*Magic Knights Headquarters - Three days after Hargeon*
The journey back from Hargeon had been triumphant, with civilians lining the roads to cheer the Magic Knights who had saved their port city. But for Prince Damian, every mile traveled felt like an eternity as worry gnawed at his thoughts. No word had come from Magnolia since their departure, and the silence was becoming unbearable.
He stood in his office now, staring out the window toward the distant town while Tycun and Teal reviewed after-action reports from their first major mission. The newly recruited knight had settled into headquarters with surprising ease, already bonding with the other knights through a combination of effective pranks and genuine camaraderie.
"The coordination between our teams exceeded expectations," Tycun was saying, his granite features showing a rare hint of satisfaction. "Zero civilian casualties, all dark guild members captured alive, and minimal property damage to the city."
"Plus we got a new teammate out of it," Teal added cheerfully, though she noticed Damian's distracted expression. "Your Highness? You're looking a bit tense there."
Damian didn't respond immediately, his emerald eyes fixed on the horizon. It had been three days since they'd left for Hargeon. Three days without any communication from Levy or Fairy Tail. In his experience, silence usually meant something had gone very wrong.
"Your Highness," Tycun said more firmly, recognizing the signs of his prince's mounting anxiety. "Perhaps we should send a reconnaissance team to—"
The communication lacrima on Damian's desk suddenly flared to life, interrupting the conversation. Captain Marcus's face appeared in the crystal, his expression relieved but tired.
"Your Highness, we've just received a message from Magnolia Town," Marcus reported. "It's from Miss McGarden."
Damian was across the room in three quick strides, his heart pounding. "Put her through immediately."
The lacrima's glow shifted, and suddenly Levy's familiar face appeared in the crystal. She looked exhausted, with a small bandage on her left cheek and her blue hair slightly disheveled, but her brown eyes were bright with relief when she saw him.
"Damian," she said, and the warmth in her voice made something tight in his chest finally loosen. "Thank goodness you're safe. How did Hargeon go?"
"Never mind Hargeon," Damian said immediately, leaning closer to the crystal. "Are you alright? What happened? We heard nothing for three days—"
"I'm fine," Levy assured him quickly, though her smile was tired. "We're all fine, mostly. It was... well, it was exactly what your intelligence suggested it would be. A coordinated attack by multiple dark guilds."
"Details," Tycun said, moving to stand behind Damian. Both he and Teal were listening intently.
Levy's expression grew more serious. "Four dark guilds hit us simultaneously two nights ago. They'd been planning it for weeks, apparently. The attacks on the outer villages were just distractions to draw away some of our stronger members."
Damian felt his jaw clench. "How many casualties?"
"None fatal, thankfully, but several guild members are in the infirmary. Jet and Droy were hurt pretty badly protecting the civilians, and even Natsu took some serious hits." Levy's voice grew softer. "Master Makarov... he overextended himself using Fairy Law. He's alive, but he'll need time to recover."
"And you?" Damian asked, his eyes fixed on the small bandage on her cheek. "You're really alright?"
"Just a scratch from some flying debris," Levy said, touching the bandage self-consciously. "My Solid Script magic was actually very effective against their coordinated attacks. I managed to create barrier words that protected most of the civilian evacuation points."
Despite his worry, Damian felt a surge of pride. "I knew you could handle yourself."
"We all did," Levy said firmly. "It was a hard fight, but Fairy Tail proved why we're considered the strongest guild in Fiore. Though..." she hesitated, "I have to admit, there were moments when I wished we had accepted your offer of assistance."
"But you didn't need it," Tycun observed approvingly. "You handled the threat on your own terms."
"We did," Levy agreed, though she looked directly at Damian through the lacrima. "And I think that was important. Not just for guild pride, but to prove that we could. Master Makarov was right—sometimes you have to stand on your own before you can truly appreciate help when it's offered."
Teal, who had been listening with growing interest, leaned into the crystal's view. "Hi there! I'm Teal, the newest Magic Knight. I heard you're the one who keeps our prince honest about his world-saving ambitions."
Levy blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Hello, Teal. And yes, someone has to make sure he doesn't get too carried away with his plans for magical reform."
"I like her already," Teal said to Damian with a grin. "She's got that same 'I'll call you on your nonsense' energy that Tycun has."
"Speaking of which," Levy continued, "I wanted to congratulate you on Hargeon. Word has already spread about how the Magic Knights saved the city without any civilian casualties. People are talking about it as proof that your vision can work."
Damian felt a complex mix of pride and frustration. "I'm glad the mission was successful, but I spent the entire time worried about you and your guild. The timing couldn't have been worse."
"Actually, I think the timing was perfect," Levy said thoughtfully. "It proved that both our approaches can work. The Magic Knights can respond to crises that regular guilds can't handle, while established guilds like Fairy Tail can protect their own territories. We're not in competition—we're complementary."
"An astute observation," Tycun murmured, though his granite features remained impassive.
"When can you visit?" Damian asked, trying not to sound too eager. "I'd like to see for myself that you're really alright."
Levy's expression grew apologetic. "I'm afraid it'll be a while before I can get away. The guild hall took significant damage, and we're coordinating the rebuilding efforts. Plus, several of our members are still recovering, so those of us who are healthy are pulling double duty on missions."
Damian felt a flash of disappointment, but forced himself to nod understandingly. "Of course. Your guild needs you right now."
"Thank you for understanding," Levy said softly. "I know you probably want to come check on things personally, but..."
"But that would send the wrong message," Damian finished. "It would look like I don't trust Fairy Tail to handle their own recovery, and it might undermine Makarov's authority with his own guild."
"Exactly." Levy's smile was grateful and proud. "You're learning to think like a true leader—considering not just what you want to do, but what the consequences of your actions might be."
"Besides," Teal interjected cheerfully, "sounds like they've got everything under control. And we've got plenty to keep busy with here. The success at Hargeon has apparently attracted some new recruitment inquiries."
"Is that so?" Levy asked with interest.
"Three former Rune Knights and a retired guild master have all expressed interest in joining," Tycun reported. "Word is spreading that the Magic Knights are a legitimate force for good, not just a royal vanity project."
"That's wonderful news," Levy said genuinely. "Damian, you should be proud. You're building something that really matters."
"I couldn't have done it without the right advisors," Damian replied, his eyes holding hers through the lacrima connection. "Your counsel has been invaluable in shaping what we've become."
A comfortable silence settled over the conversation, broken only by the sounds of construction work continuing outside the headquarters.
"I should let you go," Levy said eventually. "I'm sure you have plenty of work to catch up on, and I need to get back to coordinating supply deliveries for the repairs."
"Levy," Damian said before she could end the connection. "I'm proud of you. Of all of you. What Fairy Tail accomplished... it took real courage to face that threat without backup."
"And what you accomplished at Hargeon took real leadership," Levy replied. "Choosing duty over desire, trusting us to handle our own problems while you handled yours. That's the kind of decision a true king makes."
After the connection ended, the office fell quiet except for the sound of Damian settling heavily into his chair. Teal and Tycun exchanged glances before Teal spoke up.
"So, she's the one you're completely smitten with," Teal said matter-of-factly. "I can see why. Smart, strong, not afraid to call you on your mistakes, and she managed to make you choose duty over rushing to her rescue. Definitely keeper material."
"Teal," Damian warned, though without much heat.
"What? I'm just saying, if you're going to fall for someone, at least you picked someone who makes you a better leader instead of a worse one." Teal grinned. "Plus, she's cute. Good choice, Your Highness."
Tycun cleared his throat diplomatically. "Personal observations aside, the outcome here was ideal. Both organizations proved their effectiveness independently, which strengthens both our reputation and our relationship with the established guilds."
"And it proved something else," Damian said thoughtfully, staring at the now-dark lacrima. "It proved that I can trust Levy to take care of herself and her responsibilities while I take care of mine. That's... that's not something I've ever been able to do before."
"Growing up, are we?" Teal teased, but her expression was unusually serious. "It's hard to care about someone and still let them face danger on their own. Shows real maturity."
"Or real trust," Tycun added. "Perhaps the same thing."
As the three of them returned to their work, reviewing reports and planning future operations, Damian found his mood considerably lighter than it had been in days. Levy was safe, Fairy Tail had proven themselves, and the Magic Knights had demonstrated their value to the kingdom.
For the first time since he'd begun this ambitious project, everything seemed to be falling into place exactly as he'd envisioned.
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