"Brother Rain!"
The moment Lisanna spotted Gray walking around half-naked again, she instantly darted behind Rain, clinging to his sleeve.
After all, she was a girl. Facing such blatant perversion, hiding behind the person she liked was only natural.
"Lisanna, let's move to the side," Rain said calmly, guiding her away from the chaos.
The guild was as energetic as ever... noisy, messy, overflowing with reckless brawls.
Rain had no interest in throwing himself into pointless fights. To him, it was a complete waste of time.
Of course, that was only if no one provoked him.
If someone did… well, that was another story.
"Ahhh!!!"
"B-Brother Rain, the pervert's flying this way!"
Lisanna's face turned pale as she pointed. Sure enough, a half-naked mosaic (also known as Gray) was sent flying across the guild hall straight toward them.
Rain placed a hand on Lisanna's head, gently patting her. "Don't worry. Nothing will happen."
Then he clenched his fist, magic wrapping tightly around it.
Boom!
His punch connected with the incoming "mosaic," sending Gray crashing into the far wall. He hit with such force that he got stuck in it, twitching.
Rain dusted off his hand with mild disgust. "Tch. Had to wrap it in magic. No telling if perversion is contagious."
Lisanna's cheeks puffed as she tried not to laugh.
In a corner of the guild, a blond young man watched the scene unfold. His sharp eyes glimmered with interest.
"…Not bad. This newcomer's magic power isn't ordinary."
Laxus Dreyar smirked, silently acknowledging Rain's quality.
After the banquet finally wound down (noisy to the very end), Rain and the Strauss siblings went looking for a place to live.
They settled on a small house with a garden, renting it for 150,000 J. It wasn't extravagant, but it was comfortable, and more importantly it was theirs.
For Mira and Rain, living under the same roof didn't feel strange. If anything, it was like a quiet rehearsal for married life.
Later that night, in his own room, Rain lay on his bed, arms folded behind his head. His eyes traced the ceiling, but his mind was far away.
"With my current strength… I'm nothing here. Among ordinary people, I'm excellent. But compared to the real monsters of this guild… I'm still far behind."
Images flashed in his head... Erza's blade, Laxus's lightning.
"I can't stay like this."
Rain suddenly sat up, his expression hardening.
"I need to choose a world soon. The faster I move, the faster I can grow."
The Gate of Time and Space pulsed faintly in his mind, as if echoing his resolve.
"The choice of the first world must be made carefully…" Rain muttered under his breath.
"The best case is to seize the moment when a strong one dies, and then directly receive their soul. That way, I could soar to the top in one step…"
Such chances were rare. But not impossible.
With that thought, Rain pushed away his fatigue. Sleep could wait.
He lit a lamp, sat down at his desk, and pulled out paper and pen. One by one, he began writing down everything he remembered, bits of knowledge from his past life, fragments of lore about different worlds.
Crossing out the too-dangerous ones.
Eliminating the worlds where there was nothing to gain.
Slowly, the list grew shorter. Until only one name remained.
Rain's gaze sparkled slightly.
"…This world."
He stared at the words for a long moment before burning the page, the firelight flickering in his eyes. His decision was made.
"I just don't know how the flow of time compares between worlds…" he murmured.
"That's the only uncertainty."
But another hesitation gnawed at him.
The Gate of Time and Space had made it clear, he could bring one person along.
Mira.
His chest tightened.
He wasn't worried about her stealing his opportunities. He was worried about something else.
What if I can't protect her? What if my carelessness gets her hurt?
He clenched his fists. If that happened… he would never forgive himself.
Knock, knock.
The sound startled him out of his thoughts.
"…At this hour?" Rain frowned, rising from his chair. He crossed the room and opened the door.
And froze.
"Mira?"
There she stood, framed in the doorway, wearing a simple nightgown. Her silver hair, usually tied up in her girlish style, now spilled freely down her back, soft and untamed.
The faint scent of shampoo drifted past him as she stepped closer.
"Why are you here… so late at night?" Rain asked, still confused.
Yet even as he spoke, he instinctively stepped aside, letting her enter.
Mira walked past him in silence, her presence filling the room with an unfamiliar softness.
Rain shut the door behind her, then turned, watching curiously, waiting to hear what she had come to say.
"Rain, are you… worried about something?"
She sat softly on the edge of Rain's bed, her nightgown flowing down to her knees. Her silver hair, loose and shining, fell across her shoulders as she looked at him with concern.
"Eh? Why do you say that?"
Rain froze, blinking in surprise. He hadn't expected her to notice. Had he really let it show that much?
Mira puffed her cheeks, clearly dissatisfied. "Rain, do you take me for a fool? We grew up together. I know you better than anyone."
Her gaze faltered, and a faint blush colored her cheeks. "…And besides, I already promised that when I grow up, I'll marry you. Isn't it only natural that I'd understand what's on your mind?"
"That… is it really that obvious?" Rain scratched his cheek, embarrassed.
Mira shook her head lightly, a small, proud smile tugging at her lips. "Not obvious. But only I would notice it."
Then, almost as an afterthought, she added, "Ah… Lisanna noticed too."
Rain choked. "…So it's not just you then."
Mira's expression grew serious again. Her blue eyes softened, but her voice carried a quiet strength. "So, Rain… tell me. You don't need to hide anything from me. We're family, aren't we?"
Rain held her gaze for a long moment. Then he exhaled slowly.
"…Alright."
He had made up his mind. If there was anyone he could trust with this secret, it was her.
"Mira… you might not believe me, but I've awakened a very special magic. A magic unlike anything else."
Her lips parted slightly, but she didn't interrupt.
Rain continued. "It allows me to travel… to other worlds. And I can even take one person with me."
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