A Home of His Own
"Buying a house? The Guild has dorms..." Mira looked surprised. Most Mages, even powerful ones, either rented or crashed in the guild's shared dormitories.
"No, I don't like living in dorms," Qi Yan explained. "I want my own house. I'm putting down roots in this world; I need a proper home."
"Hmm... Do you have any requirements?"
"It can be a bit secluded. If I'm cultivating, I don't want to disturb others. A clean and tidy house will do."
Mira's eyes lit up. "Now that you mention it, I do know of a house that meets your requirements. Wait for me!"
Mira quickly ran off to get permission from Makarov. The Master readily agreed; Qi Yan buying a house meant he was settling down, a good sign for the famously chaotic guild.
Mira quickly returned. "All right, I've finished asking for leave. Let's go."
She led Qi Yan along the gentle currents of the river.
"Near where I live, there's a middle-aged couple," Mira explained. "The husband was transferred to Onibas, so they are selling their house. When I heard your requirements, they were the first people I thought of."
As they walked, a boatman gliding past gave them a knowing look. "Oh, oh! Are the young lovers on a date?"
Mira's face immediately flushed a delicate pink. "Of course not!"
"Don't be shy! Young people should fall in love!" the boatman teased before drifting out of earshot.
"Qi Yan, don't listen to his nonsense," Mira insisted, clearly flustered.
Qi Yan smiled. "I know! He's just joking. You're so eager to clarify things, it's actually a little hurtful."
"Ah! I didn't mean it like that!" she exclaimed.
"I'm just teasing you, too," Qi Yan chuckled. He liked her, but the deep emotional attachment the boatman implied wasn't there—yet.
Mira pouted, then laughed. "Mmm~~! Mr. Qi Yan is really mean." Despite the teasing, she was enjoying the comfortable, natural companionship.
Bargain and Farewell
They soon arrived at the house. A carriage was being loaded with luggage outside.
"Mr. Santos! Ms. Bella! Are you leaving so soon?" Mira stepped forward.
"Oh, Miss Mira! Yes, everything's ready," Ms. Bella smiled, her eyes twinkling as she looked at Qi Yan. "This is... your boyfriend? Little Mira has grown up too."
Mira's cheeks were crimson. "No, he's a colleague from my Guild."
"No, he's just an ordinary colleague," Mira insisted, but Ms. Bella just laughed, teasing her about her lack of male companions over the years.
"By the way, Ms. Bella, this colleague of mine is looking for a house, and I recommended your place. May we take a look?"
"Of course! Please do!"
The house was perfect. A clean, well-maintained, two-story detached house with a private courtyard. It was fully furnished, and the quiet, beautiful environment was ideal for his power cultivation. Qi Yan was completely satisfied.
After a tense round of bargaining, led by Mira, the Bella couple who had originally listed the house for 4 million J, agreed to sell it to Qi Yan for 3 million J.
"And you said you weren't a couple; you're already saving him money!" Ms. Bella joked, impressed by Mira's negotiation skills.
"No~!" Mira protested weakly.
"Alright, I should go too. Young man," Ms. Bella turned to Qi Yan, suddenly serious, "little Mira is a good girl whom I've watched grow up. You must cherish her well!"
Qi Yan met her eyes and said earnestly, "Don't worry, Ms. Bella, I will cherish her well!"
Ms. Bella was stunned for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter, patting Qi Yan's shoulder. "Young man, you're quite something!"
"Qi Yan~~~!" Mira wailed, completely embarrassed.
The carriage began to pull away. Mira exchanged final, heartfelt goodbyes with the Bellas.
"Qi Yan, you should take care of things here. I'm heading back to the Guild."
"Wait, you've helped me so much, let me treat you to a meal."
"No! If others see us, they might say who knows what," Mira declined, still flustered by the local gossip. "There's still a lot of work to do at the Guild. Maybe another time. I'm leaving now."
The Gacha God
Mira turned to walk back to the guild, but Qi Yan stopped her, realizing the most crucial step of his ritual.
"Wait a minute! Mira!"
"Hmm? Is there anything else?"
"I almost forgot the most important thing. Mira, can you wish me good luck like last time?"
Mira looked bewildered but quickly flashed him her brilliant, warm smile. "Mr. Qi Yan, I wish you good luck today too!"
A cold, unseen notification flashed in Qi Yan's mind:
[Ding! Obtained the Goddess's Blessing! Luck +100 points!]
By the time Qi Yan registered the system prompt, Mira had already walked away, leaving him alone in front of his new home.
He immediately brought up the system interface.
"Perform a ten-pull?"
"Confirm!"
The panel screen exploded in streaks of star-like light. Qi Yan closed his eyes, praying silently, Gold! Gold! Gold!
Then, a dazzling, unmistakable golden light shone from the center of the display.
Qi Yan was immediately overjoyed. "It really is gold!!"
The Goddess's Blessing worked again! Who is the new golden legendary character Qi Yan has drawn, and how will their power change his future in Fairy Tail?