Fairy Tail: Oberon CHAPTER 067

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CHAPTER START---

Sitting in Master Makarov's office, Oberon uses Gravity Magic to hover his gold Celestial Spirit Gate Key above his palm. He's still sporting his bandages, keeping a jacket slung over his shoulder to cover up as best he can, but even at a glance, anyone could tell he's seriously hurt.

Studying the strange symbol on the key, he recalls all that he knows of this spirit, but isn't quite sure what to expect when the contract is made.

'How do I even make the contract?' he wonders. 'I wonder if she'll look like . What does 'The Maiden' even look like? I thought they were all supposed to be animals and stuff, like that other key I have.'

A mont later, Oberon hears the door open and sees Makarov enter the office with a grim look on his face.

"How are you feeling?" the man asks while moving to sit opposite the boy.

"Sore. Moving still hurts sotis. And the bandages itch a bit. The painkillers don't really work on either."

Makarov nods, carefully observing the boy before focusing on the floating key. "And how do you feel about this entire situation?"

"Not sure. Which part?" Oberon asks. "Sorry if I made things weird with your friend. I really did try to talk it out with Jura."

"No, it's quite fine. Jura is the star of my friend's monastery. They collect and archive certain knowledge and items of historic importance, and have a nasty habit of looking down on Guild Wizards."

"I noticed that, but wasn't sure why."

Makarov shrugs. "They think those with Magic should use it selflessly, not for monetary gain. Their organization primarily relies on funding from various sources, including countries, individuals, organizations, and the Magic Council. So they can't really understand taking Jobs like us."

"So they think we just beat people up for money," Oberon looks at the key in his hand. "Well, they're not really wrong."

"Fairy Tail doesn't take assassination Jobs, but sotis we do find ourselves in kill-or-be-killed situations. It is an unfortunate reality of this vast magical world. So, how do you feel about what happened on the Job?"

"I don't know…"

"Tell what happened, from when you entered the desert."

"I helped two people. They told to visit if I'm ever in their country. Then I went into the cave, tried to help two won but…they stepped on a Lacrima Mine on the way out, while I went deeper in."

"Such a nasty thing to use."

"Yeah, then I t the people who used it. A man and a woman. They threw one at , but my Barrier blocked it. Then I gave them another chance to give up while we were fighting."

"I see, so you offered them a way out before the fight."

"Of course. But, they didn't listen. They fought so hard, I don't get it. Why don't people just stop fighting when they realize I'm stronger?"

"Each person has their own motives. One cannot reach the summit if they do not walk a path they are unwilling to die for, and you were simply an obstacle in their way."

"I tried, Master, I really did…" Oberon sniffles, wiping away the few tears from his eyes. "But they just kept fighting."

Makarov silently watches, refusing to coddle the boy. Harsh and perhaps cruel for a boy his age, two months short of being nine years old. But he could see how quickly Oberon was growing, and he knew better than to treat him like a child.

Because, as unfortunate as it may be, Oberon's days of competing against children were long gone. He must now treat him no differently than he would Macao or Wakaba, and the unfortunate reality of being a Wizard is that sotis, things get bloody.

"The important thing is that you gave them every option to walk away. So long as we do that and maintain our integrity, we can't keep beating ourselves up forever about these things. Life is precious, and we should always strive to save as many people as we can. But there are many things in this world that people are willing to die, and kill, to gain.

Gold, Magic, territory. And even things as flimsy and foolish as pride. Never boast of taking a life, and never do so lightly, but understand that I would rather this outco than you lying in the sand of a desert, being eaten by birds."

Oberon stops crying, wiping his face with the sleeve of his jacket. "You warned about this."

"I did, but I let you go anyway. And while I had a few reasons, one of them was that the world is changing. Laws are going to be changed, and Fairy Tail may co under fire. Situations like these may co to our door, and as much as I hate to admit it. You aren't one of those children we'd send to hide when the fighting starts.

And even if we wanted to do such a thing. You are Oberon Alkwan. All of Fiore, if not Ishgar, knows of you. Your power and reputation have grown to a level that killing you would earn the most vile of people a badge of honor in their heinous circles. These fights may co to you sooner than I'd like…"

Oberon frowns, recalling the couple he killed. "Was there a way to avoid it? Maybe capture and detain them instead?"

"They could be detained in the Storage Cards, but the difference in your power wasn't great enough to accomplish such a thing. Such rcy is not a right of the weak, but a privilege of the strong. Weak people do not get to decide how, why, or even where they die. But the strong have the privilege of deciding those things for them, and showing rcy, even when we shouldn't."

"Then that's just one more reason for to get stronger." Makarov sees the fire in Oberon's eyes. "I can beco so strong that I don't have to take their lives. I'll be strong enough to get them out of my way and contain them. Strong enough to be gentle with them, and show rcy."

Makarov smiles. "First, you wanted to protect Fairy Tail. And now, you wish to protect your enemies from yourself. If you keep this up, people the world over will make a crown for you."

"I still don't like that na."

"Unfortunately, you're growing into it all too well, and I couldn't be more proud."

"Thank you, Master Makarov." Oberon flips the key between his fingers before storing in a card. "Did I miss anything big while I was gone?"

"Not really. Everyone has been busy doing missions to impress for the S-Class Trials."

"Oh, is no one new going to get chosen?"

Makarov laughs. "As if I'd slip up with that information. You aren't getting any intel to place your bets, young man."

"Damn it. Whatever, I have a pretty good idea of who you'll pick, anyway."

"We'll see about that. But aside from that, nothing exciting happened. And certainly nothing as exciting as what you experienced." Makarov hops off the couch and begins walking to the door. "Lots of people want to talk with you. They're all quite excited about having you back, and so of them want your help on a few tough Jobs they've been personally requested for."

Oberon nods, thinking nothing of it as he's used to helping out the weaker mbers from ti to ti.

Makarov reaches the door and stops, turning back to Oberon. "Before you co down for breakfast, I want you to really consider what has happened these past few weeks. All the things you encountered, all the choices you made, all the actions you took. Consider how they make you feel about the world, and yourself.

Part of being a good Guild Wizard is understanding when a Job is possible, but simply not worth taking. Not always because of the risks, but because of what it will do for the personal and moral boundaries you have for yourself. Reaching the top is possible, but if you beco morally bankrupt along the way, you will truly be alone."

"What are you saying exactly?"

"Money, knowledge, reputation, and a Celestial Spirit Key, but after all you've been through, was it worth it?" Makarov opens the door and says one last thing before closing it and leaving Oberon alone. "That's a decision only you and the man you wish to beco can make…"

CHAPTER END---

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pat.reon: Keanu_Eugene [Read ahead & support ]

You.tube: @KeanuEugene [Giving away all my writing knowledge]