Honestly, Charles never expected Makarov to want him to take over as guild master. He had only just recently joined Fairy Tail.
In the original timeline, Makarov had taken the role of master three separate times—third, sixth, and eighth guild master—because everyone else believed they weren't suited for the position. In Fairy Tail, only Makarov seemed truly fit for the job of patriarch.
And being Fairy Tail's guild master… was a job not even a dog would want!
Charles had no interest in being constantly hauled off to the Council for questioning, having to draft apology letters every other day, or losing sleep every time someone left on a mission, worrying what kind of trouble they might stir up.
That burden was far too heavy. Better to lea it with Makarov.
Before he realized it, another two days had passed, and quite a bit had happened during that time.
First off, Gajeel and Juvia officially joined Fairy Tail.
Juvia, of course, was thrilled to be in the same guild as the man she adored. Gajeel, on the other hand… didn't seem nearly as happy.
After all, Charles's method of "persuading" him hadn't exactly been gentle. But though Gajeel looked sullen, Charles could sense that he was genuinely pleased deep down.
The other notable event was Laxus's return. Unlike in the original story, where he'd immediately started mocking everyone, this time he was surprisingly low-key.
Perhaps it was because, apart from Makarov's injury at the beginning, the war had gone overwhelmingly in Fairy Tail's favor.
Or maybe it was simply because Charles had been giving him such a… "friendly" look.
The main structure of the new guild hall was complete, and the remaining detailed work didn't require everyone.
So people began gathering in front of the makeshift job board to accept missions. After all, not a single member of Fairy Tail could hold onto their money, and most were running dry after not working for so long.
Even Charles was the same. Since joining Fairy Tail, he'd only taken the mission to Galuna Island—and the reward from that had been turned over to the guild.
If Makarov hadn't given him a share of the reward, Charles would've been eating dirt by now.
So he picked up a job to earn some cash.
The mission: drive off a group of wild boar-like magical beasts harassing a mountain village. These beasts were round and stout like potatoes, with bodies brimming with magic power and capable of stone armor spells. Ordinary villagers didn't stand a chance.
Of course, to Charles it was no real threat. Still, per Mirajane's advice, he brought a few others along.
She had explained that mage teams existed precisely because combining different types of magic could solve a variety of problems.
Of course, someone of Charles's level didn't really need help—Mirajane trusted that a wizard with Wizard Saint-level power could handle just about anything.
But there were other benefits to working in a team. For one, larger groups reassured clients.
…
Charles crouched on a branch extending from a large tree, eyes fixed on the dust cloud in the distance.
"They're not half bad. Juvia, are you ready?"
Juvia replied with a gloomy sigh. "Juvia still wants to work with Gray-sama… Ahh, Gray-sama, where are you now?"
Charles shook his head and looked down below.
A massive herd of wild boars was charging straight toward them, as if something behind them was chasing them. Juvia might be a bit airheaded, but she hadn't forgotten the mission.
A towering wall of water surged up in front of the herd, blocking their path. One by one, the beasts slammed into it, their enchanted stone armor shattering on impact.
But the wall held, rippling with each collision, unfazed as the beasts stumbled back in confusion.
The remaining boars grew agitated, pawing the ground and preparing to scatter.
Charles jumped down from the tree and immediately activated his magic field. The majesty of a dragon shattered the herd's mental defenses in an instant. All at once, their eyes rolled back, and they collapsed.
Dusting off his hands, Charles said, "Mission complete."
Just then, two figures approached from opposite directions.
"Gajeel! Loki! Nice work, you two. Thanks to you, the beasts all gathered in one place."
Indeed, the other two members of this temporary team were Gajeel and Loki.
Amusingly, both of them had refused to join at first—Charles had practically dragged them out on this mission.
Partly because most of the guild was too busy, and partly because these two had… "unique" issues.
Juvia, though formerly a top member of Phantom Lord, hadn't committed any particularly egregious acts.
But Gajeel had been the one who wrecked the old guild hall and attacked Levy and her teammates. Even though Charles had forced him to apologize, many still held a grudge.
Gajeel himself wasn't good at expressing emotion, so he hadn't been able to integrate with the others, which had caused more friction.
Charles knew it would take time. In the original timeline, it wasn't until Gajeel and Natsu fought together against the berserk Laxus that others began to accept him.
So Charles decided to bring him out on a mission, helping him shift his mindset from Phantom Lord to Fairy Tail.
As for Loki, his situation was a bit more… complicated.
After the mission, the villagers held a bonfire festival to celebrate. As key contributors, the four of them joined in the festivities.
After sharing a drink offered by the village chief, Charles glanced over to see Gajeel and Juvia talking by the fire.
He hoped they were finally experiencing something they never had in Phantom Lord—the warmth of a home like Fairy Tail.
Charles looked around, but didn't see Loki anywhere.
Loki was currently leaning against a tree far from the bonfire, his eyes hidden beneath his glasses and filled with uncertainty.
"What's wrong? Prefer starlight over firelight?"
Loki looked up. Charles was approaching from the shadows.
Charles continued, "After all, it's your homeland too, isn't it?"
Loki gave a wry smile. "You figured it out, huh? No wonder—it is Charles. Even Laxus and Erza didn't notice."
"I'm more sensitive to magic and life forces," Charles said. "I saw Lucy summon her spirits before—I could tell your nature wasn't quite human."
Loki, while appearing to be a human mage of Fairy Tail, was actually a Celestial Spirit—specifically Leo, the Lion of the Celestial Zodiac, one of the Twelve Golden Keys.
His former master was Karen of Blue Pegasus, who had treated her spirits as mere tools and abused them.
Leo had forced his way into the human world to protect Aries, who had suffered under Karen's cruelty.
Since Karen couldn't forcibly close Leo's gate or connect with him emotionally, she was unable to summon other spirits.
But spirits in the human world burn not just their summoner's magic, but also their own life force. They can only replenish it by returning to the Celestial Realm.
After a few months of stalemate, Karen died during a mission—unable to summon any spirits, and unable to survive on her own. Leo, having indirectly caused her death, had violated the most sacred law of spirits: never harm your master.
As a result, the Celestial Spirit King had banished him.
Leo had been wandering ever since, eventually joining Fairy Tail under the name Loki. But as a spirit, even one as powerful as a Zodiac member, his time in the human world was running out.
Charles leaned against the other side of the tree. "I heard your story."
Loki chuckled. "So, are you here to console a dying man?"
Charles was quiet for a moment, then said, "No one else's comfort can resolve your pain. I just want you to ask yourself something: If you could go back in time, would you still make the same choice?"
He looked over. "If the answer's yes, then there's no reason to regret anything."
Loki was silent for a long time before saying, "You know what… that did make me feel a little better. But it's too late now. We can't turn back time."
He paused, then added with a soft smile, "Still, thanks. At least I can face Karen with my head held high."
Charles walked over and patted him on the shoulder. "It's not too late. Go to Lucy. She's an excellent Celestial Spirit Mage, and an amazing Fairy Tail wizard too. She can help you.
If you still care about Fairy Tail… if you still care about this world… then believe. Believe in the strength of your comrades."
In the original timeline, it was Lucy's kindness and determination that moved Loki. Witnessing her growth during the battle with Phantom Lord inspired him to open up, even as he neared death.
Charles didn't know if Loki had developed the same feelings this time, but he didn't want him to die alone. That's why he had brought him along and tried to guide him.
He had even written a letter to Lucy, explaining everything. Knowing her, she would never ignore it.
Loki was quiet for a long time, then slowly looked up at the stars.
"You're right. I do still care about this world... and everything in Fairy Tail."
Charles could sense the change in his aura—the deathly stillness was gone, replaced by a faint will to live.
Loki pulled two tickets from his pocket and handed them over. "Thanks for everything. I don't have much, but here—these are on me."
Charles didn't take them right away. Instead, he stared at the tickets and took a deep breath.
The critical quest item had just appeared.
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