Chapter 145

The Guild Masters' meeting was held in Era, the Magic Council's headquarters.

Aiden sat in Fairy Tail's designated seat, looking bored.

He'd teleported here directly, bypassing the usual travel time. One of the perks of his abilities—he could be anywhere in Fiore within seconds if he wanted. The other guild masters had taken trains, carriages, or flown on borrowed magic. Aiden had simply thought about being here, and he was.

Made these meetings slightly less tedious.

Slightly.

The meeting room was large and circular, with a round table at its center. Each guild master had their seat, marked with their guild's emblem. Council representatives observed from raised platforms along the walls, their expressions varying from bored to intensely focused.

Makarov sat beside him, technically retired but still attending as an advisor. The old man looked amused at Aiden's obvious disinterest.

"Try to look like you care," Makarov whispered.

"I'm here, aren't I?" Aiden replied quietly. "That's more effort than most things deserve."

Around the table sat the other guild masters. Org from Lamia Scale, his massive frame making his chair look tiny. Goldmine from Quatro Cerberus, golden armor gleaming. Bob from Blue Pegasus, as flamboyant as ever. Master Ooba from Twilight Ogre, unpleasant as always.

And Jose Porla from Phantom Lord.

That one Aiden paid attention to.

Jose sat across the table, his expression neutral but calculating. There was something about the man that set off warning bells—ambition mixed with resentment, wrapped in a veneer of professionalism.

Aiden had dealt with people like Jose before. They were dangerous not because of their power, but because of what they'd do to obtain more of it.

"Order, please," Org called out, his booming voice silencing the chatter. "Let us begin."

The various guild masters settled into their seats.

"Thank you all for coming," Org continued. "We have several matters to discuss, but the most pressing concerns the recent activities of the Oración Seis."

Aiden's boredom evaporated.

Now this was interesting.

"What have they done now?" Goldmine asked.

Org gestured to a Council representative—Lahar, one of the Rune Knights' captains.

"Over the past three months," Lahar began, standing with documents in hand, "we've received reports of increased activity from the Oración Seis across eastern Fiore. Seventeen confirmed attacks. Merchant caravans, magical research facilities, and several smaller guilds that refused cooperation."

He distributed the documents. Aiden took his copy, scanning the contents in seconds.

Seventeen attacks. Multiple casualties. Significant property damage. And a clear pattern—they were searching for something specific.

"That's far more aggressive than their usual pattern," Bob said, his playful demeanor absent.

"Indeed," Lahar agreed. "The Council believes they're searching for something. Several of the facilities they attacked specialized in ancient magic and lost artifacts."

Aiden leaned back in his chair, processing.

In the original timeline, the Oración Seis had been searching for Nirvana—an ancient weapon that could transform light into darkness and vice versa. 

"Do we know what they're looking for?" Makarov asked gravely.

"We have theories, but nothing confirmed." Lahar looked uncomfortable. "What we do know is that Brain himself has been spotted leading several attacks. That's highly unusual."

"Brain doesn't expose himself without reason," Goldmine observed. "Whatever they're seeking must be incredibly valuable."

Or incredibly dangerous, Aiden thought.

"The Council has authorized the formation of a joint guild task force," Lahar continued. "We're asking for volunteers from each guild. Experienced mages who can track the Oración Seis, gather intelligence, and if possible, engage them."

The room fell silent.

Engaging the Oración Seis wasn't a simple task. Each member was S-Class level minimum, and Brain himself was rumored to rival the strongest guild masters.

Of course, Aiden could handle all six of them simultaneously without breaking a sweat. He'd fought beings that made the Oración Seis look like children playing with dangerous toys. 

Six dark mages, no matter how powerful, weren't a real threat to him.

But that wasn't the point.

"I'll volunteer Blue Pegasus's Trimens," Bob said immediately. "Hibiki, Eve, and Ren are skilled reconnaissance specialists."

"Lamia Scale will provide support," Org added. "I'll speak with Jura."

Other guild masters began volunteering their members. Aiden noticed Jose remained silent, watching the proceedings with calculated interest.

"Fairy Tail will participate," Aiden said, drawing everyone's attention.

Several guild masters looked relieved. Fairy Tail's reputation had grown significantly under Aiden's leadership—the guild that had completed a Hundred Year Quest, that housed some of Fiore's strongest mages, led by a master whose power was frankly terrifying to contemplate.

Having Fairy Tail involved made success far more likely.

"Thank you, Guild Master Aiden," Lahar said. "The Council appreciates—"

"On one condition," Aiden interrupted.

The room went quiet.

Lahar's expression became cautious. "What condition?"

"Full transparency. Complete intelligence sharing." Aiden's tone was casual, but there was steel underneath. "If I'm sending my people into danger, they get every advantage. Everything the Council knows about the Oración Seis—their movements, capabilities, goals, associates, everything. No holding back information because of politics or bureaucracy."

Several Council representatives shifted uncomfortably.

"That's... irregular," one of them said weakly.

Aiden's gaze shifted to the representative, and the man actually flinched.

It wasn't intentional—Aiden had simply looked at him. But there was something about being the focus of his attention that reminded people, on a primal level, that they were dealing with someone who could erase them from existence without effort.

"Let me be clear," Aiden said, his voice calm and reasonable. "The Council has its own forces. Rune Knights, battle mages, magical weapons, all of it. But you're coming to independent guilds instead. That tells me either you don't trust your own people to handle this, or you can't spare them."

He leaned forward slightly.

"Either way, you're asking us to take the risk. So we get the information. All of it. That's non-negotiable."

"Guild Master Aiden," Lahar said diplomatically, "the Council values the unique perspective that independent guilds—"

"Save the political speech," Aiden said, though not unkindly. "I'm not trying to be difficult. I just want my people to have every possible advantage. Full intelligence sharing, or Fairy Tail doesn't participate. Simple as that."

Makarov was definitely trying not to smile.

The Council representatives held a quick, whispered conference. Finally, Lahar nodded.

"Very well. Full intelligence sharing for all participating guilds. You'll receive detailed reports on everything we know."

"Good." Aiden leaned back, satisfied. "Then Fairy Tail is in."

Bob chuckled. "Always so direct."

"Life's too short for dancing around issues," Aiden replied. "Especially when my people's lives are on the line."

"A sentiment we can all appreciate," Goldmine agreed.

The meeting continued, discussing logistics and coordination. Aiden contributed where necessary but mostly observed, gathering information and forming his own conclusions.

Then Jose spoke.

"I have a question," the Phantom Lord guild master said suddenly.

Everyone turned to look at him.

"Yes, Guild Master Jose?" Lahar asked.

"These attacks by the Oración Seis," Jose said slowly, his eyes fixed on Aiden. "They've been targeting research facilities and artifacts related to ancient magic, correct?"

"That's correct."

"How interesting." Jose's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Fairy Tail recently returned from a Hundred Year Quest, did they not? Such quests often involve encounters with ancient magic and powerful artifacts."

The room temperature seemed to drop.

Aiden's expression didn't change, but something in his posture shifted. The casual boredom vanished, replaced by focused attention.

"Your point, Jose?" Makarov's voice had taken on a dangerous edge.

"No point, merely an observation." Jose's smile remained. "I simply wonder if Fairy Tail might have inadvertently drawn the Oración Seis's attention by possessing something they desire."

The room went very quiet.

Several guild masters looked uncomfortable. This was a serious accusation, even if phrased as speculation.

"Are you suggesting," Aiden said calmly, "that Fairy Tail is responsible for the Oración Seis's activities?"

"Not at all," Jose replied smoothly. "Merely suggesting that your guild should be... extra vigilant. If the Oración Seis believe you possess something they want, they may target Magnolia directly."

"Let them try."

Aiden's voice was soft, but it carried weight. The kind of weight that made the air itself feel heavier.

"I'd actually welcome it," Aiden continued, his tone conversational. "Saves me the trouble of hunting them down myself. If the Oración Seis wants to come to Magnolia, they're welcome to. It'll be educational for them."

Several guild masters shifted in their seats. They'd heard rumors about Aiden's power—stories that seemed too incredible to be true. A man who could fight Dragon Gods. Who'd mastered magic systems that shouldn't exist in this world. Who'd changed the fundamental nature of magic itself by introducing Pokemon.

Looking at him now, at the casual confidence with which he discussed facing one of Fiore's most dangerous Dark Guilds, those rumors seemed more believable.

"Such confidence," Jose murmured. "Though I suppose that's to be expected from Fiore's youngest guild master."

The jab was subtle but clear—implying inexperience, arrogance, overconfidence.

Aiden smiled.

It wasn't a friendly smile.

"You're right, Jose. I am young compared to most of you." His eyes locked onto the Phantom Lord master. "But age doesn't equal strength. Experience doesn't equal capability. And political games don't equal actual power."

The air in the room grew noticeably heavier.

"I've fought things that would make the Oración Seis look like children playing with dangerous toys," Aiden continued calmly.  “Six dark mages, no matter how powerful, don't concern me."

He leaned forward, his gaze never leaving Jose's.

"So if you're trying to plant seeds of doubt, to make the other guild masters question whether Fairy Tail is a liability, you're wasting your time. And if you're testing me to see how I'll react to provocation, consider this your answer."

Silence.

Jose's expression remained neutral, but something flickered in his eyes. Calculation. Recognition that he'd made an error in judgment.

"I meant no offense," Jose said after a moment. "Simply expressing concern for a fellow guild."

"Of course," Aiden replied, his tone light again. "We're all concerned about each other's wellbeing. That's why we're here."

The tension broke, but everyone in the room had felt it. Had seen the casual way Aiden had shut down Jose's political maneuvering with raw, undeniable presence.

Org cleared his throat. "Well then. Shall we continue with the logistics?"

The meeting proceeded, but the dynamic had shifted. The other guild masters now watched Aiden with a mixture of respect and wariness. Even those who'd known him for months were reminded that beneath the casual demeanor and occasional humor was someone operating on a completely different level.

Jose remained silent for the rest of the meeting.

An hour later, the meeting adjourned. Guild masters filed out, some in groups discussing the Oración Seis situation, others alone with their thoughts.

Makarov pulled Aiden aside as they left the chamber.

"That was quite the display," the old man said quietly.

"He was testing me," Aiden replied. "Trying to undermine Fairy Tail's position. Had to shut it down."

"You certainly did that." Makarov's expression was thoughtful. "But you also showed your hand a bit. Revealed how seriously you take threats to the guild."

"Good. Let them know." Aiden's tone was firm. "The Oración Seis, Jose, the Council—anyone thinking about moving against Fairy Tail should understand exactly what they're dealing with."

"And what are they dealing with?"

"Someone who doesn't lose."

Makarov chuckled despite the seriousness. "Arrogant, but I can't say you're wrong."

They stepped outside into Era's afternoon sun.

"I should get back," Aiden said. "Need to figure out who to send on this task force."

"Not going yourself?"

"Tempting. I could end the Oración Seis in an afternoon." Aiden's expression was thoughtful. "But that's not the point. The guild needs experience handling threats at this level. They need to grow, to be challenged, to prove themselves without me solving every problem."

"Wise," Makarov approved. "Though it must be difficult, knowing you could handle it easily but choosing not to."

"That's leadership," Aiden replied. "Knowing when to step back and let others rise to the occasion."

They separated, Makarov heading to meet with old friends while Aiden made his way to the teleportation gate.

As he walked, his mind was already working through possibilities.

The Oración Seis was searching for something. Jose had tried to imply Fairy Tail might be involved. And while that was political maneuvering, there might be a grain of truth to it.

Had something from the Quest drawn their attention?

He'd need to investigate. Review everything they'd brought back, check for any connections to what the Oración Seis might be seeking.

And he'd need to prepare his guild. Select the right team for the task force. 

The teleportation gate activated, light swirling around him.

Back to Magnolia. Back to his guild.

Time to prepare for whatever storm was coming.

Though honestly, Aiden almost hoped the Oración Seis would attack Magnolia directly.

It had been a while since he'd had a good workout.