Looking back, he saw an old man in clown attire sitting on a rock, his back to Finn, holding a mage photo album.
It was Makarov, the Fairy Tail Guild Master.
"Man, the mages these days are really something. These photo albums are the best!" Makarov said, completely engrossed.
Suddenly, Makarov seemed to remember something. His lecherous expression vanished. He put down the album. "No, no, not now."
"I need to find those guys," he said, turning to leave.
"What?!" He turned to see Kageyama standing behind him.
Makarov looked embarrassed. "It's…research! I wasn't doing anything wrong."
Kageyama muttered, "You don't need to explain."
"Huh? You're a patient? What are you doing here?" Makarov felt relieved seeing the bandaged patient.
From afar, Erza and the others caught up, seeing Kageyama with the Lullaby and Makarov.
Worried about the Master, they wanted to rush over, but were stopped.
"Finn? What are you doing here? The Master's in danger! Save him!" Erza said anxiously.
Finn put a finger to his lips. "Shh, Erza. The Master's fine. Enjoy the show."
"Yeah, it's getting interesting," Master Bob said, stepping forward.
"You're all so cute! My type!" Master Bob swan-walked towards Natsu and the others.
"Ah!!" Natsu and the others recoiled in fear.
"Master Bob's here too," Erza was confused.
"Little Erza-chan, you've grown up. I heard you're Finn's girlfriend," Master Bob said, covering his face.
Erza's face went from white to red. "It…it's…too early." She stammered.
Lucy stared at Erza and Finn in disbelief.
Finn blushed under Lucy's gaze.
"Major scoop!" Lucy thought of Mirajane's ambiguous attitude towards Finn. As a woman, she was very interested in this.
Kageyama realized the unimpressive old man was Makarov.
"Looks like I'm fated to meet flies," Kageyama thought.
Seeing Makarov about to leave, Kageyama called out, "Wait!"
Makarov stopped, looking at Kageyama questioningly.
Kageyama quickly took out the Lullaby, a skull flute. "Could you listen to me play? The hospital prohibits noise, so I practice here." He looked at Makarov kindly.
Seeing Makarov's impatience, he added, "I just want someone to appreciate my music."
Makarov looked at the flute; a knowing look flashed in his eyes, then disappeared.
He said, "What an unpleasant-looking flute."
"Um, it looks bad, but the sound is great," Kageyama explained.
Makarov sighed. "I'm in a hurry, but I can listen." He sat on a nearby rock, gesturing for Kageyama to play.
Kageyama relaxed, put the flute to his lips, and prepared to play.
Erza and the others panicked. "Finn, stop him from playing that flute!" Erza said seriously.
"That flute is called Lullaby. It's a dangerous magic that steals lives," Lucy explained.
"Be quiet. This is the fun part," Master Goldmine said, watching from a tree.
"Master Goldmine?" Erza exclaimed.
"Erza, don't worry. Even if he plays, it's fine. It's not enough to kill the Master," Finn said, stroking Erza's crimson hair.
He showed his disdain for the Lullaby.
The familiar feeling calmed Erza. She trusted Finn unconditionally and nodded.
"Is that Erza?" Lucy whispered to Natsu.
"I don't know! Is the world this scary?" Natsu was terrified, fearing Finn would be punched by Erza.
Gray nodded happily. The wooden-headed Finn was finally showing some sense.
Below, Makarov watched Kageyama.
"Just play it. Just play it," Kageyama muttered to himself.
He remembered Eisenwald's words: "This is revenge on the magic world that imprisoned us and stole our lives!"
He steadied himself, putting the flute to his lips, but he unconsciously remembered Lucy's words from when their plan was exposed: "Even if you do this, you won't get your power back."
He also remembered the armored woman shouting for his help to break the Magic Wind Wall.
And his comrade, who'd stabbed himself to prevent Kageyama from helping break the seal. The boy with pink hair had shouted, "Aren't you comrades? How can you do this to your comrade?"
Countless thoughts raced through his mind.
"What am I thinking? I've come this far. Just play it. Just play it…" Kageyama reminded himself.
"Then everything will change!!"
Makarov closed his eyes, sighing. "Nothing will change."
"Huh?" Kageyama was startled. The old man knew what he was thinking?
Makarov turned, his voice carrying. "Weak people remain weak, but weakness isn't bad. Humans are weak creatures."
Not only Kageyama, but Finn and the others listened silently.
"Because people are insecure, there are guilds…comrades. We rely on each other to live strongly."
Makarov looked at Kageyama. "Clumsy people face more obstacles; they may take detours, but if they believe in tomorrow and keep moving, strength will naturally emerge."
"If you want to live strongly, you can live happily."
Kageyama froze.
Makarov looked at the flute. "You don't need that flute."
The night breeze seemed to blow into Kageyama's closed heart.
Clang! The skull flute fell. Kageyama was convinced. "I…I give up…"
Makarov nodded, smiling. Perhaps he was happy to save a lost young man.
"Let's go. The show's over," Finn said, heading towards Makarov.
"Master~~"
"Old man~~"
"You were amazing, Master!" Erza and the others ran over.
"How did you get here?" Makarov was surprised.
"That's settled then," Gray said, shirtless, posing.
"Can you put on a shirt before posing?" Lucy muttered.
"Aye, that's Gray," Happy raised his paw.
"Ah, Master, I almost cried," Finn said, smiling.
"Don't lie, I know you," Makarov rolled his eyes.
"Hahahaha, spineless mages," a mixed voice echoed. Evil magic spread.
"Hmm? That flute?" Finn looked at the skull flute, frowning.
The three eye sockets glowed purple, like eyes.
The androgynous voice came from it.
"Something's coming," Happy said, surprised.
Evil magic spread. A huge purple magic circle appeared in the sky, covering the surrounding forest.
The Royal Army, nearby, looked at the magic circle, bewildered.
"What is that?"
"Strange feeling," someone said.
The mixed voice echoed again: "I can't stand it anymore. I'll devour your souls." The magic circle glowed brightly.
Thump! A giant stepped on the ground.
Lucy stared, her pupils trembling.
"W-what is that?" Before Lucy was a colossal monster, bigger than a mountain.
It had large and small holes, revealing the scenery behind it.
Its three purple eyes made Lucy tremble.
"So…so big!!" Lucy cried.
Kageyama was also stunned. "I didn't know such a…thing existed?"
Master Bob covered his mouth. "Oh dear, this is bad." But he didn't sound panicked.
"That's a demon from Zeref's book," Master Goldmine said calmly.
"Why did it come from the flute?" Lucy couldn't believe it.
"That monster is the Lullaby—living magic, Zeref's magic," Master Goldmine explained.
"Zeref? That long-ago…" Gray's expression was complex—hatred, pain… Finn patted Gray's shoulder. "Gray, calm down. This isn't Deliora."
Finn knew Gray's family had been killed by Deliora, a demon from Zeref's book.
__________________
for more advance chapters visit patreon.com/bars45.
For 10$- All advance chapters.