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[FT: O King of the Fairies] Chapter 35
🕑 Added 2025-03-26 06:58:49 +0000 UTCI lounged in my chair, arms crossed, watching as Makarov stared me down like a disappointed grandfather—which, to be fair, was basically his permanent expression.
He finally sighed, rubbing his temples. "So… Laxus told me what you gave him."
I smirked. "That so?"
Makarov gave me a pointed look. "A Fruit that turns him into lightning itself. And a Dragon Lacrima that will, eventually, turn him into a Lightning Dragon Slayer."
"Technically, I intend for him to become a Lightning Dragon God Slayer, but yeah, close enough."
Makarov’s left eye twitched. "And you just… handed him this power?"
I shrugged. "I mean, I did test him first. Made sure he wouldn’t explode or turn into a sentient thundercloud."
Makarov groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why do you make my life more difficult?"
I grinned. "It’s my hobby."
"Pick a different hobby!" he snapped.
"No."
He muttered something under his breath before shaking his head. "I must admit… I was surprised. Not just by what you did, but by how much you care about that boy."
I tilted my head. "Why does everyone say it like that? I’m not a heartless bastard."
Makarov smirked. "Well, you are reckless. And destructive."
"Fair point," I admitted. "But I always fix what I break, so I don’t see the problem."
"You fix things because you break them in the first place!"
I waved a hand dismissively. "Details, details."
Makarov huffed, then leaned forward, his expression turning more serious. "Laxus is strong, but he’s young. He needs guidance, someone to help him grow into a man he can be proud of."
I exhaled through my nose. "That’s why I did it. Laxus wants to be strong, not just for the sake of being strong, but to protect what matters to him. He reminds me of myself in a way."
Makarov raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Well… not exactly," I said, scratching my chin. "When I first got here, I was different. More reserved, polite, calm—"
"Lies," Makarov cut in.
"Facts," I shot back.
"You? Polite and calm?" He crossed his arms. "You expect me to believe that?"
I pointed at him. "Just because I’ve evolved into this masterpiece of chaos doesn’t mean I wasn’t once a refined gentleman."
Makarov gave me a deadpan look. "A gentleman does not casually suplex Vulcans through buildings."
"They had it coming," I muttered.
He sighed, shaking his head. "People change, Aiden. And in your case… well, you stopped holding back."
I leaned back in my chair. "Yeah… guess I did."
Despite everything, Makarov’s gaze softened. "And yet, despite how reckless and destructive you’ve become, you still care. You still fix what you break, you look after your friends, and you’re willing to go out of your way to help a brat like Laxus find his path."
I scoffed. "Tch. You make it sound all noble."
"Because it is."
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Look, I’m not some mentor or anything. I just… don’t want Laxus to go down the wrong path. If I can help steer him in the right direction, I will."
Makarov hummed, taking a sip from his tiny cup. "That’s why I’m not worried about you, Aiden."
I blinked. "Huh?"
He chuckled. "People change. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. But in your case, I think you’ve found a balance. You might be more reckless, more destructive, but at your core, you’re still a good person. That’s why I trust you with Laxus."
I stared at him for a moment before smirking. "Heh. Guess that means I’m doing something right."
Makarov grinned. "For once."
I rolled my eyes. "Alright, old man, if that’s all, I’m gonna head out. Got things to do."
Makarov waved a hand. "Go on, then. And Aiden?"
I paused at the door, glancing back. "Yeah?"
"Thanks," he said simply.
I smirked. "Don’t mention it."
As I turned to leave, the doors to Makarov’s office suddenly burst open, and a loud commotion erupted from downstairs.
Makarov and I exchanged a glance.
"What now?" I sighed, already regretting my decision to wake up today.
Makarov groaned. "Let’s go."
The two of us made our way downstairs, and the moment we stepped into the main hall, I immediately spotted the source of the disturbance—Ivan Dreyar.
His long, wild blonde hair and sinister eyes made him stand out like a sore thumb. He stood in the center of the guild, arms crossed, glaring at Makarov with a look that reeked of self-righteous indignation.
Several guild members were on edge, tense and ready to jump in if needed. Laxus stood at the side, fists clenched, his expression caught between anger and confusion.
Makarov exhaled sharply, stepping forward. "Ivan."
Ivan smirked, but there was no humor in it. "Old man. I was wondering how long it’d take you to come down."
I leaned toward Makarov. "Wow. You sure this guy’s your kid? I mean, you’re short, wise, and tolerable. He’s… none of those things."
Makarov shot me a not now look. I gave him a thumbs-up.
Ivan gaze flickered to me. "And Aiden. Always around, aren’t you?"
I gave him a lazy wave. "Like a bad habit."
His smirk twitched, but he ignored it, turning instead to Laxus, who stood near the bar, fists clenched.
"Laxus," Ivan called out, his tone almost… warm. "Come. We need to talk."
Laxus stiffened. "No, we don’t."
Ivan’s expression darkened slightly, but he maintained his composure. "I see. That old man’s influence is still wrapped around you like chains." His eyes flickered toward Makarov. "How long will you keep him in the dark? How long will you control him?"
Makarov’s fists clenched, but before he could respond, Laxus spoke.
"Shut up," he growled, sparks crackling at his fingertips.
Ivan tilted his head. "Tch. You sound just like him." He took a step forward. "You have power, Laxus. Power that could surpass even Makarov. But only if you stop holding back. If you stop letting Fairy Tail limit you."
Silence.
Laxus stiffened. Makarov’s hands curled into fists.
I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. "Ah. So we’re doing this now."
Makarov stepped forward, his voice firm. "You lost the right to call him your son the moment you started filling his head with your poison."
Ivan scowled. "Oh? And what exactly have you done for him? Hm? Raised him to be your perfect little soldier? Your pawn?"
Laxus clenched his teeth. "Shut up."
Ivan turned to him. "Laxus, don’t you see? He’s holding you back! You have the power to be so much more! But he keeps you leashed like a—"
"I said shut up!" Laxus barked, electricity crackling around his fists.
I folded my arms. "Yikes. You really don’t know how to read a room, huh?"
Ivan’s eye twitched. "Stay out of this, boy."
I sighed dramatically. "I almost believed that speech, you know. So close to making it sound like you care."
Ivan shot me a sharp glare. "You don’t understand."
I met his gaze, my smile fading. "No, I do. That’s why I’m disgusted."
For two years, I had tolerated Ivan’s presence, knowing full well he was biding his time, subtly poisoning Laxus with his ideology. I had watched him circle like a vulture, waiting for the right moment to twist Laxus into his weapon.
And this? This was his final attempt.
"Laxus is strong," I continued. "And he’ll keep getting stronger. But he doesn’t need your twisted version of power to do it."
Ivan scowled. "You think Fairy Tail’s ideals are enough to make him great?"
I shrugged. "Worked for me."
He sneered. "You’re a wildcard. A force of nature. But Laxus—he’s meant to rule, to lead, not to waste his strength protecting the weak!"
That was it.
Makarov’s magic flared. "Enough!"
Ivan turned back to him, unimpressed. "Are you finally going to—"
"You are hereby expelled from Fairy Tail," Makarov declared, his voice ringing through the hall.
A hush fell over the guild.
Ivan’s smirk dropped. "What?"
"You tried to turn my grandson against me. Against his own family," Makarov said, his voice filled with both sorrow and anger. "I have tolerated you long enough, hoping you would change. But I see now that was a foolish dream."
Ivan’s magic surged dangerously. "You—!"
Before he could act, I stepped forward.
"You gonna make a scene?" I asked, tilting my head.
Ivan’s gaze snapped to me, and for a moment, the tension skyrocketed. He knew my strength. He respected it, even if he hated admitting it.
I smiled, but my eyes were cold. "Because if you do, I’ll make sure you regret it."
The air was thick with unspoken threats.
Ivan’s fists clenched. His eyes burned with rage.
But he knew. He knew if he fought here, against both Makarov and me, he wouldn’t win.
"Tch." He turned on his heel, storming toward the exit. "This isn’t over."
He stopped at the doorway, looking over his shoulder at Laxus. "One day, you’ll see the truth. And when you do… I’ll be waiting."
Then he was gone.
The tension slowly eased. People murmured, relief settling in.
Makarov sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "I need a drink."
Laxus, still tense, exhaled sharply. "...Thanks."
Makarov blinked, surprised. Then he smiled. "Always."
I patted Laxus on the back. "Congrats, buddy. You just got disowned by a deadbeat and officially adopted by a munchkin."
Makarov scowled. "Oi!"
Laxus groaned. "Shut up, Aiden."
I grinned. "You love me."
The tension in the guild slowly melted away, and life returned to its usual chaotic normal. People went back to drinking, laughing, and pretending they hadn’t just witnessed a family implosion.
I, on the other hand, collapsed onto a nearby chair with an exaggerated sigh. "Well, that was a fun little disaster. How’s everyone feeling? Traumatized? Confused? Hungry?"
Laxus groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "I don’t wanna talk about it."
"Great, let’s talk about it!" I clapped my hands.
Laxus sent me a half-hearted glare but didn’t argue. Instead, he plopped onto the seat across from me, resting his chin on his fist.
Makarov sat down as well, letting out the kind of long, tired sigh only a grandfather dealing with an emotionally unstable family could produce. "That was… inevitable."
"Yep," I agreed. "I called it two years ago."
"You did," Alma’s voice chimed in as she walked over, hands on her hips. "But I didn’t think it’d be so dramatic. I mean, I was expecting yelling, maybe a fistfight. But this? Full-on villain monologue and expulsion? It was like watching a stage play."
I smirked. "Yeah, all we were missing was a storm outside and some thunder crashing when Makarov made the final call."
Makarov rubbed his temples. "This is not something to joke about."
Alma pulled up a chair and sat down next to me. "Oh, come on, you’re telling me you didn’t feel at least a little cool expelling your own son in front of an audience?"
Makarov grumbled something under his breath and reached for his mug of beer.
Laxus, still slouched over the table, exhaled sharply. "...So that’s it, huh?"
Makarov turned to him, his expression softening. "Laxus."
The boy’s fists clenched. "I mean, I knew he was no good, but… it’s weird. It’s like… he was just there, and now he’s gone."
Alma frowned. "It’s a lot to process."
I leaned back, resting my arms behind my head. "Eh, honestly? He’ll be back. Not here, obviously. But people like him don’t disappear. He’ll probably start his own dark guild or some other shady operation."
Makarov sighed. "That is what I fear the most."
Alma raised an eyebrow. "Wait, he might start a dark guild?"
"Wouldn’t be surprised," I said. "He’s got all the classic traits—delusions of grandeur, a superiority complex, and a dramatic exit."
Laxus scoffed. "Sounds about right."
Makarov turned to him. "Laxus… I hope you know, no matter what happens, you are not him. You never have been, and you never will be."
Laxus stayed quiet for a moment before nodding. "...Yeah. I know."
I grinned. "And hey, if you ever start turning evil, I’ll just beat it out of you. No big deal."
Laxus groaned. "Why do I even talk to you?"
"Because I’m lovable," I answered instantly.
Alma snorted. "Debatable."
Makarov chuckled, shaking his head. "At least things will be quieter around here now."
At that exact moment, a table crashed somewhere in the background, followed by someone yelling, "Who the hell ate my meat?! Fight me, coward!"
Makarov sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "...Never mind."
Alma patted his shoulder. "Just accept your fate, Master."
I stretched, standing up. "Welp, this has been a great therapy session, but I’m starving. Who’s up for food?"
Laxus grumbled. "You’re always hungry."
I gasped dramatically. "How dare you? I am a growing young man."
Alma raised an eyebrow. "You don’t even age anymore."
That made me pause. Right. She knew.
It had been a while since I told her. Back then, I hadn’t put much thought into it—I had just told her outright, like it was just some trivial fact. But the way she looked at me afterward made it clear that, to her, it was anything but.
I had meant it as a gift, but the moment the words left my mouth, I realized how heavy they were.
Alma hadn’t answered. She hadn’t refused. She hadn’t accepted.
Even now, she still hadn’t given me an answer. And I never pushed. How could I? Immortality wasn’t something you just jumped into. It wasn’t a decision you made on a whim. I knew that better than anyone.
"Details," I waved her off. "Come on, let’s go eat before another table gets thrown."
With that, we moved on from the chaos, leaving the past where it belonged—behind us.
At least, for now.
