Chapter 42: Cheese and Snow
Upon returning to Magnolia, news that Nab had successfully completed the **first official commission** of his wizarding career spread across the guild like wildfire.
"Everyone, I propose a toast!"
"Cheers—to Nab finally breaking his first job streak!"
Fairy Tail could always find an excuse to celebrate, but this time, Makarov's party plans went largely ignored.
Because most of the guild wasn't flocking around Nab—they were crowded around Noah.
Or rather, around the **two small creatures** standing proudly on the table in front of him.
A fluffy, snow-leopard-colored kitten with a tiny white hamster perched on its head. Neither seemed the least bit nervous about their new surroundings; both looked around the bustling guild with wide, curious eyes.
"Hello! My name's Cheese! And this is Snow White! We're good friends with Noah!"
The kitten's childish voice and cuddly appearance melted hearts instantly. Half the guild's female members squealed and rushed over with snacks.
"Wow! What a cute little kitten!"
"He talks, just like Happy!"
"Look at that fur—so soft!"
"And the hamster doesn't eat meat? Isn't that weird?"
"Noah, you're so lucky. You bring back *two pets* this adorable just from a mission?"
"…Pets, huh." Noah smirked faintly. "Wait until you see that hamster knock half the guild flat. Then tell me who owns who."
---
On the way back from Mount Hakobe, Noah discovered Cheese and Snow White nestled in one of the gift packages sent by the villagers.
They had come specifically *to make friends with him.*
After all, Noah had saved them—defeating the cultists who tried to capture Snow White—and even earned their heartfelt wish to "be friends."
And while Noah's sincerity had touched them, what truly convinced him to accept were the special rewards that came with their friendship:
**"Perception of Malice"** and **"Life–Magic Symbiosis."**
"Perception of Malice" belonged to Cheese. Within ten meters, it could sense hostile emotions directed at anyone—even before an attack was made.
"Life–Magic Symbiosis" belonged to the hamster, Snow White. The greater one's vitality, the more magic power increased—and vice versa. An upward cycle of endless growth.
In short, this cute little vegetarian hamster was a *living cheat code.*
No wonder no one had ever seen the true "Snow Beast" of legend. If that so-called mythical creature was just a fist-sized, pure-white hamster, who could ever recognize it in an endless sea of snow?
---
Through Cheese's "mouse-speak translation," Noah learned their story.
Although Snow White possessed great power, she was a gentle herbivore who loathed fighting. Cheese, on the other hand, was barely a few months old with no fighting skills whatsoever.
When the Black Magic Cult used their tamed Vulcans to hunt Snow White, Cheese's ability to sense malice helped them evade capture. But as the cult terrorized Hakobe, their actions enraged the peaceful Snow White—who struggled with the desire to protect others without resorting to violence.
In the end, Noah's appearance—and his victory—resolved everything.
To thank him, the two decided to travel with him.
However, the ever-curious Cheese got distracted halfway, lured by the scent of dried meat in a packed food crate, and promptly fell asleep after eating.
By the time Noah discovered them, the carriage was already far from Mount Hakobe. After explaining the situation, both animals happily agreed to follow him to Magnolia.
---
Meanwhile, poor Nab stood slack-jawed before the celebrating guild, clutching his untouched mug.
Before completing his mission, everyone teased him for never finishing one.
After completing it, all attention had gone to *a cat and a hamster.*
He stared blankly at his drink.
Did his efforts really matter less than two fluffy freeloaders?
*Am I even human anymore?!*
Nab sulked his way back to the request board, muttering curses of existential crisis.
---
Leaving Cheese and Snow White with the other members to play, Noah approached the bar to report Snow White's true identity to Makarov.
The old master's expression didn't waver. His experienced eyes had sensed the hamster's unusual aura the moment he saw her, but hearing that the mysterious "White Snow Beast" was actually a harmless vegetarian rodent still made him blink twice.
Still, if that little thing stayed peaceful, he had no complaints.
"A so-called dangerous monster, hmm?" Makarov mused, chuckling. "I've seen scarier things when Laxus was teething."
If any real threat ever came, one punch from the old man could flatten it. As one of the Ten Wizard Saints, there were few on the continent who could rival him.
---
After Makarov gave permission for Noah to keep Cheese and Snow White in the dorms, Noah decided to test something else.
Dark energy rippled across his skin. His right arm turned obsidian-black, gleaming with metallic hardness.
Makarov's eyes narrowed. "This aura…"
Even without Noah explaining, he could sense the difference instantly. The change wasn't magical—but *spiritual.* The boy's arm defense had multiplied several times over.
"Impressive," Makarov muttered. "That luster—it's like steel."
Noah nodded. "It's called **Armament Haki**—a power born from concentrating one's will."
"Willpower?" The master's eyes shone with curiosity. "Interesting…"
Noah smiled faintly. He had expected this reaction.
"You're quick, Master. I was going to suggest teaching it to other guild members."
Makarov stared at him wordlessly, then sighed. "You sneaky brat… I knew there was a catch."
He thought it over carefully. Haki—if safe to learn—could significantly strengthen every Fairy Tail mage. But Makarov's first priority was always his guild's safety.
"Willpower is unpredictable," Noah admitted. "Even I learned it differently—it's… not something from this world."
"So you can't guarantee there's no danger."
"Exactly."
The old man crossed his arms, thinking. After a moment's pause, he nodded.
"Alright. We'll confirm that safety first."
"How?"
Makarov grinned. "Simple. You teach me."
Noah blinked… then laughed softly.
Fairy Tail truly was the luckiest guild alive—because its master was willing to be the first to take the hit for his kids.
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