"Join a guild?"
Aurel arched a brow at the day's newly refreshed quest.
The mission didn't specify which guild to join, but since he was already in this world—
He glanced at the girl beside him, who was hiding her face behind a book in shy embarrassment.
Fairy Tail really was the best fit.
…
"—Wait! You're planning to join a guild!?"
Hearing Aurel's plan for the day, Levy's eyes went wide. A little thrill of joy and nerves bubbled up in her chest.
He isn't… doing it because of me, is he…?
Levy knew she was probably overthinking it, but she couldn't stop that silly hope from peeking through.
"Yeah. I've been on the road long enough, and this town has a great view. I want to stay for a while."
Standing by the open window, basking in the morning sun and the steadily surging magic inside him, Aurel couldn't help but smile.
He could feel it—his power now far exceeded yesterday afternoon's.
And the sun-born magic kept growing with the hour, as if it had no ceiling.
"A… a while?"
Levy caught on that choice of words and her smile stiffened. She took a breath, gathered her courage, and asked, "How long is 'a while' exactly?"
"There are a lot of guilds near this town."
"If I know your time frame, I can help you find the best match!"
Hearing the obviously contrived excuse, Aurel chuckled, pinched his chin, and pretended to think it over. "Five or six years, maybe. Of course… if I find the right partner, I might not leave at all."
Partner!?
Levy was a bit disappointed by the first half, but at his last line, her eyes lit up.
"I see. In that case—" She fought down the excitement, lifted a slim, pale finger with mock solemnity, and declared, "Then it has to be Fairy Tail!"
"As Magnolia's only first-rate mage guild, we don't just have lots of high-paying jobs—the lively atmosphere is something small guilds can't compare to!"
She turned slightly to show the emblem on the back of her left shoulder and hummed with a tiny, proud smile. "And I'm in that guild too. If you join, I can help!"
"Fairy Tail, huh…"
Exactly what I was waiting to hear.
Under her expectant gaze, Aurel nodded with a smile.
"Then I'll be in your care, Levy-san."
Since they were in the girls' dorm, they didn't linger in the little "library."
"The guild opens at seven. We've got an hour—perfect time to show you the town center and grab breakfast!"
Levy clasped her hands behind her back, smiling brightly.
Aurel had no objections.
He hadn't even had a sip of water since he transmigrated.
"I'll pay you back once I've got money."
The warmth in his voice made Levy's petite frame jolt. She paused, then waved both hands quickly. "N-no, it's fine! It's just a little money…"
Seeing her flustered like that, Aurel let out a soft laugh.
So cute, Levy-san.
…
Walking along white marble streets, Aurel looked around with curiosity—then noticed something off.
Several women and girls who'd met his eyes had stopped, cheeks faintly red as they stole glances at him.
One girl even hesitated, then started following at a distance.
That tear-mole ability… really is too strong.
Aurel lowered his head, thinking.
Inside the restaurant—
Knowing he hadn't eaten since yesterday afternoon or night, Levy ordered plenty: croissants, steak, and two slices of strawberry cake for dessert.
After breakfast came the moment Aurel had been waiting for.
Crossing the bustling streets, he soon spotted the large, three-story building of stone and timber at the town's center.
A colorful guild flag fluttered above the gate, and beneath it hung a huge silver sign—Fairy Tail!
"Come on, let's find Mira-nee!"
Levy grabbed his hand and happily pulled him toward the hall.
The spacious guild hall was filled with sturdy wooden tables and chairs. A request board plastered with job flyers stood off to the side, and not far away was a bar counter.
All in all, it looked more like a tavern than a guild.
Since it had just opened, almost no one was around. Only a white-haired girl in a dress stood behind the counter.
Noticing them, she smiled as warm as spring and called out, "Good morning, Levy."
"Good morning, Mira-nee!" Levy beamed, then nudged Aurel forward. "This is Aurel, a traveler from another continent. He wants to join our guild!"
"Hello, Mirajane-san."
Aurel smiled and nodded.
At the sight of him, Mirajane blinked—then her eyes widened.
Her breath and heartbeat suddenly quickened on their own.
What is this strange feeling? Some kind of magic?
She covered her mouth with the menu board and peered at him again.
But… she sensed no magic leaking from him.
As a former S-class mage, she could tell if someone had used a spell.
If not magic… then what was this odd feeling?
Even so, Mirajane fought down the flush in her cheeks and put her sunny smile back on.
"Aurel-san, are you here to join our guild?"
"Yes."
Watching the blushing barmaid, Aurel thought it might be wise to buy a pair of glasses later.
If this kept up, every woman in the guild would be charmed by afternoon.
—Better not make trouble for myself.
"Are you a mage?" Mirajane asked softly, blinking.
Levy also leaned in curiously. "Since you're a traveler, you must know quite a few spells, right?"
"I am a mage, but I don't know many spells," Aurel said with a nod.
Right now, he only had one—"Sun."
But that was more than enough.
"Then have you decided on the color and where you want the emblem stamped?"
After jotting down his information, Mirajane tilted her head and produced a stamp from behind the counter, smiling sweetly.
…Kind of cute.
Aurel coughed lightly and did his best not to stare.
"Left arm, please. And… gold."
Mirajane pressed gently on his left arm, and a brilliant golden emblem bloomed on his skin.
Joining was surprisingly simple—or was it because Levy had introduced him?
Aurel couldn't help thinking that as the system chimed again.
['Welcome, New Guild Member!' complete. Please claim your reward!]
[Guild membership detected. Unlocking two additional quest slots. From now on, three quests will refresh daily.]
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]
[Thank You For Your Support!]