Since I decided to join forces with a member from another guild to complete this obvious trap of a mission, Gramps informed the Master of Lamia Scale while I left Magnolia, heading to Margaret Town, where Lamia Scale resides; thankfully, it was sort of in the direction to Rose Garden so the detour wouldn't waste much time.
Exiting Margaret Town train station, I yawned while walking through the city, taking my time observing it as this was my first time in this city, though I didn't know what I expected. 'Looks just like Magnolia; I wonder if the food is as good?' Unable to restrain my curiosity, I approached a food stall and bought a fish on a stick, which was good enough that I purchased three more before continuing toward Lamia Scale. "The food is good."
After devouring the three grilled fish, it took me about another twenty minutes before I arrived at Lamia Scale; standing in front of the fortress-like building, I glanced at the two mermaid statues on either side of the entrance that welcomed everyone. The symbol of the Lamia Scale is that of a mermaid, with its fish half and human half separated by a small crack. Stepping up the stairs, I pushed open the large double doors, revealing the inside of the guild hall and all its members, though when I saw how calm and chill the atmosphere was, I felt slightly uncomfortable. 'I prefer the chaotic atmosphere in Fairy Tail.'
Shaking my head, I walked into the guild hall, heading straight for the bar as I leaped onto it before flaring my magic power, causing the hall to quiet down while all eyes were instantly shifted to me. "Where is Jura Neekis!" Yelling loudly, I scanned the crowd, waiting for someone to either raise their hands or tell me where Jura was, but before anyone in the crowd could say to me, an old ugly lady from the second floor suddenly began to spin her fingers, causing me to uncontrollably spin against my will. 'T-The fuck!?'
"Ugh, coming into my guild and causing a ruckus like you own the place… Makarov taught his guild members well. Tch, come to my office, brat!" Said the old lady in annoyance as she stared at me before walking off, while I continued to spin for several more seconds until I finally managed to regain control of myself. Coming to a stop, I rubbed my head and growled in annoyance as I leaped onto the second floor and walked towards the open door in the distance before entering, where I saw the old lady sitting behind a desk and a young man with slightly lighter skin than mine.
"Tsk, did Gramps tell your old ass why I'm here?" Folding my arms, I sat on the chair beside the young man and glared at the old lady, who scoffed before spinning her finger again, causing me to do the same despite sitting on a chair. "Tsk, a brat like you needs manners… Though yes, Makarov has told me everything. This young man is Jura; for some reason, he's been curious about Fairy Tails 'Beast'; I don't know why. You're just a disrespectful brat." I would've bared my teeth at this stupid, ugly, old woman who makes me miss Porlyusica, though, because she was forcing me to spin, I could do nothing except hold onto the chair.
"Now get out of here and complete the mission! Dark Mages aren't welcome in Fiore!" I couldn't see what happened, but all I knew was that I was flung out of the room, crashing into the wall; however, just as I stood up, eager to lunge at the woman, the door was closed while the young man obstructed my path.
"Jura Neekis." Glancing at Jura, who outstretched his hand toward me with a firm expression, I grunted in annoyance while walking away. "Cooper… Come, let's get moving; I want to get to Rose Garden by tomorrow night." Leaping off the second floor, I exited Lamia Scale, not bothering to slow down for Jura; if he couldn't keep up, that's on him. However, my worries were pointless as he followed right beside me, while we walked through Margaret Town, heading for the train station, which would take us straight to Rose Garden; though while walking, I noticed he was constantly looking at me, which didn't bother me, but it was weird.
"Tsk, what? Didn't expect I would be a kid?" Folding my arms, I glanced at Jura, who raised an eyebrow before nodding. "Yes, though I do not doubt your strength if that's what you're worried about; your reputation as the 'Beast' of Fairy Tail is decently famous amongst Magic Guilds in Fiore; there are very few Mages who so eagerly take mission after mission involving Dark Mages… I hear even the Magic Council looks favorably upon you, despite all the destruction you cause." I was surprised at Jura's words since while I was famous in Magnolia, I had no idea my fame had reached so far throughout Fiore; though I didn't think too much about it, I had little interest in fame.
"I don't care about fame or hate dark mages. Fighting dark mages is dangerous, and I grow the most in danger… Simple as that." Shaking my head, I shrugged my shoulders while glancing at Jura, who slightly nodded before descending into silence. After a bit more walking, we arrived at the train station, where we had to wait a few hours before boarding the train to Rose Garden.
Closing the door to our cabin, I lay on my back, gazing at the ceiling, using this moment to rest, though Jura still seemed curious about me. "Since we shall be working together for this mission, I suggest we learn a little about our magic. I'm rather proficient in Earth magic." Sitting upright, I looked out the window where a small hill emerged from the ground, causing me to glance at Jura before nodding; that casual display of earth magic was more than enough to prove he was strong. Grabbing a pen, I infused it with my mana, only stopping once it started shimmering gold before tossing it to Jura, who caught it with a confused expression.
"I use Indestructible Magic… As for my fighting style, that's how I got my name, 'Beast'." Looking at Jura, who snapped the pen in half, he lightly nodded before shifting his gaze to me. "Hmm, I've never heard of that form of Magic." "I would be surprised if you were. It's an Ancient Magic." The mention of ancient magic surprised Jura as he gazed at me with wide eyes, only for him to nod. "Well, I suppose that explains part of your absurd strength, given your youthful age." I didn't see myself as all that strong, so I didn't comment on his remark, and it seemed like his curiosity had been satisfied as our cabin descended into silence.
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Stepping off the train with Jura, I was slightly taken aback by the train station alone as I noticed a lot of magical items being used by non-mages, a sight that is extremely rare in pretty much any city I've visited; however, in this city, it seemed to be the norm. "Given your surprise, I assume you've never visited Rose Garden?" Glancing at Jura, who began walking, prompting me to follow him since it seemed like he knew where to go, I nodded. "No. But it seems you have." My remark earned Jura a slight chuckle as he nodded and tightened the belt that held his thick skirt. "Since that's the case, do you mind if I take the lead?" Shaking my head, I brushed my hair behind my shoulders while stuffing my hands into my pockets. "No. I don't care. Just know I'm highly reckless." Jura nodded at my words before glancing at the job request, rereading the details, and looking at a map of Rose Garden he had on him.
"The exchange is supposed to happen at an abandoned amusement Park, though it doesn't say when." "You do know this is most likely a trap, right?" Seeing how Jura was actually concerned about the details, I raised an eyebrow and gave him a weird look, though he nodded while stuffing the job request into his pockets. "Yes. I figured the dark mages would try harder to hide their intentions, but maybe they don't care." I couldn't deny his assumption, though I think they didn't bother to hide their intentions because they knew I'd take the bait anyway.
"When do we attack? Tomorrow? Tonight? Now?" "Ah, you weren't kidding when you said you were highly reckless." Grinning at his words, Jura closed his eyes and tapped his chin briefly. "First, let us scout the Amusement Park from a distance and move from there… We can't attack if there is no one there." Grunting, I nodded in agreement with Jura while following behind him as he led us to the abandoned amusement park, though I was distracted mainly by how lively Rose Garden was. 'Hmm, maybe I should take my little brothers and sisters here someday.'