Chapter 301: Honesty
"Tell me, Vahn, are you happy with your current life...?" asked Makarov, his expression serious but his tone patient.
"I am," affirmed Vahn, nodding for effect and attesting, "There are many things I wish I had done differently, but I’m too blessed to be dissatisfied with my life."
"Then consider this the ramblings of an old man," said Makarov, exhaling faintly from his nose before advising, "You should talk to those closest to you—the ones who have set you on your current path. From what you’ve said, it’s clear they care for you but that you have very different views on what’s normal or acceptable. You must reconcile these differences or the values you sought to uphold, and the person you once aspired to become will be replaced by what others need you to be. That isn’t freedom. And it isn’t your responsibility to shoulder the burden of everyone who comes to you in search of success or an escape..."
Gazing out over the plunge basin below, Makarov reflectively paused for several seconds before adding, "This may not be what you want to hear, but it sounds to me like you’ve traded one prison for another. You sought normalcy and should have been allowed to enjoy it. Instead, you’ve been elevated to the position of a God and someone others can use to elevate themselves..."
"..."
Unable to refute Makarov’s words, Vahn gazed out over the horizon in contemplative silence. It was true that people used him to elevate their status or secure their positions, but he permitted it for the sake of the Dragon’s Pavilion. More to the point, if he didn’t have at least a marginal interest in the person approaching him, it wouldn’t matter what they said or did; he wouldn’t accept or support them.
"I will talk to those I generally receive advice from..." affirmed Vahn, his voice low as he added, "But you’re wrong about me being responsible for those who come to me—at least before this conversation. My word is my promise, so I can’t push away those like Wendy after they’ve spent years pining after me. I agree that it would be better if she found someone else, but if she chooses me, I will do my utmost to make her happy."
"Mmn...I can’t bring myself to agree with that, but I also understand your position..." affirmed Makarov, closing his eyes and exhaling loudly from his nose before rising to his feet and conceding, "But Wendy is ultimately free to choose her own path, just as Erza and the others have. All I have left to say on the matter is that you, too, should be free to choose yours..."
Placing his hand on Vahn’s right shoulder, Makarov gave it a few light pats before levitating a few centimeters off the stone ledge and diving down to the plunge basin below. Instead of dropping into the water, he unhurriedly changed direction, producing a smooth, sloping curve before leveling out and flying in the direction of Fairy Tail’s transient Guildhall with the speed of a diving falcon.