It had been about a week since that day. Astro had just finished helping Master Makarov sort through some documents and was now sitting at the bar table in a corner. The master was already dozing off beside him, while Astro quietly read a book about the train routes in Ishgar.
Mira on the other side was accepting some guild member's job request and stamping it. After waving them goodbye, she went back to writing notes.
Shawn, who was sitting next to him sipping on a drink, saw others going to missions and suddenly spoke up.
"Astro-nii, I want to do a job too."
Astro raised an eyebrow. He glanced toward Mira, who was busy jotting down notes behind the bar, and asked,
"Mira, is there any restriction that stops kids from doing missions?"
Mira didn't look up from her writing as she replied,
"No. As long as the Master approves and there are no age requirements in the mission request, they can take missions even on their own. But depending on the job, sometimes they're required to go with an adult."
Astro nodded. That made sense. Wizards were still a rare population, and this wasn't the modern world. It was common for young wizards to take on easier jobs that still required magic. The payment for some jobs wasn't high enough to interest most adults, but for a kid, it was good training and enough money.
He turned to Shawn.
"Then how about we check the mission board? Let's see what kind of job catches your eye."
Shawn's eyes lit up, and he nodded happily. Even though everyone in the guild took good care of him, it was boring being the only one his age with nothing to do.
Astro led Shawn over to the mission board. As always, there was one person standing there.
"Nab, you still haven't found a mission for yourself?" Astro asked, though he already knew the answer.
"Well… none of these missions seem to suit me, Astro," Nab replied, scratching his head.
Astro gave him a wry smile.
"Well, good luck. I hope you find one that fits you." Of course, he had no real hopes. Nab had been staring at that board since the day he joined the guild and still hadn't picked a single job.
Turning back to Shawn, Astro asked,
"So, what kind of mission are you interested in?"
The gray-haired boy studied the board with a serious face.
"I want something that lets me fight," Shawn said firmly.
Astro sighed and rubbed Shawn's head.
"You're still too young. For your first mission, pick something simple—like a delivery or a collection job." He pointed at one of the easier tasks pinned to the board.
Shawn pouted, clearly not happy about being underestimated, but he didn't reject Astro's goodwill either.
As Astro was scanning the mission board with Shawn, he suddenly heard footsteps behind him, followed by a familiar voice.
"Hey, Astro, how about you help us with a job instead? I think this one will be interesting for Shawn too."
Turning around, Astro saw Cana strolling toward him with Gray trailing behind her.
"Is it a mission about finding more clothes?" Astro asked with a deadpan look.
Gray blinked, confused, before glancing down and realizing he had somehow stripped down to his underwear without noticing.
"Eh? When did that happen…?"
Cana burst out laughing while Shawn tilted his head, clearly not understanding what was funny..
"That kind of mission sounds boring. Who'd want to find some clothes? What we've got is way better," Cana said, handing a mission poster to Astro.
Astro took the poster, his eyes narrowing with interest as he read. It was a request from another kingdom—the Kingdom of Joya.
The issuer was a noble family there, asking for help to recover a missing magical item. Details would only be explained once they met the client.
"So we're being asked to track down a missing item? The reward is way too high for something like this…" Astro muttered. "And Joya Kingdom isn't exactly close to here. Couldn't another guild in Joya have handled this?"
He thought about it—thanks to the train system, it would only take a few days to get there, but it was still unusual.
Cana crossed her arms and explained, "Most kingdoms don't have guilds as strong as ours. Joya just got a new queen not long ago, and the kingdom's still unstable. So the noble sent requests out to multiple guilds across the continent to find the missing item.. Honestly, even if we don't recover the item, they'll pay a big sum just for trying. But if we do succeed, we get the full reward."
Astro finished reading the poster. As Cana had said, the amount being offered was enormous—enough to tempt even veteran S-Class wizards.
"Oh, I see. You needed at least three people for this job, so you came to me," Astro said flatly.
Cana grinned shamelessly, scratching her head. "Well, I also heard Erza praising you. Said you're reliable and pretty smart too."
Astro didn't comment. Instead, he turned to Shawn.
"What do you think? Do you want to take this job?"
Shawn shrugged, though his eyes were sparkling with excitement. He had been hoping for something with action. Hearing there will be other strong people excited him. And since it was with Cana and Gray—two people he liked too—he was even happier about it.
Astro's face went flat as he messed up the kid's head. He could already see it—if left unchecked, Shawn was on the fast track to growing up into another Natsu. And one Natsu in the guild was already more than enough.
"Alright then. It's settled," Cana said cheerfully. She snatched the poster back and skipped off toward the bar counter. "I'll go tell Mira and get this approved!"
Astro was still ruffling Shawn's hair, half to show affection and half to annoy him on purpose, when Gray walked up.
Gray extended his hand politely.
"I guess we never properly introduced ourselves. I'm Gray Fullbuster. I use Ice-Make magic… and, uh, sorry about the stripping habit. When I was learning my magic from my master, I picked up this bad quirk of stripping my clothes." He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed.
Astro studied the young man. Compared to Natsu's explosive energy, Gray gave off a much calmer, more grounded presence. He actually felt… normal. That impression might've lasted longer if Gray wasn't unknowingly slipping his jacket off at that very moment.
Astro still shook his hand with equal politeness.
"Astro Blackmist. I use Sky Devil Slayer magic."
Gray's eyes flashed with curiosity.
"I've heard about that. Were you actually taught by a devil?"
Astro didn't sense any hostility from Gray—But there was some unease and genuine interest, which Astro found interesting. Gray seemed to be a little wary of devils in particular.
"Yeah," Astro admitted. "By Alvemak Blackmist, the Sky Devil."
Gray frowned slightly, but his tone was thoughtful rather than accusatory.
"That's… interesting. Was that devil not evil?"
Astro pointed at Gray's half-dropped jacket until Gray realized and tugged it back on. Then Astro shrugged.
"Evil is subjective, isn't it? At least, he was kind to me."
He paused, memories surfacing that still left him unsettled. Before waking up in this world, Alvemak had killed a lot of people around him.. Though, in truth, those people had held him captive in Inca. To make matters worse, Astro's memories of the year before that incident were hazy, fragmented—missing pieces he couldn't fit together.
What he did remember was an ordinary life as he grew up in a quiet, remote village with his father. His father died when Astro was only thirteen. And then… just a few months of surviving on his own before somehow waking up bound and helpless in Inca, a whole year later. He has no idea how he became a captive there.
The thoughts tightened in his chest, pulling his expression into something darker without him realizing.
"Are you okay, Astro?" Gray asked with concern.
Astro blinked, shaking it off.
"I'm fine. Just got lost in thought for a second. Let's go meet up with Cana."
He gestured toward the bar counter where Cana was now somehow arguing with Master Makarov, with the mission poster in her hand.
Gray looked at Astro's back thoughtfully, he understood Astro did not want to talk about it more, as it was probably a bad memory. So he did not ask Astro more about the devil.
He glanced toward the bar counter, and followed after Astro. Shawn trailed along at their side.
They arrived just in time to hear Cana's voice rise, frustration written all over her face.
"But gramps, I can lead the job perfectly fine!" she argued, hands planted on her hips.
Master Makarov sat at the bar table, arms crossed, shaking his head firmly.
"No can do."
Astro blinked at the scene. "What happened?" he asked, sliding into the conversation.
Makarov gestured for Cana to explain herself. She pouted, pointing at Astro like it was his fault.
"Master said you have to be the leader for this mission. Otherwise, he won't approve of it!"
Astro's brow rose, but before he could reply, Gray spoke up calmly.
"And where's the problem with that? If gramps trusts Astro, then I'm fine with it."
Astro was a little surprised Gray accepted it so readily. He turned back to Makarov.
"Is there a reason it has to be me?"
Makarov leaned back, stroking his moustache, then sighed heavily. His usual warmth faded, leaving behind the serious weight of a guild master.
"This job isn't a simple one. There will be many guilds from Ishgar involved—some even from Fiore. I don't care if you get into scraps here on a normal mission, but if you cause trouble outside, especially with other guilds, it is going to affect Fairy Tail's reputation as a whole. One wrong step could damage us far more than you realize."
He shifted his gaze to Cana, softening slightly.
"Cana, you are a great wizard—if you were not., I wouldn't even be considering you for S-Class candidacy for the last two years. But this time, I need someone I know will stay level-headed. As other guilds will try to provoke you, and I can't have anyone rising to the bait. That's why I'm putting this in Astro's hands."
Cana looked away, lips pressed tight. She clearly wanted to argue, but Makarov's reasoning left little room. After a long pause, she let out a reluctant sigh and nodded toward Astro.
Astro took the hint, glancing at Shawn and Gray. Both only shrugged—Shawn's expression saying he'd follow Astro anywhere, and Gray's saying if the master trusted him, then so would he.
Astro finally met Makarov's gaze, giving a casual smile.
"Then I'll lead this mission. Don't worry, Master—I'll make sure nothing happens that comes back to bite Fairy Tail."
Master Makarov's expression softened as he looked at Astro. He reached for the mission poster and pressed his stamp down, approving it. Then his gaze shifted to Cana.
"Cana, don't be stubborn," Makarov said gently, but firmly. "You've got more mission experience than most of your peers, and no one doubts your strength. But lately… you've been pushing yourself too hard.. That kind of impatience can cloud your judgment. This time, take it slow. Learn from Astro and Gray, see things from their perspective."
Cana froze at his words, her pride hurting a bit. But when she saw the sincerity in the old master's eyes, the frustration in her chest began to settle. She let out a small laugh, brushing her hair behind her ear.
"You're right, Gramps. I guess I was being too stubborn."
She forced a smile and nodded toward Astro. It wasn't full acceptance—as Astro could still see the flicker of resistance in her eyes—but it was enough for now.
Astro watched as things settled down in their own way. With the argument resolved, he straightened his posture and spoke with authority.
"We need to reach Joya before the start of next week. Rest well and pack your bags by tonight—we'll take the first train in the morning to Joya Kingdom at 8."
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison. Even Shawn, who had been clinging to him earlier, darted off to prepare. One by one, the team dispersed, leaving only Astro in front of the bar. He glanced at Master Makarov, who had already slouched into his chair and shut his eyes, pretending to nap.
Astro walked closer, lowering his voice.
"So… what was the real reason you put me in charge? I can understand Cana being a bit unreliable at times, but Gray's calm-headed. If you had named him leader, Cana wouldn't have fought it nearly as hard."
Makarov cracked one eye open, sighing. "Honestly, most guilds in Ishgar are harmless. They won't pick fights for no reason. But this request… it's been scattered across every guild's board in Fiore at least.. So, whoever posted it is desperate. And those kinds of people…"
"…don't stop at light guilds," Astro finished, his tone serious. "If they're nobles in a kingdom that just changed its throne, they'd be bold enough to call on dark guilds too in the midst of the chaos."
The old master gave a small nod, not at all surprised that Astro had pieced it together.
Astro frowned. "Then why not let Cana lead? What makes her unfit?"
Makarov hesitated, stroking his chin. Before he could speak, Mira, who had been quietly wiping down the counter, leaned closer and whispered.
"Master's worried for her. Cana failed the S-Class trial twice. She's desperate to prove herself now. We are afraid that she'll take unnecessary risks to force her worth."
Astro raised a brow. That surprised him. From what he'd seen, Cana wasn't anywhere near Erza's level. To hear that she had even attempted the S-Class exams was kind of shocking.
Makarov caught his expression. "Don't misunderstand. Cana may not have the raw power of Erza, but she was the first of her generation to join the guild. She's taken on more jobs than most of your peers. Experience matters too, Astro. That's what qualifies her."
Astro considered that carefully before giving a small nod. "I see. Then don't worry, Master. I'll watch over Cana and the rest. I won't let Fairy Tail's name be dragged through the mud."
He turned to leave, but behind him, Makarov muttered under his breath, "As if our guild even has a reputation left to sully…just come back safely."
Astro chuckled quietly, and Mira, overhearing, couldn't help but laugh too.
At a room in Fairy Hill
Cana zipped her bag shut with more force than necessary, still irritated at how Master had placed Astro above her. She knew she had overreacted, but that only made it sting worse—her outburst had proved Makarov right. Pouting, she flopped onto her bed, staring at the ceiling before dragging open the drawer of her nightstand.
Inside, tucked away, was a photograph of the guild—taken a long time ago when she was just a child.. Everyone was crowded together, smiling in that messy, chaotic way that only Fairy Tail could. Cana's lips curled into a small smile as her gaze wandered over the familiar faces, then froze on one figure with unruly orange hair.
Her expression softened.
"Someday… I'll become an S-Class wizard. And I'll finally tell you, old man."
Her smile wavered, replaced by a quiet ache. Those simple words—so small, yet so heavy—had eluded her time and again. She pressed the photo against her chest, whispering as though the figure could hear her through time and distance.
"Just… stay safe. Until I'm ready."
The room fell into silence, broken only by the faint rustle of leaves outside her window.
At Gray's Room
Gray had just finished folding the last of his clothes into his bag when his mind wandered back to earlier. Astro's calm introduction replayed in his thoughts.
'A devil slayer, huh…'
He leaned back on the bed, staring at the ceiling with furrowed brows. Ever since he came back from his last mission, the guild had been buzzing with talk about Astro's magic. Gray didn't doubt Astro's words but it intrigued him quite a lot.
"If I had that kind of magic back then…" he muttered under his breath, "…would I have been able to stop Deliora? Would Master Ur still…"
The thought twisted like a blade in his chest. He clenched his fists, then shook his head sharply.
"No. That's wrong. It wasn't about the magic—it was me. I was too weak."
Taking a steadying breath, his eyes sharpened with determination.
"But now, I've grown. With the ice make magic Master Ur left me, I'll protect everyone I care about. I am no longer the weak and helpless boy from before."
Still, no matter how firmly he tried to not think about it, it lingered stubbornly at the back of his mind.
Devil Slayer magic
Meanwhile
Astro and Shawn were packing their bags in their small apartment. Astro, who never carried much to begin with, finished quickly and turned his attention to helping Shawn fold and tuck away his things.
"Are you scared?" Astro asked casually, not looking back as he arranged a few items.
"No," Shawn answered immediately. The word came too fast, too firm. Astro didn't reply, and the silence stretched.
"A little bit… maybe," Shawn admitted at last, his voice quieter this time.
Astro chuckled softly. Of course Shawn was excited for the mission, but excitement and fear often went hand in hand. And truth be told, this job was far from simple—perhaps one of the worst choices for a first mission.
Turning around, Astro crouched so he could meet Shawn's eyes directly. His expression grew serious.
"If you don't want to, you can still quit. No one is forcing you, and no one will be disappointed if you back out."
Shawn's small fists clenched tightly. He thought about it, his face tightening with conflict. Finally, he lifted his gaze with determination burning in his young eyes.
"No. I want to go. Everyone in the guild has been so kind to me… I know they wouldn't mock me if I refused. But if I run away now, I won't get stronger. And if I can't get stronger, I won't be able to protect you—or anyone else in the guild."
Astro's smile softened. He reached out and ruffled Shawn's hair.
"Then I'll wait for that day—when you're strong enough to protect me. But until then, on this mission… you follow my lead. Understood?"
Shawn nodded firmly. He knew how far ahead Astro was, how vast the gap in their strength remained. But someday, he vowed, he would stand shoulder to shoulder with him—not as a burden, but as an equal.
Astro stood and let out a quiet chuckle at the boy's seriousness. He drifted into the kitchen to prepare dinner, the weight of leadership pressing faintly on his shoulders. This would be his first mission as a leader. He didn't know how it would play out, but one thing he promised himself above all: he would bring every single one of them back home safely. The rest could wait.