The sea breeze rustled the leaves of the Great Tenrou Tree, casting dappled shadows across the pristine beach.
Mavis Vermillion sensed the arrival of the Fairy Tail members the moment their ship breached the island's barrier.
Barefoot and beaming, she walked across the sand to meet them, her ethereal dress fluttering in the wind.
"First Master," Raizel greeted her respectfully as they disembarked.
"Oh! How cute!" Mavis's green eyes sparkled the moment they landed on the small figure hiding behind Ur's legs.
It had been a long time since she had seen such an adorable little girl on her island.
She reached out with her small hand to pat Ultear's head.
However, being a 'Ghost', her hand passed harmlessly through the girl's hat.
Ultear flinched slightly, but seeing Raizel treat this young-looking girl with such respect, she realized who it was.
She didn't pull away, staring at the First Master with wide, curious eyes.
"So... that is the situation," Mavis murmured after calmly listening to Ur's desperate explanation of Ultear's condition.
She nodded sagely, her expression shifting from childish delight to the wisdom of a master tactician.
"I see. Leave it to me."
Mavis puffed out her chest, wearing a proud expression as she patted it with her small hand.
"Can it really be resolved?" Ur asked, her voice trembling with hope.
She had been deeply troubled by the powerful magic afflicting Ultear, watching it eat away at her daughter's health for years.
"Actually, it will gradually improve as she grows up and her body naturally strengthens," Mavis explained, floating slightly off the ground.
"The most critical period is during her earliest years. It's remarkable she managed to endure through those times; her willpower is impressive. However, if she learns from me how to properly circulate and contain her mana, it could take as little as half a year to stabilize her. A year at most."
"Thank you... Thank you so much, First Master."
Tears welled up in Ur's eyes.
She placed her right hand over her heart and bowed deeply, a weight finally lifting from her shoulders.
Mavis tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Considering that the process of regulating the magical energy within the body can be physically taxing and painful, I have a suggestion."
She pointed toward the massive tree in the center of the island. "It would be better for Ultear to stay and train here on Tenrou Island. The surroundings and the land itself are rich with pure Ethernano. The Great Tenrou Tree continuously heals and protects the members of Fairy Tail. Being here will ease her pain significantly during the process."
"Alright," Ur nodded firmly. "Then I'll leave her guidance to you, First Master. However... I would like to stay as well."
Ur looked down at her daughter. "I'm not leaving her alone again."
"That's fine!" Mavis nodded cheerfully. "Having Ur around won't cause any issues. In fact, it will make the island much more lively! I haven't had guests in so long!"
Hearing this, Ur smiled and gently stroked Ultear's hair.
Crouching down to look into her daughter's eyes, she said, "This time, Mom will definitely stay by your side. I won't go anywhere."
"Yes, Mom," Ultear nodded, clenching her small fists, responding to her mother's determination with her own.
"Ultear will do her best."
"Then I'll go back first to buy some food and daily necessities for you two," Raizel said, stepping forward.
Although there were animals on Tenrou Island, they were part of the island's ecosystem and Mavis probably wouldn't appreciate them being hunted to extinction.
Besides, a growing child needed a balanced diet, not just wild game.
"I'm counting on you," Ur clasped her hands together in gratitude toward Raizel. "And please... tell Gray and Lyon that I won't be back for a while. Tell them not to slack off and to focus on their training."
"Don't worry. I'll make sure the old man keeps them in line," Raizel grinned.
Raizel returned to Hargeon to buy enough food for three days, along with blankets and camping supplies, delivering them back to Tenrou Island before evening.
With Ur's Ice-Make magic, she could easily create a magical refrigerator to preserve the meat and vegetables, which saved Raizel from having to make the trip every single day.
....
Three Months Later.
For the next season, Raizel fell into a routine.
He delivered fresh supplies to Tenrou Island every three days, taking the opportunity to check on Ultear's training progress.
The news was consistently good.
Mavis reported that Ultear possessed terrifying talent.
What was supposed to take six months was accelerating; Mavis predicted she might be done in half that time.
Three months after their arrival, Raizel set foot on the sandy shores of Tenrou Island once again.
This time, he didn't bring any food.
From afar, he spotted two figures on a rocky outcrop near the center of the island.
Ultear was practicing Ice-Make magic alongside Ur.
Mavis was sitting on a high rock nearby, swinging her bare feet as she supervised.
Though the mother and daughter differed greatly in size, their casting postures were nearly identical—elegant and precise.
Crystal birds and roses formed in the air, glittering in the sunlight.
"Is Ultear fully recovered now?" Raizel called out as he approached.
Ur and Ultear stopped their practice, the ice creations dissipating into mist.
"Raizel!" Ultear greeted him, her voice stronger and more confident than before.
"She recovered yesterday," Ur smiled, pulling Ultear into a side hug. "Her magic container has stabilized, and she can control the flow perfectly now. Thank you so much for these past three months."
Ur's face was glowing with relief.
She had already spent hours formally expressing her gratitude to Mavis the day before, but she felt she could never thank Raizel enough.
"First Master, you've worked hard," Raizel nodded to the ghost girl.
"It wasn't hard at all!" Mavis beamed, tilting her head so her wing-like ears fluttered.
"These three months have been wonderful! Ultear is such a lovely child, and she listens so well."
Raizel turned to Ur.
"Then let's head back. The old man has already prepared your application documents for the Wizard Saints. After we return, you just need to fill them out and go to the Council branch for evaluation."
"I'm coming too!" Mavis announced suddenly, hopping down from her rock.
"I still need to teach Ultear! She's a genius, and we're not done with her curriculum!"
After three months, Mavis had grown very attached to Ultear.
A resilient, talented child who actually loved reading as much as she did? It was a match made in heaven.
Mavis planned to continue personally instructing her, even if it meant projecting herself back to the guild hall.
"Ultear wants to learn Time Magic," Ultear said, looking up at the excited First Master.
"Of course!" Mavis patted her chest. "I know the theory perfectly!"
She paused, her eyes widening as she remembered something.
She stared intently at Raizel.
She recalled how, months ago, Raizel had specifically asked her about the Arc of Time.
Raizel, feeling the weight of her gaze, coughed awkwardly.
He reached into his enchanted backpack and pulled out an old, leather-bound book.
"Here," Raizel handed the book to Ultear. "This is a tome on the Arc of Time. Study it well under the First Master's guidance."
Ultear took the book reverently.
Ur didn't say anything about troubling the First Master further.
After living with Mavis for three months, she understood that the founder of Fairy Tail was a natural airhead—if she was happy, nothing was too troublesome.
If you refused her help, she might actually cry.
Plus, Ur was genuinely pleased her daughter could receive instruction from such a legendary Mage.
....
Raizel first accompanied Ur and Ultear to the girls' dormitory to drop off their camping gear and freshen up.
Once they were ready, they walked together to the guild hall to report their return.
Raizel pushed open the heavy wooden doors.
"Everyone! We're back!"
The guild fell silent for a second, then erupted.
"Oh! Ultear's back!"
"Look at her! She's grown taller in just three months!"
The members gathered around.
The nutritious food, the fresh air of Tenrou Island, and the relief from her magical burden had done wonders.
Ultear had shot up in height, and her dark hair had lengthened from a chin-length bob to shoulder-length, making her look more like a miniature version of Ur.
"Ur! Ultear!"
Gray and Lyon, who had been in the middle of a wrestling match, abandoned their fight and scrambled over.
"We've been training hard while you were away, Ur!" Lyon shouted, puffing out his chest. "I can make a tiger now!"
"I can make a cannon!" Gray argued.
Laxus was nowhere to be seen.
He had become a task-crazed demon lately, constantly out on missions to prove his strength, only returning to sleep.
"Ultear! Come here quickly!"
Cana Alberona stood on a table, waving frantically.
She had finally gained a playmate three months ago, only for Ultear to vanish to the island immediately after.
She had missed her terribly!
"Go ahead," Ur gently nudged Ultear's back. "Go play."
Ultear smiled and ran toward Cana.
Ur and Raizel walked over to the bar counter where Makarov was sitting.
Mavis, invisible to most, floated over and sat on the edge of the counter, swinging her feet as she watched the noisy guild with a look of pure contentment.
"Guild Master, thank you so much," Ur said, her voice thick with emotion.
It had only been a few days after they join the guild and Makarov had allowed them access to the sacred ground.
That trust had saved her daughter's life.
"You've already thanked me before," Makarov waved his hand dismissively. "I simply couldn't stand to see a child in pain. Besides, Raizel vouched for you."
He reached under the counter and pulled out a stack of parchment.
"Now, fill out these forms and take them to the Council branch," Makarov said, tapping the papers.
"The Council has already confirmed the news of Deliora's death. They are eager to recruit you. With that achievement, your induction into the Wizard Saints is all but guaranteed."
Ur nodded, taking the pen.
She needed the stability, the income, and the status to protect Ultear.
"Well then," Makarov grinned, raising his tankard high. "To celebrate Ultear's recovery and Ur's return... Let's start the banquet!"