"I promise they'll never become takes advantage of like Red Lizard or Blue Skull. They'll use what they learn to help people in trouble."
Hearing this, the villagers' faces lit up in a kaleidoscope of expressions.
Some were thrilled; others worried.
"Weston, if a new Magic Guild can be built and the schoolhouse reopened, we'd love to see it."
"But teaching so many kids all by yourself, won't that be too much?"
"Yeah, yeah… my little brat's a real handful!"
So that's what they're worried about… "Relax, everyone. Right now I'm their 'boss,' so discipline won't be a problem. As for manpower, I already have a plan."
"Mavis will be my deputy!"
Weston stepped aside and ushered Mavis, who'd been standing behind him, into everyone's view.
Given such an important role for the first time, Mavis couldn't hide her nerves. "I'll… I'll give it everything I've got!"
"Mavis??"
Every villager froze.
Of course they knew Mavis.
Only a few dozen children had survived on the island, and this past month they'd lived, eaten, and slept together; strangers had become family.
Besides, compared with most kids Mavis was precocious, bright, cheerful—and she hated wearing shoes.
Seeing only puzzlement and no anger, Weston secretly exhaled in relief.
"Mavis is extremely clever and learns fast, something you've all noticed this past month."
"More importantly, like me, she can already use magic!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"What?"
"Mavis knows magic? Never saw that coming…"
"Well, she never mentioned it or showed it, how could we tell?"
Once the chatter died down, Weston continued. "Over a month ago Mavis awakened her power: she can craft illusions indistinguishable from reality."
"The night Blue Skull invaded Tenrou Island, I rushed to warn the village but got trapped. Thanks to her help, I escaped their Wizards' pursuit."
"All right, Mavis, give them a quick demonstration."
"Okay, I understand."
Mavis stepped forward, gathered her magic, and cast Illusion Magic.
In an instant the square filled with animals.
Birds, elk, squirrels, raccoons, cats and dogs, cattle and horses, swimming fish—every creature looked alive, indistinguishable from the real thing!
"A-amazing!!"
The villagers stared, slack-jawed.
Someone reached out to touch a bird—only for his hand to pass straight through it.
"It went right through?!"
"So they really are illusions!"
"Well, do you believe in Mavis's talent now?"
"Absolutely! Of course!"
Mavis's flawless illusions won the villagers' hearts.
And so the founding of the new guild—Fairy Tail—was settled on the spot.
Weston would be Guild Master, Mavis the Vice Master.
As for Zera…
"Say what?!"
"I'm just a regular member?!"
Back home, when she learned she hadn't been given any real rank, Zera hopped in fury.
—This was the "home" shared by Weston, Mavis, and Zera.
All three had come from Red Lizard and knew one another well.
They had survived that fateful night together, then spent three inseparable days and nights in an underground cave, forging an unbreakable bond.
After returning to the surface they'd chosen to live together for mutual support.
They had now been housemates for over a month.
Regrettably, with supplies scarce while the island rebuilt, even in their new house they had to share one bed and one blanket.
"I won't accept this!"
Zera grabbed Weston's collar and shook him. "I learned magic too—why does Mavis get to be Vice Master while I'm just a member?!"
"Nothing I can do, Mavis's brain works faster than yours."
Used to her outbursts, Weston stayed calm. "If you really want a post, how about becoming my assistant?"
Zera stopped dead, eyes sparkling. "Assistant? Doing what?"
"Sorting documents, massaging my shoulders, bringing tea…"
"That's just a lackey!"
Remembering how she'd once been the young mistress and Weston the lackey, their roles now reversed, Zera's eyes burned red.
"Y-you've flipped heaven and earth upside down!!"
"Take this—! I'll teach you a lesson!!"
…The next day.
Tenrou Village schoolhouse.
Seventy-plus children sat straight and silent in a spacious classroom, watching Weston on the podium.
"Starting today, I will instruct you as Guild Master of Fairy Tail and Principal of Tenrou Village schoolhouse."
"Here's the schedule."
"Every morning: three lessons, Language, Mathematics, and Magic Theory."
"We begin at eight. Each period lasts one hour with fifteen-minute breaks in between."
"Afternoons: three hours of magic training, two till five."
"Five days of classes, then two days off, and repeat."
Any questions?"
A tiny hand trembled upward.
"Yes, what is it?"
The child pointed at Weston's eyes. "Boss, why are your eyes all purple and green?"
Other kids nodded, curiosity shining.
"Boss, did someone pick on you? Tell us, we'll get revenge!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
"That's right…"
In the front corner, Zera's gaze drifted to the window, pretending to admire the view and ignoring the commotion.
Weston coughed awkwardly.
"A-hem… oh, this?"
"Nothing, walked into a door last night, that's all."
"Eh—??"
Several kids slapped palms to their faces. "Weird… your nose sticks out farther. If you hit a door, shouldn't your nose be swollen, not your eyes?"
"Enough!"
"In public, use my title!"
"Call me Guild Master!"