“Strictly speaking, I’ll only be joining Fairy Tail temporarily as a Mage.
Think of it as a part-time position.”
Ron spread his hands as though this were the most obvious arrangement in the world.
“Since the theatre troupe will be operating under Fairy Tail’s protection, it would be strange for its director not to join the guild too, wouldn’t it?”
Across the table, Makarov frowned and stroked his chin before picking up the contract again and rereading its many complicated clauses.
Ron took another sip of black tea.
When Makarov continued agonizing over the document, he finally sighed and set down his cup.
“Master Makarov, there’s no need to keep rereading it.
I’ll explain everything simply.”
Ron had asked the legal office Makarov recommended to draw up the long-term commission contract.
The firm had worked with Fairy Tail for years, so its reliability was not in question.
To protect himself and properly manage his inheritance, Ron had instructed the firm to establish the Ron White Trust.
Most of the assets he had inherited would be sold or otherwise handled by the legal office, and all proceeds would be transferred into the trust.
“Every month, the trust will pay Fairy Tail a protection fee,” Ron explained, leaning forward slightly and adopting a professional tone.
“My living expenses and the theatre troupe’s basic operating costs will be deducted first.
Everything left over will be paid to the guild as the commission fee.”
“For the duration of the contract, the Pure White Theatre Troupe will operate under Fairy Tail’s name, and I’ll join Fairy Tail as a part-time Mage.”
In other words, the Pure White Theatre Troupe would become an affiliated business of the guild, while Ron, as its director, would become a guild member.
The arrangement would ensure Ron’s long-term safety while also giving Fairy Tail a steady and reliable source of income.
Seeing that Makarov still looked hesitant, Ron added, “This isn’t a lifetime contract, Master.
It will automatically end once my parents return or I become strong enough to meet the release condition.”
“I see.
That clears things up.”
Makarov’s tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed.
Ron breathed a quiet sigh of relief and maintained his polished smile.
“Should you still be unwilling to accept the commission, I should also mention—”
“No need.
I accept.”
Makarov picked up the quill from the round table and turned toward the waitress.
“Vee, bring me Fairy Tail’s official seal.”
Then he signed the contract without another moment of hesitation.
Ron stared at him in surprise.
After everything that had happened the previous day, he had expected Makarov to be cautious about accepting another commission from him.
Ron had already prepared several more arguments, but the old man had agreed before he could use any of them.
After stamping the contract with Fairy Tail’s official seal, Makarov handed the second copy to Ron.
Seeing the boy’s blank expression, he smiled.
“What’s wrong?
You explained everything perfectly clear.”
“This commission doesn’t even require me to do much.
I simply have to sign the papers and step in when it truly matters, correct?”
Makarov looked almost pleased now.
Hadn’t he been wearing the expression of a man facing execution just a moment ago?
Ron decided it did not matter.
The contract had been signed, and that was what counted.
He rose, accepted his copy, and smiled again.
“I knew you were a reasonable man, Master Makarov.”
Ron extended his right hand.
“I look forward to working with you.”
Makarov snorted at Ron’s perfectly practiced business smile, the breath straightening his little mustache.
His eyes, however, were filled with approval as he firmly shook Ron’s hand.
“Likewise.”
Makarov then passed Fairy Tail’s guild stamp to Vee.
She approached Ron with an excited smile.
“Even part-time members need a guild mark!”
Ron rolled up his sleeve and asked her to place a pale blue Fairy Tail emblem on his left arm.
He gently ran his fingers over the mark, fascinated by the sight of it.
The corners of his mouth rose before he even realized he was smiling.
‘A Fairy Tail Mage, huh…?’
A short while later, Ron picked up his briefcase and walked toward the entrance with a spring in his step.
Once he had disappeared through the doors, Macao and Wakaba immediately leaned over from the neighboring table.
Macao looked puzzled.
“Master, didn’t you say you didn’t want to accept that kid’s commission?”
Ever since returning the previous day, Makarov had complained endlessly about how the Magic Council had forced him to write yet another report.
Makarov shook his head and looked toward the doorway Ron had passed through.
“I changed my mind.
He didn’t have much of a choice after what happened.”
Makarov understood why Ron had created this long-term commission.
The boy knew that he was currently too weak to protect the Pure White Theatre Troupe himself.
This was the only method available to safeguard both himself and the theatre.
With such generous terms, any other Mage Guild would have accepted the commission without hesitation.
“That child is only ten, yet he’s already planning so far ahead.
Being betrayed and threatened must have shown him just how powerless he is.”
Ron had probably chosen to rely on himself because there were no trustworthy adults around him.
“And he brought this commission directly to Fairy Tail.
That means he trusts me as its Master, and he trusts our guild.”
Makarov’s gaze hardened with determination, and he clenched one fist.
“Then we must prove to him that not every adult is unreliable.
There are still people in this world he can place his faith in.”
Macao and Wakaba puffed on their cigars and exchanged a knowing glance.
The old man was trying to sound cool again!
Makarov’s solemn expression lasted only a few seconds before twisting back into a troubled frown.
“Still, I’m genuinely worried he’ll start tricking people again now that he’s joined the guild.”
Remembering all the cunning stunts Ron had pulled the previous day, Makarov once again began wondering whether he had made the right decision.
Wakaba blew out a smoke ring and laughed.
“When it comes down to it, you just couldn’t turn away a kid the same age as your grandson.”
Makarov’s weathered face reddened, and he immediately rolled up his sleeves.
“What was that?
It’s been a while since you and I had a proper contest, hasn’t it?”
He climbed onto the round table, turned toward the noisy bar, and shouted, “Bring me a drink!”
“Coming right up!”
Vee immediately called back and turned to prepare it.
“Great!
The Master’s fired up again!”
Seeing Makarov flustered and angry sent Macao and the surrounding Mages into another round of cheers.
The atmosphere in the guild hall instantly grew even rowdier.
Amid the noise, Makarov paused to consider Wakaba’s words.
Perhaps he was not entirely wrong.
The cleverness Ron had displayed despite his lack of strength proved that he was an exceptional talent.
Besides, Ron had said the long-term commission would only end once he met the contract’s strength requirement.
And what exactly counted as meeting that requirement?
The contract stated it in plain black and white.
Ron would have to pass Fairy Tail’s S-Class Trial and become an S-Class Mage.
Makarov shook his head.
Just how confident was that boy to set such a condition?
S-Class Mages were among the most powerful fighters in the entire Kingdom of Fiore.
There were only a handful of them.
Now Makarov could not help looking forward to seeing how Ron developed.
Whether accepting the contract had been the right decision or a terrible mistake remained to be seen.
Bang!
A large wooden mug was slammed down on the table.
“Your drink, Master!” Vee called.
“Think you can handle it?”
Makarov swept away his doubts and raised the overflowing mug.
“Who cares?
We’ll deal with the future when it gets here!”
…
Knock, knock, knock.
Wes sat dejectedly on his wooden bed, staring blankly at the floorboards as he counted them one by one.
He had spent half his life working for the theatre troupe.
Now that he suddenly had nothing to do, he had no idea how to fill his days.
Knock, knock, knock.
Only then did the sound at the door register.
Wes rubbed both hands over his face and sluggishly rose to his feet.
Knock!
Knock!
Knock!
“I’m coming, I’m coming.”
He opened the wooden door and froze when he saw who was standing outside.
“Director Ron?
What brings you here?”
Ron took one look at Wes’s tangled hair and greasy face, closed his eyes, and let out a long sigh.
“Uncle Wes, why didn’t you go to the theatre tent?
“Good thing your address was written down backstage.
Otherwise, I would’ve had to search half of Magnolia for you.”
Now it was Wes’s turn to look confused.
Hadn’t the theatre shut down?
“But Director, didn’t you say we were closing?”
Ron stared at Wes’s end-of-the-world expression and helplessly spread his hands.
“I said we were suspending performances.
That doesn’t mean the troupe has gone out of business.
We’re only taking a temporary break.
I told you the new Pure White Theatre Troupe would return.
We have to start preparing for that now, don’t we?”
Ron’s system was bound to the theatre troupe.
He was not about to gamble on what might happen if the business remained inactive for several years.
If the system shut down permanently along with the troupe, he would not even have anyone to complain to.
“Besides, I never fired you.
You’re still receiving your usual salary.”
Wes’s eyes lit up, and he grabbed the doorframe in excitement.
A moment later, however, his brows furrowed again.
He still could not understand Ron’s explanation.
Why did the boy always make everything sound so complicated?
“If the troupe has suspended operations, what am I supposed to do?”
Ron crossed his arms.
“I’m a complete beginner with no real foundation in stagecraft.
Are you comfortable letting me reopen the theatre like that?”
He raised his left thumb and pointed it toward himself.
“As the former acting director, it’s your responsibility to teach me everything I need to know.”
Hope flared back to life inside Wes.
He straightened his back with renewed energy.
“Of course!
I’ll teach you every bit of knowledge and experience I have!”
Ron looked him up and down.
Ignoring the messy hair and dark circles under his eyes, Wes finally resembled a functioning human being again.
Ron nodded, a pleased smile appearing on his young face.
“Then what are we waiting for?
Let’s begin.”
[Current Roleplay Completion: 100%.]