The Role of Charisma in Life
Several hours later.
Lucy Heartfilia.
“Ooooh, my head,” the girl whispered through uncooperative lips.
A whole crew of hammer-wielders had apparently moved into her skull and decided to complete a five-year plan in one week.
Her throat was a desert, and her mouth tasted suspiciously like a litter box.
In short, she felt awful.
“Natsu, Lucy’s awake,” a nasty, piercing voice struck her ears and sent another wave of misery straight into her brain.
“Phew, that’s good to hear,” came a somewhat less unpleasant voice, though Lucy would have preferred it quieter.
“All right.
Break time.”
Only then did Lucy notice that they’d been moving the entire time.
Opening her eyes, Heartfilia looked around.
She was lying on something resembling a stretcher, while the same mage in his early thirties, Macao, lay nearby in a half-conscious state.
The memories of how she’d ended up there returned with his name.
Lucy flushed bright red.
She’d actually gotten that drunk!
Sephiroth, you bastard…
Though he had warned her…
Still, he was a bastard!
When she returned to the guild, she’d tell him exactly what she thought.
Well…
he’d apologize, and she’d forgive him…
maybe.
But later.
Meanwhile, the Dragon Slayer dragged the stretcher into the shade beneath a tree.
“Lucy, you’re scary!” the flying cat cheerfully announced.
The girl was deeply offended.
This flying nuisance had called HER scary!
What a winged little bastard.
“Yeah,” Natsu agreed.
“When I saw you with that whip and that expression, I thought Erza had possessed you!
Brrr…” He shuddered.
“Heh, kid.
If you keep talking to girls like that, even dragon durability won’t save you.
They’ll bury you.
Take it from someone with experience,” Macao added, now conscious.
“Oh, where are we, anyway?” Lucy stood from the stretcher and looked around.
Changing her position in space caused the world to sway and triggered another burst of headache.
“We’ll be in Magnolia soon.
About thirty minutes from the city.”
“How long was I asleep?”
“About seven hours.
Yeah,” Happy answered.
“Rested?
Then let’s go.
Macao, Romeo is waiting for you,” Natsu said somewhat irritably.
Apparently, questions from girls annoyed him.
“Let’s go…
Help me up.” Macao leaned on the Dragon Slayer’s shoulder, and the group slowly headed toward Magnolia, already visible on the horizon.
Sephiroth.
Around the same time, but slightly earlier.
Morning paints everything with gentle light…
or something like that.
Never mind.
The night at the hotel, another five thousand jewels down the drain, was spent thinking, calculating finances, and analyzing the dragon and Dragon Slayer DNA.
The financial situation wasn’t great.
I had a little under three million jewels left.
A considerable sum, but nowhere near enough to furnish my house, buy books for a small private library, and equip a laboratory and magical workshop.
In fact, it wouldn’t even cover all the furniture if I wanted genuinely good, high-quality pieces made from real wood.
I could use furniture created through Creation magic, but such furniture required periodic magical recharging.
More importantly, I didn’t want that sort of thing in my house for aesthetic reasons.
An ordinary person wouldn’t notice the difference, but a reasonably experienced mage would sense the magical residue from those objects, which could create an unfavorable impression.
In short, artificial furniture was out.
Natural products were in.
Everything came down to money.
After calculating everything several ways, I realized I needed another twenty million at minimum, preferably twenty-five.
Then I’d have enough for furniture, a small library, and a basic laboratory.
Which meant that as much as I wanted to bury myself in Fairy Tail’s library, I had to start taking jobs.
Although I needed to visit the guild anyway, otherwise my behavior would look suspicious.
But first, a few words about dragons and their children, the Dragon Slayers.
Fascinating creatures, both parents and offspring.
I still didn’t know much about magic, but biology was another matter.
I knew more than enough about that, and I could work from there.
I couldn’t say I understood every mechanism.
A small piece of skin from a completely unknown biological species wasn’t enough for that.
But theoretically…
Take the bones, for example.
They were an astonishing combination of lightness and strength, comparable to the latest composite materials from the Marvel world.
The muscular and nervous tissues were similar.
Both were an order of magnitude superior to human equivalents.
I found no glands producing natural napalm or anything similar.
Apparently, that was where magic came in.
Flight was the same.
For their size, dragons should have been surprisingly light, but even so, the wingspan required for takeoff simply wasn’t enough according to conventional physics.
Natsu was equally fascinating.
In my old world, he’d have been called a mutant, and they would’ve been absolutely right.
He was no longer human, but he wasn’t a dragon either.
An astonishing hybrid of seemingly incompatible genomes.
Judging from certain characteristics of his cells, full dragonization was entirely possible, perhaps even a complete and irreversible restructuring of his organism.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t determine where his natural affinity for fire magic was located.
Too many components were completely new to me, and even Simba’s instincts were useless here.
That made me think.
Hard.
On one hand, I could already try to acquire the abilities of a Fire Dragon Slayer.
Even if I didn’t gain the magic itself, simply improving the organism would put me far ahead physically.
Dragon Slayer physical abilities combined with the symbiote’s power…
I could probably tie most of the local monsters into pretzels with my bare hands.
But there was another side to the problem.
Would this interfere with the rest of my magic?
If Dragon Slaying were permanently tied to the dragon’s element, could fire suppress other available paths?
I didn’t want to limit myself to one, even if it was an extremely destructive element.
Then again…
I didn’t actually know how to use anything yet.
The theoretical affinities for Darkness and Absorption were abstract values with no practical meaning at the moment.
Requip was more complicated.
My Hamster was outraged, but the truth was that my Pocket was pathetic.
I doubted I could even put one proper artifact inside it.
I could wear my sword on my belt, which was actually more sensible, and food could go into backpacks and bags.
Fire magic, meanwhile, would be easier to learn.
I already had three specialists right beside me, and there would be plenty more in the guild and in the future.
Plus, I could always change bodies, and I already possessed Requip.
So why should it disappear?
After weighing everything, I decided to follow the old wisdom about the bird in the hand and the one in the bush.
Fortunately, my bird was quite plump and even a little fat, while the crane was barely visible on the horizon.
Even after making the decision, I didn’t immediately act on it.
First, I didn’t have much time.
Second, rebuilding the organism required a lot of resources, and I didn’t need rumors spreading through Magnolia that some mage named Sephiroth ate like ten boars.
The city was large, but Fairy Tail’s mages were all well known, and some kind-hearted shopkeeper would certainly carry the rumor straight to the ears of the guild’s women.
Finally, performing the operation in a hotel room was a terrible idea.
So until I had my own house, I’d have to work with what I had.
I could also gather information about how Dragon Slayers actually interacted with other forms of magic.
Nothing had happened to the guild building overnight, which was reassuring.
I immediately went to the counter and asked the smiling Mira for a hearty breakfast and a cup of tea.
While the mysterious guild kitchen prepared my order, I chatted with her and asked what jobs she’d recommend for a beginner mage.
Unfortunately, her answer didn’t make me happy.
C-rank mages could apparently only take trivial jobs: delivering packages, finding runaway cats, or hunting relatively harmless creatures.
Nothing paid more than thirty thousand jewels.
Seeing my disappointed expression, I barely had to pretend, the blonde angel suggested another option: team up with a more experienced mage.
Then I could take harder and better-paying missions.
I thanked Mirajane and went to the job board to find something suitable.
Then I’d look for a companion if necessary.
I suspected newcomers were usually paired with stronger, more experienced mages so nothing happened to them, which was sensible in general but harmful in my particular case.
Still, nobody was forcing a partner on me.
I could simply take a job and go alone.
I wasn’t eager to join a team yet.
Solo meant fewer chances of exposing anything unusual about myself.
So, what would the job board offer me?
The board was full of tiny errands.
Then I noticed something at the edge.
There was a dent from a fist, and inside it was a somewhat battered contract.
A cleanup job at a thieves’ den.
One hundred and eighty thousand jewels.
Well, well.
Look at Mayor Onibas.
He’d scammed me for more than three times the proper price.
The location was only a day’s journey from Magnolia, in a town called Salisbury.
I didn’t remember it from the anime, but that wasn’t surprising.
The show had barely mentioned a dozen cities over its entire run, while Fiore was a large kingdom with more than seventeen million inhabitants.
Fine.
The contract suited me.
I tore it from the board and headed for the station.
Although first I needed to deal with my luggage.
I rented a small room in the guild for a few days and dumped everything unnecessary from my Pocket into it, leaving only a week’s worth of dry rations and a set of potions.
Then I headed for the station.
A railway line ran directly to the city, which was convenient.
Near the doors, I nearly collided with Cana.
She looked slightly battered but otherwise fine.
When she saw me, she became strangely embarrassed and hurried toward the counter.
On the way out, I nearly walked straight into Natsu and Lucy.
Judging by the satisfied expression on the Dragon Slayer’s face, Macao’s return had gone well.
Then they locked eyes with Gray, who was approaching the job board.
Well.
Looks like I had a chance to chat with a cute blonde while that sweet couple settled their latest argument.
“Hello, beautiful,” I smiled at the girl.
“How did the trip go?
Successfully?”
“Hi, Sephiroth,” Lucy smiled tiredly.
“Everything went wonderfully, except for a couple of things.”
“She drank the whole flask and then chased Macao around with a whip!” the cat betrayed Heartfilia.
Oh, that look.
I think the cat should hide in the fog as quickly as possible.
Happy understood where the wind was blowing and quickly flew toward the ceiling, disappearing among the beams.
I looked back at Lucy and raised an eyebrow.
“It wasn’t like that!
Macao was absorbed by a Vulcan.
It was self-defense!” The blonde stomped her foot in frustration and immediately grabbed her head.
“Does it hurt?”
“Uh-huh.” She gave me an offended look.
“Your tincture is the most evil thing I’ve ever held in my hands!”
“Sorry, sorry.
I thought a simple warning would be enough, especially after what happened to Cana.”
“What happened to her?” the girl asked in surprise.
“Ah, right.
You left with Natsu before that.
Anyway, you’re not the only one who suffered from this masterpiece of winemaking.
Here.” I summoned a flask containing an herbal extract designed to remove the aftereffects of heavy drinking.
“A couple of sips should be enough to bring you back to normal.”
Lucy accepted the container, suspiciously sniffed its contents, then finally took a drink.
After standing there for ten seconds and listening to her body, she exhaled in relief.
“Thanks.
It really is better.” She returned the flask.
“Don’t mention it.
By the way, Lucy, will you tell me what really happened in the mountains?”
“Hmm…
I think I can…” She didn’t get to finish because Natsu nearly knocked her over.
Gray had turned the entrance into a small skating rink, sending the Fire Dragon Slayer into flight.
Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t suitable for flying, so I had to save Lucy from becoming intimately acquainted with Natsu’s head by catching him in midair.
I also planted some of my cells on him while I was at it.
Let them study how his body worked.
“Why am I always this unlucky?
The third time I’ve caught a flying body, and the third time it’s been some guy.
Why can’t beautiful girls fall into my arms for once?” I shook my head sadly.
“Anyway, where were we?
Oh, right.
Lucy, how about you tell me the story over dinner?
I’m heading out on a job now, and when I get back, we can celebrate my first paycheck from the contract.
I can tell you about some of my own adventures too.”
“Well, I don’t know…
Although…
why not?” The girl looked slightly stunned as she stared at me holding Natsu.
We probably did look rather strange.
“Excellent.
Then hopefully I’ll see you soon.” I bowed to the girl and, “accidentally,” dropped Natsu onto the floor.
The idiot didn’t even notice and immediately charged after Gray shouting, “Ice-brain, get over here!”
I left the guild.
Meanwhile.
Fairy Tail.
Having finally gotten rid of that flaming idiot, Gray reached the job board.
“Damn, nothing interesting.
There was a request for a thieves’ guild…
Where did it go?
Hey, Mira, do you know what happened to the Salisbury contract?”
“Look more carefully.
It should be there!” the girl called from behind the counter.
“It’s not here!
Hey, anyone see where the contract went?” Gray shouted into the hall.
“Sephiroth was hanging around the board earlier.
Maybe he took it?” someone called back.
“Isn’t that a little much for a C-rank newcomer?”
Mirajane pursed her lips unhappily.
She had explained everything to him in detail.
What was she supposed to do now?
Boys were always so overconfident and always trying to jump above their heads.
Although…
not only boys, she thought sadly.
“Gray, maybe you should intercept him?
Or at least back him up?”
“What choice do I have?
You can count the sane mages in this guild on one hand.
I’ll try to catch him at the station,” the Ice Mage said, already preparing to leave.
“Gray!” Mira called after him.
“What now?”
“Your clothes…”
“Oh, for God’s sake!” Under the united laughter of his guildmates, Fullbuster left the building.
Sephiroth.
The station.
There was the train I needed.
A couple of hours on the railway and I’d be there.
Then I noticed him.
Gray Fullbuster was hurrying toward me with an extremely unhappy expression.
Judging by how directly he was approaching, he was definitely looking for me.
“Hello, Gray.
What brings you here?”
“Sephiroth,” the Ice Mage nodded coldly.
“Didn’t you take the contract for the thieves in Salisbury?”
“Suppose I did.”
“Don’t take this as an insult, but aren’t you a little weak for that kind of job?”
“Let’s just say I’ve done something similar before.
As you can see, I’m alive and well.” I smiled slightly.
“I see.
Still, you’re new to our guild, and we’re somewhat concerned about you.
Mira won’t give me any peace if you go there alone.”
Well, what was I supposed to do with that?
He’d dragged Mirajane into it too.
Fine.
Looks like I’d have to work in a team for a while.
Then we’d see.
“How about we complete the contract together?
Split the profit fifty-fifty.”
“Now that’s more like it,” Fullbuster smiled, and we shook hands.
A little later, aboard the train to Salisbury.
“Gray, explain something to me.
I’ve known you for barely any time, but you seem like a very reasonable, level-headed mage.
So why do you and Natsu constantly try to kill each other?”
Fullbuster thought about the question.
“You know, I don’t understand it myself.
Every time I see Dragneel, I feel an unbearable urge to punch him in the face,” the Ice Mage snorted.
“It’s been like that since childhood.
As long as I can remember, we’ve always tried to surpass each other.
Didn’t matter in what, only that we were better.
I think we started acting like that by imitating the endless rivalry between Erza and Mira.
Those two really couldn’t stand each other back then…”
“Come on.
Mira’s an angel in human form.
Why would she ever get into a conflict with someone?”
“Heh.
Mira wasn’t always an angel.
Quite the opposite, really.
But after one incident…” Gray’s expression darkened.
“That’s another story, and whether I tell you or not is up to Mira and Elfman.”
“I see…” You weren’t supposed to tell the first stranger about the guild’s problems, and I wouldn’t truly be one of them for some time unless I did something genuinely useful for Fairy Tail.
“Gray, since we’re partners now, can you tell me more about your magic?
I’ve heard a little about Ice-Make, but I’ve never encountered a mage who practiced it before.”
I deliberately changed the subject.
“Of course,” Fullbuster said, grateful for the escape from the unpleasant topic.
“Ice magic came from the Northern Continent.
Quite a lot of people practice it there…”
The two mages continued discussing different forms of magic while the train carried them steadily toward Salisbury, toward thieves and adventure.