The morning sun was warm against Magnolia's cobblestone streets as Lucy rushed to the train station, clutching her Celestial keys. She had been up since dawn, both excited and nervous for her first official job with Fairy Tail.
Behind her, Natsu trudged forward like a man walking to his doom. His scowl deepened with every step closer to the station. Happy fluttered lazily above, humming a tune. Kael walked a few paces back, hands tucked into his coat pockets, his mismatched eyes flicking between his guildmates with mild amusement.
Lucy finally slowed and turned to face Natsu. "Why are you walking like you're being dragged to an execution? You were the one begging me to take this job yesterday!"
Natsu crossed his arms stubbornly. "I said I wanted to do the mission. Not this." He jabbed a finger toward the waiting train like it was some cursed beast.
Lucy blinked. "It's just… transportation. Normal people ride trains all the time."
Happy snickered. "Not Natsu. Vehicles are his natural enemy!"
"Shut it, happy!" Natsu barked, but his voice cracked just enough to ruin the effect.
Lucy tilted her head, puzzled. "Wait. Enemy? What do you—"
Before she could finish, Kael stepped forward and draped an arm around Natsu's shoulder, leaning close like an older brother about to tell a joke at his sibling's expense. "Relax, Firebreather. It's only a short ride. Just don't puke on Lucy, yeah? First mission nerves are bad enough without dragon slayer stomach problems on her shoes."
Natsu stiffened, face darkening. "Like hell I'm—"
But the moment the train starts moving, all his bluster dissolved. His face turned green, his knees wobbled, and with a dramatic groan he collapsed into the nearest seat.
Lucy stared, mouth hanging open. "You've got to be kidding me. The same guy who picked a fight with Gray yesterday can't even sit on a train?!"
Happy landed neatly on the backrest beside Natsu and patted his head. "Aye, that's Natsu for ya. Strong against monsters, weak against wheels."
Kael smirked, leaning against the window with his arms crossed. "Told you, Lucy. Every so-called hero's got a fatal flaw. His just happens to be motion sickness."
Lucy sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose before sliding into the seat across from them. "Unbelievable. I thought joining Fairy Tail meant adventure, not babysitting."
"You'll get both," Kael said, his grin softening as he watched her frown. "Chaos comes free with the guild card. But you'll fit right in, Lucy."
For reasons she couldn't explain, his casual reassurance eased her nerves.
Arrival in Shirotsume
The train screeched to a halt, and Natsu stumbled off like a freed prisoner, kissing the platform dramatically. Lucy pretended not to know him.
The group made their way through Shirotsume's polished streets, where the wealth was evident in every marble fountain and immaculately trimmed hedge. Lucy looked around in awe. "Wow… this place is gorgeous. The client must be loaded."
"Or pretending to be," Kael muttered under his breath.
Lucy shot him a look. "What do you mean by that?"
Kael shrugged. "Some rich types spend more on appearances than they actually own. Gotta wait and see."
Natsu had already stopped listening, grinning ear to ear as he scanned for the nearest food stall. "Doesn't matter. Food first then the mission!"
Happy fluttered beside him. "Fish! Fish!"
Lucy groaned. "Can you two focus for five minutes? We're here for work!"
The group followed the directions on the request slip until they reached a large estate. The building's white stone walls and iron gate loomed over them, exuding wealth and status. Two servants greeted them stiffly and ushered them inside.
In the grand hall, the supposed client waited: Kaby Melon. He wore fine clothes, carried himself with arrogant poise, and gestured toward the lavish furniture like it was second nature.
"Welcome, Fairy Tail wizards" Kaby said with a polished smile. "I trust the journey wasn't too difficult?"
Lucy, ever polite, bowed slightly. "We're fine, thank you. I'm Lucy Heartfilia. These are my teammates, Natsu Dragneel, Happy, and Kael Draven."
Kael gave a lazy salute, while Natsu flopped gracelessly onto a couch, still recovering from his battle with motion sickness.
Lucy clasped her hands together. "About the job… the request said you want us to steal a certain book from duke everlue mansion?"
At her words, Kaby's expression faltered for just a second before he smoothed it over. He cleared his throat. "Ah, yes. There was a… mistake in the original request. It isn't to steal the book. It's to destroy it."
Lucy's brow furrowed. "Destroy? But why—"
Kaby cut her off with a wave of his hand. "It's a family matter. The book, Daybreak, must be eliminated at all costs. I'll pay you well for it."
"How much?" Natsu asked bluntly, perking up at the mention of jewels.
"Two million," Kaby said, his voice smooth but firm.
Lucy's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "T-Two MILLION?! But the request said two hundred thousand!"
"Consider it a bonus for the urgency," Kaby replied calmly, though his gaze flickered away for the briefest moment.
Kael leaned against the wall, watching carefully. He said nothing at first, but Lucy noticed his eyes narrow.
Lucy, trying to process, stammered, "Still… that's a huge difference. You really just want the book destroyed?"
"Yes," Kaby said, a touch too quickly. "It must be erased completely."
Natsu slammed a fist into his palm, grinning. "Fine by me! Smashin' stuff is what I do best!"
Happy cheered. "Aye!"
Lucy frowned. Something about the request gnawed at her. She wasn't the only one—Kael stepped forward, arms crossed.
"You're hiding something," Kael said evenly.
The room went still.
Kaby stiffened. "Excuse me?"
Kael tilted his head, tone calm but sharp. "First the request says steal. Now destroy. And the pay jumps from two hundred thousand to two million? That's not urgency. That's desperation."
Lucy blinked. She had thought the same thing but hadn't dared to say it aloud.
Kaby's jaw tightened. He smoothed his coat, forcing a calm smile. "All you need to know is that the book is dangerous. Destroy it, and you'll be paid handsomely. That's the job."
For a long moment, Kael studied him. Then, with a shrug, he stepped back. "Fine. But if this bites us later, don't say I didn't warn you."
Lucy glanced at him, surprised. It wasn't that Kael was cleverer than her—just that he voiced the unease she already felt.
"Understood," Kaby said sharply, as if eager to end the conversation. "Servants will prepare accommodations for you tonight. Begin at dawn."
As they were escorted back toward the guest rooms, Lucy leaned toward Kael and whispered, "How did you see through that?"
Kael glanced down at her, smirking. "Didn't need to. When someone talks more about what not to ask than the actual job, they're hiding something. You noticed it too, Lucy. You just hesitated to say it."
Lucy flushed, looking away. "I was just… trying to be polite."
Cana's voice suddenly rang in her memory from the guild the other day: He's not flirting, Lucy. That's just how Kael is.
She realized then—Kael wasn't showing off. He was simply being himself, straightforward and sharp when others danced around the truth.
Behind them, Natsu yawned. "Who cares if he's shady? We get two million jewels and something to smash!"
Happy clapped his little paws together. "Easy job, easy money!"
Lucy groaned, dragging her hand down her face. "Why do I get the feeling this won't be easy at all?"
Kael chuckled quietly, mismatched eyes gleaming. "Because it never is, Lucy."