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[Adam C. POV]
I gasped, my lungs seizing as I awoke.
My mind swam in a foggy haze of misdirection, unable to recall for the briefest of monts where I was or why I felt so much pain.
My body hurts.
A lot.
It was a dull ache, throbbing throughout my entire body, but despite how terrible it felt, it was nothing compared to the searing pain I rembered experiencing before.
That's good.
That ans I'm healing.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to open my eyes, but only one seed to respond.
Had I lost an eye?
Or was I too injured to fully function?
Panic washed over , and I forced myself to remain calm as I slowly took in my surroundings.
Within my limited mobility, I managed to scan what I could of my body.
Noticing the layers of bandages that swaddled like a mummy.
Working through the pain, I gingerly touched my face, only to find it also wrapped in the sa gauzy material.
I guess that explains why only one eye works.
I tried to move my legs, but they barely reacted to my commands, leaving feeling like a prisoner in my own body.
I sighed.
I guess it was to be expected.
I survived and that's what it matters.
Turning my attention to the room, I noticed I found myself in a humble, quaint space.
It seed to be a bedroom of so sort, with a small window letting in the warm sunlight that danced across the wooden floor. The air was filled with the delicate scent of flowers, and I couldn't help but feel soothed by their presence.
Taking in the various bouquets of flowers and roses that seed to occupy every corner, I started to wonder who had brought here.
A million questions swirled through my head, but no answers presented themselves. But despite the pain and confusion, I couldn't help but feel a sense of serenity in this room.
I smiled.
I really needed to train more, I can't do this again... using more power than my body can handle.
I might not survive next ti.
I don't rember the last ti I felt as weak as I do right now.
I could hardly move.
Breathing seed to take most of my energy.
Taking a deep breath, my gaze drifted to one corner of the room, and I blinked in surprise.
Standing in a corner, there was an old man wearing green robes decorated with golden laces around the edges, tending to the plants around the room with a gentle kind touch, watering each one slowly.
I couldn't believe I hadn't seen him before, especially with the absurd amount of magic power I could feel within him. It was strange, he seed to blend in with the foliage as if he were a part of the natural landscape.
I had trouble making out who he was, though that was mostly because it seed my one working eye was determined not to cooperate with .
As if sensing my gaze, the old man looked up and caught my eye. A mischievous twinkle appeared in his eyes as he chuckled, "Ah, I see you've caught in the act. I must apologize, but I was peeing in the plants, it's good for them!"
Now that I think about it... his watering tool was suspiciously low in terms of position...
Gross.
For a brief mont considering all of the facts, I believed him, my expression a mixture of shock and disbelief, but not really caring seeing he had treated my wounds.
However, his laughter quickly dispelled that idea, as he turned around, holding up a small watering can with a sheepish grin.
"Just a joke, my friend," He said, his voice warm and full of life. "I wouldn't dream of doing such a thing to these beauties, while there are people watching."
I couldn't help but chuckle at this, despite the pain it caused. The old man's humor brought a spark of light to my otherwise dim situation.
He approached my bedside, setting the watering can down on a small table.
"Well, jokes out of the way, let's start with the introductions. My na is Warrod Sequen," he said, extending a gnarled hand for to shake. "I've been taking care of you while you've been... out of commission, shall we say."
Warrod...
I know that na.
One of Fairy Tail's founders, and one of the Four Gods of Ishgar, Warrod.
I can't believe I didn't recognize him right away.
Granted, I'm not in the best… state of mind, and I can barely see, but still... The pee joke should've given it up.
I hesitated for a mont before shaking his hand, my grip weak but appreciative. "Thank you for everything, Warrod," I murmured, unsure of what else to say.
I never imagined I would et him so soon.
"You're welco," Warrod replied, his eyes softening. "Besides, as your senior it was my duty to help you, for like the trees I nurture, it is my job to nurture the next generation."
I smiled.
I don't know why, but I felt a... unique sense of comfort in his presence, it was odd, but welcoming.
"Not to sound ungrateful, but how did you find ?" I asked, feeling curious about the circumstances that led to being in Warrod's care.
Warrod's expression beca serious as he paused, taking a deep breath before speaking. "I was in the area investigating reports of a mysterious forest with unique fauna and flora, when I decided to take a piss. While I was doing that, I stumbled across you, unconscious and badly injured."
I have a feeling his material is mostly piss-related jokes.
That aside I'm lucky he found .
Perhaps he was the one to eliminate Artemis in the original tiline, seeing he was investigating the forest where she lived, and the fact he was stronger than .
But then again, I don't want to jump to conclusions.
Canon as I know it is no longer sothing relevant, at least not entirely.
"I see," I said, my mind wandering. "And did you notify the guild? You know so that they could co and get ?"
Despite how grateful I was for Warrod treating , and how much I wanted to talk with him about a few theories of mine, he was no Porlyusica, and I needed that old cranky tsundere to heal up.
Warrod smiled. "So you know about ? I expected a bigger reaction." At this, his smile turned mischievous. "I am one of the founders of Fairy Tail, after all."
I knew that.
And he was right normally, I would've had another reaction.
But the pain made it difficult to express anything.
"Well, to be fair I am numbed by the pain," I replied, trying to sit up despite the searing pain that shot through my body. "But you're right, it's an honor to be in the presence of one of the founders of my guild."
Warrod chuckled. "So formal, hoho! If I hadn't seen the destruction you caused, I wouldn't have believed you were part of the Fairy Tail family."
I blinked, slightly embarrassed. "Well, to be fair... it was a difficult fight."
I had forgotten I had destroyed a great part of the forest before Artemis teleported to her realm, and who knows what I did after I defeated her.
Warrod shook his head, his eyes twinkling with amusent. "I know, it's not every day one gets to kill a God."
I wonder how he knows that.
"I guess," I sighed, turning my gaze back on him before adding. "So, might I ask why you haven't called the Guild?"
Warrod's expression turned serious. "Because I hired you."
"You... hired ?" I repeated, my eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "What do you an?"
Warrod leaned forward, his voice low as he whispered close to my ear. "I need help peeing my plants."
I pulled away from him, disbelief and disgust evident on my face. "Funny, but what's the real reason?"
I was right, his material is based around that one joke. Great.
Warrod sat back, chuckling. "Just kidding. Although, it is true that I hired you."
I raised an eyebrow. "Again, not to sound ungrateful, but unless you're hiring to be paperweight, I can't do anything right now."
Warrod chuckled again. "Oh, that's a good one, let write that joke." At this, he summoned a notebook, writing what I had just said.
I guess Mavis is the most normal one out of the founders, and that's saying sothing. "So, what do you need for?"
Warrod smiled, his expression turning soft. "Well, it's not so much about what I need you for, but more about what you need for."
I blinked.
"You're strong, very strong," Warrod said, his eyes turning serious. "But that very strength that makes you formidable will kill you if you don't learn how to control it."
Ah.
I see.
He must have felt when Zanryuzuki let out more power from my reserves to fight Artemis.
The thing was, this... level of self-injury wasn't a normal occurrence to .
"Oh, I see," I smiled at him. "Don't worry though, I won't use that again. The reason I got this... hurt was because I let out more power than I could handle, it won't happen again."
Warrod sighed, shaking his head. "I'm afraid it's not that simple. While it is true that you seem to have a way to... contain your power within yourself, the magnitude behind your power is imnse, and if left unchecked, it's only a matter of ti before it consus you from within."
I furrowed my brows. "And you think you can help with that?"
I didn't doubt his capabilities, after all, those who reach their old age in this career are worthy of respect, especially when so high in the rankings, but the thing was... I wasn't one to take on a master, all I have ever needed was Zanryuzuki.
Warrod nodded. "Yes, I can. Look I might be wrong, and you might be okay without my help, but... I might be right, and that chance is more than enough for to know I have to help."
I considered his words for a mont. The thought of having a ntor was daunting.
But then again, it couldn't hurt to learn from soone else.
"And you hired ... for that, to train ?" I asked, tilting my head slightly to the side, feeling nothing but pain...
Note to self, limit your body language and expressions to Vin Diesel levels, aka zero.
Warrod chuckled, giving a small nod. "If you're wondering about whether or not there is a monetary reward, there is 15,000,000. Jewels."
Holy fuck, that's a lot of money.
"That's... too much, especially considering I would be doing nothing really, just... training with you," I said, wondering if he was joking or not.
I an, I didn't mind getting so easy money, but this felt like I was scamming him...
If anything, I should be paying him for "training" , not the other way around.
Warrod shrugged, rolling his eyes. "Ah, relax! I have the funds, and I think your potential is worth the investnt. But it's up to you, of course. You can walk away from this offer if you want."
"I really wanna say no... but...." I muttered, talking mostly about the money, not the offer to train .
"Excellent! I knew you would say yes!" Warrod grinned, not even letting finish my sentence.
I...
Fine, if he wants to give his retirent fund, I won't complain.
God knows I need the money with the destructive family I was gifted with.
Gildarts alone represents a black hole in my pocket.
"I still think it's... too much money though," I sighed, smiling at the old man.
"Not really," Warrod replied, grinning at . "As one of the Wizard Saints, I get a sizable monthly stipend from the Kingdom."
Wait...
They get paid!?!
...
Hm...
That explains how the old man pays for half of the destruction the Guild causes.
"Very well then," I replied, taking a deep breath. "I accept your offer, though I would still like to... visit the Guild, or... to be precise, Porlyusica..."
"Oh, about that-" Warrod began, however before he could finish, the door to the room burst open with a resounding thud as a woman with a fierce expression stord in, her glare fixed on .
Porlyusica.
I gulped, my heart pounding in my chest as she approached the bed.
I have no idea why she scared so much.
Her eyes narrowed as she began inspecting my bandaged body, her touch clinical and efficient. "You absolute moron," she muttered under her breath, her tone a mixture of exasperation and concern. "How could you possibly manage to get yourself this injured?! Are you suicidal?! You know what?! Forget I asked that, of course, you are, like every moron in the Guild!"
I opened my mouth to respond, but no words ca out. Instead, I winced as she prodded a particularly tender spot. Warrod, who had been watching the exchange with a bemused expression, cleared his throat.
"Young lady, give the poor lad a break," Warrod chided gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "He's only just woken up."
The woman, Porlyusica, huffed and stepped back, her gaze never leaving mine. "Get lost before I make a nightstand out of you," she growled, crossing her arms. "Founder or not, this moron of a kid deserves an earful, especially because he made travel two weeks to get here to treat him! So I won't tolerate any nonsense, either from him or from you!"
I made the reclusive nomad travel... two weeks to get here... oh god... she will broom to death.
I swallowed hard, my eye wide. "I'm sorry... It... won't happen again?"
Porlyusica's expression softened ever so slightly. "Not even Makarov would believe that," she murmured, her voice almost tender. "Considering the alternative was death, I suppose you did well... Just don't make a habit of this, or I will finish what the other party didn't, okay?"
I nodded, my throat dry.
"I will start preparing my lab, don't move," Porlyusica gave one last stern look before turning on her heel, and walking out of the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.
Warrod chuckled softly, shaking his head. "She may be rough around the edges, but she has a good heart."
Rough around the edges was an... understatent, but yeah, he was right.
"Yeah," I replied with a smile.
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