"Alive?"
Hearing this, Erza couldn't help but flick the blade with her finger.
Ping.
"But this sword doesn't seem to react at all," Erza noted, examining the steel. "It doesn't feel like a living creature."
"That's because they're still very weak now," Ankh explained patiently. "Simply put, they're like unenlightened children, similar to the sword spirits in theatrical performances."
As Ankh explained the concept to the two women, they walked down the street, heading toward Natsu's house to pick up the temporarily paralyzed Dragon Slayer.
"You can usually chat with it, train and fight—do anything you want," Ankh instructed. "It's best to nourish it with magic power constantly, even if the amount is small."
He pointed to the blade in Kagura's hand.
"The deeper your magic power and behavioral characteristics influence it, the more these blades will awaken special abilities, transforming into unique weapons that reflect your own nature."
Kagura's eyes sparkled.
She couldn't help but tightly embrace the long sword that stood taller than her.
She had been complaining earlier that during battles with her brother Simon in the past, ordinary swords were too brittle, while high-quality ones were too expensive for a wanderer.
Now, having a sword that could grow with her was truly a wonderful thing!
"But..." Kagura hesitated, looking up at Ankh. "Do such miraculous swords really exist in this world? It sounds like a fairy tale."
"Absolutely!" Erza interjected with total conviction. "Natsu and Gajeel only became so strong after consuming my brother's inventions! If my brother says it's alive, it's alive!"
Erza trusted Ankh completely without reservation.
Hearing this, Kagura's last bit of suspicion vanished.
"I see! I will treasure it!"
"Take good care of them," Ankh smiled. "In the early stages, swords not nourished by magic power are just ordinary sharp blades."
Ankh watched contentedly as the two women held their swords.
The production process for these sword spirit lives was much simpler than creating Serpy—it was just directly creating an imperfect life form with a blade as its body.
As magical tools, long swords could store magic power for extremely long periods. Combined with continuous replenishment from Mages, these sword spirit lives would gradually grow into their unique forms.
A growth-type weapon was perfectly suited for young potential weapon masters like Kagura.
As for Erza...
She was already muttering about what kind of dress would match the sword's hilt.
'Well, entertaining children was just a side task.'
Ankh picked up Natsu, who was paralyzed in bed but grinning like a maniac and placed him in a wheelchair.
They hurried toward the guild.
...
The Magic Parade—Fantasia—would begin after dark, leaving them with only this final preparation time, so every second counted.
Even when injured, Natsu had insisted on attending the parade.
Fortunately, his recovery was progressing well today, and he could already move around by operating his wheelchair himself.
Master Makarov had no choice but to let this tough but restless kid handle the mouth-operated fireworks during the parade to keep him occupied.
At the guild, a reunion was currently took place.
Kagura finally met Simon, Wally, and Millianna, who had come to Magnolia to watch the Magic Parade.
"Brother!"
It naturally led to another emotional reunion with tears.
Fortunately, Erza had prepared the two parties mentally beforehand, so Kagura, whose face was tear-streaked, finally revealed a happy smile as she hugged Simon.
Kagura's intention was to travel across the continent with her brother, joining and training in any guild that caught her fancy.
Though Erza felt some regret at not being able to keep Kagura in Fairy Tail, she still expressed her blessings for them.
As evening approached, the Fairy Tail Magical Parade, renowned throughout the continent for its splendor, was finally about to begin.
On the wide streets of Magnolia, countless shops were adorned with lanterns and decorations, transforming the entire city into a sea of brilliant lights.
Pop! Pop!
Starlike glimmers shimmered throughout the city, with blue-colored bubbles flowing around in heart and star shapes, created by the guild's magic.
Fairy Tail's parade floats slowly arrived.
Members on and beside the ceremonial vehicles were either noisily beating drums and gongs or performing acts.
Cana's Card Magic resembled a massive lottery wheel. It left those who drew cards either overjoyed at hitting the jackpot or tearful from the strange-smelling magic smoke she unleashed on the losers.
The middle-aged duo of Macao and Wakaba respectively wielded purple and pink smoke magic, their spells intertwining romantically to create shapes in the air.
Lucy, acting as the guild's head cheerleader, danced clumsily yet earnestly with flags on the float.
Her energetic spirit amused the surrounding audience, drawing laughter and cheers.
Erza brandished twin swords while several blades danced behind her magically.
Their hilts were connected by crimson ribbons that complemented her vibrant scarlet hair and armor.
Juvia finally got her wish to perform with Gray.
She waved gentle water currents that Gray lifted into the air with his Ice-Make magic, instantly transforming the water into a breathtaking, shimmering ice and snow castle.
Elfman stood before the main float in his Beast Soul form like a wild monster clearing the path.
Enormous petals slowly unfurled on the vehicle behind him, revealing Ankh and Mirajane dancing in an elegant embrace.
Of course, this required the audience to ignore Ankh's soft self-muttering as he tried desperately to keep rhythm.
"One, two, step... don't step on her toes..."
At the rear of the procession, the pitiful yet determined Natsu, guided by Happy, lifted his head from his wheelchair and strenuously shot sparks upward from his mouth.
BOOM!
Simultaneously, dazzling fireworks bloomed in the night sky, intertwining with the guild name spelled out by Natsu's flames.
The grand finale, of course, featured the guild's master—Makarov!
The old man wore a comical jester-like costume today, bouncing and jumping on the float to the laughter of many in the crowd.
Laxus stood among the spectators, hidden in the shadows of the alleyway.
He watched the performers, the lights, and the hilarious sight of Makarov wiggling his butt on the float.
A slow, genuine smile curved his lips.
Memories surged in his heart...
'What did I say to the old man back then... when I was just a kid?'
...
"Grandpa, I'll watch your performance from the audience."
"But I don't know if I'll be able to see you, Grandpa... there are so many people."
"Just don't worry about me~"
"...Ah! Then how about this—I'll be in the parade..."
...
Laxus's eyes widened.
He saw Makarov on the float raising his hand high.
The old man extended his thumb and forefinger to form that unique Fairy Tail bond gesture.
Following this, the guildmates on the floats simultaneously made the gesture.
Like countless little fairies darting through fireworks and streamers, they spread joy and happiness to everyone around.
"That old man..." Laxus choked up, his voice trembling. "Really... he still remembers something from so long ago..."
Laxus extended his own thumb and forefinger.
He gazed at that guild-exclusive gesture—one he had invented as a child to tell his grandfather.
"Even if I can't find you, I'm watching over you."
His vision grew slightly blurred with tears.
"What does this hand gesture mean?"
"It's a message! It means even if I can't find Grandpa, I'll always be watching over him!"
"How... cheesy," Laxus whispered, wiping his eyes.
Amid the crowd, Laxus slowly raised his hand toward the direction of the procession, completing the connection.
Ankh, who had long since spotted Laxus' location from the float, noticed this scene.
He revealed a faint, satisfied smile as he danced with Mirajane.
'I told you so, Master,' Ankh thought. 'Laxus never went astray.'
'Look, he's connecting everyone together in his own way, isn't he?'
Ankh gazed at the distant fading lights, the cheering crowd, and the family and companions by his side.
The smile on his face grew brighter.
'Thanks to all of you, this year has been joyful for me too.'
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