That evening, Dispel followed Kira back to Hoplite's Haven.
"So, why exactly are you crashing at my place?" Kira asked.
"Isn't it obvious? If you don't let me stay, I'll have to sleep on the streets! Imagine the headlines in Magnolia tomorrow: 'Fairy Tail's Legendary Kira Sleeping on the Streets!' That'd be a headache for you, right?" Dispel grinned.
"I couldn't care less about rumors like that!" Kira shot back, pushing open the shop's door.
Hoplite's Haven had a storefront on the first floor for business, while the upper floors served as Kira's living quarters.
"It's all about face!" Dispel said, slapping his own cheek with a crisp sound. "If word got out that the great 'Sage' Kira was caught napping on the streets, where would your pride go?"
"Fine, you can sleep on the couch!" Kira grumbled, grabbing a nearby object and tossing it at him. "If you think it's bad for your back and want the floor, be my guest."
Dispel, with his quick reflexes, didn't even look as he caught the thrown book with ease. Glancing at it, his eyebrows shot up in surprise. "'Hoplite's Conjecture: The Origin of Magic,' by Kira Hoplite. Huh, didn't peg you as the book-writing type."
"Of course I write books! I'm a genius when it comes to magic—kinda like you with your swordsmanship. Writing a few magic books is only natural!" Kira said, brewing himself a cup of tea to shake off the lingering buzz from the guild's drinks.
Maybe because he knew Dispel was another version of himself, Dispel didn't retort with something like, "Compared to my swordsmanship, you think you're on my level?" Instead, he nodded quietly and began wandering around the shop, taking in the decor.
The shop's design was Kira's own handiwork—not exactly top-tier, but money covered a multitude of sins. With enough cash, "shabby" became "minimalist," "worn-out" turned into "vintage," "gloomy" was "serene," gaudy was "opulent," and even wilted plants could be spun as "symbolizing the cycle of life."
The front door was a pristine glass panel adorned with wind chimes, ensuring passersby could see the shop's interior at a glance. Across from it stood a counter made of some expensive wood—Dispel couldn't tell what kind, but the astronomical price etched discreetly on its underside was a dead giveaway. Off to the side was a small patch of grass with a simple table and chairs, marked with a "VIP" sign, where Kira was now lounging comfortably.
Every few meters, vibrant seasonal flowers were accented with colorful magic crystals, creating a striking visual effect to draw in customers. But the real star of the show was the array of magical items. A shop could be as fancy as it liked, but without quality goods, it was just an empty shell. Hoplite's Haven was anything but.
Beyond the sparkling magic crystals and dazzling treasures, there were plenty of items that would catch the eye of kids and ladies alike. Like a boutique, even if some things weren't practical, their flashy designs commanded high prices.
Dispel scanned the shop: a couple of toy piles, three or four rows of books, five or six columns of goods—all magic-related. It was practically a department store. The toys didn't interest him, nor did the weapons or potions. Eventually, his steps led him to the book section.
As expected, every title was authored by Kira Hoplite. Besides the book in his hand, The Origin of Magic, there were titles like The Mage's Self-Cultivation, How to Become a Revered Mage, Three Years of Magic, Five Years to Mastery, and The Psychology of Magical Combat.
Dispel shelved the thick tome and pulled out a book with a flashy cover: Breaking the Magical Sky, naturally also by Kira. The blurb described a young boy, guided by a great master, rising to become a legendary mage, renowned across the continent.
'This is so obviously made-up. Who'd read this nonsense?' Dispel scoffed internally, flipping through the first couple of pages with a critical eye. But then… he couldn't stop.
"What are you reading?" Kira asked, noticing the sudden silence. He half-expected Dispel to be messing with one of his magical gadgets for some unspeakable purpose, but instead found him engrossed in the novel under the dim, yellow light, like a student cramming for an exam.
"Oh, this book—it's awesome!" Dispel exclaimed, his eyes sparkling as if he'd reverted ten years younger. "A lonely, genius mage named Yan, bullied by his guildmate Lux, supported by the mysterious heroine Luxun, a girl from a rival guild named Sarina who comes to break off an engagement, and a scarf housing the soul of the ancient dragon king Iniru… This plot, these characters—it's just too good!"
His eyes gleamed like he'd unearthed a treasure.
"You've got taste!" Kira said, giving him a thumbs-up. "A couple of years ago, that book was a hit across all of Fiore!"
"Didn't think you had it in you to write something like this. Being a mage is such a waste of your talent!" Dispel said earnestly. Having traveled three continents, this was the first time he'd encountered a novel this gripping.
"I've decided!" Dispel declared. "I'm staying up all night to finish this. Ugh, it's too good!"
Kira sweatdropped. "Whatever, suit yourself…"
The next morning, when Kira came downstairs, he found Dispel passed out on the chair, book still in hand. Leaving a note that read, "Watch the shop," Kira headed to the guild.
As expected, the Magic Council showed up to take people in for questioning. The Crescent Moon Knights hauled Fairy Tail's members to the military base for individual interrogations. The war with Phantom Lord had violated the guild alliance treaty, so it had to be addressed.
A week later, the matter was resolved, just like in the original story. With help from Makarov's old friend, Councilor Yajima, Fairy Tail was deemed not guilty. Phantom Lord was disbanded, and Jose was stripped of his Wizard Saint title.
During that week, a few minor events unfolded. First, Lucy made a brief trip home. Kira didn't tag along, so he wasn't sure what happened, but she seemed more integrated with the guild afterward. He guessed the plot followed the original, with Lucy officially cutting ties with her family.
After that, Natsu, Lucy, Gray, and Erza formed their usual team. They invited Kira to join, but as a shop owner, why would he sacrifice his leisurely lifestyle for measly mission rewards? Natsu was the most disappointed—having Kira around would've meant no more motion sickness from cart rides.
To cover their share of the guild's rebuilding costs, Natsu and the others took on mission after mission. Most of their earnings went to property damage reparations, but they managed to scrape together enough.
Next, Mirajane brought Juvia back to the guild. With Makarov's approval, she became a Fairy Tail member. At her request, Makarov and Kira recruited Gajeel as well.
Finally, Loke's Celestial Spirit identity was revealed. Despite the support of Kira's magical tools, his previous missions had drained him. Still, he held on until this point, which Kira chalked up to the power of love. Lucy acquired another coveted Golden Key, leaving her three short of the full set.
Compared to her, Kira felt a bit disappointed. He'd missed his chance to see the Celestial Spirit King and gauge his strength while he was off recruiting Gajeel. By the time he returned, Natsu and the others had already set off on a trip using Loke's hotel voucher.