Two days after the incident with the Magic Council, Allen embarked on a new mission.
(Snowy Gorge)
The biting winter cold struck hard against the three "adventurers" as they ventured into the frigid mountains of Hakobe. However, this time they weren't aiming for the summit but rather a path used by merchants — though that didn't make the region's cold any easier to bear.
"It's so cold!" Lucy shouted, hugging herself tightly.
"That's what you get for choosing that outfit…" Allen said with a half-lidded, bored look directed at the girl. Lucy wore a thick coat, but if you looked down, you'd see she was wearing a skirt that exposed her legs. Allen had warned her to wear pants, but she refused. As for Allen, he had gotten used to having a more vulnerable body, so he put on a coat. He could have cast a cold resistance spell, but he didn't want to depend on magic for everything.
Lucy sobbed miserably as she threw herself at Allen's legs. "But... but I bought this new skirt and wanted to wear it..."
"I see… I guess it was worth it..." Allen replied with dead eyes.
"Ah, help me!" Lucy cried miserably.
"You're starting to remind me more and more of Aqua…"
"Who's that?" Lucy asked confusedly, her nose turning red from the cold.
"She's a goddess…" Allen started to say, "A useless goddess."
"Hey, what does that mean?!" Lucy puffed her cheeks but couldn't get too mad because she immediately sneezed and felt chills from the icy ground. "I... think I'll listen to you next time..."
"Lucy, don't let your convictions be crushed so easily!" Erza said firmly, her eyes shining with determination. The girl had left her armor behind and wore a pink bunny costume, but it wasn't sexy at all, as anyone would expect, but a botarga. Although it did serve the purpose of keeping out the cold, the outfit was disappointing to anyone who knew Erza as the powerful warrior she was.
Lucy glanced at Erza but quickly looked away, not wanting to comment. Allen refused to look at Erza either; he wondered if he had misjudged Erza. She seemed like the voice of maturity and reason in Fairy Tail, but she wasn't — she had a loose screw too.
"Allen, why are you looking at me?!" Erza walked over and grabbed Allen by her bunny paws. Allen still refused to acknowledge Erza in this form. "Didn't you say you wanted to see me wear something cute?!"
Allen closed his eyes. "Yeah, that's what I said, but... I didn't imagine... this…"
"Huh? You'd prefer a catgirl outfit?" Erza let go of Allen and used Requip to change into cat pajamas—not a sexy catgirl costume with ears, literally just cat pajamas.
"..." Allen sighed with disappointment.
"Huh?!" Erza was annoyed with an aura of fire surrounding her.
"It's really cute…" Allen said mechanically.
Erza blushed and nodded. "Umu, better to be honest~"
...
Starfire – I don't see what the complaint is. She looks cute.
McDragon – I get it! This is disappointing! :(
PercyJ – I feel your pain, brother...
Hestia – Pervert...
Afrodita – There's nothing pervy about it. It's natural for a man to want to see his woman in cute, sexy clothes. I have a whole collection of micro bikinis and lingerie ready for when the time comes ❤️~
Hestia – You're an even bigger pervert!
....
Lucy patted Allen's shoulder; she could understand his feelings. Maybe she wouldn't like it either if Erza wore a provocative outfit—wait, she couldn't be the one to dress like that for him, right?
Lucy imagined herself in a bikini-type outfit with cat ears, only to shake her head: No way! Lucy can't be doing S-rank missions as a rookie!
Putting aside Allen's disappointment, what were the three doing in this place? The answer was simple: a "Request."
Allen took pity on Lucy and cast a spell that created a bubble regulating the temperature around her. This spell was called "Thermocaelum."
"Thanks~" Lucy hugged Allen. "But why don't you use it too?"
"When you have magic, it's easy to fall into the temptation of using it for everything, but magic doesn't have unlimited power… so not relying on it all the time is also part of being a good wizard…"
Lucy's eyes welled up with tears...
Allen felt a drop of sweat roll down his cheek. "Don't worry, you can keep using the bubble…"
"Thanks!~"
"Allen, you're spoiling her too much…" Erza sighed.
"What's wrong with that?" Lucy complained.
Allen thought about it for a moment and realized Erza was right. At this rate, Lucy wouldn't grow by facing hardships and, worse yet, wouldn't be able to participate in Allen's missions.
It was easy to see there was a problem with the power balance between Lucy and Allen. While the first was a level 2 rookie adventurer, Allen was a last boss. So on one hand, if Allen chose missions suitable for his skills, Lucy wouldn't have a chance to shine; on the other, if Lucy picked missions matching her level, it'd be like using a nuclear weapon to collect herbs. But the solution was surprisingly simple: they just needed to take two missions in the same place that fit their respective levels.
Allen chose a classic mission to catch bandits.
> Request: The Silver Knife of Snowy Gorge.
> Client: Magnolia Merchant Guild.
> Description: A bandit group known as The Silver Knife has been attacking caravans crossing Snowy Gorge. Their leader commands wind magic. A team of mages capable of tracking, confronting, and capturing (or neutralizing) those responsible is required.
> Reward: 500,000 Jewels + Bonus if captured alive. [System Bonus: +300,000 J + Cold Protection Ring + Detox Potion.]
> Location: Snowy Gorge, Hakobe Mountain Region.
> Difficulty: Rank A
Allen had taken this mission. It was a pleasant surprise that the system could register guild "Requests" as system "Missions," allowing him to receive extra bonuses in rewards. As for Lucy, she opted for the basics.
> Request: Frost Tears.
> Client: Alyssa Fennel, magical apothecary of Magnolia.
> Description: Collect three Frost Tears, rare crystallized flowers that grow exclusively on the highest cliffs of the Hakobe Mountains under extreme temperatures. These flowers bloom only at dawn for 10 minutes, requiring precision and cold resistance.
> Reward: 150,000 Jewels [System Bonus: +100,000 J + Magic Perfume Flask made with Frost Tears extract.]
> Difficulty: Rank C
Allen smiled; this was the classic mission that intimidated rookies. Depending on preparation, it could be very easy or very hard. Judging by Lucy's previous condition, it was obvious she had underestimated the cold.
"By the way, Lucy, what about your mission?" Erza asked curiously.
Erza was with them; this might seem like they formed a team, but the truth was more absurd... she followed them without asking for permission, doing it as naturally as breathing. Allen accepted this without wasting energy questioning it. As for Lucy, she wanted to complain, but Erza ignored her.
"Huh? Oh right! I was so worried about the cold I forgot!" Lucy pulled a silver key from her belt. "Open, Minor Canis Gate, Nikola!"
A magic circle appeared before Lucy, and wrapped in light, a creature that was a mix between a dog and a snowman appeared. The creature trembled like a chihuahua but without aggression.
"Plue~" Lucy hugged the small spirit while Allen wondered what Lucy planned to do. Plue was a spirit pet; his combat abilities were inferior to Happy's—or so they should be.
Erza stood beside Allen watching with interest. "Looks cute. I wonder if he tastes good?"
"It's not food!" Lucy got angry. "Plue, show these skeptics your ability!"
Plue raised one paw in a war sign, and Lucy put him down on the ground. He got on all fours and began sniffing the ground.
...
Gwen – So that adorable thing can track flowers? That's so cute... honey~
'I'll get you one if I can, Gwen...'
MJ – That's not fair! I want one too!
'Okay...'
Wednesday – I'd like some magic books...
'Just a few? Or a few thousand...'
Nokotan – I want some deer cookies...
'Nokotan, those are everywhere...'
Allen felt a bad premonition and, as expected, many girls started asking him for souvenirs from this magical world... again. He had to calm them down, knowing no matter the outcome, his wallet would suffer... one of the biggest downsides of having a harem.
While Allen was talking with the girls in his chat, Plue did his best until, after five minutes, he got up and pointed in one direction. Lucy picked him up and ran that way.
"Allen… I was wondering, how does Plue know what a Frost Tear smells like?" Erza asked with expressionless eyes.
"Who knows…" Allen replied with the same eyes.
A minute later, Lucy came running back at full speed, followed by a herd of giant monkeys. They were all Vulcans, and their eyes were shaped like hearts as they chased after her.
"Help! Help me!"
Erza and Allen exchanged a glance and nodded. Erza jumped as she changed her armor. Allen could have used some spell, but he preferred to test the magic of this world. After all, he had basic Light and Ice magic, and intermediate Wind and Earth magic. It might not seem like much, but with Allen's skill, it was more than enough.
Allen pointed at Lucy while a magic circle appeared beneath her feet, then a wind shield surrounded her.
"Requip: The Knight!" Using the Heaven's Wheel Armor, Erza summoned many swords and launched them at the group of monkeys in heat.
Allen had protected Lucy just in case, but it wasn't necessary since Erza had great precision and no sword fell on the shield. Soon, almost forty giant monkeys were finished. Unexpectedly, the monkeys slowly turned back into people. Apparently, the same thing that happened to Macao had happened to them—they were possessed, which is known as "Take Over."
"Aren't these the bandits?!" Lucy was surprised. These guys had weapons and some illegal magical artifacts.
"I guess mission accomplished…" Allen shrugged.
"Wait, I still haven't found the Frost Tears," Lucy said, standing up, disappointed. However, Plue touched her leg and pointed at one of the defeated men. This one had to be the leader judging by his magical power. Lucy searched his clothes and found a bag. When she opened it, there were several blue flowers with crystal petals.
"Looks like Plue did manage to track the flowers, although he didn't measure the danger…" Erza smiled as she switched her beautiful armor for her cat outfit…
Allen decided not to pay attention to that…
As usual, Allen saved some time by teleporting back. Lucy went to the apothecary, and Allen went to the chamber of commerce to finish their respective missions. Erza, for her part, went straight back to the guild to meet up later.
....
(Fairy Tail)
The first thing Lucy did was recount what had happened, omitting the part where she ran desperately from the monkeys. She was in a good mood and spent her time talking about the experience with Mirajane.
Allen smiled beside her. Lucy was the definition of a beginner mage, full of aspirations, getting excited about every achievement, no matter how small. Erza smiled too—seeing young mages grow was always nice.
"Mmm…" Makarov began to yawn.
"Master, is something wrong?" Mirajane asked.
"…" Allen frowned.
"It's him!" Makarov said.
Slowly, everyone started falling asleep. This even happened to Erza.
"What's happening?!" Lucy got scared without noticing that the pendant Allen had made for her was glowing. Allen, however, was unaffected and prepared to face the intruder, but Makarov stopped him.
"Wait, Allen… he's not an enemy…"
Allen looked at the sleepy Makarov. It was true he wasn't defending himself, but the fact that he was affected by this sleep magic was incredible. Lucy stayed silent and looked fearfully toward the entrance.
*Footsteps*
A figure wrapped in a black hood and wearing a robe entered. He had several magical staffs, which made Allen open his eyes slightly—he believed that no one in this world used wands or staffs to cast magic.
"..." Seeing that he was not an enemy, Allen stopped paying attention to him.
The man in black approached the bar step by step.
"I'm back, Master…" he said in a deep voice.
"Mystogan… stop using your magic..." Makarov scolded him, though he seemed happy to see him.
"…!" Mystogan was stunned when he saw Lucy looking at him and Allen drinking tea without looking his way.
"H-Hi..." Lucy greeted with some trepidation.
"They're new members…"
Mystogan paused, noticing Lucy's pendant, then nodded and went to the Request Board to take on a mission, and prepared to leave.
"Four…" Mystogan began counting as he left, "Three… Two…—!" Mystogan froze because Allen suddenly appeared in front of him. Lucy looked next to her just in time to see him vanish.
"Allen?!" Makarov shouted in confusion.
"Hey… you've got the guts to show up in front of me after making me angry, Siegrain." Allen clenched his fist, "I'm sorry, Erza... I don't think I can contain myself... One-Man Army x35 Strength."
"…!" Mystogan covered himself with his staff, creating three magical circles in front of him. Allen's fist struck, destroying each one like paper, surprising Mystogan, who could only see the fist coming toward his face.
"STOP!" Makarov shouted, releasing a huge amount of magical power. This made Allen stop before connecting his punch. "Allen, I understand your anger, but he's not Siegrain, the mage you knew on the council, he's different…"
"…" Allen remained silent as the hood was torn to pieces by the force of Allen's fist, revealing his face. At that moment, Allen slightly opened his eyes. Every feature in Mystogan was the same as Siegrain's, but his eyes were different—there was no unpleasant feeling in them.
Allen withdrew his fist and passed by Mystogan heading to the bar. "Sorry…" he apologized and fixed Mystogan's clothes with "Reparo."
"…" Mystogan looked back as the last fragment of his hood was restored. After a moment, he left the guild.
"Sorry…" Allen said to Makarov.
The old man looked at Allen and Erza by his side, knowing the origin of the anger he had shown earlier. He didn't blame him; he had also noticed Erza's darkness, but as long as she didn't seek help herself, it would be hard to save her.
One by one, everyone started waking up. Lucy watched in a daze, not knowing what had just happened.
"That bastard Mystogan…" Macao complained.
"Does he really have to do this every time?" said Cana, looking at her beer barrel spilled when she dropped before passing out.
"…" Erza opened her eyes and adjusted herself in her chair, then glanced sideways at Allen, her eyes reflecting complicated feelings. It was unknown if she had really fallen completely asleep considering her strength.
"Mystogan… who is he?" Lucy asked timidly.
"Mystogan is one of the strongest mage candidates in Fairy Tail!" Elfman answered, holding his head.
Gray grunted, "Tsk, he doesn't like being seen, so every time he comes, he uses his Sleep Magic!"
"So nobody except the Master knows his face…" Mirajane sighed.
Lucy got nervous. "That's amazing, hehe… heh."
Natsu woke up and looked at Allen, who seemed unaware of everything. "Allen, were you affected?—"
Before Allen could answer, if he was going to answer, a mocking laugh appeared.
"I know what he looks like~"
The arrogant voice came from the second floor. Lucy looked up and saw a muscular blond man with a lightning-shaped scar on his face. He had a mocking look as he scanned the guild but frowned when he stopped at Allen.
"Laxus!"
"You were here?!"
"Laxus…" Makarov frowned.
"I see that while I was gone, a couple of rookies appeared who think they're the center of Fairy Tail…"
Laxus' words left everyone speechless; needless to say, it was a clear provocation.
Erza grabbed Allen's shoulder. "You don't have to fall for his provocations… Laxus is like that."
"Laxus!" Makarov tried to stop the nonsense, but he knew Laxus was like an angry bull and didn't back down from his words.
"I don't want to! I'm the strongest! It's absurd that in just one week, some mountain outsider wants to step over me!" Laxus raged as his body started releasing golden lightning. "Allen Walker, I'm not pathetic like Mystogan! You won't catch me off guard!"
"What?!"
"When did Allen and Mystogan fight?!"
"…" Allen remained silent, ignoring Laxus. His gaze was still calm and unperturbed, which only made Laxus more irritated.
"Laxus! Before saying nonsense, fight with me!" Natsu, uninvited, broke the tension by challenging Laxus.
"Natsu…" Laxus looked at the pink-haired youth with disdain. "I'm not interested in fighting you…"
"What?!"
Still irritated, Laxus leaned on the railing and spoke mockingly, "If you want to fight me so badly, come up to the second floor… that is, if you're not scared like the cowardly albino."
"Watch your words!" Erza looked at Laxus coldly.
"That's right!" Lucy stood up. "I don't care who you are, but Allen is way stronger than you!"
"What did you say?!"
"Laxus!" Natsu interrupted again and ran to the second floor, but Makarov crushed him with a giant fist.
"You can't go upstairs... yet!" Makarov said, silencing everyone.
This went on until Laxus laughed and spread his hands, "That's right, this is reality. You don't even have the qualifications to go to the second floor. I'm the strongest!"
"You sound like a secondary villain in a movie…" Allen's voice stopped Laxus' laughter.
Insulted, Laxus felt all his blood boil. He no longer thought twice and exploded while attacking Allen, destroying part of the second floor in the process. "I'll kill you!"
Allen remained silent before setting down his teacup, "You're very arrogant…"
===
A/N: 👀
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