Chapter 42 : Depart!

Conflicts between the legal guilds are strictly prohibited.

However, when Fairy Tail decisively defeated the Phantom Lord, the members of the Magic Council were left speechless.

Guild Master Makarov stepped forward to address the situation.

It's nothing significant, just part of the process.

Shortly after, the Magic Council launched an investigation and brought several of its own members to trial. Some issued apologies, while others faced severe reprimands for their association with the Phantom Lord Guild.

A special investigative team was formed to scrutinize each member of the Phantom Lord Guild individually. The trials primarily adhered to the regulations of the magical community and the laws of the Kingdom of Fiore.

After thorough investigation, Juvia was among the first to be cleared of any wrongdoing. Makarov extended an invitation for her to return to Magnolia with him and join Fairy Tail.

With the conclusion of these proceedings and the unfortunate demise of Guild Master Joseph, the once-powerful Phantom Lord Guild was disbanded.

Now that the Phantom Lord threat had been dealt with, it was time to rebuild Fairy Tail.

At Everit's insistence, the Magic Council agreed to provide financial compensation from the Phantom Lord to aid in the guild's reconstruction.

The funds were allocated towards rebuilding the guild, while Everit took some time off to work on new version of Tier i.e. "Tier 7.0".

During his leisure time, Everit felt the urge to go fishing.

He packed his fishing gear and ventured into the forest, nestled against the mountains where Natsu's home stood.

Though not as grand as the city dwellings, Natsu's home exuded charm with its stone pillars, red bricks, white walls, and lush greenery.

"Natsu, Happy, let's go, fishing competition!" Everit called out.

Silence greeted him.

"..."

No response.

"???"

What could be the matter?

Everit was perplexed. Natsu had been elusive during this period whenever Everit sought him out.

He made his way to the new guild location, where temporary tents were erected for guild activities and commissions.

"Where's Natsu?" he inquired of Mirajane.

"Hmm?" Mirajane pondered for a moment before speaking, "If Natsu isn't at home, he's probably at Lucy's place."

"This guy!" Everit gritted his teeth, his frustration evident as he exclaimed, "He's so dense. Forget about being friends!"

"Don't interrupt them!" Mirajane grabbed Everit and warned firmly.

"I wonder, what about Gray?," Everit sighed helplessly.

"I'm not sure. Gray hasn't been around for a few days. Oh, by the way, Everit! Let me tell you something," Mirajane suddenly became animated, pulling Everit closer and adopting a gossiping tone. "Did you hear? It seems like Gray's caught the eye of a girl!"

"Oh, I know, it's Juvia," Everit responded.

"It's that girl from Phantom Lord Guild, right?" Mirajane said excitedly, "Did something happen during that battle?"

"Check it out, 10,000 jewels," Everit swiftly produced a card from his palm, grinning like a merchant. "I captured everything that went down that day! In appreciation of Miss Mirajane's kindness, I'll let it go for 10,000. You'll get a full set of rare resources!"

"This guy!" Mirajane's smile faltered. Though she maintained her smile, there was a subtle shake in the corners of her eyes, indicating her rapid shift from happiness to disappointment. Too bad.

"Eight thousand, that's my final offer!" Everit looked pained, as if he was enduring a significant loss.

"..." Mirajane crushed the goblet in her hand, her smile now forced.

"Six thousand, that's as low as I can go!" Everit persisted.

*Crack*

Mirajane's grip shattered the cup. She forced a smile, her eyes narrowed, leaving only a crack. "Mr. Everit, with that attitude, you won't win any girls over."

"..." Everit glanced at Mirajane's palm, where the glass shards slowly turned into glass dust under her pressure.

*Kachink*

A heart-stopping sound.

The once-noisy guild gradually quieted, all eyes on the pair.

Everit glanced around nervously, then brightened suddenly. He slapped the card onto the table, and with a flick of his hand, it transformed into a stack of photos.

Then he turned swiftly and waved.

"Hey, Laxus, let's go fishing!"

"Sure thing," Laxus lounged in a chair, bandages covering his body. Upon hearing Everit's proposal, he grinned and replied, "Fishing doesn't interest me. How about we hit the training field instead?"

"This guy!!!" Everit broke into a cold sweat.

He stretched quickly.

"Well, I still feel like fishing. So, Goodbye.''

After saying that he made a swift exit.

"Idiot," Cana shook her head, grabbing a barrel and beginning to drink.

riverside.

Everit arrived at the most familiar spot with his assortment of bags, large and small.

En route, he had picked up some snacks: potato chips, beef jerky, and the like.

Additionally, he grabbed a few more books, including some new magazines and novels.

With careful precision, he laid out various pricey equipment, one after the other.

Everit was all set!

While awaiting the fish to bite, he could indulge in some snacks and reading.

This was the state of "accidental success." Everit had once used this state to triumph over Erza in a fishing competition.

'Ka tak tak tak'

He multitasked, eating, drinking, and reading simultaneously.

An hour elapsed. Two hours passed. Three hours went by.

Everit rose.

He headed to the restroom.

Omelas, this place seemed intriguing.

He had just read about it in a magazine, describing its stunning scenery and welcoming atmosphere for tourists.

Why not take a trip?

He pondered for three seconds.

Okay, let's check it out.

After deciding, he mapped out his route and made his way back to the river.

"???"

"Where's my fishing rod?!!!"

Everit trudged home in dismay.

Not only had he failed to catch any fish, but he had also lost his fishing rod.

"."

"Everit." Laxus intercepted him.

Everit turned around to see the little yellow-haired man, with one hand in his pocket and the other dragging a suitcase, wearing a proud expression.

"Quit lazing about and arm yourself." With that command, Laxus tugged the suitcase and departed.

"." Everit gazed at his back, shaking his head in disbelief.

So many formidable figures in the guild - Natsu, a fellow Dragon Slayer, and Erza, an S-Class mage, yet he chose neither. They always goaded him into doing their bidding.

He never bullied Laxus since joining the guild.

Everit adjusted his glasses, pondering the matter carefully before shaking his head once more.

Except for a few harmless pranks - like helping Lisanna draw a tiny turtle on the face of a sleeping Laxus - he never went too far.

Certainly not as extreme as cutting a hole in Natsu's fishing net.

Wasn't it all about winning? Even though he still hadn't succeeded.

In any case.

He held no grudge against Laxus; it was absurd to retaliate over something as trivial as accidentally breaking his headphone cord.

Laxus was being overly sensitive!

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the yard was bathed in golden sunlight.

A large barrel sat in the middle, filled with layers of grapes.

A white-haired beauty, clad in sports shorts, delicately washed her feet.

Raising her slender legs, droplets of water cascaded down her ankles, effortlessly gliding over her snow-white, tender skin, and pooling at her delicate toes.

Glistening and quivering.

Silently, they dripped onto the plump, sweet grapes.

Stepping into the barrel, the white-haired beauty crushed the grapes with nimble, graceful movements, resembling a joyous elf dancing.

"Is Miss Mirajane here?" a voice called from outside.

"Everit?" Mirajane swiftly leaped out of the barrel, crossing the lawn barefoot as she hurried to the main entrance.

Everit couldn't help but be drawn to those dainty, adorable feet.

Sensing his gaze, her toes shyly curled inward.

Everit raised his gaze to meet Mirajane's.

"What's the matter, Everit?" Mirajane inquired, a hint of confusion coloring her tone.

"Ah, I've decided to embark on a journey for a while," Everit replied. "But before I depart, I wanted to bid you farewell."

"It seems like there's more to it than just that," Mirajane remarked, her head tilting slightly in curiosity.

"Well, it's part of our agreement, you see," Everit said with a charming smile.

"Don't worry, since I made a promise to you, I'll certainly honor it," Mirajane assured him with a warm smile.

"Thank you very much," Everit expressed his gratitude, doffing his hat and giving a slight bow, accompanied by a gentlemanly salute. "Your gentleness and kindness are truly admirable."

"Safe travels, Everit," Mirajane wished him well with a smile.

"Allow me to offer you some parting advice," Everit straightened up, "Then I'll take my leave, not to trouble you any further."

****

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