Fairy Tail: Becoming stronger by spending money.

"Caesar, are you okay?"

Mirajane, still in her Take Over: Satan Soul form, flew over, her magic power completely drained.

In her exhausted state, she collapsed with a surprised cry.

"Be careful."

Caesar appeared beside her in a flash and caught her in a princess carry.

Mirajane froze for a moment—it felt like the first time Caesar had ever held her so intimately.

"Caesar!"

Just then, Makarov and the Fairy Tail members arrived in a hurry.

Seeing Caesar catch Mirajane, Makarov sighed in relief.

But his relief quickly turned into frustration as he stepped forward and smacked Caesar hard on the forehead with a knife hand strike.

"Oww!"

The blow was no joke—it hit straight to the tear ducts. Even Caesar teared up on impact.

"What a huge fuss you've caused!"

Makarov frowned at the tearful Caesar.

"I know... but man, it felt good."

Caesar grinned through the tears. His expression was strangely cheerful.

Makarov sighed. Caesar was clearly aware he had gone too far... but had no intention of changing.

"You'll probably be detained for a while."

"Better be mentally prepared."

"The S-Class exam is coming up, you know!"

"Guess I'll be sitting this one out."

"You... ugh, forget it."

Seeing Caesar acting like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water, Makarov couldn't do anything but shake his head.

In the end, these were his children—pampering them was inevitable.

And Makarov's concerns weren't wrong.

When the group returned to Magnolia's port, Caesar and Jellal were both put in chains and taken into custody.

As for Ultear?

She was kept hidden for now. Her transformation magic was excellent, and Makarov had plans that required her cooperation.

Millianna and the others, after learning the full story and seeing Caesar's strength firsthand, had no more rebellious urges.

But just like in the original events, they still felt ashamed to face Erza directly, so they decided to travel and see the world instead.

Erza saw them off with a heavy heart.

And with that, the incident was over.

…

"The criminal Jellal Fernandes is found guilty of tampering with forbidden magic, misuse of magical powers, and other related crimes.

However, due to a sincere confession and cooperative attitude, the court sentences him to four years in prison, effective immediately!"

Inside the Magic Council's courtroom, Jellal stood in chains and accepted his sentence.

He let out a long breath and turned to glance at the drowsy figure beside him.

Not just him—the entire council noticed.

Makarov, seated on the jury bench, covered his face in shame.

"So embarrassing..." he muttered.

The other jurors gave him silent side-eyes.

You're one to talk, dozing off in court.

Bang bang bang!

The presiding judge slammed the gavel, waking Caesar from his near slumber.

Caesar yawned, smacked his lips, and lazily looked up.

"Is it my turn?"

The judge twitched visibly, barely holding back his rage.

Stay calm... it's Fairy Tail... stay calm...

"Ahem!"

The judge cleared his throat and read the verdict aloud.

"Caesar of Fairy Tail Guild is charged with the destruction of a classified island due to excessive use of magic.

However, due to his significant contribution to the destruction of the R-System, the court sentences him to four months of confinement, effective immediately!"

"Four months is kind of long. Can't you knock it down a bit?"

Caesar tilted his head, trying to bargain.

Veins popped on the judge's forehead.

"Any more remarks, and I'll hold you in contempt of court and add two more months!"

"Tch."

Caesar clicked his tongue but didn't protest further. He was taken away without resistance.

Outside the courtroom, Makarov was waiting.

He walked up to Caesar, clapped him on the shoulder, and said, "Take this time to rest and realign yourself."

Then he leaned in close and whispered,

"This confinement isn't just a punishment. There's another reason—they're considering you for the Ten Wizard Saints.

It'd be good for you to show some effort."

Caesar nodded, understanding clearly.

Makarov patted him again before turning to leave.

Caesar was escorted to a solitary confinement chamber.

When the iron door creaked open, Caesar stepped in—and blinked in surprise.

A small living room.

Private bedroom.

Separate bathroom.

Even a tiny kitchen.

Confinement?

To Caesar, this was more like a mini vacation suite.

The iron gate shut behind him, and so began Caesar's "punishment."

But he was perfectly fine with it.

When he was bored, he drew cards, trained his body, exercised his magic, and napped when he got tired.

One day, on a whim, he shouted for ingredients and started cooking for himself.

All in all, it was pretty cozy.

As for becoming a Wizard Saint—Caesar wasn't in a rush.

With the offer on the table, they'd come to him eventually.

And even if they didn't?

He'd just walk out in four months and call it a day.

Two months passed.

Caesar even spent the New Year in that comfy little cell.

Then, on the morning of the first day of year X780, a visitor arrived.

Crawford Seam, Speaker of the Magic Council—a round old man with a beard and a perpetually pleasant expression.

He stepped into the solitary room, hands behind his back.

"Enjoying your stay?" he asked casually.

"Not bad."

Caesar replied with a relaxed grin.

Crawford smiled wider.

"That old Makarov should have told you. There's a vacancy among the Ten Wizard Saints.

Are you interested?"

"I am."

Caesar sat up.

"But if I take it, what's the cost?"

Crawford's grin widened further.

Smart guy, he thought. I like smart ones.

Caesar also smiled.

He knew exactly what this chubby old man was hiding behind that gentle look—an overwhelming hunger for power.

Crawford lived for his title as Speaker of the Magic Council.

And as the head of the continent's most powerful magical institution, he enjoyed significant privileges.

So what did Crawford want?

Simple.

Someone powerful to back him and keep him in his seat.

Caesar understood this perfectly.

After all, he knew the Magic Council would be destroyed multiple times in the future.

The "Wizard Saint" title was basically just a prestigious name.

And that cheerful old man?

Would be dead eventually.

For now, it was just about playing the part.

Caesar had no intention of being anyone's pawn.

But if it gave him freedom, influence, and perks in the meantime—he'd play the game.

As for being restrained by the title of Wizard Saint?

Have you ever seen Makarov cry to anyone because of it?