"Oh? Little brat, what are you doing in the guild?"
Makarov sat on the counter with a mug in his hand, watching a black-haired, golden-eyed boy in simple black clothes walk up to him. Setting his bottle down, the guild master raised a brow.
"I want to join Fairy Tail."
Silas Frost looked Makarov in the eye. "I hope you can agree."
Makarov burst out laughing, and Silas's words also made several guild members nearby laugh along with him.
"Pfft hahaha! Little brat, this isn't some kind of tavern, you "
But before he could finish, Makarov caught the boy's steady gaze. There was no fear in those golden eyes, only calm determination. The laughter froze on the old man's face. His expression shifted, growing serious.
"Where is your family?" Makarov asked quietly.
"They're all dead."
Silas's voice was calm as he continued, "My hometown was Rosemary Village. It seems it was attacked. The entire village disappeared. I only survived because I hid inside a dry well."
Gasps spread through the hall.
"I lived on, but… I think I hurt my head. I can't remember anything from before. So I left the village, traveled here by ship, and came to this city. I want to find a place where I can stay… and a way to live my life."
Though his tone was calm, the weight of his words made many in the guild inhale sharply.
"Rosemary Village? That's far from Magnolia. How did this kid make it here?" someone whispered.
"I heard rumors that village was attacked by a Dark Guild… for him to survive, he must be blessed with luck."
"Another poor soul… Master, won't you take him in?"
The murmurs faded as Makarov glanced at the crowd. Silence fell over the guild.
"You've lost your memory?" Makarov asked, peering into the boy's eyes.
"Probably," Silas replied evenly. Then he straightened and said, "But I know magic. I'm strong. I can take missions and I really need money to survive. So, please, let me stay here."
Makarov studied him carefully, his face unreadable.
Silas Frost's eyes held a trace of worry, though he quietly sighed in his heart. Suddenly, Makarov raised his hand, his palm seeming large enough to cover the boy's head.
"There's no need to be so anxious," the guild master said kindly. "If you want to stay, then stay here. But as for work you'll have to wait until you grow up."
As he spoke, he rubbed Silas's head. Makarov's touch was gentle, full of warmth. He couldn't bear to see a child suffer.
Silas knew then he had passed Makarov's test. Joining Fairy Tail was now a certainty.
But when he lifted his head, two tears slipped down his cheeks before he realized it.
"Huh?" He blinked in confusion. He hadn't felt any sadness. Why were there tears? Was it the subconscious of this body? Or just a natural reflex?
Silas didn't know. But he quickly wiped the tears away with the back of his hand, frowning stubbornly.
"No! I'm strong! I want to work. I want to earn money!"
"Hahaha! Look at this kid," someone in the guild laughed. "So young, and already thinking about jobs!"
Nearby, another mage dressed in exotic garb argued in front of the commission board, still insisting, "Only I can do this mission!"
"Don't be in such a rush, little brat," Makarov said, patting Silas's head again with a smile. "Your chance will come. But right now, your mission is to eat well and grow strong. Tell me first what's your name?"
"I don't know what my name was before… but now, I'll give myself one. My name is Silas Frost."
Lifting his head, Silas spoke seriously, "I really am strong. My magic is Accept Magic I can absorb the souls of Heroic Spirits!"
"Silas Frost, is it?" Makarov chuckled warmly. "Absorption magic, not bad at all. But you're still growing, so don't put too much pressure on yourself."
He laughed heartily, then picked Silas up and set him on the counter.
"Since you want to join Fairy Tail, the first step is your guild mark. Tell me, what color do you want, and where should I place it?"
"Gold. I want it placed over my heart."
Silas tugged his collar open, baring his chest with determination.
Makarov looked at him with softened eyes.
When Silas bared his chest, Makarov's eyes softened.
This child must have suffered a great deal, he thought.
With his own hand, Makarov pressed the guild seal against Silas's skin. The mark glowed gold, then sank into place over his heart.
"There," Makarov said warmly, patting Silas on the head. "From now on, you're a member of Fairy Tail."
"Yes!"
Silas tugged his clothes back up, his eyes shining. "Thank you, Grandpa Guild Master. I'm going to work now!"
He jumped down from the counter and was about to rush toward the request board when Makarov's large hand caught his shoulder.
"Silas. Rest first."
He called to a nearby waitress, who quickly set down a plate of steaming food in front of the boy.
Then, turning back, Makarov said gently but firmly, "Since you claim you're strong, prove it. Compete with one of our guild members. If you can defeat them, I'll allow you to start taking jobs. Deal?"
"…Deal."
Silas agreed, though his heart sank a little. Without steadily earning commissions to fuel his draws, strengthening himself would be much harder.
But…
He scooped up a mouthful of seafood fried rice, chewing quickly, his eyes darting back to Makarov.
As long as I win, I can take on missions. If I can take on missions, I can keep earning rewards… and keep growing stronger.
With that thought pushing him on, Silas devoured the entire plate, gulped down his fruit juice in one long swig, then wiped his mouth clean.
He ran back to the guild master, eyes blazing. "Grandpa Guild Master, I'm ready!"
Makarov stroked his beard, smiling at the boy's eagerness. Then he raised his voice:
"Hold back a little. Come spar with Silas. You use Light Magic not too strong, and don't hurt the child."
"Understood, Guild Master."
From the crowd, a bespectacled man stood up. He adjusted his glasses and stepped forward. His shorts and plain shirt looked completely ordinary, without a trace of flair.
Silas tilted his head, thinking carefully. He couldn't recall this person from any part of Fairy Tail's story.
Hmph. Must be a background character.
"Then let's begin!" Silas Frost stared at his opponent. Without saying a word, his body lit up with a flash of light and in the next instant, he had fully transformed into Inuyasha's form.
"Full-body Accept? Such speed…"
Makarov's eyes widened slightly, then he gave a small nod of approval.
At such a young age, Silas could already complete a full-body Accept transformation. His talent was undeniable he was a rare seed worth nurturing.
It was precisely because of this that Makarov hesitated to let Silas take on jobs so soon.
A child like this deserves a proper childhood, Makarov thought. He needs time to heal the wounds in his heart, not just dive straight into battle.