In the current Fairy Tail, there were no distinct factions.
The younger generation was united, if a bit rowdy.
Although Gildarts was often absent, three pillars of strength remained: Ur, Raizel, and Laxus.
However, there was one mber who struggled to find his footing: Elfman Strauss.
Elfman had been a mber of the Guild for several months now.
While he had integrated into daily life, his personality couldn't exactly be called "bold." He would muster courage when matters involved his sisters, but ordinarily, he simply followed their lead like a shadow.
If Raizel were to evaluate him honestly, he felt even the little sister, Lisanna, was more mature and reliable than Elfman.
In the past, Mira would sotis complain about Elfman being weak, but she genuinely cared for her brother.
Lisanna went without saying; she adored him and didn't consider him weak at all.
In the eyes of family, there was no strict "good" or "bad."
Raizel had previously toyed with the idea of creating a "Manliness Training Plan" for him, hoping to avert the tragedy of his lost control in the future.
But since Mira and Lisanna hadn't asked, Raizel felt it wasn't his place to intervene uninvited.
Today, however, Raizel gained a completely new perspective on Elfman.
The boy approached Raizel himself.
"Um... I want... I want to..."
Elfman stood there, wearing his little blue suit that was slightly too tight for his broad shoulders.
He kept running his right hand through his silver hair, ssing it up in an attempt to mask his intense embarrassnt.
This had been going on for several minutes.
Normally, Elfman wasn't quite this hesitant.
He probably felt guilty about troubling Raizel with his personal problems.
Everyone's attention was drawn to the scene.
Even Kagura, who had just surfaced from the lake after holding her breath for underwater sword practice, stayed floating in the water, tilting her head to watch the awkward performance.
"Elfman! Be bold!" Mira shouted from the clearing.
She's currently in Take Over: Satan Soul, and her demonic face was twisted in a deep frown.
Even the scar near her eye seed to distort with impatience.
Her tone wasn't pleasant; influenced by the aggressive nature of the demon soul, she felt a surge of frustration.
She wished Elfman would just spit it out!
Raizel raised an eyebrow.
'It seems Mira and Elfman must have discussed sothing last night.'
"Really, Elfm-nii," Lisanna sighed.
She wasn't angry, but a faint, almost imperceptible sense of helplessness appeared between her brows.
"Do you want to say it for you?"
Elfman stamred, his face turning red.
"Brother just wants to ask you..." Lisanna couldn't stand the silence anymore and started to speak for him.
"Wait a mont, Lisanna."
Raizel raised a hand, cutting her off. It was sowhat rude to interrupt, but necessary.
"Let Elfman say it himself," Raizel said calmly. "He can't rely on his sisters to speak for him forever, can he?"
Lisanna closed her mouth and nodded.
Another five minutes passed.
Raizel almost sighed aloud.
He had been watching Elfman fidget for nearly ten minutes now. The boy just stood there, rubbing his hair, offering an awkward, apologetic smile every few seconds.
Mira had long since lost patience and started sparring with Erza again.
Clang! Clang!
The sound of tal clashing filled the background. Kagura had also resud her sword practice in the water.
Only Raizel remained still, waiting.
"If you still don't speak up, Elfman, I'll just continue ditating," Raizel said finally.
His expression was blank, his tone calm but firm.
"Um... please wait a mont!"
Elfman panicked. He took three deep breaths in succession, puffing out his chest as if preparing to lift a mountain.
"I want to ask you to help train..."
He paused, swallowing hard.
"I want to master Full-Body Take Over!"
Another pause.
"To beco a real man who can protect my sisters!!!"
Elfman broke his sentence three tis, his voice cracking.
But when he ntioned his sisters and the word "man," a spark of genuine spirit flared in his eyes.
Raizel straightened his posture. His expression suddenly turned serious.
"Are you prepared?" Raizel asked.
"Yes," Elfman nodded lightly.
"Louder!" Raizel commanded softly.
His voice wasn't a shout, but it carried a weight of authority that demanded obedience.
"YEEEEES!!!"
Elfman threw his head back. He closed his eyes tightly, clenched his fists at his sides, and roared.
However, he dragged out the word too long, his voice wavering at the end. And he still didn't dare to look directly at Raizel.
He was terrified!
The shout startled everyone. Mira and Erza paused their spar. Even Ultear, who had been deeply imrsed in ditation, opened her eyes.
Now the entire group was watching.
"Look into my eyes when you answer," Raizel pressed further, stepping closer. "Don't drag out your response. Make it short. Make it powerful."
He waited.
Elfman's body trembled.
His fists were clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. His head was lowered, and Raizel could see moisture gathering at the corners of his eyes.
Slowly, painfully, Elfman lifted his head. He opened his eyes and looked at Raizel.
Raizel t his gaze calmly.
He didn't use his magic pressure or intimidation. He was genuinely afraid of scaring the boy off—that would have ruined all their progress today.
"Yes!"
After a few seconds of silent communication, Elfman responded.
"Good."
Raizel's lips curved slightly upward. He gave Elfman a nod of approval.
"Co find tomorrow morning at nine o'clock."
Raizel needed to prepare a few things.
He had actually given this so thought earlier, formulating a training plan with a touch of mischievous amusent.
Elfman had finally taken a solid step forward.
"That's great, Elf-nii!" Lisanna cheered, bouncing happily on her toes.
Last night during dinner, Elfman had confidently told them he would ask Raizel for training.
At ho, he didn't stamr.
Mira and Lisanna had been convinced by his grand promises, never expecting that the simple request would take him nearly half an hour to deliver.
Mira let out a slight sigh of relief. She turned to et Erza's gaze, and the two resud their intense sparring.
"Today, just continue your own basic training. I need to go prepare," Raizel said.
Seeing Elfman still standing there, Raizel thought he might be too nervous to move.
"Is there sothing else?"
Elfman shook his head rapidly. "I wanted to say... thank you!"
He was still lacking full confidence, but the gratitude was sincere.
"You're welco," Raizel smiled. "Now go."
Elfman shyly scratched his head, gave a deep bow, then turned and ran off to join Lisanna, looking lighter than he had in months.
....
Later that afternoon, the training session wound down.
"Raizel," a soft voice called out.
Mira walked over.
She had canceled her Take Over, returning to her human form.
She was wearing a simple red dress that fluttered in the breeze, her white hair framing her face.
With the gentle smile in her eyes, she was looking more and more like the future "Demon of Fairy Tail" everyone adored.
"Thank you," she said earnestly.
"Elfman has already expressed his thanks, so there's no need to be polite," Raizel waved his hand dismissively.
"Besides, I haven't started helping him yet. You can thank after we succeed."
This was the truth—he wasn't 100% sure he could fix Elfman without trauma.
In the original tiline, Elfman only beca the "Manly Man" after Lisanna's "death."
The guilt forced him to harden his exterior, priding himself on masculinity while his heart remained fragile.
Raizel wanted to build true strength, not a shell born of tragedy.
"There is sothing I need you to agree to, though," Raizel added.
He scratched his cheek, looking slightly awkward.
Ultear and Erza, who were packing up nearby, raised their eyebrows.
Their ears pricked up at the ambiguous tone.
"Hmm?" Mira tilted her head, pursing her lips slightly.
She looked at Raizel curiously.
"Starting tomorrow," Raizel said seriously, "no matter how I train Elfman... no matter what thods I use... I need you to promise not to interfere."
He looked her in the eye.
"Even if he cries. Even if it looks tough. You have to let him do it."
'Is that all?' Ultear and Erza thought simultaneously, disappointed it wasn't sothing juicier.
Mira paused as she looked at Raizel's steady gaze.
"Alright," Mira said.
She tilted her head, and a gentle, radiant smile spread across her face.
"I promise."
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