Magnolia Town......

On the top floor of the fairytail guild, Makarov walks around his bedside. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 info has a wrinkled face with indescribable worry.

"Aren't you alright? Polyusica! ”

Makarov's interrogator was an old woman standing beside a small bed, her hands constantly releasing green energy. His purple hair was pulled up, and he was dressed in a red robe with dragon teeth, which was indescribably graceful and luxurious. There is an indescribable closeness and kindness to look at it.

However, this seemingly kind old grandmother. It's really not kind, as the chief healer of Fairytail. But he lived alone in the forest west of the town of Magnoria, and never interacted with anyone.

"Shut up!" Fairytail's chief physician, Polyusica, snorted coldly. "I've been walking around there since just now, and I'm dizzy when I see it."

Makarov smiled awkwardly, touched the back of his head, and replied in a slightly aggrieved voice: "Old man...... I, I'm not worried! ”

Polyusica glanced at him and replied, "Hold the honor of my fairytail chief physician, and I will give you this child completely." ”

Makarov breathed a sigh of relief, knowing full well how good his healing magic was for his old friend, who had never liked to interact with humans. Her shot made the old man let go of a lot of worries.

Looking at the young man who was still unconscious, Makarov's hand shrunk in his sleeve couldn't help but tighten.

Last night's battle with Joseph ended with a narrow victory for Makarov. Because he didn't want things to make too much trouble, Makarov didn't push too hard.

Fairytail will collect the debt, but not now. This group of outstanding young people ushered in a period of rapid growth, and after they have fully matured, it is the beginning of the counterattack.

As a president, he is also a father to the children. Makarov did not allow anyone to harm the children, but also kept his sanity.

He listened to Su Mo's persuasion and spared Joseph. It's just that I didn't expect that sinister and vicious guy to whip Su Mo so violently.

So much so that the boy fell into a coma again after the ghost's dominator was far away. He hasn't woken up yet.

"Joseph......" Makarov's eyes flashed with anger. If it weren't for sanity getting the upper hand, he would be like last night. Then go to the Ghost Dominator and divide them up.

"I don't know what you humans think......" he muttered as Polyusica spoke. Isn't it okay for such a young child to bear to do it, and be kind? ”

Polyusica is a pacifist who retreats into the forest because he is not used to seeing all kinds of rivalries between humans. However, every time she mentions these, she has a rhythm that she can't stop.

Makarov helplessly held his forehead and said: "Only fighting can grow quickly." It's just that this time things are a little beyond imagination. Who would have thought that Joseph would personally deal with a small child regardless of his identity? ”

"Humph!" Polyusica snorted coldly, "I don't know what growth is. All I know is that a boy of about ten years old was hit hard by unimaginable blows in your so-called fight. ”

"The magic trapped in him is enough to nullify all his magic."

Makarov's face changed, and he asked eagerly, "How is it?" Is there a way to get rid of it? ”

"What do you think I'm doing all this day? A mere trauma deserves me to sit here for so long? Polyusica was faintly dissatisfied, but also a little proud.

That's self-confidence in your own abilities.

The old woman stopped the maintenance of her magic and got up from her chair. With a casual face, he said, "All the death magic has been cleared by me, and this child should wake up soon." ”

"I'll go first." After speaking, without waiting for Makarov's answer, he drifted away.

The old man looked at Polyusica's back gratefully, how could he not see the tiredness in the other party's eyes?

After Polyusica left, there was silence in the attic on the top floor. All the members who wanted to come to visit Su Mo had been chased away by the old man long before Polyusica came.

In the cold attic for a while, only Makarov's sighs sounded from time to time.

I don't know how long it took, maybe an hour, maybe a minute. Su Mo, who was in a coma, finally opened his closed eyes with a mutter.

The dazzling light made him involuntarily lower his eyes, and it only improved slightly after a few breaths. It was Makarov's concerned gaze.

"Master...... Grandfather...? ”

"How does it feel? Child. The worry in Makarov's eyes was finally completely reduced by half, and he asked softly.

"It's okay...... Su Mo smiled, "It's just that I don't need any strength." ”

Joseph's death magic was physically deprived, and he was paralyzed by the Death Soldiers. What's more, Su Mo was directly impregnated with the magic of death.

Momentary weakness is purely normal.

"I'm sorry, Su Mo." Makarov looked apologetic. This time, in the end, it's half of his responsibility.

Su Mo smiled reluctantly and didn't say anything. But the expression made Makarov understand what he meant.

The boy seemed to be very smiling, and I wonder if he used to live in a very happy family. Perhaps, it's because I forgot the past that I want to grasp the happiness I have now.

Therefore, Su Mo has been laughing, and he will only laugh. Whether it was apologies, joy, or anger, the boy always smiled back.

Even now, he laughs. The silent comfort was like a hot spring, moistening Makarov's heart.

Makarov also smiled, the boy always had a closeness that was hard to refuse. Gray, Kana, and Libby, not even Elusa and Laxus could refuse his approach.

Su Mo looked at Makarov's suddenly smiling expression, a little unclear. However, his current lying position made him uncomfortable. I subconsciously moved my body, wanting to change to a comfortable position.

But he couldn't help but think of the nightmarish experience of last night, and the fear of death made him almost succumb. A pair of crystal eyes revealed a little gloom.

"Grandpa...... I'm such a coward. ”

"Huh?" Makarov looked at him, not understanding why Su Mo said this.

"Joseph forced me to kill Elusa......" Su Mo's voice trembled a little, it was definitely the history he didn't want to remember the last time.

"I'm so scared...... At that time, I was even shaken. I actually had the slightest intention of killing Elusa. ”

"Grandpa...... Am I too cowardly? ”

"Alas......" Makarov sighed, his old hand rubbing Su Mo's black hair, and said in a deep voice, "But you still didn't choose to give in." ”

"Listen, kid. Fear is not a sin, it is the process of knowing one's own weakness, and when one understands one's own weakness, one can become gentle and stronger. ”

"No one is not afraid of death. However, Su Mo, you choose the former between companionship and death. You're a good magician, I'...... Proud of you. ”

Su Mo looked at Makarov in a daze, and a trace of crystal appeared in his eyes. Two lines of tears dripped down his cheeks and fell onto the pillow, soaking his quilt.

From last night until now, he has been in a coma for almost a day. And in a coma, he was not completely unconscious.

Filled with humiliation and guilt, he was locked in darkness, and he dreamed more than once that he had killed Elusa with his sword. More than once condemned and disgusted with his own cowardice.

Makarov's words broke through the gloom in his heart and brought endless light and warmth.

Yes, fear is not a sin. It is the process by which man learns about his own weakness, and only when he discovers his own weakness. In order to become stronger, to become gentle.

A powerful seed was planted in the boy's heart at this moment, and under the irrigation of faith and friendship, it would eventually grow into a towering tree that sheltered from the wind and rain.

On the hospital bed, the boy kept in mind the old man's teachings.