Aurel sat quietly at the table, finished the last half of his toast, and gave a wry look to the quest panel only he could see.
The third slot—Mirajane had been affected by the Love Spot the first time they met. He knew that much.
It was a gift from the Goddess of Love, after all…
But more than the quest itself, the reward mattered most this time.
Little Dora—
A cat-type robot from the twenty-second century, basically a mini-Doraemon whose pocket gadgets were mini versions too.
Even so—just a few of those gadgets could change this world.
"I wonder if the Little Dora comes with tools built-in."
If so, that would be interesting.
He closed the panel, stepped to the full-length mirror, and straightened the clothes he'd bought yesterday.
Lustrous black hair, calm and gentle eyes, striking features—and the tear mole at his eye's corner—combined into an oddly irresistible charm.
Better wear glasses before going out…
Remembering yesterday's barrage of street flirtations, Aurel exhaled and slipped on the black frames Levy had carefully picked; the rim neatly covered the mole.
He still drew female eyes, but at least it wouldn't attract flirting pregnant ladies.
He could still see Levy's grinding teeth when a pregnant woman had winked at him.
"I'll leave the housework to you."
He snapped his fingers, and several ninjas rose from the shadows, swiftly tidying the place while he headed downstairs.
"Let's hope I run into Natsu today."
He murmured to himself.
He wanted both "Tsubame Gaeshi" and Little Dora.
As for that wand with zero practical use outside of collecting…
Spending time on five jobs would be worse than discussing books with little Levy.
"Morning, newbie!"
A rough voice called from behind as Aurel stepped outside. He turned on reflex.
First came a shock of white hair, then a burly frame, and a scarred face with a fierce look.
"Elfman?"
Aurel called his name, wondering privately—
Was he really Mirajane's real brother? Besides the white hair, they didn't look alike at all.
"Wait, how do you know my name?"
Elfman blinked in surprise. He was sure he hadn't even greeted the terrifyingly strong newbie yesterday.
"Mira-nee told me. Pleased to meet you, Elfman-senpai."
Aurel's gentle smile softened the other man's guard.
"So Sis told you?" Elfman scratched his head, then realized he hadn't introduced himself. "I'm Elfman Strauss, Mira-nee's little brother."
"My name is Aurel. No surname."
Aurel said it with a light laugh.
"Aurel—manly name. I'll remember it. You headed to the guild?"
Plenty of guildmates didn't have surnames; Elfman didn't find it odd.
"Yeah. I'm a server like Mira-nee now."
Aurel let the "manly" comment pass. He remembered that Elfman was the sort who always said "a real man," more of a verbal tic than anything.
"Want to walk together?"
"Sure. I'm grabbing a job anyway—a real man earns to support the family!"
His fist clenched at the end, full of passion.
So… where exactly are these siblings alike?
Aurel half-squinted, walking ahead.
— — —
By the time they reached the guild doors, it was past nine.
Even from outside, the noisy atmosphere carried clearly.
These people were full of energy.
He pushed open the doors and saw a dozen or so guild members.
Some were already swigging from wooden mugs; some pored over the request board; others sprawled on tables, yawning.
"Rough night?"
After greeting Elfman, Aurel slipped onto the seat beside a drowsy girl with practiced ease.
The moment he sat, four Shadowkhan stepped from the darkness and started working the tavern floor on their own.
"…Couldn't sleep after I got home," Levy said, lifting her head with a resentful look. Faint shadows hung beneath her eyes.
Before they'd exchanged more than a couple lines, she hid a yawn with her hand, crystalline tears glinting at the corners.
"That's why I said you could sleep at my place," Aurel shrugged.
"…Pervert."
"You're the pervert here. Don't forget—last night, you were the one who—"
Levy jumped up and clapped a hand over his mouth before he could finish.
"Don't say that outside!"
She puffed her cheeks, mortified. If anyone knew she'd stolen a kiss from a boy she'd known for two days, she'd never live it down.
Bang—
The doors slammed open with a kick.
"Yo, everyone, I'm back!!"
A pink-haired boy strode in, voice bursting with energy.
"Natsu, keep it down in the morning," Macao sighed.
"Stuff it, Macao!"
Natsu flopped into a chair. A blue winged cat with a bundle trotted in behind him.
"You're all too noisy."
A deep, familiar voice came from the second floor, and Aurel glanced up.
Laxus sat on the railing, wrapped head to toe in bandages, glowering down.
His eyes stopped on Aurel in the end, fists clenching in sullen frustration.
"Perfect timing, Laxus—"
Natsu cut off suddenly, staring at the bandage-wrapped blond above.
"Weird. I could've sworn I heard Laxus's voice?"
"That is Laxus," Mirajane said as she set a beer in front of him. "Up there."
"Haah—that's Laxus?!" Natsu gaped. "How'd he end up like that?"
(End of Chapter)
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