Early the next morning, Arlen carried out his usual training.
Under the weight of gravity magic, he tempered his body—then stood in the snow, tirelessly swinging Alaya-vijñāna, refining his swordsmanship strike after strike.
After finishing, he stepped into an icy river, washed himself clean, then evaporated the water from his body with magic before dressing and returning to the cabin.
Ul was setting breakfast on the table.
"…You're really diligent. Training this early?" she said with a smile.
"Training is like rowing upstream. If you don't advance, you fall behind," Arlen replied calmly.
"…You're right." Ul nodded, suddenly inspired. "Looks like I need to work harder too. Come eat."
As Arlen sat down, Ultear placed a plate in front of him.
Before he could thank her—
Ul spoke first, her voice gentle and sincere.
"…Thank you, Arlen."
He paused, then understood.
The matter of the Ten Wizard Saints.
"…It's nothing," he said lightly—but accepted her gratitude.
—
At breakfast, Ul announced the decision to move to Magnolia.
Gray and Lyon were immediately excited—they had never left the Northern Continent.
Ultear, however, was the happiest.
Now she could stay by Arlen's side—openly, without hesitation.
—
After the meal, Arlen headed alone to the Sixth Enforcement Unit to meet Iharu.
Inside the meeting room—
"WHAT?!"
Iharu shot to his feet.
"You're saying—you assisted Ul in defeating Deliora?!"
Arlen frowned slightly, tapping the table.
"Iharu, I don't joke about things that would disgrace my family."
"…M-My apologies, Lord Arlen. It's just… hard to believe."
"Understandable."
Arlen took out a magic crystal and injected a trace of power.
Two recorded scenes appeared in the air:
Ul's Rose Garden striking Deliora—
And her Thorn Rose binding it in place.
"…This…"
Iharu was stunned speechless.
He quickly dispatched a team to verify the site.
—
Time passed.
Soon, a report came back:
"Captain! It's real! Deliora is gone! The entire canyon… it's been turned into a basin!"
"…Good. Excellent."
Now fully convinced, Iharu turned to Arlen with respect.
"Your achievements, along with Lady Ul's, will be reported to the Magic Council."
Arlen stood.
"I'll be at the forest cabin outside Isvan. If the Council reaches a decision today, come find us there. Otherwise—we'll be in Magnolia. Fairy Tail."
He left the crystal behind and walked out.
Everything—
was already decided.
—
That evening, Iharu personally arrived.
After a long formal declaration—
The result was clear.
Ul Milkovich had been granted the title of one of the Ten Wizard Saints.
With it came immense privileges, wealth, and recognition.
Gray, Lyon, and Ultear were ecstatic.
Especially Lyon—
"HAHA! As expected of Master Ul! The strongest! If I beat you someday, I'll surpass even the Ten Saints!"
"Idiot," Gray muttered.
Ul smiled, but her gaze drifted to Arlen.
Her gratitude—
ran deeper than words.
—
Soon after—
A train whistle echoed.
Inside a carriage bound for Magnolia—
The group of five sat together.
Gray and Lyon devoured their boxed meals.
Ultear excitedly looked around, then out the window.
Ul gently stroked her daughter's head, smiling softly.
Arlen sat by the window, chin resting on his hand, watching the scenery blur past.
It's over…
Now…
Magnolia.
Fairy Tail.
A faint smile formed.
I'm coming.