X775 passed by in the blink of an eye as they continuously took on missions and trained.
This ti, before accepting a mission, Ultear specifically checked the date and planned the mission schedule early.
They intended to return to the guild and spend Christmas with Ur, Kagura, and the others.
"Christmas is still five days away. Let's rest at the guild this ti and wait until after the New Year to take on missions."
On December 19th, they finally got off at Magnolia Station.
"Mm, I also plan to spend so ti with Ur during this period." Ultear nodded, agreeing with Raizel's suggestion.
"What are your plans for Christmas day?"
Since they had promised Erza last year that everyone would spend Christmas together, Ultear asked Raizel about his plans.
"I'm free during the day on Christmas, but in the evening I plan to spend ti with Gramps. I already felt bad about not going back last year." Raizel scratched his cheek sowhat apologetically, rembering that he had just said last year that they would all spend Christmas together from now on.
"It's fine. Although we can't spend Christmas Eve together, we can still hang out during the day. Besides, we've spent plenty of ti together on missions this year." Erza didn't mind, shaking her head with her eyes closed.
"I have a suggestion - why don't we all explore Magnolia together on Christmas day?" Ultear put one hand on her hip and raised a finger with the other.
"Sounds good! Let's invite everyone who's at the guild that afternoon!" Erza clenched her right fist near her chin, looking excited.
...
Raizel, Ultear, and Erza first returned to the guild to report their safe return, then saw the girls back to their dorm before Raizel returned to Makarov's house.
He first put away his luggage and the gifts he had brought for everyone.
Raizel activated the long-distance communication lacrima, intending to contact Laxus, who also carried one in his backpack.
After a while, he finally managed to connect with Laxus.
"Laxus, why did it take so long for you to answer?"
"Still on a mission, couldn't answer earlier."
"Not finished yet? When can you return?"
"Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to make it back."
"Why?"
On the other end, Laxus opened his mouth as if to say sothing, but ultimately shook his head.
After pondering for a mont, he said, "The mission isn't completed yet, and so urgent situation ca up that's holding back. Even if I finish, I can't return imdiately."
"Where are you? Need help?"
"No need. Just apologize to the old man for , since I can't make it back."
"Well, Gramps will understand. It's a mission, after all."
"I even prepared a gift for you. It's a sha I can't give it to you that day." Raizel had spent a huge sum of 660,000J to buy Laxus a brand new coat.
The two were now about the sa height, both close to 185cm, but Laxus was bulkier than Raizel.
"Just leave it in my room. I prepared one for you too, I'll give it to you when I get back."
"What if I'm out on a mission by the ti you return?"
"Doesn't matter, we'll see each other eventually."
"Laxus, even though it's not ti yet, let say it in advance - rry Christmas."
"rry Christmas, you annoying bastard."
...
On the afternoon of the 24th, Raizel and Ur took a group of children around Magnolia, enjoying afternoon tea together.
After this year, Raizel would be considered an adult, no longer counted among the children.
Raizel had prepared gifts in advance, giving the girls silk scarves and scarf rings, though with different styles and patterns.
Since they were still quite young, Raizel had deliberated and decided scarves were more appropriate—giving jewelry to them felt too early.
For Ultear, he chose a twill silk scarf with a classic brand print on one side and bold polka dots on the other, suitable for wearing around the neck, in the hair, or on the wrist.
He also bought a light gold rectangular scarf ring, which alone cost 60,000J.
...
For Erza, he selected a silk scarf along with a set of three silver scarf rings, which were even more expensive.
Kagura received not only a scarf but also a sword, it na was 'Archenemy'.
Raizel and Erza had acquired it while passing through the town where rmaid Heel was later established during a mission.
Erza already had her Benizakura, so she had no use for this blade.
And Ultear doesnt even use sword so the three imdiately decided to give it to Kagura.
Though Kagura no longer bore any resennt... that didn't detract from how cool the sword was—Raizel himself was quite tempted by it.
He felt the sword perfectly matched his aesthetic preferences.
After parting ways with the others, Raizel carried an amber-yellow wooden tea box gifted by Ultear, trimd with saddle-stitched calfskin, and a silver cap-less twist-action pen from Erza.
She had noticed during their ti in Rosemary Village that Raizel seed to keep a diary or log, though she never looked closely, only observing from a distance as he wrote in the evenings.
At the dinner table, Raizel handed a rectangular gift box adorned with ribbons to Makarov.
"Gramps, rry Christmas. This is my gift to you."
"Oh?" Makarov accepted it and opened it.
"Red wine! I like it very much." He smiled cheerfully.
Raizel had bought the wine from a vineyard in the suburbs of Crocus.
It wasn't a limited edition, but he'd heard it was of good quality. Since Raizel didn't drink or appreciate red wine, Uncle Varo had recomnded it.
After the al...
"I have sothing to tell you," Makarov said, sitting up straight with a serious expression.
Seeing Makarov's deanor, Raizel straightened up as well.
"Six years ago, you sat alone at the guild's entrance, joined Fairy Tail, and moved into this ho. You've been a hardworking and filial child, and I'm grateful you joined Fairy Tail and beca part of this family. After this year, you'll be an adult ..... it's ti for you to move out."
"Gramps..." Raizel had no intention of leaving at all.
Makarov crossed his arms and shook his head.
"Hear out first. I'm not kicking you out. Both you and Laxus are reaching adulthood. Aside from the room being too small for you now, it's ti you learned to live independently. I plan to kick that brat Laxus out too when he returns."
"But I don't want to leave."
In this six years, Raizel had rarely refused Makarov's suggestions or requests.
"Listen, that room will always be here for you. You can co ho anyti you want. But moving out is non-negotiable—this is my demand not as your Master but as your grandfather."
Raizel had remained silent all along.
Makarov smiled and continued, "This old man wants so personal space too. Let your grandpa co back at night and rest quietly."
"Alright." Raizel nodded helplessly.
He knew Makarov had made up his mind—once this stubborn old man dug his heels in, there was no persuading him otherwise.
It was Christmas, yet his mood was somber.
He had lived in that room for six years.
Seeing Raizel's low spirits, Makarov comforted him, "It's not like we won't see each other again. We'll still et at the guild. I'm not planning to retire just yet."
...
January 1, X776. Raizel and Laxus officially ca of age.
----
Archenemy (不倶戴天 Fugutaiten) is a katana owned by Kagura Mikazuchi.
Known as "The Blade of Resentnt" (怨刀 Ontō), Archenemy is allegedly a fearso weapon, Millianna went on to remark that its unsheathing could potentially cause a cataclysm.
To ward off such occurrence, its user, Kagura Mikazuchi, employs it in conjunction with the peculiar Undrawn Long Sword Style (抜かぬ太刀の型 Nukanu Tachi no Kata), which allows her to make use of the weapon's cutting power without actually drawing it.
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