"Oh, Minerva? That's a strong name, I really like it." Smiling, Lucy glanced at Minerva, who dug her face into my back, probably embarrassed from being complimented. "T-Thank you."
"Anyway, where do you know where you live, Minerva? We can take you home." At Cana's words, I felt Minerva's body go stiff, causing me to furrow my brows. "H-Home? Gazania. I-I live in Gazania." Although it was a bit surprising, it also made sense; however, I was more interested in her tone, which didn't sound happy or excited.
'She's probably still traumatized.' Softly sighing, I internally vowed to find the dark mages responsible for her current state and slaughter them all; however, until then, I'd make sure Minerva returned home safely.
"Gazania? Perfect! We just left that city barely an hour ago; don't worry, we'll get you home before noon." Seemingly more excited than Minerva, Lucy grinned while placing her hands on her waist and puffing her chest out as she stared at Minerva.
"Hmph, alright, Superman, lead the way, leader." Gently kicking Lucy's butt, I forced her to the front. She huffed, shooting me a glare before walking down the path, leading us out of the forest. "Whose Superman?" "Some dude from a book." Glancing at Minerva, who was resting her chin on my shoulder, I felt a pair of eyes boring into my side, prompting me to look at Cana.
"What? Why are you staring at me?" Raising a brow in confusion, I stared back at Cana, who suddenly threw a fire card at my abdomen, causing it to break. "Tch, the he-heck was that for?" While her attack did nothing, that didn't mean I was just going to let it slide. "Huh, so you really are big bro?"
Before I could question her, I was suddenly hit with an arrow in my forehead, prompting me to snap my gaze forward, where I saw Sagittarius standing beside Lucy, who was walking backwards. "Why the fu-freak are you two attacking me!?" As my face twitched in annoyance, I glared intensely between Lucy and Cana, the former dispelling her celestial spirit.
"You said you read a book." "Big bro wouldn't ever read a book." Hearing Lucy and Cana's responses, I gritted my teeth in anger, a vein nearly popping on my forehead as I glared at the two of them.
However, before I could punish them for their stupidity, soft laughter rang out, making us look at Minerva, who had been watching us. When she saw us staring at her, a blush quickly filled her cheeks, and she lowered her head, hiding her face behind me. "Tsk, you're lucky my hands are filled." Baring my fangs at my two stupid little sisters, I promptly ignored them.
"Hmm, keep a close eye on him, Lucy. I don't fully trust him yet." "Got it." As the two finished their nonsense, Cana started conversing with Minerva. "So, Minerva, what magic do you use?" Curiously, Cana looked up at Minerva, who slowly lifted her head. "Umm, S-Spatial Magic." "Spatial Magic? Sounds pretty strong."
"Since you use magic, you're probably part of a guild, right? What Guild?" Turning back around, Lucy glanced at Minerva, prompting me to kick a pebble at her forehead. "Ouch!" "Why don't you use that brain of yours. She said she lives in Gazania, the guild would obviously be Pussytooth." "It's Sabertooth, big bro." "Pussytooth, Sabertooth, something." "It's really not, but okay." Shrugging her shoulders, Cana returned to asking questions about Minerva, prompting us to learn more about her.
She was an only child; she apparently liked to cook; her full name was Minerva Orland; she was twelve years old; and her birthday was only a few months away.
"Um, w-what about you, C-Cana? W-When is your birthday?" Taking the initiative to speak first, Minerva looked at Cana, who widely grinned while flicking her hair behind her shoulders. "Heh, mine is also in a few months; I'll turn 18. If you're curious about the others, Lucy is the same age as me and the stupid oaf carrying you is 23, basically an old man." Pointing at Lucy, who winked at Minverva, Cana shifted her finger to me while her words caused me to growl.
"Tch, I'm still young." "Yes, yes. Whatever you say, just remember to take your medicines, big bro." Glaring at Cana with a twitching expression, I would've chopped her head, but Minerva would always end up laughing from our bickering, so I just let it slide. "Hehehe, an old man." Hearing Minerva, I stared intensely at Cana, who averted her gaze and began whistling.
"I-Is your name, big bro?" As Minerva asked me a question, her hesitance mainly having vanished, I shook my head. "No, my name is Cooper." "Cooper? No last name?" "No. I was born in a small village where last names weren't needed, so I never got one." "What about your magic?" "I use Indestructible Magic, think of it like an advanced version of strength magic." "W-What guild are you guys a part of?"
"Hehe, the greatest guild in all of Earthland! Fairy Tail!" Proudly puffing her chest out, Lucy grinned while showing off her guild mark, causing Minerva to widen her eyes. "F-Fairy Tail!?" "A-Aren't they the strongest guild in Fiore?" "Yep. Fairy Tail is just that spectacular." Flicking her hair, Cana winked at Minerva.
Knowing we were from Fairy Tail, Minerva began to enthusiastically ask us all sorts of questions, what type of quests we get, what it's like being an S-class mage, how strong Gramps is, etc. We answered every question she had as we returned to Gazania.
When we began to near the city, I interrupted the trio's conversation. "Lucy, Cana, go inside and buy Minerva some clothes." Glancing at the two, they shifted their gaze to Minver, who was still wearing nothing but Cana's jacket, causing them to nod. "Alright." "We'll be back, Minerva." Waving their hands, they headed to the entrance while I walked off to the side, away from the population.
Sitting down on the ground, I let Minerva down, allowing her to sit beside me, though when I noticed she was shivering slightly, I placed her on my lap, using my body heat to warm her. "You're a part of the Sabertooth Guild, but where is your guild mark? I didn't see it on you." With my arms wrapped around her waist, I looked down at her, causing her to lower her head.
"My Fath–The Guild Master hasn't permitted me to join yet. He said I'm not strong enough to wear the name of Sabertooth." Noticing the enthusiasm and her smile disappear at the mention of Sabertooth, I frowned and started to grow suspicious. "Well. You can always join Fairy Tail. We don't care about how strong you are. Take Lucy, for example; when she joined a year ago, she was pathetically weak. Even you were probably stronger than her."
Minerva briefly smiled before it quickly faded away. "T-Thank you, Cooper." "Hmm, well, if that's what you want. Just know if you need help, send a letter to Fairy Tail; I'll come no matter what." Following my words, Minerva snuggled deeper into my chest while faintly nodding. "Thanks."
After waiting for nearly half an hour in silence, Cana and Lucy finally returned, carrying more than just one outfit, which I suppose would explain why they took so long. "Sorry, we didn't know which one you'd like. We just got you a few pairs." "C'mon, try them on, Minerva." Helping Minerva to her feet, I closed my eyes while Lucy and Cana helped her get dressed.
"Can I open my eyes?" "Yep. How does she look, big bro? Beautiful?" Opening my eyes, I looked at Minerva, who wore a black-and-white, tight-fitting dress that complemented her black hair. "Beautiful isn't the word I'd use on a child. She is pretty, though." Blankly eyeing Lucy, who tries to cutely chuckle, I glance back at Minerva before nodding.
"C'mon, let's get you back home now." Tossing Minerva into the air, I caught her and placed her on my shoulders as I began walking towards the entrance of Gazania.
With the two following me, we entered Gazania, walking down the street toward Sabertooth atop the hill in the center of the city. However, as we drew closer to the guild, Minerva tightened her grip on my hair while her body would sometimes grow tense.
Walking up the hill, several minutes later, we finally arrived at the entrance of the guild, prompting me to set Minerva down. "We've arrived. Do you want us to go inside with you?" Fixing Minerva's hair, I looked down at her as she stared silently at the entrance before meekly shaking her head. "N-No." "Here, don't forget your new clothes."
Smiling, Cana handed Minerva the extra outfits. "Oi, remember to send a letter if you need help." Folding my arms, I stared at Minerva, who raised her head and looked at us before smiling. "Thank you, guys." Brightly smiling, Minerva waved at us before entering the guild.
Watching the door close, I shifted my gaze to the side and lunged forth, grabbing a large, burly man with a pink pony-tail and a completely bandaged face by the neck. "W-Who a-are you!?" The man, who had been peeking at us ever since we arrived, was barely able to force out those words from how tightly I held his neck.
"You're a part of Sabertooth, right?" While he struggled to free himself, I leaned closer, staring into his eyes, causing him to rapidly nod. "Good. Let me make this clear. If anything happens to Minerva, you're to report to me, Cooper of Fairy Tail. Do you understand?" Seeing him fail to nod, I continued to squeeze his neck, causing him to nod.
"Good. Now get the fuck out of my face." Letting him go, the man quickly stood up, coughing and staring at me in fear before entering the guild.