Even though Levy had explained the joining process beforehand, it wasn't until this moment that Aurel realized how simple it really was.
"By the way—what kind of magic do you use, Aurel?"
Staring at the golden emblem on his left shoulder, Levy blinked curiously.
Mirajane, who was handling the registration, leaned in as well.
"My magic is a little unusual. It's shadow-related."
Noticing their expectant looks, Aurel smiled as the reward settled into place. "Shadowkhan."
In the next instant, every shadow in the guild twisted and spread like grasping tendrils along the walls. Dozens of scarlet eyes opened within them.
One by one, black-clad ninja stepped out of the darkness. Their faces were wrapped, leaving only red eyes exposed—eerie and silent.
They dropped to one knee and bowed their heads toward Aurel, awaiting their master's orders.
"…"
Levy stared toward the corner of the hall, mouth slightly agape.
"H-hey, what the heck are those!?"
"Don't tell me a dark guild is attacking!"
The sudden appearance of the Shadowkhan startled the few early risers, drawing a chorus of shouts.
Seeing the growing commotion, Aurel waved once. Without a word, the ninjas melted back into the floor's darkness.
Mirajane quickly explained the situation to the others, and the hall calmed before things got out of hand.
"Whew… Aurel-san's magic is certainly unique."
Mirajane couldn't help her surprise as the shadows returned to normal.
"I've never seen anything like it…" Levy whispered.
Not even in existing ancient texts—she felt confident in her bookish knowledge.
"So those strange fellows were your magic, huh?"
An elderly yet lively voice sounded from behind.
Aurel turned to see a short old man wearing a jester's hat and a kindly smile.
"Yo, pleased to meet you, newbie!"
Noticing Aurel's gaze, the old man extended a hand with a squinting grin.
"This is the master of Fairy Tail—Makarov," Mirajane said with a smile.
"Good morning, Master." Aurel greeted with an easy laugh.
The plot of this world was fuzzy in his memory, but he remembered this man clearly: Makarov, Fairy Tail's third master and one of the Ten Wizard Saints.
Levy quickly filled Makarov in on Aurel's background.
"Traveling alone since you were little?" Makarov gave him a surprised look, then hopped lightly onto a tall stool nearby.
Patting Aurel's shoulder with a grandfatherly grin, he chuckled, "That's rough. But now that you've joined, treat this place like home. No need to be so stiff."
Aurel felt himself relax. The old man really did feel like someone's kind grandpa.
And then—
Thud!
A wooden bench came out of nowhere and smashed Makarov straight behind the bar.
"…"
Aurel turned his head slowly—and fell silent.
At some point, the guild hall had erupted into a brawl.
Broken tables and wooden kegs were flying, magic circles flashed in every color, purple flames burned, smoke billowed—
"N-no, it's not what you think!" Levy forced a wobbly smile at Aurel's silence, stumbling to explain, "Everyone's just… having their daily exchange—"
She didn't finish. A burly body came hurtling from afar.
Just before it could crash into Levy, Aurel sighed, pulled her into his arms, and let the projectile whistle past.
Makarov, who had just leaped back up, wasn't so lucky—he took another hit and vanished behind the counter again.
"Enough—you brats!"
Unable to stand it, Makarov unleashed Giant magic. Massive arms flung Elfman aside as he roared and waded into the fray.
"Mm!"
Cradled against Aurel's chest, Levy's cheeks flared scarlet, her petite body suddenly weak.
B-being held…!?
"Are you okay?"
Feeling her quick breaths, Aurel couldn't help patting her head.
Her blue hair was soft and silky beneath his fingers, with a faint, pleasant scent—like petting a cat.
Unlike a cat, though, Levy—
Seeing her eyes grow unfocused, Aurel stopped, a twinge of guilt prickling him, and glanced aside—
Only to find Mirajane watching with keen interest. Realizing she'd been caught, she coughed lightly into the menu and whispered, "Ahem, I didn't see anything."
Liar.
Thankfully, Mirajane's comment snapped Levy back to herself. She sprang out of Aurel's arms, face blazing, fingers fidgeting behind her back.
"Mirajane-san, may I take a job now?"
Ignoring Levy's blush, Aurel asked with a straight face.
After joining and completing the quest, the system had unlocked two more slots.
[Quest 2: First Pot of Gold!]
[Description: Earn your first money in this world. Work, beg, steal, or rob—your choice!]
[Reward: Gourmet Napkin (from the world of Doraemon)]
[Quest 3: S-Class Request!]
[Description: Complete one S-class job. Careful about going out at night.]
[Reward: Zoan-type Devil Fruit (from the world of One Piece)]
For now, only the first one was realistic.
"You can, but as a newbie I recommend finding a temporary partner," Mirajane said, glancing toward Levy with a sweet smile.
"I see. In that case, Miraja—"
"Wait, I'll team up with you!"
(End of Chapter)
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