By the time the excitement of my first day at Fairy Tail died down, I realized something important.
I had nowhere to sleep.
I sat near one of the windows, sipping the last of my apple juice, half-listening to Gray and Cana bicker about who would win in a fight between an angry cow and a talking deck of cards (couldn't think of anything that kids will think about ). It was funny, sure—but in the back of my mind, all I could think about was where I'd end up once night came.
Cana noticed my silence. "Hey, Lucky, you okay?"
"I… don't really have anywhere to stay tonight."
Her face fell. "Oh, right! Didn't anyone tell you about the dorms?"
My eyes lit up. "There are dorms?"
"Yeah, but…" She scratched her head, sheepishly. "They're called Fairy Hills. They're for girls only."
"…Oh." I sank back into my seat.
"They're super strict about it, too," Cana added. "No boys allowed. Not even peeking in. I tried sneaking Gray in once for a prank and got caught immediately."
Gray groaned. "Don't remind me."
"Well," I muttered, "there goes that option."
"Hey," Gray said, "if it helps, most of us didn't live in the dorms either. I just rent a small room near the bridge. Cana crashes wherever she wants half the time."
"That's not true!" Cana said. "I have a spot behind the bakery. It smells nice there!"
"I'm sure it does," Gray smirked.
As we talked, a tall man with curly hair, round glasses, and a sketchpad walked over. Reedus Jonah, one of the more creative types in the guild.
"I heard you're the summoner boy," Reedus said kindly. "Your magic is quite unique. I'd like to sketch it sometime."
He flipped his sketchpad around. On it was a quick drawing—me, standing with the boar, eagle, and horse behind me. It looked... surprisingly good.
"That's fast," I said.
He smiled. "It's part of my magic. I draw things, and they come to life."
To prove it, he drew a cat and tapped the page. The sketch glowed and leapt off the paper, becoming a walking, tail-flicking ink cat on the table.
I stared at it and grinned. "You keep practicing like that, and you could be a summoner like me."
Reedus chuckled. "Well, I don't quite have your talent, but I appreciate the thought."
Cana raised her deck. "I use cards too—though mine are more about effects, fortunes, and surprises."
She flipped one, and a burst of light sparked into a puff of cherry blossom petals that floated through the air.
Gray crossed his arms. "I use Ice-Make."
He formed an ice spear, sharp and frosted, in his hands. "Weapons, tools, shields... stuff like that."
He let the ice crumble after a moment, and gave me a nod. "Still, what you did earlier? Pretty impressive."
They all looked at me.
"What about yours?" Reedus asked. "Those cards you use… it's not Celestial Spirit magic. Not scripted summoning either. There's no delay. No ritual."
"It's just… my magic," I said quietly. "I draw a card, and the right creature appears. No key, no circle."
Reedus hummed. "It's like spontaneous spatial manifestation linked to fixed constructs. Wild... but stable."
Cana grinned. "Sounds like fancy talk for 'cool card magic'."
"Exactly," I said, and smiled.
For a few minutes, I didn't feel like a stranger or an outsider. I felt like someone who belonged. Even Gray and Cana, who could've easily brushed me off, were treating me like one of them.
But even with all that warmth… there was still one thing missing.
I stood up and walked over to where Makarov sat finishing a mug of something strong-smelling.
"Master."
He looked up, smiling slightly. "Lucky. Enjoying the chaos?"
"Trying to," I said. "But I don't have a place to stay."
He hummed and scratched his head. "That's a good point."
"There's really no room for boys?"
"Not officially. Fairy Hills is the only dorm we ever built, and it was after the girls threatened to flatten the guild if we didn't give them proper housing."
"That…."
He stood up on his chair to match my height. "If you need to, you can crash in the back storage room for the night. It's not glamorous, but there are some clean blankets. No rats. Probably."
I appreciated the offer, truly, but…
"I think I'll try to find something in town first."
Makarov nodded. "Suit yourself. If you get stuck, the door's open."
With a quick bow, I stepped out into the streets of Magnolia.
The sun was starting to dip as I scouted the town.
Inns were full. Dorms were women-only. Several landlords laughed me off before I even opened my mouth.
"You're too young."
"We don't rent to kids."
"Do you even have money, boy?"
Eventually, I found a quiet little place near the river called Riverside Crescent—an old two-story boarding house with wooden walls, faded paint, and a sleepy dog lying on the porch.
Inside, a tired-looking old lady peered at me from behind the counter.
"You're with Fairy Tail?"
I showed her the golden mark on the back of my hand.
She squinted, then nodded. "One room left. It's small, private, no shared walls. You want it, it's 50,000 Jewels per month."
'Fifty thousand?!'
I had barely over 9,000 Jewels from odd jobs and selling leftover loot. Not even close.
'Alright. Plan B.'
I stepped outside, made sure no one was watching, and ducked into a narrow alley behind the building.
I stretched out my hand.
————————
—————
Lucky Draw:
—————
World: Fairy Tail
—————
Category: [Money], [Modern], [Real], [Location]
—————
Energy: 100/mana
—————
Energy Required: 100×2 + 100×2 + 100×2 + 100×2 = 800
————————
Golden energy swirled into a single point, condensing into a card with a soft shimmer. I caught it as it finished forming.
——————————
Card: Jewels – 100,000
—
Tier: 1
—
Type: Currency
—
Amount of Use: 1
—
Description: Paper money used by the citizens of Fiore. Recognized in all registered markets and inns.
——————————
The card pulsed softly, then vanished in a flash of gold, leaving a neat bundle of crisp Jewel notes in my hand.
'That'll do.'
I walked back into the boarding house and dropped the stack gently on the counter.
The old woman blinked at it, counted in silence, then gave a short nod. "Paid in full. One month. Room three."
She handed me a small brass key.
I climbed the narrow staircase to the second floor, unlocked the farthest door, and stepped inside.
It was simple. Wooden floor. Small bed. A low desk under the window. A small wardrobe in the corner. Everything smelled faintly of wood polish and fresh air.
I walked over to the window, opened it slightly, and sat on the bed.
Outside, the last of the daylight shimmered on the river as the streetlamps flickered to life one by one.
No noise. No fighting. No monsters. No cold forest floor.
Just peace.
I pulled the blanket over my legs and leaned back.
'Finally… relaxing.'
And then, quietly, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.