In the city of Magnolia, one of the nation's top magical commercial hubs, the most dazzling landmark was undoubtedly the Fairy Tail guild building at the town center.
Due to the recent war with Phantom Lord, the guild had undergone major renovations.
The century-old structure at the heart of the town had finally expanded, shedding its old skin for something grander.
The renovated Fairy Tail guild now boasted double the original space with a magnificent and imposing appearance.
It resembled a castle mixed with a cozy tavern.
The exterior was made of polished stone and timber, with the guild emblem proudly displayed above the massive oak doors.
The interior became brighter and more spacious.
The main hall featured an enlarged bar counter made of mahogany and tiered seating areas to accommodate the growing family.
A circular walkway lined both sides of the second floor, looking down onto the chaos below, and a performance stage had been constructed directly opposite the main entrance for Mirajane's songs.
The second floor, previously accessible only to S-Class Mages, was finally open to all, significantly expanding recreational space.
However, the mission board up there remained restricted—accepting S-Class missions still required S-Class status or higher authorization.
Moreover, the guild now featured an outdoor swimming pool and hot springs deep within the premises, offering countless new recreational options for relaxation after tough jobs.
But today, the usually vibrant fairies had suddenly become listless.
The pool was empty and even the bar was quiet.
"Mmm..."
A comfortable groan escaped Ankh's throat as his mind gradually cleared after an unknown period of sleep.
He felt soft sheets beneath him and the smell of antiseptic mixed with beer.
Just as he was waking up, Ankh suddenly heard noisy chatter around him.
"Look! Ankh moved!"
"Ankh-nii awake! Look, neesan!"
"Quick, someone go get the Master! And bring Natsu and Laxus back! They went to Madame Porlyusica earlier to drag her back here!"
'Why so noisy?' Ankh thought groggily. 'Can't a guy sleep in?'
Ankh couldn't help but frown.
His long eyelashes fluttered twice before he gently opened his eyes.
The moment he opened them, Ankh immediately sat up in bed, startled by the wall of sound.
"WOAH!"
'Good heavens!'
'Why was a whole crowd gathered here? And why did everyone look like they'd been crying, as if attending a funeral?'
Through his still-blurry vision, Ankh saw that even the newly expanded medical room was packed with a dense crowd of people.
Master Makarov stood on a chair.
The Strongest Team (minus Natsu) crowded the bedside. The three Strauss siblings—Mirajane, Elfman, Lisanna—were huddled together. The Shadow Gear team, the gunner team Alzack and Bisca, Wakaba and Macao with their cigarettes unlit, plus Cana drinking from a barrel, Laki with her weird glasses, Reedus painting...
Why was everyone gathered so completely?
Ankh's first panic-induced thought was, 'Were they gathering for a guild war again?'
The all-hands-on-deck atmosphere stunned Ankh.
He blinked, rubbing his temples.
Widening his eyes, Ankh cautiously asked the teary-eyed Lisanna beside him.
"What's happened to all of you? Is the guild under attack?"
Seeing Ankh awake and speaking coherently, the crowd erupted in cheers that shook the windows.
"HE'S ALIVE!"
Lisanna beamed with relief, smiling happily through her tears. "Ankh-nii! You're finally awake! We thought something terrible had happened to you... You wouldn't wake up!"
Ankh tapped her head with two fingers, rolling his eyes fondly.
"What could possibly happen? I just took a nap. I was tired."
Erza still looked worried.
She was frowning with deep concern, her armor clinking as she leaned in.
"But brother... at the Tower of Heaven, you were hit by the Etherion! And you still had to defeat Jellal afterward! That must have taken a huge toll on your body!"
Gray quickly nodded in agreement from the foot of the bed.
"Exactly! You've been unconscious for two full days and one night! We thought your brain melted!"
Mirajane looked anxious, her usually cheerful demeanor replaced by worry. Her pale hand gently touched Ankh's forehead to check for fever.
"You're finally awake," she sighed, her shoulders slumping. "When Erza carried you back, she was covered in dust and you looked so peaceful... she gave us such a fright. We thought you were dead."
After Ankh woke up, the mood in the infirmary noticeably lifted.
The tension broke, and everyone started chattering excitedly at once.
"Ankh, you have no idea—when the Master heard the Etherion hit you, his face went completely pale! He even dropped his beer!"
"Idiot! Macao, you were so scared you froze up too! You dropped your cigarette!"
"And when the Master invited Lady Porlyusica over, she just took one look at you, sniffed, said 'He's fine, he's just sleeping like a log,' and left... just like that!"
"Exactly! She left with a dark expression, looking really annoyed that we wasted her time. Laxus was so angry he almost started a fight right then and there! He chased her into the forest demanding an answer!"
Amid the chaotic noise around him, Ankh found himself strangely unbothered by the familiar clamor.
Usually, he hated noise.
But today...
He felt a warm, comforting sense of reassurance washing over him.
When Ankh first joined the guild years ago, he was a cold, aloof kid—arrogant, dismissive of others, and fierce.
But this guild... Fairy Tail had a peculiar kind of magic. Not just spells, but a magic that effortlessly opened people's hearts and helped them form and cherish bonds with their comrades.
These guild bonds were like the sun, slowly melting the Grim Reaper he once was and transforming him into the reliable pillar of the guild he is today.
Makarov, standing on the bedside cabinet next to Ankh to be at eye level, finally let out a sigh of relief as he wiped a tear from his eye.
"Seeing you alright puts my mind at ease, brat..." Makarov murmured.
Makarov treated all the little "fairies" in the guild as his own children.
For Ankh, in particular, Makarov poured all his experience into teaching him, eager to mold him into an outstanding leader to succeed him.
So when he saw his potential successor carried in limp, his vision went dark.
Ankh smiled faintly and teased, "Don't get so sentimental Master~ I'm too stubborn to die."
"By the way," Ankh added, sitting up properly. "We should go get Natsu and Laxus back. Lady Porlyusica was right—I really am fine. My magic feels stronger than ever."
Makarov nodded, preparing to shout orders. But just then, a carefree, loud voice suddenly cut in from the hallway.
"No need to worry! I'm back!"
Natsu squeezed his way through the crowd like an eel.
He excitedly leaned over Ankh's bed, grinning from ear to ear.
"That's great, Ankh! I thought you were gonna die! I was gonna eat your share of the food!"
Ankh's face darkened instantly.
Lucy facepalmed as a vein bulging on her forehead.
She grumbled, "Natsu... with the way you talk, did no one ever try to bury you alive when you were a kid? Read the room!"
Ankh pushed Natsu's overly enthusiastic face away with a look of mock disgust.
"Get off me, flame-brain."
He then turned his gaze to the door.
Laxus was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, looking grumpy. He had clearly run all the way back but was trying to look cool.
"Thanks, man," Ankh said simply, meeting Laxus's eyes. "For worrying."
Laxus tilted his head slightly.
His sharp eyes scanned Ankh for a moment, checking for injuries. Seeing none, he awkwardly turned away and walked out of the room, his lightning coat billowing.
Just before leaving, though, Laxus remarked in a detached tone.
"Don't get the wrong idea. It'd just be boring if you died. I still need to beat you."
Ankh couldn't help but chuckle softly and muttered to himself, "That guy... still a tsundere."
Who would've thought that just taking a nap would cause such a commotion?
Even though Ankh had honestly explained that he wasn't injured or drained—just so exhausted he'd fallen asleep to integrate his new Life God powers—everyone was skeptical.
They smiled and nodded, but Ankh could see the words written all over their faces.
The whole situation left him caught between laughter and exasperation.
Surviving a direct hit from the Etherion was considered a near-impossible feat in anyone's eyes.
How could this not worry everyone?
Judging by the situation, it would likely take several days for the guild members to set their minds at ease.
Ankh had no choice but to accept his fate: he would continue lying comfortably in bed, treating it as a vacation.
Erza had already told him that Jellal had been brought back to the guild after Ankh purified him.
He was currently in a holding cell, confused but sane.
The Council had disbanded in chaos after the Etherion misfired (or so they thought), and a new Council was already in the works.
Both former and newly appointed council members had heard about the situation and came to negotiate with Makarov, insisting that Jellal be handed over to them for judgment.
Although Makarov hadn't agreed yet, given his temperament, it was unlikely he could withstand the public outcry for long.
Ankh wasn't too concerned. for now, his only task was to rest.
...
Later that afternoon, Makarov, annoyed by the crowded room disturbing the patient's rest, finally shooed everyone out.
"Out! All of you! Let the boy sleep!"
Left alone, Ankh lay comfortably in bed, finally able to relax in the silence.
The sun began to set, painting the room in orange hues.
Just then, Ankh suddenly sensed something.
A familiar magical signature.
He sprang up from the bed, turning curiously toward the window on his right.
Through the open window beside the sickbed, he could see the clear blue sky and feel the gentle breeze drifting inside.
But what caught his attention more was the bright red apple that had somehow appeared on the clean windowsill.
It hadn't been there a moment ago.
Understanding dawned on Ankh.
He reached out to pick up the apple.
Crunch.
"Sweet."
He looked out the window at the empty street below and said to the air:
"I didn't expect someone as busy as you to visit me. Thanks for the apple."
After he spoke, there was no response.
Only a sudden, gentle breeze blowing through the window carried the visitor's silent reply.
---------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator