Fairy Tail: The Uncrowned King of Magic

Chapter 109: Chapter 109

In the end, Marshall failed to swindle all three Grand Magics out of Makarov.

The old man was unusually stubborn on that point.

Still, Fairy Sphere alone was enough to keep Marshall occupied for quite some time.

Ever since obtaining the spell, his Time Magic LV2 had been gaining experience as though someone had handed it a golden skill book.

Fairy Sphere possessed an extraordinarily unusual effect.

It could freeze matter within a sealed space so completely that even time ceased to flow.

As Marshall continued analyzing its structure, the vague outline of Time Magic LV3 gradually began taking shape in his mind.

Once he fully deciphered the spell, mastering it would be only a matter of course.

However, to cast Fairy Sphere properly, he would first need to meet its basic requirements: at least Spatial Magic LV3 and Time Magic LV3.

Marshall estimated that fully understanding Fairy Sphere would probably push his Time Magic to Level Three by itself.

If it fell slightly short, he could simply spend some Inspiration to bridge the gap.

Learning the spell would be easy enough.

He had also discovered that every Grand Magic required a certain level of mastery in its underlying magical disciplines.

They weren’t spells someone could learn merely by memorizing an incantation.

That wasn’t a serious obstacle for Marshall.

He had a System.

In theory, he could learn every Grand Magic in existence.

Fairy Tail’s Three Great Magics would all end up in his hands eventually, so there was no reason to rush.

His Thought Projection was currently in the laboratory studying Guga, attempting to determine whether other forms of energy could be converted into the power sustaining her existence.

With his main body unexpectedly free for the day, Marshall went to the guildhall and worked behind the bar so he could listen to gossip.

Whenever he decided to act as a server, Mira would naturally come over to help.

These days, she usually dressed like a gentle young housewife and carried herself with warm, graceful composure.

However, anyone foolish enough to cause trouble inside the guild would quickly discover the truth.

Within seconds, the sweet woman holding a broom could transform into a demon.

Her magic wasn’t the only terrifying part.

Even her gentle expression would vanish, replaced by the face of someone entirely prepared to beat an offender into the floor.

Autumn had already arrived, and the weather was growing colder.

Although Marshall had told Makarov not to worry too much about the guild’s problems, the moment he stepped into the guildhall that day, he could sense that something had changed.

The sudden influx of members had made the place considerably noisier.

On the surface, the atmosphere still resembled the Fairy Tail of old.

But people’s true feelings rarely appeared on the surface.

’Some of these newcomers are getting far too comfortable. They aren’t even official members yet, are they? And all this obvious flattery is starting to get annoying.’

’It’s so noisy lately! I can’t find a quiet corner anywhere. Did we really have to bring in this many people at once? I’m still not used to it!’

’Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe only care about strength when recruiting, right? Then there’s no reason to keep pretending to get along with these weak idiots! The strongest guild should only accept the strongest Mages.’

Countless restless thoughts flowed into Marshall’s mind, making him frown.

No wonder Makarov had been concerned.

The guild really had reached a troublesome point in its development.

Fairy Tail’s reputation had grown far too quickly, attracting more applicants than anyone had expected.

With so many strangers pouring in, it was inevitable that some questionable people would slip through.

For a guild that had previously placed almost no demands on its members, this new situation was difficult to manage.

Yet it was also exactly what Marshall had wanted to see.

He had once believed Fairy Tail’s unique charm would naturally change anyone who joined.

Now he realized he might have overestimated that power.

If they refused to adapt and simply allowed everyone to do as they pleased, the newcomers might change Fairy Tail before Fairy Tail could change them.

Marshall sighed.

He truly sacrificed far too much for this guild.

With no better option, he went to find Makarov again.

The old man was sitting behind his desk with a deeply troubled expression, apparently contemplating some serious problem.

As expected, being Guild Master placed an enormous burden on him...

Then Marshall heard his thoughts.

’What should I eat tonight?’

"..."

Never mind.

"Master, judging by your expression, anyone would think you were considering Fairy Tail’s long-term future."

"Oh, Marshall."

Makarov looked up and made no effort to hide his confusion.

"I was trying to think of something useful, but nothing came to mind."

"Young minds really are more flexible."

"To solve a problem, you first need to identify its core."

Marshall took a seat.

"What do you believe is Fairy Tail’s greatest problem right now?"

"Well... there are quite a few."

Makarov counted them off.

"The older members dislike many of the newcomers. The newcomers are eager to prove themselves and become official members as soon as possible."

"With so many more people, arguments have become more frequent..."

He paused.

"Well, perhaps not much more frequent than before, but the atmosphere turns unpleasant far more easily."

"And then there are those who joined with ulterior motives."

Makarov sighed quietly.

"There are so many problems."

"Marshall, is this truly the price of fame?"

"Fairy Tail was already famous before all this..."

Marshall rolled his eyes.

"What kind of wonderful reputation did we supposedly have?"

"We were praised by the Magic Council every other week—and by ’praised,’ I mean officially condemned."

"Whenever people heard Fairy Tail’s name, their first question was usually why we hadn’t been expelled from the guild alliance."

"You call that fame?"

"Ah..."

"The real problem isn’t fame or even profit."

Marshall shook his head.

"It’s that Fairy Tail has never established clear rules for dealing with either."

"The older members understand Fairy Tail’s culture because they’ve lived in it for years."

"The arrival of so many newcomers disrupted the environment they were accustomed to, so they feel as though something that belonged to them has been taken away."

"The newcomers, meanwhile, were attracted by Fairy Tail’s recent reputation."

"Most of them probably assumed that a guild earning so much money must provide excellent benefits to its members."

"Then we introduced the reserve-member system."

"They likely believe that once they become official members, they’ll gain access to far better treatment."

"If we mishandle that expectation, anyone who fails to receive those benefits will believe they’ve been cheated."

Marshall tapped the desk.

"That difference in expectations between the old and new members is the main cause of the current disorder."

"In other words, everyone feels as though they’re losing something."

"In the past, Fairy Tail’s fights rarely involved personal interests."

"But once actual benefits are involved, even ordinary arguments can turn ugly."

"So ultimately, the root of the problem is still the same—interests."

Makarov’s expression tightened.

"But Fairy Tail has never been a guild that cared about money!"

"Are you suggesting we change our name to ’The Guild of Profit’?"

"If people learn that we’ve become obsessed with wealth, Fairy Tail’s reputation will be ruined!"

"You’re asking us to betray everything the guild represents!"

"I will never permit Fairy Tail to become something like that!"

He suddenly slammed both hands on the desk.

"Marshall, perhaps we should close the factories."

"We don’t need this money!"

"You idiot!"

Marshall summoned the Ruyi Jingu Bang and smacked Makarov squarely on the head!

The blow nearly knocked the old man’s beard loose.

Makarov rubbed his freshly polished scalp, staring at Marshall in bewildered fury.

"You rotten brat! Have you lost your mind?"

"You dare attack your Guild Master?!"

"You deserved it!"

Marshall pointed the staff at him.

"I’ve never met an old man this stupid!"

"Listen to what you just said."

"We earned too much money, encountered some problems, and your solution is to throw the money away?"

"That’s called giving up eating because you choked once!"

"Did your brain get eaten by a Vulcan?"

Makarov paused.

Annoyingly, Marshall had a point.

The old man slumped back in his chair and sighed.

"But Mages don’t need that much money in the first place..."

"Fine. I was wrong."

"Then tell me what we should do."

"The solution is simple."

Marshall put away his staff.

"If the newcomers are causing trouble because they want more money and better benefits, then we give them something to work toward."

"A goal."

"A promise of future rewards."

"We don’t need to hand them money immediately."

"Instead, we establish clear standards. Once someone meets those standards, the corresponding benefits become available."

"As long as the requirements are transparent, anyone who earns enough can receive treatment equal to—or even better than—that of older members."

"And if you don’t want to make the system too complicated, there’s an even simpler solution."

"Since the guild’s businesses are already generating stable profits, improve the benefits of every official member."

Makarov blinked.

"How?"

"Do we simply give everyone money?"

"That doesn’t sound right."

"I’ve already told you not to think only about cash whenever someone mentions benefits."

Marshall shook his head.

"Many valuable things can’t be bought directly."

"I hadn’t planned to introduce this so soon, but we may as well do it now."

"Master, Fairy Tail needs an entirely new benefits system."

"You could call it insurance."

"We won’t simply hand money to guild members, but we can make sure they have nothing to fear if something goes wrong."

"Taking jobs is dangerous."

"If one of our Mages is injured, disabled, or killed during a commission, Fairy Tail should become the strongest shield protecting them and their family."

Marshall explained the basic concepts of accident insurance, medical coverage, disability compensation, and support for dependents.

Makarov listened in stunned silence.

Was this really the same man who had once founded Fairy Tail as a home for unruly children who only wanted somewhere to belong?

"This... actually sounds like an excellent idea."

Makarov’s eyes slowly brightened.

"It’s almost like placing all our troublesome children inside a very good cage!"

"Hahaha! Interesting!"

"Improved benefits become available once members meet the proper standards."

Marshall nodded.

"That gives everyone a goal and helps the guild operate more responsibly."

"In other words, it creates rules."

"There’s one more thing."

Marshall glanced around the cramped office.

"I recommend rebuilding—or rather, expanding—the guildhall."

"Our current building is becoming too small, and it no longer suits the strongest guild in Fiore."

"Once we expand, certain facilities can be reserved exclusively for official members."

"That would become another benefit."

"For example, the second floor could be redesigned as an area only full members may enter."

"We could also build hot springs, a swimming pool, a game hall..."

He paused thoughtfully.

"And the girls’ dormitory should probably be rebuilt too."

"A swimming pool!"

Makarov slapped the desk.

"That’s good! Very good!"

"Once these plans are implemented, Fairy Tail’s official membership will become something people genuinely envy."

"The older members will receive better treatment, so they’ll have less reason to resent the newcomers."

"The newcomers won’t complain as much about their current position either."

"Instead, they’ll be motivated to work hard and earn the right to become full members."

"That should ease most of the guild’s current problems."

Makarov nodded enthusiastically before hesitating.

"Still, this would require an enormous investment."

"We’d also need a dedicated department to administer the entire benefits system."

"True."

Marshall shrugged.

"But if I were Guild Master, that’s what I’d do."

Lately, Marshall suspected that he had behaved a little too competent.

Makarov had begun spending far too much time wondering how to place him in the position of Fifth Guild Master.

It left Marshall rather speechless.

He had never considered himself exceptionally intelligent.

He merely stood on the shoulders of giants and possessed knowledge from a more developed era.

When the people of this world encountered problems they had never seen before, Marshall could often provide a different answer because he viewed them from another perspective.

Ignoring the System and his other advantages, he was still an ordinary person with plenty of flaws.

He was lazy, enjoyed beautiful women, and had no grand ambition to rule the world.

Marshall had little interest in becoming Guild Master.

At heart, he was someone who favored his loved ones over abstract fairness. He doubted he could treat every member with complete impartiality.

His outlook simply wasn’t broad enough for the position.

More importantly, placing Marshall in charge would create one deeply troubling possibility he would rather avoid considering.

If he became Guild Master, Fairy Tail might gradually turn into Marshall’s private collection of beautiful older sisters.

So Makarov’s succession plan could remain a dream.

Marshall intended to follow Gildarts’s example and spend several carefree decades wandering wherever he pleased.

He wasn’t going to settle down anytime soon.

Why become Guild Master when he could spend his days stealing delicious little cakes from his sisters?

Ignoring Makarov’s increasingly obvious attempts to name him as a successor, Marshall decided the old man clearly needed more work.

As long as Makarov remained busy, he wouldn’t have time to entertain such dangerous ideas.

Making him draft Fairy Tail’s new member-benefits regulations was only the first step.

For Marshall’s next move, he turned his attention toward the Guild Master’s old friends...

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