72 Chapter 72 - I’m here for you.

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[Adam C. POV]

I stirred from my slumber, still nestled in the embrace of my bed. A gentle warmth spread across my face, signaling the arrival of a new day. 

Yawning, my eyes fluttered open, only to be greeted by Mavis floating inches above me. Her face was a canvas of pure excitement, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Today was going to be a long day it seems.

"Good morning!" she exclaimed, her voice a melodious trill that seemed to harmonize with the birdsong around us. "I couldn't wait to share the news with you!"

As I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I couldn't help but smile at her infectious enthusiasm. 

Despite the fact I didn't enjoy some of her antics, I could admit, at least to myself, that she was a bright presence in my life, her buoyant spirit was quite literally capable of lifting the heaviest of hearts. 

"What's got you so excited this early in the morning?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "And talking about that, where were you, I haven't seen you in a long time."

It wasn't unusual for her to disappear, but she never did so for so long without a reason.

Mavis bounced in the air, her excitement seemingly unable to be contained. "I was… ehmm I was… e-exploring, yes, exploring, but that's irrelevant because today! I'm going to teach you a spell!"

I raised an eyebrow.

Knowing her, it's probably one of Fairy Tail's magics, can't remember their name.

Now that I think about it, I've never actually considered learning any of them, maybe Fairy Law, but not because I wanted to use it, but because I don't want others using it against me.

Those spells were too... expensive for their use, especially Fairy Law, which according to what I remembered used life force as part of its formula.

Strong or not, I didn't like the idea of using something like that.

Not only that, but the spell didn't work with people stronger than you, and if that was the case, and whoever knew the spell was already stronger than their opponent, why use a spell that uses life force to defeat it?

That's like shooting your leg to kill a roach. 

"One of Fairy Tail's! Three Great Fairy Magics!"

It seems I was right.

That being said, despite all the cons this proposition had, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of interest at her words. The Three Great Magics were infamous throughout the original series, and to have the chance to learn one of them was a rare opportunity indeed.

"Why?" I asked, wondering why she wanted to teach me that, especially now.

Mavis' eyes glittered with excitement as she answered, her voice bubbling over with enthusiasm, though despite all of this, I could see a hint of guilt washing over her entire body. "Because I think it's time you learned how to protect yourself properly."

I frowned, realizing a moment later why she was doing this...

She felt guilty she couldn't help me during my fight, and this was her way of trying to fix the error she thinks she made.

"Protect myself?" I repeated, letting out a sigh. "Mavis, you are not to blame for my weakness, I almost died because I was weak, not because you couldn't help me."

Mavis' face fell, and I could tell my words had hit home. "Perhaps," she said softly, "That being said, it's never a bad thing to have more than one triumph card, especially in our line of work."

I couldn't argue with that.

But, I would not let it be her guilt for something out of her hands to be the reason that dictates her actions in teaching me. 

"Look, I appreciate the gesture, but I have to decline," I said firmly.

Mavis' expression turned into one of confusion. "Why?"

"We both know why," I replied, smiling at her. "If later on, when the guilt that you shouldn't have disappears you still feel like teaching me, I might say yes."

Mavis looked at me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine as if trying to determine if I was truly okay with this decision. Finally, she seemed to come to a decision of her own, nodding slowly before speaking. "Very well."

"Besides, did you consider how hard it would've been to explain?" I chuckled, tilting my head to the side. "Like, how the fuck would I learn one of the three big magics without the master teaching me?"

Mavis blinked, in surprise before bursting into laughter, her entire body shaking with mirth. "You have a point there," she gasped out, wiping away tears from her eyes. "That would've been quite the conundrum to explain."

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[Two months later.]

I perched myself on a sturdy branch near the top of an oak tree Warrod had created with his magic, my legs crossed and hands resting gently on my knees. 

I inhaled deeply, feeling the energy around me flowing through me, my aura pulsating with tranquility, as much as I could have that is. 

The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm golden light across the landscape. From my vantage point, I could see the world stretched out before me, unending and full of possibilities.

My mind wandered to the past, to the times I had suffered as a child, to the time I had been set free. The laughter of my friends, and family at the guild, echoed in my ears, their smiles etched into my memory. 

Smiling, I contemplated the future, the challenges that awaited me, and the darkness I would inevitably have to face. 

Demons.

Dragons.

Acnologia.

Gods.

It was all so complicated.

So... stressful.

But I wouldn't give an inch, no matter what.

A wave of determination washed over me, solidifying my resolve to protect the world that had given me so much.

Below, I saw Warrod tending to his beloved plants with the utmost care. The sight of him brought a hint of a smile to my lips, the wisdom he had shared with me over the past few months had really given me perspective. 

More than not, he was a bother, but he had a lot to offer and was smart enough to allow me some solitude, understanding my need for these moments of reflection.

I turned my gaze back to the horizon, the sun now barely peeking over the edge of the world. The colors shifted from warm gold to vibrant oranges and deep purples. 

As the last rays of sunlight stretched out to touch the earth, I closed my eyes once more, returning to the depths of my meditation.

The energy deep within swirled awake, enveloping me in its calm yet ever-dangerous embrace. 

I still wasn't able to control my power, not that I expected to do that in just a few months of basic energy training, but I was starting to understand more, and understanding... True understanding leads to power.

Around me, the air was filled with the songs of the birds, the rustling of the leaves, and the gentle whispers of the wind. 

In these rare moments of silence, I felt connected to everything, to the tree that supported me, to the people I cherished, and to the world that I would soon defend.

Mavis materialized out of the corner of my eye, her long dress swirling around her as she slowly descended, taking a seat beside me, before turning her gaze toward the horizon, and with a mix of awe and sadness muttered, "What a sight."

"You could show yourself to him," I replied, looking at Warrod, who was still tending to his plants.

Mavis shook her head. "No, it's better this way. He's happy in his own little world, and I'm happy I was able to see him again."

There was a sadness in her voice that I couldn't quite place, and for a moment, we sat in silence, watching the sun dip below the horizon.

"I envy you sometimes," Mavis said softly, breaking the silence. "You have so much ahead of you, so much purpose. Sometimes I feel like I've already fulfilled mine."

I turned to look at her, surprised. "You still have a lot to look forward to, don't say that."

Mavis gave me a wistful smile. "I suppose you're right. But sometimes, I feel like I'm just...waiting."

"For what?" I asked.

"Who knows."

I didn't know what to say, but I reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, even though I couldn't touch her, hoping the gesture would offer some comfort.

We sat in silence for a few more moments, watching the stars begin to twinkle in the sky.

"Thank you," Mavis said suddenly, breaking the silence. "For being my friend. As you can see, I don't have many, and it means a lot to me."

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. "Of course, but still... you could have more if you showed yourself to others."

Mavis shook her head. "It's not that simple, my situation is a complicated one, one that is best to drag more people into it. If I could have it my way, you wouldn't have seen me all those years ago... but your powers allow you to. I know it's a lonely existence, but I've come to accept it."

I couldn't imagine living an existence like that, unable to touch, to feel, to interact with the world around me. It has to be a constant struggle for her.

Eventually, I nodded, understanding her concerns. Her curse, her real state, I could understand why she was against others knowing, though... I couldn't help but wonder... What pushed her to reveal herself to the Guild in the original timeline?

"Well, my annoying little friend, you'll always have me," I replied, making it sound as if her presence was nothing but a thorn in my side.

A joke between friends.

Mavis smiled, and I felt a sense of happiness knowing that I could bring her even a small amount of comfort, and as the night sky enveloped us in its embrace, we continued to sit in comfortable silence, watching the stars together.