The sky gradually darkened.
Magnolia at night was brightly decorated, with four main streets adorned with lanterns and streamers, and the scent of delicious food wafting from the stalls.
Gathered here, besides the local residents, were tourists flocking in from other cities in the Kingdom of Fiore, and even from across the continent, just to witness this grand Magical Parade, which could be called the city's "calling Card."
"I heard Fairy Tail prepared a special performance this year?"
"The Flame Flying Dragon from the year before last was shocking enough!"
"Are you talking about the time Natsu burned down the whole square..."
"I'm still more curious about Mirajane's performance this year."
"..."
Amidst the chatter of the crowd, a cheerful and rhythmic music drifted from afar, growing closer.
At the same time, a burst of fireworks blossomed over the city.
Amidst the cheers, the Magical Grand Parade, whose splendor was renowned throughout the entire Ishgar continent, was finally about to begin, and the protagonists of this grand show... were the Mage Guild that had been rooted in this city for nearly a century.
The parade floats bearing the symbol of the Dancing Fairy slowly approached.
Macao and Wakaba, two middle-aged men dressed in Elvis costumes, led the way, one wielding Purple Flame and the other Smoke, the two intertwined magics swirling into a fairytale-like pink mist.
Cana was uncharacteristically dressed like a normal woman, wearing a star-patterned dress and holding a baton. Under the control of Card Magic, Note Cards combined to play a melodious tune.
Lucy and Levy stood on the same parade float.
Sagittarius, the Celestial Spirit who had been summoned, demonstrated his incredibly precise archery, hitting every single Word Petal that Levy tossed into the air.
The exploding magical petals turned into brilliant clusters of light and scattered, making the onlookers cheer and applaud.
On another float, Juvia, after much persistence, finally got her wish to perform with Gray. She waved gentle streams of water, and the sky-filled water mist transformed into a magnificent Ice and Snow Castle under Gray's chill.
Elfman transformed into the Beast King. Amidst his strenuous roar, which couldn't even scare a child, the giant petals behind him slowly opened, and Mirajane's smile shone like a morning star.
Erza wielded her twin swords, and a dozen Magical Swords unfolded behind her, dancing in rotation with her.
During the dazzling Magical Parade, the finale act was not the familiar old man from previous years, causing the local residents to feel puzzled.
"Is that? Fairy's Thunder Dragon?!" someone shouted, pointing at the group following the band.
Fried walked in front of the final float, with a complex Magical Rune Array appearing behind him. Each rune represented a blessing, drifting towards the spectators lining the road.
Evergreen's 'Fairy' Magic caused colorful flowers to bloom everywhere her gaze fell, while Bickslow's five Magic Puppets performed a comical skit.
Golden electric light burst forth on the stage of the final float—it was Laxus, finally making his debut in the Magical Parade, which he should have joined years ago but had postponed for over a decade due to his own reasons.
"Gramps, aren't you joining the parade this time either?"
"Gramps is old now. I'll just watch your performance from the audience from now on."
"But I don't know if I'll be able to see Gramps from the stage..."
"Just focus on your performance, alright?"
"Ah! Then this is what I'll do! I'll make this gesture during the parade!"
That gesture... amidst the eye-catching golden electric light, as Laxus slowly raised his right hand, both his companions performing on the float and those watching on the streets raised their right hands toward the sky in unison, forming a clear "L" shape with their index finger and thumb.
This gesture was the secret sign Laxus and his grandfather had agreed upon when he was a child, meaning: [Even if I'm not by your side, I will always watch over you and protect you].
Old man, did you see that?
"I saw it... Laxus."
In the crowd, Makarov could no longer hold back, and tears of relief streamed down his face. He slowly raised his hand, extending his thumb and index finger, making the same gesture towards the sky.
"Oh dear, oh dear, that's too mushy. I'm getting goosebumps."
The complaining voice came from the side. Makarov looked at Hope with disdain, "Didn't you say you prepared a big surprise to show everyone at the Magical Parade? Why are you here?"
"Speaking of which, where did Natsu and Happy go?"
Hope's mouth twitched. Of course, he knew where Natsu and Happy were. Those two idiots accidentally burned his Hidden Gundam while rehearsing their performance this afternoon.
Although the Magic Mechanical Giant itself wasn't damaged, it was scorched black by the flames. Can a pitch-black freedom gundam without its classic red, blue, and white colors still be called a freedom gundam?
So, in a fit of pique, Hope grabbed Natsu and Happy, instantly refined... no, he made them clean up his Gundam in the guild's backyard.
Hearing Hope's explanation, Makarov smiled slightly. That truly was the kind of trouble Natsu would cause.
"Mr. Hope, we meet again."
The voice suddenly coming from behind surprised Hope, because he had already "heard" who it was: Simon, Erza's former companion at the Tower of Paradise.
Turning around, it was indeed him, and Wally, Sho, and Millianna were there too.
"Didn't you guys go traveling the world?"
Hope was a little surprised to see them here.
Sho was still dressed in the same outfit he wore at the casino. He scratched his hair, "We heard the Magical Grand Parade was starting, and we happened to be traveling near a town nearby, so we came to check it out."
"Well, you timed that perfectly. Erza will definitely be Happy to see you later."
---
---
While some were celebrating, others were plotting their dark intentions.
At an inn on the mountain outside Magnolia City, a slightly sleazy-looking middle-aged man stood on a balcony, admiring the fireworks blooming over the city in the distance.
Just then, a Raven landed on the mast.
"Oh, Raven—why are you so beautiful?"
The middle-aged man picked up the Raven, "Is it because you are also something that people hate? What a pity, beautiful things have short lives~"
The next second, the Raven turned into a piece of paper and was discarded by the man.
A figure like iron leaned quietly against the wall, watching the middle-aged man's performance coldly, "You never told me you wanted to seize the dragon-slaying crystal inside Laxus."
"Hahaha, Gajeel, when a father wants to take something from his son, there's no need to tell outsiders, is there? Especially since you are the spy I sent to Fairy Tail."
The middle-aged man, Makarov's son and Laxus's father, named Ivan Dreyar, revealed a shocking truth to Gajeel with a sinister smile.
"Before that old geezer expelled me from the guild, I made sure to sow discord with Laxus, hoping he would anger the old man—preferably leading to conflict between grandfather and grandson."
"I didn't expect them to reconcile now. Laxus truly disappoints me."
Gajeel frowned, "Laxus's rebellion was caused by you?"
Ivan laughed as if it were obvious, "Who else? Besides me, his father, who could make that good boy suddenly change completely and launch a magnificent rebellion against his dear grandfather?"
"No more talk. Gajeel, go back and continue your infiltration. Find out quickly what the purpose of 'Lumen Histoire' is—the thing that made the old man willing to expel even his own son from the guild."
"..."
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