draped over the back of his chair.
"Anyway, I believe it's time that we get going." Draculus said as he draped his cloak, the same cloak Makarov wore to official meetings that signified the status of a Wizard Saint, over his shoulders. "We wouldn't want to be late now, would we?"
Before the other two could stand from their seats, however, the door to the room was opened abruptly. And when the three turned their attention toward the door, they were surprised by who they saw.
Standing in the open doorway was a man with shoulder-length wavy, yet spiky, orange hair that juts up at the top of his head like rabbit ears and a scar on the bridge of his nose wearing a fanciful white robe with blue sleeves, a blue belt, blue pants, and simple black boots. However, the part of his attire that stood out the most is the wheel of blades he wore on his back that gave him a superficial divine appearance.
"God Serena, I did not expect you to attend today's meeting." Draculus said in a surprised tone.
"I wanted to see the kid you all were making so much noise about." The new arrival, God Serena, the first seat of the Ten Wizard Saints, replied in an arrogant tone. "And to be honest, I'm not impressed."
"Perhaps it would be better to wait until you meet him to pass judgement." Warrod said in his usual tone. "Otherwise, it will be more like you're passing gas if you're wrong."
Immediately, the other three men turned their gazes towards Warrod.
"That was a joke." Warrod said in a good natured tone. "Hahaha!"
"Just ignore this fool." Wolfheim said in an annoyed tone. "Let's just get going."
Receiving nods in response, Draculus, Wolfheim, and Warrod left the room. Meanwhile, God Serena continued to watch the projection for a bit longer.
'Emperor Spriggan asked me to get a measure of this kid's strength.' God Serena thought to himself while staring at the projection. 'And he said I should get rid of him if I think he'll be a problem in the future.'
As God Serena's thoughts reached that point, his arrogant expression turned into a vicious smile. Then, he turned on his heels and followed after his colleagues.
Shout out to my new Patr3on!
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Comments, Reviews, and Power Stones are always appreciated.
Earth Land, Ishgar, Era.
March 15, x786.
Half an hour after he entered the waiting room, Alfonzo, who had been resting peacefully, heard the sound of knocking coming from the door. And with the sound, he slowly opened his eyes. At the same time, the door was opened, and a male voice spoke.
"Alfonzo Marcus, the Council has gathered in the meeting room and awaits your arrival." The male voice, a Rune Knight, said as he opened the door.
Without a word, Alfonzo stood from the couch and stepped towards the door. Then, once he stepped through it, he silently followed the Rune Knight to his destination.
'I'm surprised they didn't send Lahar or Mest to escort me this time.' Alfonzo thought to himself.
["Maybe they didn't want you to be too comfortable with your escort."] Bedlam surmised. ["You know, to see how you react in a situation like this."]
["What the hell are you talking about?"] Riot asked in an annoyed tone. ["He's only following some nobody down the hall. What kinda reaction could he have?"]
'Take it easy, Riot.' Alfonzo said without changing his facial expression. 'Bedlam's not wrong. Being alone in unfamiliar territory while not knowing anyone around you can be stressful, or so I hear.'
Instead of replying, Riot simply grunted in annoyance.
'Anyway, this is the first time I've felt so many strong magic power signatures in one place before.' Alfonzo said mentally. 'But not a single one of them is stronger than Gildarts.'
["Yeah, and if he wasn't a walking natural disaster, he would have been added to the Ten Wizard Saints a long time ago."] Bedlam added. ["But he can't be bothered enough to not destroy everything he touches."]
'More important than that…' Alfonzo continued. 'I feel a bunch of familiar magic power signatures, too. And the one that stands out among them the most is Master Unohana's.'
["Yeah, that woman is at least as strong as Gramps."] Riot said. ["And that's just her base power. Just imagine what she would be like if she used her [Bankai]."
["Yeah, the landscape of Ishgar's most powerful wizards would look a whole lot different."] Bedlam added. ["She's definitely stronger than Gildarts when going all out. And Gildarts is definitely stronger than that traitor if he goes all out."]
'She probably doesn't wanna give away too much about her power while she's on our continent, though.' Alfonzo mused. 'Unfortunately, because of the [Soul Armaments], everyone in Fairy Tail, and probably most of Ishgar know that her power would multiply if she used her [Shikai]. They still don't' know about her [Bankai], though. So, she still has some level of secrecy.'
"We have arrived." The Rune Knight said as he stopped in front of a set of double doors.
Receiving a nod in response, the Rune Knight pushed the door open and gestured for Alfonzo to enter.
Following the gesture, Alfonzo stepped into the meeting hall. And as he did, he let his eyes scan all the familiar and unfamiliar faces. And when he recognized God Serena, his eyes widened slightly. Though, there was no other visible change in his expression.
'So, he did come.' Alfonzo thought to himself. 'Good. Now I can put that traitor in his place. Even though his [Historia] was the one that fought Gildarts in the canon, I'm pretty sure I read a tweet or something that said that Gildarts would have been stronger than God Serena even if he had been at his full strength. He just wouldn't have been able to one shot him.'
["Yeah, and thanks to the gravity chambers and the Automail you made for him, Gildarts should be nearly one and a half times as strong as he was at the end of the base series."] Bedlam said with a devious smile on his face. ["And since you can keep up with Gildarts for as long as you have magic power left…"]
["Things aren't gonna end well for that arrogant, traitorous cock sucker if things go the way you want them to."] Riot said, picking up from where Bedlam left off.
Then, Alfonzo and his [Armament Spirits] all chuckled sinisterly. Though, Alfonzo's was kept internal.
At that moment, Alfonzo arrived in the center of the meeting room with all eyes on him. Then, he took a deep breath to settle his emotions.
'Oh, Ur and Shizuka aren't in here.' Alfonzo thought as he exhaled his breath. 'Well, I guess that makes sense. Neither of them is a member of the Magic Council, after all.'
"Alfonzo Marcus here to answer the Council's summons." Alfonzo said in a sonorous voice with his back straight.
"Thank you for making the trip, Alfonzo." Gran Doma, the chairman of the Magic Council replied in an even tone. "We know the trip from Akane Beach is not a short one."
Nodding in response, Alfonzo waited for the Magic Council's side to continue.
"Now, I'm sure you are curious to know why we summoned you here." Gran Doma continued. "And the reason is simple, we wish to celebrate the strength you have shown over the years."
Reaching that point, Gran Doma listed all the feats Alfonzo had accomplished since his career as a wizard began. And considering the fact that Alfonzo was only a month and three weeks shy of his twenty-first birthday, the list was quite long.
"And most recently, you even defeated Jura Neekis, the eighth seat of the Ten Wizard Saints in frontal combat, a fact Jura admitted to himself." Gran Doma continued. "And the only way we could think to celebrate the strength of body, magic, and mind you have shown, is to appoint you, Alfonzo Marcus, to the position of one of Ishgar's ten most powerful wizards, the Ten Wizard Saints."
As Gran Doma made his announcement, the gathered Councilors began to applaud. Meanwhile, Alfonzo only took in the Councilors' reactions.
'So, they really did it, huh?' Alfonzo mused without changing his expression. 'Well, I kind of expected this. But I wasn't a hundred percent sure. But since it happened, and that guy is here, I'll try to provoke him into accepting my challenge.'
Before Alfonzo could put his plan into motion, however, an arrogant male voice cut through the applause.
"I don't agree with this." God Serena said, surprising most of those present.
Meanwhile, the other three Gods of Ishgar only looked him with an expression that said: "As expected."
"You have an issue with this appointment, God serena?" Gran Doma asked, also expecting God Serena's objection.
"That's right." God Serena replied in a self-important tone. "Although Jura Neekis, the eighth seat of the Saints says that he was defeated by this kid, no one was present to witness it."
Putting mor emphasis on "eighth seat," everyone in attendance was able to hear the disdain god Serena held for Jura's position.
In fact, God Serena held contempt for every wizard on Ishgar who held a position lower than the Four Gods of Ishgar. And he never kept that fact a secret.
"Then, are you suggesting that we take back the appointment?" Makarov asked, clearly annoyed that one of his favorite children's accomplishments were being dismissed so casually.
"Perhaps." God Serena replied while glancing at Makarov out of the corner of his eye.
'I'll let you live a while longer, Old Man.' God Serena thought, annoyed that someone of Makarov's station was questioning him. 'But when Emperor Spriggan comes for what he wants, I'll make sure to personally take your head and present it in front of His Majesty.'
"I only believe in what I've seen with my own eyes, after all." God Serena continued after returning his gaze back to Alfonzo. Though, it was clear that he was not making eye contact with the younger wizard.
'Yo, this mother fucker isn't even looking me in the eye while shitting on everything I've done.' Alfonzo muttered to himself internally. 'And because of that, I'm gonna fuck him up on principal.'
"Then what do you suggest?" Ritsu, who was also a member of the Magic Council, asked in a gentle tone with a gentle smile.
As Ritsu was not a member of the Ten Wizard Saints, God Serena did not even deem her worthy of a glance.
"I suggest that his power and potential be tested." God Serena replied. "And I suggest that I be the one to test it."
Hearing that, most of the councilors in attendance opened their eyes wide in shock. The exceptions being the other three Gods of Ishgar, and everyone who knew Alfonzo personally and had witnessed his full power.
On top of that, all those who knew Alfonzo could tell that he was boiling in rage just under the surface. As such a proud person, there was no way he would not be.
'If he's anything like a member of the Fairy Tail I know…' Warrod thought to himself. '… there's no way he'll take an insult like this lying down.'
Meanwhile, the tension in the air was so thick that it could be cut with a knife. Eventually, however, the tense silence was broken.
"And what do you think of this proposal, Alfonzo Marcus?" Gran Doma asked.
Immediately, all eyes in the room fell on Alfonzo, whose eyes were narrowed as he stared at God Serena. And with their attention focused on him, all the other members of the council could also see that Alfonzo had been enraged, as well.
'Something tells me he's under orders to test me.' Alfonzo said to himself. Though, the anger he was feeling was genuine. 'And you know what? I like it. Now I have the perfect justification to kick his ass.'
Despite those thoughts, Alfonzo scoffed at Gran Doma's question.
"This is ridiculous." Alfonzo replied disdainfully. "You all called me here without telling me why. Then, you declare me a member of the Ten Wizard Saints. Then, just because one person, who claims he can't be bothered with the business of the Magic Council, questions that decision, I need to be tested? What a joke. You think I need your title to prove my strength? Hmph! You know what? You can keep your title.""
Immediately, a number of the Councilors grew irritated over Alfonzo's words. However, those that knew him narrowed their eyes.
'This isn't like him.' Makarov thought to himself. 'For all the years I've known him, I've never seen him be so blatantly disrespectful in a public setting, no matter how angry he was. So, I can only wonder… what's he up to?'
While Ritsu was thinking the same thing, her sight did not linger on Alfonzo for long. Instead, it shifted back to God Serena. And when it did, she was just in time to see him frown minutely.
'So, this was all an act to fight Alfonzo.' Ritsu thought to herself. 'But why? What would he get out of this? If he were to win, it would be expected from the number one of the Ten Wizard Saints. But if he were to lose, his reputation would be ruined.'
A moment later, Ritsu narrowed her eyes as a realization hit her.
'There was a time when a rumor was circulating around the continent that had Alfonzo's mother been alive, she would have been able to defeat God Serena. Does he perhaps want to take out his frustration from those times on her son?'
Though Ritsu's thoughts could not have been further from the truth, the rumor she mentioned was true. However, it did not last long. Because comparing the living and the dead was pointless in a strength-based society like the wizarding world of Ishgar.
"Just as I thought." God Serena said, trying to keep the annoyance out of his tone. Then, he continued in a tone filled with provocation. "He wasn't ready for a responsibility like this."
"Think what you want." Alfonzo replied dismissively. "But why should I even care? On top of that, if I accept, I'm the only one with something to lose. Yet, you can challenge me with nothing but your worthless reputation on the line. And let's be real, someone like you, who looks at everyone with your nose pointed at the sky, couldn't care less what anyone else thought of you, right?"
Expecting Alfonzo to take the bait, God Sereena, along with all the other members of the Magic Council were taken aback when Alfonzo returned his own words of provocation.
"So, unless you plan to put your title as the number one of the Ten Wizard Saints on the line while 'testing' me, don't' bother insulting me any further. I've been away from home for two and a half months and I miss my wife, fiancées, and girlfriends. And I wanna go home."
Once again, the members of the Magic council were taken aback. At the same time, God Serena was brimming with anger at the blatant disrespect. Meanwhile, Makarov finally understood what Alfonzo was after.
'Now that I think about it, Ur told me something about Alfonzo saying something about challenging God Serena for his title.' Makarov mused. 'I think it was around the time of that trial last year. To think, he was serious, though.'
"Who do you think you are?" God Serena bellow angrily. "You should be grateful that someone such as I, am willing to test your strength and potential."
"Like I already said, I don't' need anyone's affirmation to know that I'm among the strong." Alfonzo replied. "So, if you don't intend on meeting me halfway, I have no use for the title you, oh so graciously, wish to bestow on me after 'testing my strength and potential.'
With that, God Serena could no longer bear Alfonzo's insolence. As a result, he let his magic power wash over the entire meeting room. And while most of the members of the Council were finding it hard to breath under the pressure, there were a few who were completely unaffected by God Serena's power.
And those who were unbothered, excluding Makarov and Ritsu, were surprised to see that Alfonzo was among their number.
"Or maybe, you don't have the confidence to beat a kid like me, huh, 'God' Serena?" Alfonzo asked in a mocking tone while adding extra emphasis to the word, God.
"I've had enough of your mockery!" God Serena shouted angrily. "I will accept your challenge. And you will see the difference between someone like you and I. And by the end, the result will be that you will no longer be considered for a position among the continent's strongest."
Then, while spreading his arms wide as he stood from his seat, God Serena continued in a tone that was clearly seeking to draw everyone's attention.
"And while I'm at it, I will beat the concept of showing humility in front of your betters into you!"
While most of the Council's gazes were drawn to god Serena during his last statement, and God Serena was never actually looking directly at Alfonzo in the first place, that only left a few, namely, Makarov, Gran Doma, Ritsu, Draculus, Wolfheim, and Warrod, to see the expression on Alfonzo's face.
And when they did, the four who were unfamiliar with Alfonzo's personality were thoroughly confused. Meanwhile, Makarov and Ritsu, who had each spent some time around the young man, wore expressions that said: "As expected."
And the reason for those reactions was simple. Currently, Alfonzo's angry expression had been replaced by a vicious smile. A smile that promised both pain and humiliation to god Serena.
Shout out to my new Patr3on!
James Taylor
If you wanna read 5 chapters ahead or just give me a little support, join my patr3on at:
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Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy the story.
Comments, Reviews, and Power Stones are always appreciated.