Juvia's condition was indeed gradually improving, but Moen was still very anxious. His final task requirement could not just get stuck like this, he had to find a way to resolve it as soon as possible.
"Juvia, how have your recent learning results been?"
After enduring it for several days, Moen finally went to look for Juvia. Coincidentally, the two of them happened to run into each other on the way to the guild.
Juvia had already begun learning how to use magic under Makarov's guidance. Her talent was still in a state waiting to be developed, and Makarov would be teaching her what magic was from the very basics.
The old man stayed squatting in the guild every day with nothing much to do anyway, so it was perfect for him to teach a child. He had mastery over various kinds of magic and possessed rich combat experience. He could be said to be a living treasure.
It was a true portrayal of the saying: having an elder at home is like having a treasure.
"Brother Moen, Juvia has already learned some methods of usage. Juvia will continue to work hard! Striving to go out and take on missions as soon as possible."
Looking at Moen, Juvia said seriously.
The various preferential treatments from the guild made her feel uneasy. Eating the guild's food, drinking the guild's drinks, using the guild's resources, with the Guild Master personally teaching her magic, yet she could not create any value for the guild. She felt her heart filled with guilt, and at the same time, she worried that she might be driven out.
"You just need to study well. Don't worry about so much. Everyone in the guild came up like this. Besides, you're still young. Everyone in the guild wouldn't feel at ease letting you go out on missions."
Moen smiled as he comforted her. It was the first time Juvia had felt so much kindness—so pure and genuine. Having such feelings of gain and loss was completely normal. She cherished this kindness and feared losing it, so she worked especially hard when studying.
Already extremely gifted, and coupled with her exceptional effort, after several days of learning, Juvia finally began to show what someone who had awakened magic should look like. Her mastery over water flow magic was extremely fast, and her application of water flow was also exceptionally smooth.
"Is everyone like this?"
Juvia cutely tilted her head.
Ever since being brought out by Moen, that overly obedient, puppet-like feeling on Juvia had been gradually fading away.
Although she was still far from being lively and outgoing, some occasional small movements already showed a bit of liveliness. In Moen's words, Juvia was slowly becoming like a normal person, like a normal little girl of her age.
"Yes. This is the guild's tradition, so you don't need to feel any burden. Every child who grows up in the guild is like this. Once you grow up, just work hard to contribute to the guild."
Moen reached out and rubbed Juvia's head. Fairy Tail absolutely had nothing to criticize in this regard.
Of course, once the children gained the ability to earn money on their own, the fees that needed to be collected would still be collected. The guild could not keep raising them forever.
"Mm, Juvia will work hard."
Juvia nodded seriously. She let out a sigh of relief, put down some of her burden, and was no longer so anxious. However, she would not relax her requirements for herself because of this, she would still continue to work hard.
"Brother Moen, Juvia has a gift she wants to give you."
After being comforted by Moen, Juvia spoke somewhat shyly. Her cheeks were red, and one hand was placed inside her bag.
"Ah? What gift?"
Moen was stunned for a moment. It wasn't any special occasion, why was she suddenly giving a gift?
Juvia took out a white cloth craft from her bag and handed it to Moen.
"This is a Sunny Doll that Juvia stitched herself."
Juvia introduced it. The white, ghost-like cloth craft in her hands was a Sunny Doll used to pray for the rain to stop.
In fact, it was very simple to make. A piece of cloth wrapped around a wad of cotton formed the head, the hanging cloth became the body, and once facial features were drawn on the head, a Sunny Doll was complete.
From Moen's perspective, this thing was actually a bit creepy—especially in the internet age, where it had been given another meaning, things like "COS Sunny Doll" and so on.
However, the one Juvia made was exceptionally delicate. At a glance, one could tell that her craftsmanship was excellent. This was because Juvia had always been making Sunny Dolls at home, hoping that they could help stop the rain.
"Juvia probably won't need it anymore in the future."
Looking at Moen in front of her, Juvia pressed her lips together and slowly spoke.
"Because there is someone more worthy of Juvia's trust than a Sunny Doll."
Juvia lowered her head and said softly. Her words caused Moen to freeze for a moment.
This child…
Taking the Sunny Doll, Moen felt deeply gratified. When he had gone to Juvia's home previously, he had seen many of these hanging inside.
With no one to rely on, Juvia could only place her hopes in these illusory things but they were clearly unable to bring her salvation.
"No need is good. It should have stopped being needed long ago."
Moen smiled. As for who the "person more worthy of trust" Juvia spoke of, Moen guessed that he was definitely one of them.
"Mm"
Seeing Moen accept the Sunny Doll, Juvia revealed a smile. It was somewhat awkward, but it was clear that she was genuinely happy.
High above the sky, the gloomy and heavy clouds gradually dispersed. Strands of sunlight stubbornly pierced through the dark clouds and shone upon the earth. Magnolia, which had recently been shrouded in continuous rain, seemed as though it was finally about to clear up.
Juvia's smile made even the sun smile along with her.
"Look! It seems like the weather is clearing up!"
A household on the second floor nearby opened a window and stuck their head out, looking up at the sky with delight. Soon after, the surrounding residents also opened their windows one after another. Everyone looked toward the sky with anticipation, watching the dark clouds that were gradually dispersing.
Moen stood beside Juvia and looked up together with her. Juvia's face was filled with excitement, with anticipation, and also with a trace of indescribable timidity. She was afraid that it would ultimately come to nothing. She was afraid that the people who were full of hope would soon begin cursing angrily again.
Amid Juvia's worries, the dark clouds seemed to show signs of gathering once more. Some people in the crowd had already begun to sigh.
"Don't be afraid, Juvia. I'm here."
Moen's voice sounded and entered Juvia's ears. These words, which she had heard not long ago, seemed to carry some kind of magic, instantly calming her emotions.
Juvia lifted her head and looked at Moen. Sunlight tore through the dark clouds and enveloped Moen's body, making him appear as if he were glowing. In the next moment, that light also shone upon Juvia.
"Look—blue sky, the sun."
Moen looked at Juvia and gestured for the child to raise her head. Juvia turned her gaze toward the sky. Amid the cheers of the crowd, the dark clouds in the sky completely dispersed, and the sun finally revealed itself.
At this moment, Juvia did not feel that the long-unseen sun was particularly dazzling, because by her side, there was an existence even more dazzling.
Juvia looked at Moen, only to find that Moen was staring at the sky in a daze.
[Ding! Mission "Defeat the Four Elements" completed!
Mission Progress: Defeat the Four Elements.
"Four Elements—Air" Aria: 1/1 (Completed)
"Four Elements—Earth" Sol: 1/1 (Completed)
"Four Elements—Fire" Totomaru: 1/1 (Completed)
"Four Elements—Water" Juvia: 1/1 (Completed)
Do you wish to claim the mission reward?]
Moen's distraction had a reason, his mission had suddenly been completed.
Wait, how did this count as defeating Juvia? Does defeating one's inner demons count as well?
Moen looked at Juvia in surprise and found that the girl was also looking at him.
Perhaps because she had not seen sunlight for a long time, Juvia's fair skin had been warmed by the sun and looked slightly flushed, making her appear rather cute.
"Brother Moen, I finally saw the sun."
Juvia said with a smile, her expression somewhat excited, but the sun she spoke of did not seem to be referring to the one hanging in the sky.
"The sun will always be there from now on."
Moen smiled and rubbed Juvia's head.
At this moment, Moen's thoughts had already drifted to the system. In his heart, he had already begun to look forward to that piece of equipment [Silver Cloth].
After sending Juvia to the guild and handing her over to Grandpa Makarov, Moen immediately found a quiet room and claimed the mission reward.
[Congratulations. Lyra Silver Cloth has been unlocked!]
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