After their conversation, Shun and Makarov agreed to depart the next morning. Makarov, citing "guild business," headed deeper into the forest, leaving Shun to gather his belongings.
In truth, Shun had little to pack. His life on the island boiled down to the contents of his Space Ring, which was filled to capacity with preserved meat, useful monster parts, and other survival essentials. He saw no need to explain the ring's existence to Makarov just yet, so they parted ways for the day.
---
Meanwhile, beneath the boughs of the Giant Sacred Tree, Makarov's pilgrimage took an unexpected turn. As he approached the hallowed ground of the first master's grave, his eyes fell on a second child. A young girl with long, flowing hair and a cherubic face, she sat barefoot on a low-hanging branch, swinging her legs carelessly. She looked to be about the same age as the boy, Shun.
"Long time no see, Makarov. Child of Yuri and Rita," the girl said, her voice cheerful and light.
Makarov blinked, a strange sense of reverence washing over him despite her apparent youth. "Huh… Have we met before, young lady?"
"Yes," she said, hopping down from the branch. "After all, I was the one who named you. Let me introduce myself properly. My name is Mavis Vermillion. I am the one who created Fairy Tail together with your father, Warrod, and Precht."
Makarov's mind, still reeling from his encounter with Shun, went completely blank. The first guild master, dead for nearly a century, was standing before him as a child. Yet, in his heart, he felt the undeniable truth of her words.
"First generation… you're still alive?!" he finally managed to stammer.
"No, it's… complicated," Mavis replied, her cheer undimmed. "For now, just think of me as a ghost or a thought projection." Her expression then shifted to one of mild exasperation. "Anyway, can you please hurry up and take that boy away and put a guild emblem on him? Because he isn't a member, I haven't been able to communicate with him. He's been acting like a thug in my home for five years! It's so troublesome, him constantly hunting the local wildlife." She puffed her cheeks, tears of frustration welling in her eyes at the memory of her disrupted peace.
---
Back at his makeshift camp, Shun was preoccupied with a sudden development of his own. A translucent system screen, which had been silent for years aside from his status checks, had flickered to life with a new message.
[Congratulations on completing the training arc. Rewards will be calculated based on performance.] [Physique Overall Improvement: A+] [Magic Power Control Improvement: A] [Devil Fruit Efficiency: A] [Mission Completion Rate: A] [Reward: All Stats +1 (Excluding Luck). Toji Fushiguro's Set of Clothes (Grants +1 to Strength, Agility, and Durability while worn. Size adjusts to wearer).]
A moment later, he felt a slight shift in the inventory ring's contents. Reaching in with his mind, he found the new items: a black sleeveless turtleneck, loose white pants, and a pair of sturdy black sandals.
"Finally, some real clothes," Shun muttered with immense relief. "I was getting sick of making outfits out of leaves and monster hide."
He quickly washed off in a nearby stream and changed into the new set. The clothes fit him perfectly, comfortable and strangely empowering.
"Status," he commanded.
A more detailed screen than usual appeared.
Host: Shun Strength: A- Agility: A- Durability: A- Magic Power: A+ Luck: A (Cannot be improved) (Note: Average adult stat level is C) Devil Fruit Proficiency: B
"It's more detailed this time," he noted, closing the window. But another message immediately followed.
[Next Mission: Locate the Tower of Heaven and facilitate the release of its important narrative subjects.] [Reward: 1 Devil Fruit Proficiency Point or a New Devil Fruit.]
"The mission is vague, but 'releasing important characters'… that has to mean saving Erza and the others," he reasoned. He needed to get to Magnolia and then find a way to locate the Tower of Heaven quickly. He had no idea what year it was, and time was likely of the essence.
---
The next day, the small boat cut through the calm sea, carrying Shun and Makarov away from Tenroujina and toward Magnolia. The island shrank on the horizon, a place of five years of solitude and growth.
"Old man," Shun asked, breaking the comfortable silence. "What year is this?"
Makarov glanced at him, a little surprised by the question. "Huh? It's the year 775."
"I see," Shun said, his voice neutral as he processed the information.
'X784 is when the main story really kicks off… Natsu's dragon disappeared in 777. That means I have about two years before Erza is supposed to escape the Tower of Heaven on her own.'
The timeline was tight, but it was a goal. After a full day's journey, the coastal town of Magnolia came into view, its buildings gleaming in the afternoon sun. A new chapter was beginning.