"Mavis, let's go buy a house! Orange juice, please!"
Fini casually ordered a drink as he approached the bar.
"Okay, okay! I'll pick the house!"
Mavis jumped off the bar, pulling Fini with a joyful expression and running out.
"W-wait a minute, my orange juice hasn't been served yet."
"It's not too late to drink it later."
"I won't want to drink it later."
"Then don't drink it."
"You're ruthless!"
Seeing Fini going to buy a house, Natsu, who had somehow suddenly gotten into a staring contest with Gray, immediately ran to follow, waving his hand as he went.
"Wait for me, Fini! I just arrived and don't have a house either. Let's buy a big one today so I can live in it too!"
"You're dreaming too big, Natsu! You can't be so shameless. Do you have money?"
"Isn't it enough if you have it?"
"I'm the poorest. Didn't you see that I've been eating on credit all along? If you want money, ask the old man. He has a lot."
"I'm not familiar with him. What if he doesn't lend it to me?"
"Then write an IOU!"
"Pfft—!!"
"Wah!! Oh no, oh no, the Master has collapsed."
"Master, Master, you must hold on!"
"Why did the Master suddenly collapse? Did someone attack him?"
"Oh dear, this is truly terrible. Everyone, quickly carry the Master inside."
Everyone scrambled to carry the half-dead Makarov inside. If anyone leaned close to Makarov's mouth, they could faintly hear strange words like "bill," "debt," "complaint letter," and "8 million."
In Magnolia Town, Fini, realizing he couldn't shake off Natsu, had no choice but to bring this burning idiot along. The trio looked around, everything before them was so curious. But since their main goal was to buy a house first, they didn't wander for too long and went straight to the residential area where houses were for sale. If they couldn't buy a house today, they would have to stay in an inn. However, one thing was certain: given Fini's habit of writing IOUs, Makarov would definitely come knocking.
"Fini, how much money do you have? What kind of house can you buy?"
This was what Natsu was most concerned about on the way. After all, having just arrived in a strange place, or perhaps just entering human society, Natsu instinctively still relied on Fini.
"How much money… Hmm, I really haven't calculated it carefully, but it's at least thirty to forty billion. That's more than enough to buy a big house, so don't worry."
All the money from the over two hundred Dark Guilds Fini had swept through back then had been plundered and placed in his magic space. Because he had no concrete concept of money and usually didn't need it (owing debts), Fini had only taken a rough look and then ignored it.
"Wow! That sounds like a lot! Since we're buying a big house, I definitely want one with a huge kitchen."
Natsu, who was equally indifferent to money, just felt it was a lot; how much exactly was a big question mark.
"All you think about is eating!"
Fini said with an unreserved look of disdain.
"You're the last person in this world who has the right to say that!"
Natsu roared in anger. As fellow Dragon Slayer Mages, and with Fini needing to provide half his magic power to Mavis, Fini's stamina and magic power were consumed exceptionally quickly during his training with Igneel, requiring several times the energy of others. Especially when it came to eating, Natsu would often just finish off one wolf while Fini had already taken care of two pigs.
"But a kitchen… yes, we definitely need to buy a big one. Mavis, what are your requirements?"
"Have you two already settled on your requirements?"
"Mhm!"
Fini and Natsu nodded. Their demands for a house really weren't many.
"Hmm, then leave the rest entirely to me. The house needs to be two stories with a basement. The second floor will be for living, equipped with a bathroom and toilet. Fini and I will share a room, Natsu will have one, and there will be another room prepared for Wendy. The first floor will have the kitchen, bathroom, toilet, and living room. The basement will be for storage…"
Counting on her fingers, Mavis very seriously calculated the layout of the house she wanted to buy.
"The location should be by the river, where the air is fresher and there isn't much foot traffic. If we can see Fairy Tail from there, even better. Mhm, that's about it!"
Once the conditions were set, the rest was much simpler. In just over an hour, the trio stood inside a two-story Western-style house, which cost 76 million J and was located by the river, only about three hundred meters from Fairy Tail.
"Wow! Is this our home starting today?"
Still feeling a sense of unreality, Natsu touched and rubbed everything, running around the living room, incredibly happy.
Thump, thump!
Fini lightly stomped his foot, still looking a bit dissatisfied.
"This house is too fragile; it can't even withstand one punch from me."
"Exactly, exactly! One roar could shatter this place!"
Although Natsu liked it here, he still echoed the sentiment.
"Are you two trying to buy a fortress? No, even a fortress wouldn't be enough for your shenanigans."
Mavis complained with a dark expression.
"But speaking of which… Fini, and Natsu, you absolutely cannot use magic inside the house, or I will kick you out!"
Seeing Mavis's serious and imposing demeanor, Fini and Natsu felt a chill down their spines and nodded repeatedly, not daring to show any defiance.
Mavis rarely got angry, but if she truly did, not even a god could save them.
Although buying a house was cause for celebration, today was also the day Fini and Mavis returned, and Natsu officially joined Fairy Tail. Mavis had initially wanted to celebrate with a party in their newly bought house, but thinking of the mess afterward, Mavis smilingly chose the Guild instead.
This night was truly a wild celebration. With Mavis's participation, Makarov didn't stop them at all, allowing everyone to eat and drink to their heart's content. Many attended the party; besides Gildarts not being back, even Laxus joined in. Of course, this was by force.
Laxus only returned from his mission near evening. He was forced by Fini to join the party. Originally, Laxus was a hundred percent unwilling, but after Fini promised to have a serious fight with him afterward, Laxus joined with a stern face. However, everyone already knew his personality, so they weren't surprised. Nevertheless, everyone couldn't help but express their admiration for Fini that Laxus participated. They never expected Fini to accomplish what the Master had always wanted to do but couldn't. This was truly astonishing.
Natsu and Gray seemed to be sworn enemies from a past life; halfway through the party, the two started brawling, and in the end, it was indeed the justice-filled Erza who stepped in. After two punches, both of them were immediately knocked out.
Makarov, drunk, complained to Mavis. Whenever he brought up the thick stack of complaint letters in the warehouse, Makarov couldn't control himself. Mavis, seemingly reminded of equally painful past experiences by Makarov, also wore a sorrowful expression. Fortunately, Fini carried Mavis away before she could sink into a greater tragedy, otherwise, Mavis would probably have lamented her bitter fate as well.
Fini embraced Mavis as they sat at a table eating, which immediately drew a chorus of boos. Some ruffians like Wakaba and Macao even came over to tempt Fini to drink, but to their surprise, Fini picked up a glass and chugged it down, ultimately leaving Wakaba and Macao drunk and passed out. Others also joined in the fun; some competed in drinking, some played rock-paper-scissors, some arm-wrestled, and some, being drunk, even foolishly challenged Fini to a fight. Fini proceeded to knock them all to the ground one by one. Finally, seeing Natsu and Gray, who were foolish enough to also seek trouble, Fini simply went all out, unleashing his Haoshoku Haki.
And then… there was no then.
Carrying Mavis back to rest, Fini no longer cared about Natsu or anything else. For the first night in the new house, Natsu could just sleep on the floor.