Chapter 53: Mirajane's Inner Struggle
"That's wonderful, Sis! You weren't possessed by a demon—you awakened your magic! Amazing! That's my big sister Mirajane!"
Upon hearing Makarov and Moen's explanation, little Lisanna jumped with joy. Her face beamed with a radiant smile, and her wide eyes sparkled with pure innocence.
"That's great, Sis! So cool!"
Elfman echoed happily. Despite his rugged appearance, the boy was dressed like a gentleman in a vest and shirt, giving him quite the amusing contrast.
"Takeover Magic... Demon's power..."
Staring at her right hand, Mirajane fell into a daze.
Moen narrowed his eyes. He could keenly sense that this girl wasn't happy—not at all. Her gaze toward her demonic arm was still filled with deep revulsion.
[Ding! Quest Triggered!]
Quest Name: "Mirajane's Inner Struggle"
Quest Objective:
S-Class Mage "The Demon" Mirajane has fallen into self-doubt and shut herself off. For the future of the guild, it's your responsibility to guide her back—help her embrace her power and shine for Fairy Tail once more!
Progress: Help Mirajane accept her power (Incomplete)
Reward: Random Bronze Saint skill
Just as Moen expected, the [Saint System] popped up right on cue, issuing a new quest.
Reading the objective, Moen wore a strange expression—it felt awfully familiar. He remembered triggering a similar mission when Erza had first arrived at the guild.
But Erza's quest was just about helping her integrate into Fairy Tail, and the reward for that had been far less impressive.
Back then, the system had given him rare materials like Stardust Silver, Orichalcum, and Gammanium.
Not that those materials weren't precious—they absolutely were, legendary metals found only in mythical lore, used to craft and repair sacred cloths. But without armor or a [Cloth Repair Manual], they had limited use at the time.
In comparison, a brand-new combat skill was far more practical.
Even if the pool was limited to Bronze Saints.
After all, Bronze Saints included the legendary Big Five.
His previous skill—"Rozan Shō Ryū Ha" —had also come from a Bronze Saint.
And that technique alone, honestly, could rival those of Gold Saints.
Which meant that as long as he drew from the Big Five's skill set, he couldn't lose. In fact, with few other Bronze Saints having named skills, the odds were heavily skewed in his favor.
In a weird way, the "Bronze Saint" prefix might as well be labeled as "High-Rarity Skill Rate Up!"
Watching the dazed Mirajane, Moen decided to shelve his plans to take on a job request. For now, his focus would be on helping her—he needed to evaluate how difficult this quest was going to be.
"If you've got nowhere else to go, why not stay with us? Join Fairy Tail. Become one of us."
Moen smiled gently and extended the invitation on behalf of Master Makarov.
He figured there was no reason for Mirajane, Lisanna, or Elfman to refuse. After all, the fact that they'd lingered outside the guild doors, drawn in by the warm, lively atmosphere, already said enough about what they longed for.
"Sure, sure! I love it here!"
Lisanna responded cheerfully, her smile full of warmth.
She genuinely liked this place.
The old grandpa and the big brother in front of her were good people. They didn't shun her sister Mirajane, didn't treat her like someone possessed by a demon, and definitely weren't trying to drive them away. Everyone in this guild called "Fairy Tail" was kind like that.
"I want to stay too,"
Elfman added, his voice calm and a bit reserved—quite the contrast to his rugged appearance. Despite looking tough on the outside, his personality leaned gentle and quiet.
With both Lisanna and Elfman expressing their desire to stay, all eyes naturally turned to the only one left—Mirajane.
"...Then I guess I'll stay too."
Mirajane tucked her demonic arm back beneath her cloak, her voice still as gloomy as before.
She tried to sound normal, to lift her tone a little, but it was clearly forced. Still, she didn't want her personal issues to affect her younger siblings.
"Alright then. Sister Elroe, I'll leave Mirajane and Lisanna in your care. I'll take Elfman to get settled in the boys' dorm."
Moen nodded in satisfaction. Getting Mirajane to stay at the guild was step one—after all, he couldn't very well follow them around like a wandering babysitter.
Even if the [Saint System] claimed that Mirajane was destined to become an S-Class mage, fate could still be changed. Nothing is set in stone—people shape outcomes.
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of them."
Elroe smiled warmly. She'd ask Laki to handle the front desk solo for a bit. After half a year on the job, Laki could manage just fine alone.
Moen had full confidence in Sister Elroe—beautiful, kind-hearted, musically talented, graceful—her only flaw was not being much of a fighter. No wonder she was the dream girl for half the guild.
"Come on, Elfman. I'll show you to the dorms."
Moen ruffled Elfman's hair and gestured for him to follow.
"Yes, big bro!"
Elfman nodded obediently, backpack on his shoulders, sticking close to Moen with admiration in his eyes.
Despite only just meeting, Moen gave off a dependable aura. The moment he denied the whole "demon possession" thing, Elfman had felt a sense of trust.
"No need to be so formal, Elfman. Now that you've joined Fairy Tail, we're family. Relax a little."
Moen grinned as he spoke. His impression of Elfman was already shifting—from "tough guy" to "quiet and gentle kid with a surprising gap in personality."
"Got it, Moen-nii!"
Elfman responded with a bit more ease, though still not fully relaxed.
Moen smiled and shook his head. It would take time, but he'd get used to it. Both Lisanna and Elfman seemed like adaptable kids—and with so many peers in the guild, they'd fit in quickly.
When they reached the boys' dorm, Moen paused, stunned.
Had he come to the wrong place?
The building looked far more rundown than he remembered—it was falling apart in places, definitely not what he had in mind.