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"Normal Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
[Year X788]
~ With Shisui ~
Shisui sat in silence, absorbing Macao's words. The guild master had laid out a grim picture, one far less glamorous than the legendary Fairy Tail that most of Fiore still rembered. After a few monts, he raised his gaze to et Macao's.
"I don't mind the consequences," he said finally. "And while this began as a mission, it's also a choice I'm making."
Macao looked surprised at this, clearly having expected more resistance.
"I've been a traveler in this world for as long as I can rember," Shisui continued carefully. "Always moving from place to place, taking on jobs, never staying anywhere long enough to put down roots."
He looked toward the window, where he could see the city of Magnolia extending into the distance. "For once, I'd like to try sothing different."
What Shisui didn't reveal was perhaps his strongest motivation. The mysterious being who had brought him to Earthland three years ago had left him with a simple instruction: "Live. Be free." Those words had echoed in his mind countless tis during his ti in this new world, a reminder that this second chance at life wasn't ant to be spent in isolation or solely focused on missions.
In his previous life, duty had consud him completely. He had defined himself by his service to his clan and his village, to the point where his own identity existed only in relation to his responsibilities. Here in Earthland, he'd been given an opportunity to discover who he was beyond his usefulness as a tool.
For the past year, his work with Warrod had given him purpose, but it was still fundantally the sa familiar pattern: receive mission, complete mission, report back. Joining Fairy Tail could be sothing new for him, a chance to belong sowhere without sacrificing who he was.
"I would like to request one thing," Shisui said, interrupting Macao's contemplation.
"What's that?"
"Please don't tell the others that I'm the one who's been making donations to the guild. I'd rather that remain between us."
Macao's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Why? They'd be grateful. It might even help them accept you faster."
"That's exactly why," Shisui explained. "I don't want to be accepted because I've been financially supporting the guild. I'd rather earn their trust through my actions while I'm here."
He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "Money creates obligation. I don't want them to feel obligated toward ."
A smile slowly spread across Macao's face. "I see," he said, nodding in understanding.
"That's... well, that's actually quite admirable." He leaned back in his chair. "I think you'll be a good addition to our family, albeit temporarily."
Macao then turned the letter around, pointing to a specific paragraph near the end. "Warrod also states here that you're to be recognized as an S-class mage under his authority. Apparently you've likely already completed nurous S-class missions, and he personally vouches for your strength."
Shisui's right eye twitched again, prompting a chuckle from Macao.
"You know, you don't act like any S-class mage I've t before," the guild master observed, his tone lighter now. "Most of them tend to be a bit more, well, imposing."
A fond look crossed his face. "Or destructive. Almost reminds of Gildarts, in a way. He never stood on ceremony either."
Though annoyed by Warrod's presumption, Shisui understood the Wizard Saint's reasoning. Without direct assignnts from Warrod, Shisui's ability to help the guild financially would depend on the missions he could take. Being designated S-class from the start was logical, if sowhat embarrassing.
"I wouldn't mind starting from the bottom rank," Shisui offered. "If that's how your guild typically operates, I'm willing to work my way up."
Macao shook his head. "Normally, yes, we have trials for S-class promotion. But these aren't normal tis. If Warrod Sequen himself says you're S-class material, that's good enough for ."
He leaned forward, his expression turning more official. "I'll announce it when I introduce you to everyone. Fairy Tail hasn't had an active S-class mage in four years. It'll be good for morale."
Shisui sighed in resignation but nodded his acceptance.
"Now then," Macao said, opening a drawer and pulling out what looked like a stamp. "Where would you like your guild mark and what colour?"
"Right shoulder, green please." Shisui decided after a mont's consideration.
Macao stood and ca around the desk. Shisui adjusted his clothing to expose his shoulder, and with a quick press, Macao applied the stamp. A brief tingle of magic later, the mark of Fairy Tail appeared on his skin in a deep green color.
"Welco to Fairy Tail, Shisui." Macao said with a genuine smile, extending his hand.
Shisui accepted the handshake. "I look forward to working with you and the guild."
"Let's get you introduced to the rest now, shall we?" Macao said, rising from his chair. Shisui followed him out of the office and onto the interior balcony that overlooked the main guild area.
The conversations below quieted as guild mbers noticed the pair standing above them. Eyes shifted between their Master and the unfamiliar figure beside him. From this vantage point, Shisui could see all of Fairy Tail's current mbership gathered in small clusters.
Macao coughed pointedly to ensure he had everyone's attention.
"Everyone, listen up," he called ou. "I've got one bad news and two good news to share with you today!"
The announcent format caught the mbers off guard, several exchanging confused glances. Macao let the suspense build for a mont before continuing.
"First, I want to officially welco our newest guild mber, Shisui!" He gestured toward Shisui with a flourish reminiscent of a showman introducing the main act.
The guild hall fell into stunned silence. Eyes widened as mbers processed the unexpected announcent. It had been four years since anyone had joined their ranks. Since then, they'd only watched their numbers dwindle as forr comrades departed one by one.
Before anyone could voice a response, Macao continued, "However, it cos with the condition that he may leave after five years. His joining was due to a personal request by Warrod Sequen himself, that much I can confirm."
At the ntion of Warrod's na, chaos erupted. Questions flew from all directions, voices overlapping in a confused jumble:
"A Wizard Saint sent him?"
"Why only five years?"
"What kind of request?"
"Is this so kind of mission?"
Macao spotted his son among the crowd, Roo's expression darkening at the revelation that this newcor hadn't joined of his own free will but through so arrangent with a Wizard Saint. Before Roo could voice what was clearly building into an objection, Macao raised his hand for silence.
"I understand that so of you have your reservations," he said once the noise had subsided. "However, as Guildmaster, I hope that the rest of you can give him a chance."
To everyone's surprise, Macao's included, Shisui stepped forward and bowed deeply at the waist, a formal gesture of respect that seed to catch the entire guild off guard.
"I know my joining is not through conventional ans," Shisui stated clearly and sincerely as he maintained the bow. "But I sincerely wish to be a part of Fairy Tail, and I hope you will allow to prove myself worthy of being called a Fairy Tail mage."
The unexpected humility from soone introduced through a Wizard Saint's authority left many mbers speechless. They had anticipated arrogance or entitlent, perhaps even condescension toward their struggling guild. Instead, they witnessed deference and what appeared to be genuine respect.
As Shisui remained in his bowing position, a mischievous smirk spread across Macao's face.
"And for the second good news," he began, deliberately drawing out his words to build suspense. The reminder that there was still another announcent pulled attention back to him, montarily setting aside their conflicted reactions to Shisui's arrival.
Macao's next words landed like a bombshell. "After four long, and painful years, Fairy Tail finally has in its ranks an active S-class mage!"
The proclamation was t with complete, pin-drop silence. Expressions froze in various stages of disbelief as they processed the implications.
The newcor, Shisui, who had just bowed so formally to them, was an S-class mage? The rank that had been absent from their guild since the disappearance of Tenrou Island?
Shisui's right eye twitched noticeably at Macao's dramatic delivery, which only seed to amuse the guild master further. In the midst of the shocked silence, Macao's laughter rang out, the only sound in the otherwise still guild hall.
~ End of Chapter 35 ~
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