“Again!
Why is my fortune supposed to be so good today?!” “Doing the reading again won’t change the result.
Are you stupid, Gray?
You’re actually complaining about having good luck?” “But I fell into a ditch on my way out today!
I even lost my wallet!
Not one good thing has happened!” Gray slammed both hands on the table and pointed accusingly at Cana.
“I think your fortune-telling is completely inaccurate!
You haven’t even mastered your magic!” “Are you picking a fight?!” Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, Aito was just about to intervene when a little girl entering the guild caught his attention.
She looked around eleven or twelve, with short scarlet hair and a white eyepatch covering her right eye.
She carried a small cloth bag, and her clothes were filthy and torn, making her look almost like a refugee.
Yet Aito could faintly sense that the Magic Power inside her was no weaker than his own.
‘She’s a Mage?
Then how did she end up looking this miserable?’ “So this is…
the place Grandpa Rob used to belong to…” ‘It’s so noisy.
Why is there even a kid walking around without clothes?
Is this some kind of pervert guild?’ “…” Aito silently glanced at Gray, who had somehow stripped again.
‘This idiot is completely ruining Fairy Tail’s reputation.’ Still working part-time as a server, Aito sighed and walked over.
“Hello, Big Sis.
Are you here to post a job with our guild?” “…Sho…” The girl’s eyes went slightly unfocused as she stared at Aito.
‘If none of those terrible things had happened…
Sho would probably be just as cute as this boy.’ Aito blinked.
‘Looks like this girl has quite a story too.’ But now wasn’t really the time for her to stare at him while thinking about someone else.
“Big Sis?
Did you come here because you need something?” The girl snapped back to reality and shook her head.
“No.” “I’m here to join your guild.” “Oh~ Old man!
We’ve got a customer!” Aito shouted toward the second floor.
In reality, he’d already used Telepathy Magic to wake Makarov from his nap upstairs.
A moment later, the little old man jumped down and approached the girl with a gentle smile.
“Child, I’m Makarov, the Guild Master here.” “I heard you want to join Fairy Tail.
Can you tell me why?” The girl answered seriously.
“I’m Erza.
Erza…
S-Scarlet.” “Grandpa Rob told me to come here.
He said this was the guild he used to belong to…” “Rob?!” Makarov’s expression immediately changed.
“Where is he now?” Erza hesitated, unable to answer.
Watching her expression, Makarov slowly became solemn.
“Come with me, child.” “I think you probably have a lot to tell me.” Makarov led Erza away.
The guild members discussed the newcomer for a moment, but their interest quickly faded and the hall became noisy again.
Aito returned to the small table where Gray and Cana were sitting.
Gray tossed aside one of the fortune-telling cards.
“Aito, who was that?” “A Mage.
She came here to join Fairy Tail.” “She’ll probably be our new guildmate soon.” “She looks filthy.
Can someone like that really be a Mage?” “She’s probably pretty strong.” Aito glanced toward where Erza had disappeared.
“At the very least, she has more Magic Power than you, Gray.” “Hah?!
Wait, how do you know that?!” Aito tilted his head.
“Hmm~ A feeling?” “Tch.
Just wait.” Gray crossed his arms.
“Next time I’ll challenge her and show you what a truly powerful Mage looks like.” Cana shoved Gray aside and pulled Aito into the seat next to her.
“Aito, let me read your fortune.
Stupid Gray doesn’t believe me.” “I’ve stopped believing in luck!” “Let’s see…” Cana laid out the cards.
“Wheel of Fortune…
Ten of Cups…
a fated encounter…
emotional fulfillment…” She smiled brightly.
“Looks like Aito is going to have another day full of happiness!” “See?!
That’s exactly what you told me earlier!
You’re a fraud!” “Gray, I think you’re asking for a beating!
Get back here!” Cana immediately began chasing Gray around the table.
Aito sat in the middle and sighed helplessly.
Compared to the ten-year-old Cana and Gray, somehow six-year-old Aito felt like the mature one.
Cana had also become noticeably more cheerful since he’d first joined Fairy Tail.
Whether that was a good thing or not remained to be seen.
After a while, Makarov returned with Erza.
He jumped onto the bar and clapped his hands.
“Ahem!
Everyone, quiet down!
I have an announcement!” “This is Erza, our newest member.
She was sent here by one of Fairy Tail’s old veterans.” “Get along with her from now on!
That’s all!” Makarov then brought Erza over to Cana’s table and placed a small pouch of coins in front of them.
“Cana, you kids take Erza out and help her buy some daily necessities.
She’s only just arrived—” Before he could finish, Erza snatched up the pouch.
She lowered her head, her expression gloomy.
“No need.” “I can go by myself.” Without waiting for anyone to answer, she turned and hurried out of the guild.
“What was that attitude supposed to mean?!” Gray slapped the table angrily.
Makarov sighed.
He looked at Gray, then Cana, before finally settling his gaze on Aito.
“Little Aito, keep an eye on that child from now on.” “Help her get used to the guild as soon as you can.” “She’s had a difficult time too…
just like you.” “Me?” Aito pointed at himself with one tiny finger and rolled his eyes.
“Fine.
I’ll pay attention.” Gray leaned toward Cana and whispered.
“Did Master just look down on the two of us?
Did you feel that too?” “Shut up.
Aito really is more sensible than you.” ‘Another child whose life was ruined by those damned black-magic cults…
Those bastards deserve to die.’ Makarov walked away in a gloomy mood.
But Aito had heard the thought clearly.
He fell into contemplation.
‘So that girl is like me?’ ‘Did a black-magic cult destroy her home and kill her family too?’ Life in this world really wasn’t easy.
‘Well…
if she runs into trouble, I’ll help if I can.’ “So…
we’re really not following her?” Cana pointed toward the door.
“We’re letting the newcomer shop alone?
What if someone scams her?” “Tch.
Didn’t Aito say she’s strong?” Gray waved dismissively.
“If she traveled all the way to Magnolia by herself, she can handle shopping.
Back when I—” Aito thought about it but ultimately stayed behind.
Erza was clearly rejecting contact with other people right now.
Following her would probably only irritate her.
Still, he sent her a few words through Telepathy Magic.
[Big Sis Erza, when you’re shopping, show the shopkeepers the Guild Mark on your arm.
Everyone in town respects Fairy Tail, so they’ll usually give us discounts~] [Who are you?!] [I’m the boy who spoke to you earlier.
My name is Aito.
This is my magic.
We’re guildmates now, so I hope we’ll get along~] […Okay.
Thank you.] “Levy~ Come here!
Let me read your fortune!” The guild remained as noisy as ever.
Aito returned to working while simultaneously practicing magic.
Every so often, he’d deliberately activate Telepathy Magic and listen to whatever nonsense was running through Gray’s head.
When he went into the kitchen to pick up food, he’d use Requip to change outfits along the way.
Sometimes he’d even use Light-Make Magic to create a glowing halo above his own head.
Basically, Aito took every possible opportunity to use his magic and grind experience points.
To everyone else, he probably looked relaxed.
In reality, he was secretly growing stronger every minute of every day.
‘When it comes to grinding in secret, I’m not losing to anyone.’ ‘Years of competitive education gave me at least that much confidence.’ Suddenly, the chatter throughout Fairy Tail died away.
Aito followed everyone’s gaze toward the entrance.
Erza had returned.
But now she was wearing a full suit of armor that clearly didn’t fit her properly.
‘She went out and bought armor?’ That was more or less the thought running through everyone’s mind.
>.< Also, don’t forget to comment and write a review!) …
Replace “é” with “e” on your web browser.)