This is the magical world of Earthland, in the kingdom of Fiore, in the bustling town of Magnolia.
Center Street is the priciest and liveliest part of Magnolia, with a constant flow of people coming and going. Kira's shop, Hope's Haven, sits right here in the heart of it all.
Having been cooped up in the shop crafting magical items for what felt like forever, Kira couldn't help but notice how much the surroundings had changed in just a few days. "Man, things move fast around here," Kira thought, stepping out into the vibrant street.
But the people? They were the same as always, and the atmosphere hadn't lost its charm. Walking down the road felt like a cheerful tune was playing in the background, putting a spring in Kira's step as they headed toward the guild.
Magnolia is one of Fiore's most famous towns, buzzing with activity. Merchants pass through, trading goods from cities far and wide, while travelers roam the continent, soaking in new sights. The town's prosperity comes not just from its warm, welcoming residents but also from the presence of one of Fiore's most renowned magical guilds: Fairy Tail.
In the kingdom of Fiore, two guilds stand out above the rest. One is Phantom Lord, with its many smaller branches and the largest membership of any guild. The other is Fairy Tail, a place that feels more like a lively tavern than a formal guildhall.
The guild's building is a pyramid-shaped structure with a giant clock at the top and a red-and-white guild flag hanging below. A fenced courtyard surrounds it, and a black sign reading "FAIRY TAIL" adorns the entrance. From the outside, it looks like a cozy Western-style villa. Through the open wooden doors on the first floor, you can hear mages chatting, clinking mugs, and occasionally causing a ruckus.
"These guys never stop making noise, do they?" Kira chuckled.
Since joining Fairy Tail nearly a decade ago, Kira had grown used to the guild's chaotic energy. It was always this lively, though the number of people drinking and chatting had definitely grown over time. "It's kind of wild," Kira mused. "These background characters seem to have endless cash to spend on drinks without ever working. Even nobles would be jealous of that lifestyle."
Taking a quick scan of the room, Kira wasn't surprised to see the usual suspects. The loudest group was, as expected, Cana, Wakaba, and Macao, deep in a drinking contest, with Gray reluctantly dragged into it this time.
Mira, ever the busy bee, was working as a server, her sweet smile lighting up the room as always. Over in another corner, Loke, the heartthrob topping the "Wizard Boyfriend" polls, was flanked by two stunning women, looking like he was living the dream.
Then there was Elfman, shouting about "being a man" for reasons no one could quite figure out. Amid all this chaos, Levy was somehow focused on a book, completely ignoring the two guys hovering around her—whose names Kira couldn't be bothered to remember.
The rest were the usual background crowd: some chatting about clothes or food, others lingering by the job board, and a few quietly sketching in a corner. All these colorful characters came together to create the lively, tavern-like atmosphere that was unmistakably Fairy Tail.
Despite the nonstop noise, someone always noticed when Kira walked in. Mira, the warm, attentive, and multitasking guild manager, was the first to spot them.
"Hey, Kira! Long time no see! What brings you out of your shop today?" she called out with a grin.
Kira, who ran a magic item shop and rarely left it, laughed. "Yo, Mira-san! Good to see you too! The shop had a big payday today, so I'm here to celebrate. Hit me with whatever new drink you've got!"
"Coming right up!" Mira chirped.
Kira plopped down at the bar, stretching with a satisfied groan. "Ahh, having a big client like Erza really takes the stress off. I can just stay in my shop, whip up some magical gear, and rake in the cash—no need to go out on missions."
Mira tilted her head curiously. "That's great, but don't you need to go out and gather materials for your magic items?"
"Oh, that? I post material-gathering jobs on the guild board now and then. Helps out the guild members looking for work, too. Two birds, one stone!" Kira said with a smug grin, inwardly impressed at how they'd managed to keep all the profits in-house.
Then, a thought struck. "Though, some materials are trickier to get. The really dangerous stuff? Yeah, the guild can't always handle those, so I have to step in myself sometimes."
Mira handed over the new drink. "What about Erza? Doesn't she take on your gathering jobs too?"
Kira took a big sip, savoring it before letting out a wistful sigh. "Erza? Yeah, she's helped before, but… let's just say only about one-tenth of what she brings back is usable."
Mira blinked, puzzled. "Why's that?"
Kira raised an eyebrow, smirking. "It's Erza. When she fights, she doesn't exactly hold back."
Mira's eyes lit up with understanding. "Oh, right! That makes sense. Wow, that's so like her. She's amazing!"
Kira blinked. "Uh, is that the part you're impressed by? What a weird take."
"By the way," Kira added, changing the subject, "where's Natsu and Happy? Out on a job? Usually, Natsu's here bickering with Gray non-stop."
Mira wiped a glass, smiling. "Yep, they're out. Heard some rumor about a fire dragon and went off to check it out."
Kira's heart skipped a beat. Fire dragon? Igneel? At a time like this? Wait, no, that didn't sound right. There wasn't any plot like that in their memory. "A fire dragon? You mean Natsu's dad? No way that's real. If a dragon showed up, it'd be headline news by now."
"Exactly," Gray chimed in, strolling over. "But you know Natsu. Hears a whisper about a dragon and bolts out the door. By the time we got the real story, he was long gone."
"The real story?" Kira asked, intrigued. "What's that?"
Cana, reeking of booze and carrying a small barrel in each hand, slung her arms around Kira and Gray's shoulders. "Some shady wizard's been using the 'Fire Dragon' name to scam people. Let Natsu handle it," she slurred, then shouted to Mira, "Yo, Mira! Two more barrels!"
"Coming up!" Mira replied cheerfully.
Kira nodded. "Yeah, that tracks." The situation felt familiar, like the start of that storyline. "Wait, does that mean Lucy's about to show up? Natsu's gonna fall in love? And the guild's gonna get even more chaotic?" Kira paused, then chuckled. "Nah, who am I kidding? It's already a madhouse."
"Anyway," Cana said, grinning, "since you're here for once, how 'bout a drink with us?"
Kira held up their drink with a sly smile. "Nah, I'm good, thanks. You're a bit late to the party, Cana. Gotta seize those opportunities yourself!"
Seizing their own opportunity, Kira leaned in, ready to pitch. "Speaking of opportunities, I mentioned last time that Hope's Haven is rolling out a new batch of magic items. Got some cards that'd be perfect for your magic, Cana. Wanna snag 'em?"