The magic train screeched to a halt. A handsome young man yawned as he lazily stepped off onto the platform.
This was Agalifa, a city about fifty kilometers from Magnolia, and Noah's destination for his next commission.
Atmosphere? Two words came to mind—*get rich.*
The moment he exited the station, several people shoved piles of flyers into his hands. Flipping them open, Noah snorted. They were all advertisements for financial products.
"Tsk. If they actually worked, they wouldn't be on street corners shoving flyers at strangers."
He handed the leaflet back to the baffled distributor and continued on his way.
All along the path, voices echoed—hawkers promoting goods, brokers negotiating rates, and citizens gossiping over the economy. Agalifa thrived on business. The reason was simple: here stood a powerful business guild.
Noah soon stopped before a magnificent building with a bold sign overhead:
**"Love & Lucky."**
*Love and Luck?* Noah tilted his head. *Strange. If love truly brought luck, then why do we so often see misfortune instead?*
"Hello, can I help you?"
A young man in a crisp suit and briefcase appeared, clearly a salesman.
After Noah explained his purpose, the representative warmly ushered him inside, promising to report to the president.
Compared to the bustling, money-driven streets, the interior of the Love & Lucky guild was surprisingly calm. Noah half-expected to be bombarded with investment pitches, but no such thing happened. Instead, small talk with the staff filled him in on why Agalifa's citizens were obsessed with wealth.
It all came down to one man: **Jude Heartfilia**.
Though now famous across Fiore as the head of the **Heartfilia Konzern**, Jude had originally risen as a member of Love & Lucky. His dazzling success—building an empire in just ten short years—became a legend that every aspiring merchant dreamt of replicating.
But one senior clerk spoke the bitter truth. "No one will ever repeat Mr. Jude's miracle."
Before Noah could ask further, the salesman returned. "President Reina is waiting, Mr. Magician. This way, please."
Inside a well-furnished yet oppressive office sat a middle-aged man slouched heavily into his chair. At a wave of his tired hand, the salesman excused himself.
Reina forced a weary smile. "I've been posting this request to guilds for two years. You're the first to finally answer. Truly, Fairy Tail's reputation for talent is well-earned."
Noah offered a wry grin. *If not for me joining, Fairy Tail would've ignored this one too.*
Mages, in general, had little love for the volatile rise and fall of financial markets. They preferred straightforward work: fight, labor, get paid.
"President Reina, please explain your request," Noah cut in. He had no mind for chatter. The sooner this ended, the sooner he could be back in Magnolia enjoying his naps.
"I'd like you to investigate the organization behind the 'Black Bird Consortium,'" Reina said gravely. "I suspect them of being tied to the Black Magic Cult."
Noah raised an eyebrow. The Black Magic Cult again? They really were like cockroaches—showing up everywhere.
But Reina mistook Noah's calm as composure, and his confidence seemed to rise.
"If you suspect them," Noah asked mildly, "why not take this directly to the Magic Council? They would crush Black Bird without hesitation."
Reina grimaced. "Because… my friend's funds are trapped in their dealings. If the Council intervenes, the assets will be seized, and he'll never see them again."
Noah leaned forward. "And this friend is?"
"You've certainly heard of him," Reina said. "Jude Heartfilia, head of the Heartfilia Konzern."
Noah blinked. Heartfilia again? That name was everywhere. Still—would a calculating businessman like Jude really fall for such a trap?
Reina elaborated, speaking in a low, heavy voice:
"Jude and I entered this guild together. His surname wasn't originally Heartfilia. He only adopted it when he married into their family."
"His wife, Layla Heartfilia, was once one of us as well. They both left after marriage. With the Heartfilia family's wealth, Jude rapidly expanded his empire. Layla gave him a daughter. For a while, I was jealous—he had a blessed family and career."
"…Then tragedy struck. Layla died suddenly. Jude was devastated. Broken. He drowned his grief in business, chasing success at the expense of his daughter's care."
"When he first partnered with Black Bird… I warned him. Begged him. He wouldn't listen. Soon his funds were siphoned away. Cash flow stagnated, rumors spread, and he was forced to sell major railway assets…"
Reina's voice trailed off. His bitterness was clear.
*So that's it.* Noah thought. *Deeply in love, a devoted husband—but a hopeless father, consumed by grief.*
At least Jude was fortunate to still have a friend like Reina. This commission was clearly less about Love & Lucky's business, and more about saving Jude himself.
Reina's plan was simple: disguise Noah as a wealthy young investor to infiltrate Black Bird and gather evidence of their true identity as Black Magic Cultists. With proof in hand, Jude could be forced to confront reality, and Reina might even negotiate for Jude's stolen assets.
Noah wanted to laugh.
*Negotiate? With the Black Magic Cult? These aren't merchants—they're killers. Once they have something, they never return it.*
But he kept his calm smile, nodding politely. No need to unsettle Reina. After all, Noah would find his own way of handling the "problem"… when the time came.
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