The festivities had died down, but the air in the guild's private library was heavy with concern.
Makarov sat at a large oak table, listening intently as Ur explained the specifics of Ultear's condition.
"So," Makarov summarized, stroking his white mustache, "her overflowing magical power is causing a persistent high fever, and attempting to use magic now leads to a complete loss of control. Is that correct?"
"Yes," Ur nodded, her face etched with worry. "It's like trying to pour a lake into a cup. Her body can't contain it, and the pressure is hurting her."
Makarov hummed, pondering potential solutions.
This situation was entirely different from his grandson Laxus's case.
Laxus had been physically frail, requiring a Dragon Slayer Lacrima to bolster his constitution.
Ultear, on the other hand, was physically healthy but spiritually overburdened.
Another Lacrima might just add fuel to the fire.
Seeing Makarov deep in thought for a long time without offering any suggestions, Raizel spoke up from where he was leaning against a bookshelf.
"Gramps, if you can't think of anything, why don't we go ask the First Master? She knows more about magic theory than anyone."
Makarov's eyes lit up. "That could work. Mavis-sama has read practically every book on magic in existence. But," he paused, looking at Ul and the children, "in that case, we'll need to imprint Guild Marks on you all first. Tenrou Island is sacred ground; only guild members may set foot there."
He considered it for a moment.
Bringing new members to the island so soon was unorthodox, but this was a medical emergency.
Besides, Ur had two reliable guarantors: Raizel and Gildarts.
"Tomorrow," Makarov assured Ul solemnly. "We'll go to our guild's sacred ground, Tenrou Island, to meet the First Master. She will surely have a solution."
He turned to the little girl clinging to Ur's leg.
"Ultear, you'll come with us tomorrow. Don't worry, child. We'll fix this."
Ultear nodded shyly, hiding her face in her mother's coat.
"Now, where would you like your Guild Marks placed?" Raizel asked, holding the magical wooden stamp.
"Left shoulder. Black," Ur said without hesitation.
Gray and Lyon, eager to be part of the group, pushed forward.
"Right chest! Dark blue!" they chorused.
Noticing the orange mark on Raizel's left hand, Ultear pointed to her own small hand.
"The back of my left hand. Black, please."
...
After dinner, Raizel took the new members for a tour of Magnolia.
The town was beautiful at night, the streetlights casting a pale white glow on the fresh snow.
He dropped Lyon and Gray off at Makarov's house first.
The old man had volunteered to watch them, while Gildarts had disappeared—supposedly fishing, though Raizel suspected he was just avoiding housework.
Raizel then escorted Ur, Ultear, and Cana back toward the girls' dormitory.
"I haven't properly thanked you yet," Ur said softly, falling into step beside Raizel.
Ahead of them, Ultear and Cana were walking hand in hand, their laughter ringing in the cold air.
Watching her daughter look so carefree, Ur felt a warmth in her chest she hadn't felt in years.
"Thank you, Raizel. For everything."
Raizel waved it off casually. "It's nothing, no need to thank me. You're part of the guild now—we're family. That's what families do."
"If you ever need anything in the future," Ur stopped, turning to look him in the eye.
"Please don't hesitate to ask. I'll do my best to help. My life belongs to you and my daughter now."
Raizel sensed the absolute sincerity in her gaze. "I understand. I won't hold back if I need something."
They continued walking.
"By the way," Raizel added, "if you decide to move out of the girls' dormitory later and rent or buy a place, make sure to find one that doesn't shift during Gildarts Mode. Otherwise, it'd be pretty unsettling to wake up and find your house moving across town."
"Is the girls' dormitory environment that bad?" Ur asked, concerned.
"Not at all—it's quite good, actually," Raizel assured her. "It's spacious, clean, and has a great view. I just meant for the future, if you want your own space."
As they stepped onto the platform near the river, a three-story H-shaped building came into view.
It was charming, with warm lights glowing in the windows.
It sat on a stable plot of land that offered a view of the sea in the distance.
"Ultear, this is the girls' dormitory!" Cana pointed excitedly. "I live on the second floor, in the middle room on the right. We'll be neighbors!"
"Makarov already sent me a message," an elderly woman in a red dress emerged from the entrance. It was Grandma Hilda, the dorm matron.
"So you're the new ones?"
"Yes," Ur nodded politely.
"Will you be sharing one room or taking two?"
"Is the room spacious enough?"
"Definitely big enough for two," Hilda replied.
"Then we'll share one room," Ur smiled, stroking Ultear's hair.
She wasn't ready to sleep apart from her daughter just yet.
"Come with me to pick a room."
"Goodbye, Cana, Ultear," Raizel waved to them. "See you tomorrow."
"Goodbye, Raizel!" the girls waved back.
Raizel watched them enter safely before turning toward home.
When he arrived at Makarov's house, he found Lyon and Gray groaning on the floor, nursing matching bumps on their heads.
"What happened?" Raizel asked, stepping over Gray.
"They wouldn't shut up," Makarov grunted from his armchair, sipping tea. "I gave them a loving fist."
"Right," Raizel chuckled. "Well, Gramps, tomorrow you can stay here. I'll take them to Tenrou Island. You rest your old bones."
"Fair enough," Makarov agreed.
...
The Next Morning
The sun was just rising over Hargeon Port as the group boarded the guild's private ship.
The air smelled of salt and magic.
Raizel sat on the deck railing, legs dangling over the side.
Ultear sat beside him, clutching her new hat to keep it from blowing away.
Ur stood behind them, leaning against the cabin wall, watching the sea.
"Ultear," Raizel asked casually, looking out at the endless blue. "Is there any magic you'd like to learn?"
"Ur's Ice-Make magic," Ultear answered instantly, without a shred of doubt.
She looked up at her mother with adoration.
"And besides that? Any other ideas?"
"Hmm... I don't know," Ultear pursed her lips, thinking hard.
She shook her head. "I just want to be strong like Mom."
"What about magic related to time?" Raizel asked gently. "Are you interested in that?"
He still intended for her to learn the Arc of Time.
It was her destiny, and more importantly, it was the key to stabilizing her container.
But he would make sure she walked a different path with it than the canon Ultear.
"Time?" Ultear furrowed her brow, her young mind struggling to grasp the concept. "Like... making clocks?"
Raizel chuckled. "Not quite. Lost Magic: Arc of Time is a magic that allows you to manipulate the 'time' of objects. You can fast-forward a seed into a tree in seconds, or rewind a broken vase until it's whole again. It can interfere with everything except living beings."
"Is it something you want me to learn?" Ultear looked into his eyes, sensing his intent.
"Yes," Raizel nodded. "I think you're very suited for it. And... it might help with your fever."
"Then Ultear will learn it," she said simply.
A gentle sea breeze brushed past, blowing her dark bangs across her smiling face.
Raizel reached out and ruffled her hair.
She was too adorable!
"Besides magic, what does Ultear like to do?"
"Hmm... studying? Reading books?" Ultear tilted her head, tapping her chin. "I like learning new things."
"Then I think you and the First Master will have a lot to talk about," Raizel grinned. "She loves books more than anyone I know."
"The First Master?" Ultear asked curiously.
"Mavis Vermillion. She lives on Tenrou Island. She's smart, kind, and a bit mischievous. You'll like her."
Raizel looked ahead.
A misty silhouette appeared on the horizon, crowned by a massive, distinctive tree that towered over the landscape.
"We're here," Raizel pointed. "That's Tenrou Island."
--------
Mavis travel back and fort between magnolia and tenrou.