The Next Day
The usual noise of bickering, laughter, and magic-infused chaos rumbled in the background, but at the moment, a specific group of newcomers stood in front of a wide, well-used bulletin board.
Issei, Yuuka, Karasuba, Yashima, Uzume, and Akitsu stood in a loose semi-circle, eyes scanning the multitude of parchment slips pinned in neat rows.
Each paper was a different job request. Every one of them offered coins in exchange for aid: exterminations, bodyguard duties, deliveries, investigations.
"So these are quests." Issei muttered.
Beside him, Mirajane leaned against the edge of the bar with her usual serene smile. Her arms were folded loosely, but her tone was warm and instructive.
"These are submitted by people all across Earthland. Some from towns in need, some from nobles with coins to spare, and others from wandering merchants, travelers, farmers, and citizens who just need help."
She pointed to the top row of the board, where a few slips had red borders and metallic seals. "The jobs are ranked based on difficulty," She continued. "D-rank are simple errands or beginner-friendly missions—little to no danger. C-rank and above begin to carry real risks. Higher ranks like B or A can include bandits, monsters, or high-stakes magical threats. The danger is greater—but so is the reward. S-Class jobs are off-limits unless approved by Master Makarov himself or you reach the rank of an S-class Mage."
"Sounds like fun," Karasuba said again, her eyes scanning for anything labeled A or above.
Yuuka squinted at a slip offering 700,000 jewel to slay a "Titan Boar of the Eastern Glade." She quickly stepped back. "...Not that one."
Mirajane giggled. "Exactly. Every job comes with risk. That's why it's important to pick a quest that suits your abilities. Especially for your first one. Fun can quickly become fatal if you're not prepared. It's not just about strength—each quest requires certain skills. Stealth, tracking, diplomacy... sometimes just patience."
Issei nodded in understanding. "So we need something that won't kill us right out the gate."
"Smart thinking," Mirajane said. "The job slip will usually mention the danger level, the expected time, and the reward. But you can also ask me or Master Makarov if you're not sure."
The group returned their focus to the board.He stepped up to the board, eyes flicking across the papers, reading over job titles and short blurbs:
"Lost Dog in the Mountains" – D-Rank – Reward: 5,000J
"Herb Gathering in the Forest of Wind" – C-Rank – Reward: 40,000J
"Bandit Camp Near East Cliff – B-Rank – Combat Experience Required – 80,000J"
"Ghost in the Manor – D-Rank – Local Elderly Couple Seeking Help"
Uzume tapped her chin, scanning each line like she was hunting for a fashion trend. "There's a 'lost pet' mission. Pays almost nothing, but hey, easy win?"
"Please no," Karasuba deadpanned. "I didn't come to a new world to chase cats and dogs."
Yashima was quietly reading a request from a village asking for protection during a harvest festival—concerns of bandits were rising. "This one's not bad. Escort work, maybe a fight."
"I'd prefer something easy." Akitsu murmured.
Issei's eyes hovered over a different job. One with a worn edge and small, careful handwriting.
Request: Help Needed in Turnip Village – Livestock have gone missing
Rank: B
Reward: 100,000 jewel
Request Type: Investigation & Protection
Client: Village Farmer
Notes: Our cows have gone missing. Locals believe it's a dangerous beast. No casualties reported… yet.
"…This one sounds interesting, plus the reward is pretty high." He said, pulling it from the board.
Yuuka stepped beside him. "Missing cows? Wonder what could be taking them."
"Don't know but it might be fun." Issei replied, handing the slip to Mirajane.
She skimmed it and nodded slowly. "Turnip Village is a day's travel from here by foot, half that by cart if you can hire one. The place produces the best milk in the country. These kinds of quests can go either way. Maybe it's just thieves as their cows are quite famous... or maybe something worse."
Karasuba grinned. "Either way, we get to fight."
Uzume stretched. "I'm in. Long as I don't have to hike the whole way."
Akitsu gave a faint nod. "Acceptable."
Yashima smiled softly. "It's not a bad way to start."
Issei looked over the group—his team. His family, in many ways. He turned back to Mirajane. "We'll take the job."
She stamped the form with a flick of her wrist, the Fairy Tail crest glowing briefly.
Mirajane, ever the helpful heart of the guild, smiled as she handed over a rolled parchment. "Here's a map to Turnip Village. It's a bit off the trade routes, so try not to stray too far from the markers. Roads can get tricky that way." She smiled. "And don't forget—you're representing Fairy Tail now. That means no property damage… if you can help it."
Issei and the rest shared a collective glance. A long beat of silence. "…We'll try," Issei said.
—------------------------------------
The group returned to the main hall, where Tamamo, Miya, and the others were waiting. The moment they meet, Issei is quick to explain what they will be doing and where they will be going. Tamamo and the rest hearing that Issei will be gone for a day left to prepare for their trip.
Tamamo and Miya appeared from the kitchen with neatly wrapped bento boxes and tightly packed supply kits.
Tamamo, wearing a warm, if slightly smug smile, handed Issei a pack. "Here's enough food for three days."
Miya added calmly, "I also included salves, bandages, and extra water. You'd better not die before dinner."
"...Comforting," Issei muttered with a nervous chuckle.
Tamamo leaned in close, brushing a pink lock behind her ear. "Don't forget to think of me while you're out there." She gave him a gentle kiss on the lips, catching him off guard.
Before he could recover, Miya leaned in too—elegant and swift. "For protection and luck." She said simply, and kissed him as well.
Issei couldn't help but smile. But then his smile faded slightly as his gaze shifted to Yuuka, who was busy double-checking the pack, clearly assuming she was part of the quest team.
He approached her carefully, already dreading the conversation. "Yuuka… I need to talk to you."
She looked up at him with expectant eyes. "Yeah?"
There was hesitation in Issei's tone. "I think you should stay behind this time."
The light in her eyes dimmed instantly. "What? Don't you dare say what I think you're about to say," She warned, hands on hips, her foot tapping sharply on the wood.
Issei winced. "Yuuka, I—look, I want you to come, but…"
"You're leaving me behind?! Again?!"
He raised his hands defensively. "You don't have a way to defend yourself right now. This could be dangerous. I'm serious—what if something goes wrong?"
She looked away, her shoulders stiff. "So I'm a liability."
"No, not that." He said gently. "I just want you safe."
That softened her expression, even if her pride still bristled. "…Fine. But next time, I'm coming. No matter what."
He smiled at her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Next time."
And then, to everyone's surprise—including herself—Yuuka surged forward and kissed him fiercely on the lips.
"If I'm not going, at least let me give you this for luck." She mumbled after, cheeks red, and quickly turned away.
Issei laughed nervously, completely flustered.
From across the room, Sakura came running up, waving a little hand.
"Papa! Good luck! Don't let the bad guys get you!"
Issei knelt down and hugged her tight, the warmth of her little arms a reminder of what he had to return to. "I'll be back before you know it. Be good for Mama, okay?"
Sakura nodded excitedly. "I'll draw you a picture!"
Miki, Gorou, and Misuki were the last to say their farewells. Miki gave him a firm hug.
"Don't do anything reckless. And eat properly."
"Do be careful and take care." Gorou added proudly.
Misuki smiled warmly, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Be safe, Issei."
Then, when she noticed that Miki and Gorou were saying their goodbyes to the other and no one was watching, she leaned in and—quickly—pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"Wh—Misuki-san?!" He blurted, flustered, but she simply turned away as if nothing happened.
"Stay alive," She whispered, quickly stepping back.
Issei blinked, face flushing, but before Issei could fully recover, a loud voice called out:
"Stop squirming, you slacker!"
Karasuba was dragging Matsu by the back of her coat like a naughty cat being removed from a bookstore.
"Let me go! I'm on the verge of decrypting a layered magical formula from this world's—!"
"We need a map reader," Karasuba cut in bluntly. "You're coming. You've been buried in books for days."
"I like being buried in books!"
"You'll like not being killed by me more," Karasuba said dryly.
"Ughhhhhh."
—-------------------------
The group—Issei, Karasuba, Uzume, Yashima, Akitsu, and a very reluctant Matsu—gathered at the edge of Magnolia, packs loaded and spirits high.
"Everyone ready?" Issei asked.
Karasuba cracked her knuckles. "Always."
Uzume grinned. "Let's make this quest one to remember!"
Yashima gave a soft nod, and Akitsu stood silently beside them, her presence calm but alert.
Issei looked back one last time at the guild hall—at his family, his friends, the home that had taken them in.
Then he turned forward. "Let's go."
—----------------------------------
The dirt road stretched endlessly beneath their feet, framed on either side by gently swaying trees and the occasional field of wildflowers. The morning sun filtered through the forest canopy. Birds chirped lazily in the distance, and a breeze carried the scent of the forest.
Issei, dressed in his casual clothes, led the group with steady pace. Behind him trailed Karasuba, ever alert, her hand never far from her sword. Akitsu walked in near silence, occasionally glancing to the treetops with her usual detached expression. Uzume strolled with a light bounce in her step, chatting idly with Yashima, who responded with shy smiles and the occasional nervous laugh.
And then there was Matsu—walking in the middle of the group with exaggerated huffs, holding the rolled-up map in both hands like a prisoner clinging to her last shred of identity.
"I should be in the library right now," she muttered, glaring at the dirt like it personally offended her. "Magical theory doesn't study itself…"
Uzume leaned closer and poked Matsu's side with a teasing grin. "Oh come on, don't pout. It's just one day. Think of it as field research."
"I'm a scholar, not a field agent," Matsu grumbled. "There's an entire chapter on discovering the mysteries of the arcane that I'm missing right now!"
Yashima giggled softly. "That sounds… complicated."
"It is! And now I'm stuck with you muscleheads on a milk-related mystery mission—"
"Hey," Issei interrupted, glancing over his shoulder with a warm smile. "If it helps, I'd love to hear what you've been learning. Really."
That gave Matsu pause as her eyes lit up like a child being handed a mystery box of sweets and her pout started to fade. She lowered the map, tucking it under one arm, and adjusted her glasses with a tiny smirk. "You really want to see?" she asked, a trace of smug pride returning.
"Of course," Issei said. "You've been studying nonstop. Show me what you've got."
Matsu didn't need to be asked twice. "Feast your eyes upon my latest achievement." She raised one hand, and a faint shimmer of magic energy danced around her fingertips. A swirl of light formed in the air before her—like rippling glass—and then, with a pop, a pair of black lace panties floated into existence from the distortion.
"…Uh," Issei blinked, unsure if he was impressed or horny.
"Ta-da!" Matsu beamed, holding the fabric up with two fingers. "Spatial Magic! Specifically, a pocket storage spell!"
"I—um…" Uzume's brows rose. "Is that… your underwear?"
"Indeed!" Matsu declared, puffing out her chest with pride. "I can now store select items in an internal pocket dimension accessible only by me. My current capacity is limited, but with further refinement, I estimate a 200% expansion rate in a month!"
Yashima tilted her head. "So… you made magical storage space… just for your panties?"
"It was the easiest test item!" Matsu replied defensively. "They're soft, foldable, and replaceable!"
Issei chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Well… at least now we don't have to carry extra bags."
Karasuba, who had been silent up to this point, let out a small scoff. "That's your big magic breakthrough?"
"Hey! Do you know how difficult spatial manipulation is?!" Matsu shot back. "The quantum matrices alone are murder!"
Uzume leaned over to Issei. "She's cute when she's nerdy."
"Don't encourage her," Karasuba muttered.
Akitsu stepped forward. "Can you teach it?"
The question caught Matsu off guard. "Y-You want me to teach you magic?"
Uzume chimed in too. "I mean… being able to carry my outfits in magical space without it burdening me? That's super handy."
Yashima nodded. "I'd love to learn too. That way I don't have to carry my hammer everywhere. If that's okay, of course."
Even Karasuba muttered, "...If it helps carry my weapon, maybe it's worth learning."
Matsu looked as if she'd just been crowned Empress of Magical Academia. She held her chin high, glasses flashing. "Well then, lucky for you all—I accept your eager minds!"
The rest of the journey to Turnip Village passed with laughter, lesson plans, and several clumsy attempts at learning pocket storage magic. Issei occasionally glanced around, relieved that—for now—things were peaceful. Their first real mission had yet to begin, but already, it was off to a good start.
He glanced back at Matsu, who was now lecturing Karasuba on the importance of mana stabilization while Akitsu practiced forming a small magic circle between her palms. 'Maybe Karasuba dragging Matsu away from her books wasn't such a bad idea after all.'
—-----------------------------------
Fairy Tail Guild
While Issei and his team made their way toward Turnip Village, the rest of the family remained behind in Magnolia—anchored at Fairy Tail, where life continued at its usual chaotic pace… or at least, it tried to.
Mugs clinked. Forks scraped plates. Laughter echoed—but in a far more subdued than usual.
Miya, who had, over the last few days, unintentionally become Fairy Tail's unofficial barmaid and disciplinarian. Her sleeves elegantly rolled up and her hair pinned neatly behind her, moved gracefully from table to table, a tray balanced effortlessly in one hand, a pitcher in the other moved refilling mugs, and stirring pots that made the entire hall smell like heaven. Her calm smile never faltered, even when a Fireball spell exploded near the back table, which she silenced with just a look. Literally—a look.
"NO MAGIC INDOORS," She said in a gentle tone laced with the weight of divine judgment.
The group of rowdy mages turned pale and scrambled to clean the mess before she even raised her ladle.
"Thank you," She said sweetly. "Refills?" She asked sweetly, pouring ale into mugs with a soft, maternal smile.
They nodded vigorously, terrified.
Most of the guild members, hardened mages who had no problem starting brawls over spilled drinks, sat up straighter and kept their voices down like schoolboys at a dinner table. Several had grown visibly pale at her approach—not from fear of poison, but because the memory of the Hannya mask still haunted them like a bad dream.
The tables were cleaned. Plates returned to the bar. Food was eaten in designated zones. Makarov didn't quite know what had happened, but he wasn't about to argue with the results.
Even the ever-flirtatious Loke now sat at a respectable distance, sipping tea like a well-mannered noble.
"She's an angel…" Whispered one recruit, watching Miya float by.
"Do you think if I propose, she'll cook me breakfast forever?" Another mage said dreamily.
"She's a demon in disguise," Muttered Jet, shoving his mug to the center of the table and scooting farther away.
Droy nodded furiously. "She made Elfman mop the floors after he tracked mud into the hall."
"She made Erza do the dishes," said Levy, still in disbelief.
Despite the subtle terror she instilled, there was no denying the guild had never looked better. The tables were polished, the bar was pristine, the floor shone like varnished wood from a noble's manor, and—perhaps most miraculously—the guild hadn't broken a single thing in hours. A record.
At the bar, Mirajane watched with amused fascination. "I think she might actually be more effective than Erza."
The kitchen door swung open and a fresh plate of sizzling stir-fried vegetables floated out—literally. Miya directed it with a casual flick of her hand, placing it gently on the bar.
"Lunch is ready," She said softly, her voice smooth and warm.
Mages scrambled for their plates. And then came the obvious side-effect.
Being beautiful. Miya attracted attention. A lot of it.
Within hours of Issei and his party leaving for their first quest, the guild's more desperate bachelors began their siege. A group of younger male members had quickly become smitten with the graceful, purple-haired beauty. Many had tried to flirt with the new 'barmaid' making flirtatious comments, grand gestures, poems written on napkins. Miya turned them all down with a level of elegance so cold it could freeze a volcano.
"Miss Miya, may I say your eyes shine brighter than the stars—"
"No." Miya rejected.
"But I—"
"Your lips would better serve you if they were eating rather than talking."
"…Yes, Ma'am."
Another tried a flower, enchanted to sparkle with glittering magic.
"Madam, I picked this myself—"
Miya took the flower, smiled politely… and placed it in a vase behind the bar without another word.
"Next."
Mirajane, standing nearby and polishing a glass, chuckled as she watched the latest would-be suitor slink away. "They never learn."
Miya gave her a faint smile as she passed another tray of rice and grilled fish to a table of stunned mages. "I don't mind their attention," She said. "As long as they behave. And stop wasting good flowers on futile dreams."
By noon, a new unspoken rule had formed: You do not flirt with Issei's terrifyingly graceful housewife.
—----------------------
The great doors of the Fairy Tail guildhall swung open with their usual thunderous slam, and in marched a mop of spiky pink hair and blue feline wings fluttering at his side.
"Yo!" Natsu called out, punching the air. "Where's Issei? We're gonna train, eat, then train some more!"
Happy, flapping beside him with his signature grin, added, "Aye! And maybe fish while we're at it!"
But the hall didn't echo with the usual cheers. Instead, Natsu was greeted by the sight of a calm and orderly guild… which immediately felt wrong.
Several members shot him warning glances and subtly gestured toward Miya, who was cleaning a table.
"…What happened to the chaos?" Natsu muttered. Before he could get an answer, a familiar voice called to him.
"Ah, you just missed him."
Natsu turned and saw Miki smiling warmly at him from one of the tables, her husband Gorou sitting beside her, sipping coffee.
"Huh? Missed who?" Natsu asked, scratching the back of his head.
"Issei," Miki replied with a chuckle. "He left just this morning for his first quest."
"Whaaaat?!" Natsu groaned, throwing his hands up. "Seriously?! I finally wake up and he's already off adventuring?!"
Happy landed beside him, giving a comforting pat to his shoulder. "Don't be sad, Natsu. We can still find trouble on our own!"
"Not the same," Natsu muttered, crossing his arms and scowling. "I wanted to see how strong he really is. We both know dragons. That kind of guy makes for a great sparring partner."
Gorou chuckled into his cup. "You two are quite the pair."
Miki smiled gently, noting the disappointed slouch in the normally fiery boy's shoulders. "Well," she said, standing and brushing off her apron, "if you're not too busy sulking, maybe you could do us a favor?"
"Huh?"
"Could you show us around the town?" Miki asked.
Gorou stood up stretching his back. "We haven't had a chance to really explore Magnolia yet. Been busy adjusting. It'd be nice to stretch our legs."
Natsu blinked. "You… want me to be a tour guide?"
"Why not?" Miki asked with a playful smirk. "You must know the town better than anyone."
Happy's wings perked up. "That sounds fun!"
"Hmm…" Natsu scratched his chin, then grinned. "Yeah, alright. I'll show you the best food stalls. Let's go!"
—-------------------------------------
A short while later, the trio (plus one flying cat) were strolling through the vibrant streets of Magnolia.
Stalls of magical oddities lined the cobbled roads. Paper lanterns swayed gently in the breeze. Children ran with wooden swords, pretending to be mages or knights. Somewhere in the distance, a street bard played a whimsical tune.
Natsu pointed left and right with reckless excitement.
"That shop sells firecrackers enchanted to explode in animal shapes! And over there? Best meat skewers in all of Fiore!"
Happy floated beside him, occasionally chiming in with "Aye!" and personal commentary on which vendor made the crispiest fried fish.
He even introduced them to several shopkeepers—many of whom gave awkward waves and knowing glances at the sight of the couple walking beside him.
Gorou chuckled at the reactions. "You're quite the local hero here."
Natsu scratched the back of his head. "Eh. We just help out when things explode. Or before they explode. Or… sometimes during."
Happy nodded. "Usually during."
Gorou chuckled as they followed behind. "I don't know why but he reminds me of how Issei was as a child."
Miki laughed, watching Natsu animatedly describe how he once accidentally destroyed a fountain and blamed it on Gray. "They even pout the same way."
As Natsu led them to a juice stand, Miki smiled softly, her voice more contemplative.
"He does remind me of Issei when he was younger. Wild. Passionate. Full of energy and ready to take on the world."
Gorou nodded. "He's rough around the edges, but there's sincerity in him. Good heart."
As if hearing them, Natsu turned around mid-drink with juice dripping from his chin. "Huh? You guys talking about me?"
"Nooo," Miki said with a serene smile.
"Yes," Gorou answered plainly.
At one point, as they passed a bakery, Natsu suddenly paused and looked toward a distant rooftop.
"What is it?" Gorou asked.
"…It's weird," Natsu murmured, "Issei, I mean. I don't know why, but I like that guy. Like… we're meant to spar. Or something."
"He might just be the same kind of idiot as you, Natsu." Happy offered helpfully.
"Yeah," Natsu grinned. "But I mean that in a good way."
Miki chuckled, linking arms with her husband. "It's okay. We'll all see him again soon. And I'm sure he'll come back stronger."
"Bet he still can't take a punch from me," Natsu said proudly.
"Aye!" Happy agreed. "He's definitely not fireproof!"
The four continued walking—two loving parents, a pink-haired arsonist, and a flying blue cat—laughing together as Magnolia bustled around them.
—-----------------------------------
The midday light filtered gently through the high windows of the Fairy Tail guildhall, casting golden lines across the wooden floor. But Yuuka barely noticed any of it.
She sat at one of the side tables, elbows propped up, cheek resting in her hand as she absentmindedly stirred a glass of juice with a straw. Her eyes held a far-off look, focused on nothing at all.
Across from her, Misuki sipped her tea with a calm expression, though her eyes occasionally flicked over to her daughter's face with quiet concern.
"You're going to have a permanent frown if you don't cheer up." Misuki finally said, setting her cup down.
Yuuka didn't respond.
"He'll be back soon, you know," Misuki added, voice gentle. "Issei always comes back."
"It's not that," Yuuka muttered, pulling herself out of the haze long enough to frown. "Okay, it is that. But it's also the fact that I wasn't with him. This is his first quest, and I'm just… sitting here, useless."
"You're not useless." Misuki replied matter-of-factly. "But Issei has a point, you don't know how to defend yourself."
Yuuka blinked. "Wow. Encouraging."
"I mean it," Misuki said with a shrug. "If you want to be beside him in real battles, you need to be someone who can protect herself—and him. While I as your mother would prefer you to not be in mortal danger. I won't stop you from joining Issei in his adventures."
Yuuka sighed. She hated that it made sense. Hated more that Issei had been right when he said she wasn't ready to face danger. "I know. I just… I really wanted to be there. Our first quest and he told me to stay behind like I'm some useless background character…" She said, pushing herself up from the table. "I'm going to see Tamamo in the library. To see if she can teach me something. If I can't fight now, I'll find a way to fix that."
But just as the two stood, the muffled sound of gunshots cracked through the air.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Yuuka's eyes widened. "What the hell was that?" she asked.
Misuki raised an eyebrow and gestured toward the door. "Let's go find out."
—---------------------------
Fairy Tail's Training Yard
Following the sounds to the back of the guild, Yuuka and Misuki stepped out into the open training field where Fairy Tail members often practiced spells and techniques. But what they found this time surprised them. The two quickly found the sound where two Fairy Tail members were firing at magically generated targets that shimmered in and out of existence.
A pair of figures stood confidently near a set of worn-out wooden targets.
Alzack Connell, dressed in his desert-wandering gear, fired twin revolvers with pinpoint accuracy. Beside him, Bisca Mulan adjusted her wide-brimmed hat and summoned a gleaming sniper rifle out of thin air, taking aim before releasing a charged magical shot that splintered a target in half.
Yuuka's eyes lit up with genuine awe. "Whoa…"
The rapid fire, the precision, the effortless style—it was nothing like the raw explosive power she'd seen from Natsu or the cold, elegant swordplay of Erza. It was clean. Controlled. Cool.
Misuki, beside her, eyed the gleaming hardware like a merchant spotting buried treasure. "Now that," she muttered, "is marketable."
Yuuka didn't hesitate. She walked right up to the pair, waving with a sheepish smile.
"Um, excuse me?"
The two marksmen paused, lowering their weapons when they noticed their spectators.
Alzack spoke first. "Oh, hey. Yuuka, right? Sorry, didn't mean to startle anyone."
Bisca waved. "We're just brushing up our aim. Something we do every few days."
"You two are… amazing." She motioned to their gear. "I mean, you're mages, but you're using guns?"
"Magic guns," Bisca said, offering a wink. "All our weapons are infused with magical power. Range, versatility, impact—it's all about how you channel your energy. Custom enchanted.No lead needed. "
Misuki stepped up beside her daughter, eyeing the weapons with a calculating gaze. "Fascinating. So these function entirely off magical energy?"
Alzack nodded. "Exactly. Different enchantments allow for different effects. Explosive rounds, ice shells, even homing bullets if you're good enough."
Yuuka took a deep breath, her nerves fluttering in her stomach. "Could you teach me?"
Alzack blinked. "Teach you what?"
"How to do what you do. Fight like you fight. I want to be able to stand beside Issei. And right now… I can't."
Bisca and Alzack exchanged a glance, then looked at Misuki as she stepped up, arms folded but eyes locked onto the weapons with interest.
"I might want to learn too," Misuki said coolly. "Those are very efficient. Do you think I could try too?" Misuki asked casually, looking far too interested in the firearm's intricate design.
"You want to learn too?" Bisca asked.
Misuki's smile was sweet. "Well, a woman has to protect her family somehow."
Alzack chuckled. "Fair enough."
Bisca smiled. "We don't usually take students…"
"…but we've made exceptions before," Alzack finished, his eyes softening as he glanced at Bisca.
"Really!" Yuuka said excitedly.
Bisca grinned and shrugged. "Why not."
Alzack waved them closer. "Alright, let's see what you've got. And don't worry—we'll start with the basics. Handling, channeling, targeting. You'll be the fiercest sharpshooter on the continent if you stick with it."
Yuuka's heart pounded, her earlier gloom replaced with a flicker of hope—and determination.
She smiled, then nodded firmly. "I'll do whatever it takes."
And just like that, Yuuka's day turned around. As Bisca showed her how to hold a rifle and Alzack adjusted Misuki's stance, the clearing echoed with laughter, encouragement, and the occasional magical crack of gunfire.
Yuuka grinned as she pulled the trigger for the first time.
'This is just the beginning,' She thought, eyes gleaming. 'Next time, Issei won't have to leave me behind.'
—-----------------------------------------
Library
The Fairy Tail library was unusually quiet, even for a building filled with tomes of ancient lore and magical theory.
Seated cross-legged on a round cushion, Tamamo-no-Mae gently turned the pages of a leather-bound book on basic elemental theory. Her golden tails swayed slowly behind her, brushing the floor in a rhythmic wave. Before her, perched with hands in her lap and eyes wide with curiosity, was Sakura.
"Now," Tamamo said, her voice smooth and patient, "before we can cast magic, we must first understand what magic is. You feel it, don't you? The energy in the air and in your body?"
Sakura's brows furrowed in concentration. "Like... when the wind tickles your fingers?"
Tamamo smiled. "Exactly. Mana is like a current—flowing around and through you. It's alive. When you understand it, you can guide it."
She reached forward and summoned a small wisp of fire, gentle and blue. Sakura clapped in awe.
"I wanna do that!" she beamed.
Tamamo laughed. "You will. But first, we learn control. Try feeling the mana inside you."
As she guided her daughter through the first breathing exercise, a quiet shuffle came from the hallway. Tamamo's ears twitched slightly, and her golden eyes flicked toward the aisle—and sure enough, peeking from around the corner was a head of wavy blue hair and curious brown eyes.
There stood Levy McGarden—notepad in hand, wide eyes watching in fascination.
"Enjoying the show?" Tamamo asked, raising an amused brow.
Levy stepped out from her hiding place, her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "Ah! I'm sorry—I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I was just looking for a new book and overheard your lesson."
Tamamo gave her a small, knowing smile. "It's alright. Not many can resist my daughter's enthusiasm. She tends to draw people in."
Sakura, now wide-eyed, looked between the two. "You use magic too?! What kind of magic do you use?"
Levy beamed at the attention. "Me? I use Letter Magic."
Sakura tilted her head. "What's that?"
Levy flipped her notepad open, summoned a small burst of magic, and in a sweeping motion, wrote the word "Flame" in midair. The glowing letters shimmered, then burst into a small controlled fireball that hovered over her palm before disappearing.
Sakura gasped.
Levy winked. "My magic lets me bring written words to life. Anything I write, I can cast."
"Woooow! That's so cool!" Sakura bounced in her seat. "Mama! Mama! Can she teach me that?! Pleaaaase?"
Tamamo tilted her head, considering. The magic Levy showed was not inherently destructive. With proper discipline, it could serve as a foundation—especially for a clever child like Sakura.
She gave Levy a curious look. "Is it safe to learn as a beginner?"
Levy nodded. "Yes. It's not very flashy. It teaches control, language, and precision. And it's really good for kids who have vivid imaginations."
With a twirl of her finger, Levy stepped closer and waved her hand. Glowing letters began to appear in midair, each forming a word in brilliant blue light: Wind.
As soon as the word finished, a soft breeze swept through the aisle, ruffling Sakura's hair and making her giggle.
Sakura's hands shot into the air. "Mama, can we learn that? Pleeease?"
Tamamo pretended to ponder dramatically, tail flicking. "Well... I was planning to get back to your fire lessons after lunch… but this seems harmless enough."
She turned to Levy with a sly grin. "I suppose we're your students now."
Levy blinked. "Wait—you want to learn too?"
Tamamo tilted her head. "Why not? A good teacher never stops being a student."
Levy's eyes widened with excitement. "I-I'd be honored! Okay! Let's start with something simple—short action words like Push, Float, or Light."
They moved to a larger table, where Levy laid out blank parchment, brushes, and magic-sensitive ink. Sakura excitedly picked up a brush as Tamamo, ever graceful, took her seat with serene poise.
"Okay," Levy began, slipping into full instructor mode. "Letter Magic relies on intent. You don't just write the word—you feel it. Breathe it. Imagine it with all your senses. If you write Fire, don't just think of flames. Think of warmth, heat, light. Hear it crackling in your ears. Smell the smoke. That's how the word gains power."
Sakura's brush hovered over the page. "So... I think of the feeling?"
"Exactly!"
Tamamo glanced at the parchment and gave a faint smile. "A magic born from words. How elegant."
She knelt beside Sakura and handed her a small chalk stylus and a practice board.
"Try writing the word 'Push.' Just think of what it means while you write it. Focus your energy—your magic—into the letters."
Sakura furrowed her brow in concentration, tongue sticking out slightly as she copied the letters. She finished, and the word glowed faintly.
Levy and Tamamo exchanged a hopeful glance. Then—
BOOM!
The chalkboard flew off the table and smacked into a nearby bookcase with a loud thwack.
"Eeep!" Sakura squeaked.
Tamamo stared blankly at the bouncing board. "...Well. It worked."
Levy laughed. "Maybe a little too well!"
—------------------------------
Turnip Village Entrance
The dirt road narrowed as Issei and his group passed under a hand-painted wooden sign that read: Welcome to Turnip Village.
Small and quaint, the village looked like something pulled from a storybook. Cozy cottages with thatched roofs sat nestled amidst rolling fields of tilled earth. Fences lined pastures that stretched to the horizon, dotted with hay bales and groves of fruit trees. The distant sound of braying animals and the scent of fresh soil filled the air.
"It's... smaller than I expected," Matsu commented, adjusting her glasses and scanning the surroundings.
"Well, the request was from a farming village, not a city." Uzume said, stretching her arms behind her head. "Still... feels peaceful."
"I like it," said Yashima, her voice soft as her eyes traced the gently grazing animals. "Simple, quiet…"
Karasuba yawned audibly. "Hopefully that means the fighting starts soon. I'm already bored." Karasuba then sniffs around and frowns. "It smells like mud and shit."
"Not everything can smell like flowers." Issei muttered beside her. He had already unzipped his jacket halfway, the sun beating down harder now that they were out of the forest.
Their boots crunched softly on gravel as they entered the village square, where a few curious villagers paused mid-task—hoeing gardens, gathering eggs, leading carts of hay—and looked up at the strangers.
Issei raised a hand in greeting. "Excuse me! We're from Fairy Tail. We're here about the job request?"
The moment the words left his mouth, the tension visibly dropped from the villagers' shoulders. A wave of relieved sighs passed through the crowd.
The woman sighed in relief and gave a warm, grateful smile. "Thank the heavens. We were worried no one would come."
"They're finally here."
One elderly woman called out over her shoulder. "Go fetch Old Mitch!"
Moments later, a tall figure emerged from the barn at the end of the main road. Despite his age—evident in the silver streaks in his beard and deep-set wrinkles—Mitch carried himself with the strength of a man who'd spent his entire life working the land. His arms were thick with corded muscle, and his eyes sharp under a weathered straw hat.
He came to a stop in front of the group and gave them a curt nod.
"You the Fairy Tail mages?"
Issei stepped forward. "That's us. I'm Issei. These are my companions—Matsu, Uzume, Yashima, Akitsu, and Karasuba."
"Hmph," Mitch said, looking them over. "Bit young… but you've got the guild stamp, so I'll trust it."
Uzume tilted her head. "You're the one who sent the request?"
Mitch nodded. ""Mitch Harper," The man introduced himself, offering a firm handshake. "I'm the one who sent that request. I oversee most of the livestock here. In the last couple weeks, some of our best cattle've been disappearing. No sounds. No damage to the fences. Just… gone."
Matsu frowned. "You haven't seen anything? No signs? Footprints, claw marks, anything?"
Mitch's shoulders tensed as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Nope. And believe me, we looked. Even posted a night watch two days ago—but whatever's doing this, it moves fast and quiet. Too fast for the farmhands."
Matsu leaned in. "No signs? No tracks? Anything left behind?"
Mitch shook his head. "Nothing. Just… gone. We've been raising these cows for generations. Losing even one is a big deal."
"Why leave them alone in the first place?" Uzume asked, folding her arms.
Mitch raised a calloused hand and gestured for them to follow. "Come see for yourself."
—---------------------------------------
The group followed Mitch to a large, open pasture enclosed by a wooden fence reinforced with thick ropes and wooden stakes. And there, grazing peacefully under the sun, were the cows.
Only—these weren't normal cows.
These were massive.
Their muscular frames looked closer to small boulders with legs. Thick, horned heads, shaggy coats, and hooves the size of dinner plates. They looked more like minotaurs on all fours than cattle.
"Holy crap," Issei muttered, blinking. "Are you sure these aren't half magical beast?"
"Just a local breed," Mitch grunted. "Raised 'em myself. Strong, heavy, loyal. We thought they'd be safe."
Yashima stared in disbelief. "I'm not even sure I could lift one of these…"
Akistu simply looked at the cows in quiet fascination.
Uzume tapped one with her knuckles. "That's solid. You sure they weren't, like… hypnotized into wandering off?"
Mitch shrugged. "No signs of tracks, no gates left open. They're here one minute, grazing by the trees, and then gone."
"That rules out wolves or bandits," Matsu muttered, scribbling notes on a parchment she pulled from her pocket dimension. "Maybe some form of magic, a teleportation spell?"
Karasuba leaned against the fence with a disinterested expression. "So what you're saying is... we're dealing with something sneaky, strong, and probably smart."
Issei nodded solemnly. "Yeah. And maybe dangerous enough that a bunch of villagers wouldn't stand a chance."
Mitch looked them over once more. "Are you still sure you want to help?"
Issei grinned. "That's why we're here. Don't worry. We'll keep your cattle safe."
Yashima nodded beside him. "And maybe figure out who—or what's—behind this."
Karasuba let out a slow breath, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Hopefully it's something dangerous."