The interior of the guild was very simply decorated, which Layla tentatively guessed was because the members were always causing trouble and the guild's funds had to go toward paying for damages from various mishaps, leaving them with no money for renovations.
Oddly enough, there was a boundless sea behind the guild. Even though this was the inland, Macao and Wakaba insisted it was just a lake. The lake was far too massive—was it really not connected to the ocean?
The entrance hall served as a tavern where anyone from the city could come in for food and drinks. Directly opposite the door was the bar counter and a bartending station, with the request board situated on the other side of the counter. At the back of the first floor were the infirmary and a few rooms.
Macao and Wakaba told Layla that the second floor was reserved exclusively for S-Class Mages because that was where the S-Class request board was located. Other members were not allowed up there without passing the S-Class exam. Violating this rule would result in punishment. There were many kinds of punishments, but whenever they mentioned that one particular punishment, they wore the expressions of doomed men and refused to reveal the slightest detail. Just what on earth was that punishment, anyway?
When Layla asked where the library was, Macao and Wakaba led him down to the basement library, where shelves held books detailing various spells and stories. Layla thought to himself that these must have been left behind by the first master. She had read so much—surely she hadn't moved the entire library from Tenrou Island here, had she?
After showing Layla around the guild, Macao and Wakaba introduced him to the other members. There were quite a few members in the guild, though the core members were still few in number; they would presumably trickle in as time went on.
However, Layla didn't see Laxus anywhere. He had seen him at the Fantasia parade earlier. Participating in the Fantasia parade meant Laxus must have already had a Dragon Slayer Lacrima implanted in him, otherwise Makarov wouldn't have let him join Fairy Tail. Later, Layla went to ask Makarov about something.
"Old man, why is our guild called Fairy Tail?" Layla still wanted to hear Makarov explain it in person.
"Do fairies have tails? Do fairies even exist? Because of that, it is an eternal mystery, an eternal adventure. Those are the words of our first master, and they are the original intent of our guild."
"What about the first master?"
"The first master has passed away. Her grave currently rests in the sacred grounds of our guild."
"Then, old man, do you know the first master's adventures?"
"I'm not entirely sure about that myself, but you can check the library. There might be records of her adventures in there."
Hearing Makarov's reply, Layla thanked the old man and headed toward the library. A little while later, Makarov came by to check on him.
"Layla, did you find it?" Makarov's voice rang out before he even stepped into the library.
"Found it, old man." Layla was sitting at a table, reading about the first master's adventures.
"Old man, can I take this book back with me tonight?" Layla asked, his eyes wide and pleading as he looked up at Makarov.
"Well, alright, but make sure you take good care of it and bring it back when you're done."
"That's great! Thanks, old man."
Layla continued reading in the library. During that time, Macao came by to ask him for some information regarding a job and gave him a bit of a reward. Afterward, Wakaba came as well. Watching their retreating figures, Layla felt a warmth spread through his chest, and his eyes grew slightly moist.
Although Layla had told Macao and Wakaba during the introductions that he had been traveling with his grandfather, his grandfather had business to attend to and had placed him in this guild while also providing living expenses, they still worried about him.
By evening, Layla left the guild carrying the book and stopped by a magic shop to buy some items he needed. He still had some money left over from before, and combined with the reward from Macao and Wakaba, it was more than enough.
Stowing the items in his backpack, Layla set off on his walk home. Strawberry Street had a river running right through the middle, with boats occasionally sailing down the water. Layla strolled along the steps by the water's edge, taking his time walking home.
"I'm home!" Layla called out as he opened the front door and stepped inside.
"Ah, how was it at the guild?" Hearing Layla's voice, August opened his bedroom door and walked out, stroking his beard with a gentle smile.
"It was great! And I even brought this back with me." Layla said, holding up the book in his hand.
"This is..."
"It's the story of Fairy Tail's first master's adventures. The guild master told me all about her today. It's a shame she's already passed away, but her grave rests in Fairy Tail's sacred grounds. This book—"
Hearing this, August froze slightly before falling silent, as if deep in thought. As Layla chattered on and on about the stories inside the book, August barely heard a word; one phrase kept echoing in his mind: *Her grave.*
"The first master started from Tenrou Island, saved Magnolia, and founded Fairy Tail right here. Ever since then, Tenrou Island has been the guild's sacred ground..."
"Well, Layla, could I borrow this book to read?" August looked at the animated Layla, suddenly feeling a surge of curiosity and interest in the book.
"Here you go, Grandpa."
August took the book from him, holding it with a mixture of excitement and hesitation as he flipped through a few pages, before handing it right back to Layla.
"Hehe, Grandpa, make a copy for me, will you?" Layla asked with an embarrassed smile as he took the book back.
"What else could you possibly want? Don't you already have it right there?" August pointed at the book in Layla's hands.
"I have to return it tomorrow, you know. This belongs to the guild."
August extended his left hand. A magic circle appeared, and a duplicate book materialized in his palm. He handed it to Layla and turned to head back to his room, but Layla's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Grandpa, when are you heading back?"
"I'll be heading back the day after tomorrow."
"Then Grandpa, can you take me to Tenrou Island tomorrow?"
"What are you going there for? Besides, can't you use Teleportation Magic yourself?"
"I want to go see the first master's grave, but it's too far away. I can't teleport that far."
"Fine." With that, August turned and walked into his room.
Holding the book, Layla stood in the living room and watched old man August slowly walk into his room. He could distinctly feel that the air had softened; the old man's mood was undoubtedly unsettled—he was probably reading the book in his room right now. With a soft sigh, Layla walked into his own bedroom.
In the center of the room stood a bed against one wall, fitted with soft pillows and accompanied by a gentle desk lamp on the nightstand. A bookcase stood against the wall next to the bed, its shelves currently empty. A desk sat near the window, holding a few books and pens. A wardrobe was placed between the desk and the sofa, keeping the space neat and tidy. A cozy armchair sat in the corner of the room near the desk, providing a comfortable spot for resting and reading.
Layla placed the duplicated book onto the bookshelf. There was only one book there for now, but little by little, the shelves would fill up.
Sitting down at the desk, Layla took out the magic item he had bought—a camera. He materialized Tom and had him help take a picture of him. In the photo, Layla looked slightly youthful, turning slightly to show the Fairy Tail emblem with a small smile on his face.
After looking at the photo, Layla dismissed Tom, opened his journal using magic, and tucked the photograph into the very first page while recording the events of his first day at the guild. Afterward, he set the journal aside and resumed reading the adventures of the first master.
Late into the night, Layla packed away his things, washed up, and went to bed. Meanwhile, in another room, August stood quietly looking out the window. Faint moonlight spilled across his face, and the book on his desk lay closed. Yet his gaze grew increasingly profound, the ripples in his heart refusing to settle.