Chapter 1013: [1013] : Going Back

...

Shin understood the reality of his situation. They had successfully crossed over into this world, but finding a way back was proving to be a massive headache.

The First Master had just confirmed the worst-case scenario: fairies and elves had very little connection to space-time Magic, and the true Elves had been wiped out centuries ago.

So, what were they supposed to do now? Shin temporarily felt adrift, his primary goal slipping through his fingers. He knew that living without a clear objective was a dangerous game—it led to complacency and poor decision-making.

He couldn’t afford to let that happen. While accepting this new reality sounded simple in theory, navigating it without a concrete plan was a different story entirely. Some variables were beyond his control.

Shin looked back at Mavis, his face growing more serious.

"Since I am stuck here for the time being," Shin said firmly, "I am certainly not going to let you walk away to suffer in silence."

"It is just the three of us in this room," Shin continued, looking between Mavis and Makarov. "I believe I can speak freely."

Mavis already knew that Shin had an unsettling amount of knowledge about her. He knew secrets she had never told anyone.

Seeing no point in denying it, Mavis nodded slowly. "Since you have already brought it up, I have nothing to hide from you."

"You said you are from another world, and I admit I cannot help you return," Mavis said, her voice dropping. "Yet, you still offered to help me. I don’t know what your ultimate goal is."

She looked down at her small hands, a profound sadness in her eyes. "But I carry a secret that no one can help me with. I know you are incredibly powerful, and I know you possess ancient knowledge, but even you cannot change my fate."

Shin smiled faintly. It was clear he hadn’t fully earned the First Master’s trust yet. She still believed her tragedy was absolute.

"I understand why you are so guarded," Shin replied smoothly.

"You think your situation is completely hopeless. You think the Gods simply preordained the tragedy between you and Zeref, and that you are just two pitiful souls caught in a divine game. Am I wrong?"

Makarov stared at Mavis in utter shock. "First Master... I... I had no idea things were that complicated between you two."

He turned to Shin, bowing his head slightly. "I cannot interfere in matters I don’t fully understand. But Shin, since you are officially a member of Fairy Tail now, I beg you to help the First Master. That is my only request."

Shin chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "That goes without saying, Master Makarov. We are Fairy Tail now. Taking care of our own is what we do."

He looked directly at Mavis, a confident smirk on his face. "First Master, I am going to fix this mess, and there is absolutely nothing you can do to stop me—heh."

"However..." Shin added, his tone turning serious, "there are a few things Master Makarov needs to hear first. He needs to know what is coming, and he needs to know the truth about you and Zeref."

Mavis hesitated for a moment, her spectral eyes filled with unspeakable sorrow. But finally, she nodded slowly.

"If that is the case... then let the Third Master hear it," Mavis whispered. "He has watched over this guild for decades. It is time he knew the truth behind my foolish mistakes."

The sheer heartbreak in her voice was palpable. Shin knew better than anyone how deeply Mavis cherished Fairy Tail, yet her connection to Zeref had nearly destroyed it.

It was a tragedy orchestrated by a cruel God, a fate neither Mavis nor Zeref deserved.

While Shin knew the full story, it was a delicate subject. But since Mavis had permitted him, he proceeded carefully.

Shin turned to Makarov. "You already know who Zeref is, Master. You know exactly how terrifying he is."

"But beneath all that Dark Magic," Shin explained quietly, "Zeref is a very pitiful man.. I doubt anyone in this era knows the truth. In fact, Mavis is probably the only person alive who truly understands his despair."

Mavis closed her eyes, silently confirming Shin’s words. He was right. Zeref was a gentle soul twisted into a monster by a curse he never asked for. No one else dared to look past the title of ’The Black Wizard.’

By sharing this, Shin hoped to ease the stigma around Zeref, at least within Fairy Tail. It was the least he could do to help things move forward.

"The name Zeref strikes fear into the heart of every mage on the continent," Makarov muttered, his face grim. "Are you telling me he is still alive?"

"He has lived for over four hundred years," Makarov continued, piecing the puzzle together. "I had no idea he crossed paths with the First Master. The legends say he is an absolute tyrant. He used his immortality to master the Darkest Magics and spawned hordes of terrifying demons."

"That is what the world believes," Shin nodded. "But since you are willing to listen, let me tell you the true story."

"This goes back to an era when dragons ruled the continent, treating humans as nothing more than food."

"At that time, Zeref was just an ordinary human boy," Shin explained. "He didn’t possess any world-ending Magic. He was just a child whose parents and little brother, Natsu, were slaughtered by dragons."

Makarov gasped, his eyes widening in pure shock. "Wait... Natsu?? Natsu is Zeref’s little brother?? That is impossible!"

"I know it sounds insane, but it is the truth," Shin said calmly. "However, the Natsu you know isn’t the same boy who died all those centuries ago."

"You know about the Tome of Zeref, correct? A book containing the most powerful demons ever created."

Makarov nodded slowly. "Yes. The demons of Tartaros."

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