Valtava appeared to be a rather pure musician.
He didn't seem particularly concerned about money, at least not when speaking with Marco.
When Marco specifically inquired about tuition fees, Valtava even sternly reprimanded him.
"Teaching and imparting knowledge depends primarily on fate, not money. No matter how much soone offers, I won't teach those without the destined connection. Everything else can be discussed, but this alone cannot be asured by money."
With the deanor of a grandmaster, Valtava's words made Jude nod repeatedly, his face showing complete agreent.
"..."
Marco fell silent.
He suspected the main reason old man Valtava could say such things was simply because he wasn't short of money.
If he were truly desperate for money and couldn't even afford als, he wouldn't be so artistic about it—he'd teach whoever could pay.
After all, earning money isn't sothing to be ashad of.
"Mr. Lazio would like to invite you to hold another concert in Magnolia. Would you be interested?"
Marco asked, though he kept his inner thoughts to himself.
If the old man wanted to show off, let him be.
Artists probably enjoyed that sort of thing.
"Of course, I'd be delighted. I plan to hold concerts in Magnolia frequently from now on. At my age, I don't want to travel around anymore. Settling down in Magnolia seems like a good idea—at least with Fairy Tail there, it should be safe."
Valtava replied with a smile, revealing his intention to make Magnolia his ho.
This surprised Marco.
He had heard that the old man was like a wandering bard, traveling all over Fiore and even venturing to other countries in his youth—clearly not the type to stay in one place.
Marco didn't expect Valtava to remain in Magnolia for long and had planned to study intensively while he was still there.
But now that the old man intended to settle down, things would be much easier.
As for whether Magnolia was truly safe, that required a broad perspective.
When external threats arose, Fairy Tail was the city's safeguard.
But when no external threats existed, Fairy Tail beca the city's greatest danger.
Still, in Marco's opinion, Magnolia was much safer compared to other places.
With Fairy Tail around, at least there wouldn't be any chaotic incidents—just the occasional need to be cautious of Fairy Tail itself.
"That's wonderful! My ho isn't far from Magnolia, so I'll be able to attend the master's concerts often!"
Jude quickly chid in, seizing the opportunity.
"In that case, I'll personally fund a concert hall in Magnolia, dedicated exclusively to Master Valtava. All proceeds from the hall will belong to the master alone."
Determined to bring Fairy Tail into his plans, Jude didn't hesitate to make the investnt.
Valtava himself wasn't worth such an expense, but Marco certainly was.
Both Marco and Valtava looked at Jude in surprise.
Marco couldn't help but admire how quickly Jude's mind worked.
Truthfully, sponsoring a concert hall was a trivial expense for soone like Jude.
Money was nothing more than a string of numbers to Jude at this point—he had nearly lost all concept of it.
What mattered was that he could think of this, that he was willing to put effort into it.
It showed how much he truly cared.
"Then I'll humbly accept."
After a mont of surprise, Valtava straightforwardly agreed.
"..."
Marco was speechless.
This old man's motto seed to be 'if you're willing to give, I'll take'—not a hint of hesitation.
"Then it's settled!"
Jude happily finalized the matter, imdiately calling for his staff to make arrangents.
His decisiveness was as swift as ever.
"Mr. Jude, we'll take our leave now."
With the matter concluded, Marco was eager to return.
He planned to follow Valtava to gather his belongings before heading back to Magnolia.
"Not so fast! Stay for a al before you go." Jude warmly insisted, arranging a family dinner.
"My daughter happens to be here as well. She adores Celestial Spirits and is a young Celestial Spirit Mage. It would be wonderful if she could receive guidance from two masters of Celestial Spirit Magic."
Jude smiled as he spoke of his daughter.
It wasn't surprising that she had beco a Celestial Spirit Mage—she likely followed in her mother's footsteps.
After all, Layla was an exceptional Celestial Spirit Mage and such holder-type magic was often passed down within families.
"Perhaps another ti. We won't impose today, Mr. Jude. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future."
Marco shook his head.
It wasn't that he had nothing to teach—he simply wasn't in the mood.
His mind was preoccupied with learning lyre.
Valtava chuckled beside him, saying nothing, perfectly content to let Marco decide.
"Very well. Let's prioritize settling Master Valtava's affairs first."
Seeing Marco's firm refusal, Jude didn't press further.
Marco's words pleased him—"plenty of opportunities" suggested strong confidence in their partnership with the Heartfilia Conglorate, which was Jude's top priority.
"Farewell. I'll send word as soon as possible."
Marco bid Jude goodbye, and Valtava followed suit.
"I'll await good news."
Jude bowed respectfully, ensuring they felt valued.
Marco was the key to unlocking the southern market for his railway empire—he deserved nothing less than Jude's utmost respect.
Marco and Valtava left the Heartfilia Conglorate headquarters in a carriage arranged by Jude.
In most regions, horse-drawn carriages remained the primary mode of transportation.
Trains, though widely promoted and highly practical, were still limited to major city connections.
Daily travel still relied on carriages, and while magic-powered cars existed, their imnse energy consumption made them impractical even for mages.
*****
"Star Rose God, the Great Detective Hols, Marco Dreyar, Fairy Tail..."
After Marco and Valtava departed, Jude continued pondering Marco's affairs.
Lost in thought, he made his way to his private lounge, where a blonde-haired girl in a frilly dress waited eagerly.
"Papa! Where is Mr Marco?"
Seeing Jude enter, the little girl imdiately approached him with hopeful eyes.
She had been thrilled to learn that her father was eting with Mr. Marco earlier.
Though she hadn't seen him outside, she was delighted that Mr. Marco had co looking for her!
"Hmm? Are you that interested in Marco?" Jude looked surprised, then noticed the book in his daughter's hands.
"Ah, you've read his The Great Detective Hols too. Had I known, I would've ntioned it earlier—he's already left."
Jude shook his head.
He had been so focused on the fact that Lucy was also a Celestial Spirit Mage that he forgot to ntion she was a fan of The Great Detective Hols—or at least, she could have been.
"..."
The disappointnt on Lucy's face was unmistakable.
She tightened her grip on the book.
She had been reading it nonstop at ho lately.
"Stay here and read. I have work to attend to. Next ti, don't run off like this—just stay ho."
After their brief eting, Jude left in a hurry.
Having recently lost her mother, and now with her father practically absent, the only companions Lucy had left were her dolls.
No—there were also books and spirits.
Reading beca her way of passing ti and soothing her emotions.
She loved books, and The Great Detective Hols had captivated her from the mont it was published.
She read it over and over again.
Lucy's mind was also filled with stories—ones her late mother, Layla, had told her.
She had been recording them, afraid she might forget.
Those were precious mories her mother had left behind.
Sotis, Lucy wondered if she could compile and publish those stories.
But she wasn't sure if she had the ability.
That was why she longed to talk to a real writer—especially one close to her age.
Missing the opportunity twice left Lucy deeply disappointed.
She silently vowed to find a way to et Marco soday!
"Fairy Tail…"
Thinking of Marco naturally reminded Lucy of Fairy Tail.
The last ti she had impulsively gone to see her father at night, her carriage horse had suddenly panicked.
A Mage from Fairy Tail had saved her.
She hadn't seen who it was—only the pink Fairy Tail guild mark on the back of their right hand.
Since then, the na Fairy Tail had been etched into her heart.
A mber of Fairy Tail, a powerful Celestial Spirit Mage and a wildly popular young bestselling author—Marco's traits aligned perfectly with everything Lucy admired.
It was only natural she idolized him.
Everything Marco did was what Lucy dread of doing.
Aside from their genders, Marco was, in her eyes, the best possible version of her future self.
*****
Of course, Marco had no idea he had missed eting Lucy.
He didn't even know Jude's daughter's na—and when he had t the future Lucy, he hadn't asked for her surna.
Bla the system for not displaying Lucy's full na, and bla the Heartfilia family genes for being too dominant.
Apart from the blonde hair, Jude and Lucy don't look very similar.
But the problem is, even that blonde hair wasn't inherited from Jude.
"All packed, let's go."
In front of the hotel where Valtava was staying, the old man traveled light with hardly any luggage, carrying only a harp by his side.
--------------------------------
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