The sunlight had barely reached the corners of the house when Peter stepped into the living room, expecting—foolishly—a moment of calm. But as he entered, the room was already alive with sound: the sharp laughter of children, the occasional crash of furniture, and the unmistakable hum of magic mingled with faint traces of chakra energy. He paused, rubbing his temples, a faint sense of despair washing over him. This is my life now… and it is already out of control.
Axel was perched atop the couch, a small wooden staff in hand, chanting something that made the air shimmer with sparks. Milk from breakfast had congealed into a floating puddle around his feet, and Peter watched helplessly as the boy's fingers gestured toward a bowl of eggs, which began to levitate and spin. "Axel! Put it down now!" Peter shouted, dashing forward. Axel froze, then smirked, clearly enjoying the thrill of rebellion.
Meanwhile, Kaito had fashioned a makeshift ninja outfit from pillowcases and blankets, rolling across the floor and narrowly missing Celestia, who was attempting to levitate a teacup with Lucy's magic. "Stop that!" Peter barked, catching a flying spoon midair. He looked around the room: Lyria was scattering glitter that reacted with Celestia's levitation spell, Milo had climbed the kitchen table, and Nina was dangling upside-down from a chandelier hook, giggling wildly.
"Peter, perhaps you should take a deep breath," Mirajane suggested calmly, gliding into the chaos with her usual serene smile. "They're not hurting anyone… at least, not too badly."
Peter groaned. "Mirajane, they're turning the house into a battlefield! And it's only 7:30 in the morning!"
Erza's stern voice rang from the hallway, carrying authority that could silence an entire battlefield. "Peter! What is happening here? Axel, stand still!" The boy froze, hands gripping his levitating staff. Peter noticed the tiny smirk playing on his son's lips, the same one that had caused him endless headaches in the last thirty minutes.
Lucy appeared at the edge of the room, notebook clutched tightly to her chest, with Celestia bouncing beside her, eyes wide and sparkling with excitement. "We're just testing a new spell combination," Lucy said brightly. "It's perfectly safe!"
Peter's hands flew to his face. Safe? Safe? This is airborne food, glitter, floating furniture, and possibly a cursed teacup. Safe does not begin to describe this.
Sakura entered, carefully carrying Hana on her hip, her expression calm but resolute. "Peter, controlling the children is only one aspect of parenthood," she said. "Patience and guidance matter just as much. If you try to impose strict rules immediately, you will meet resistance."
Peter blinked. "And if I don't?"
"You'll have this entire house in magical and ninja-fueled chaos for weeks," she replied with deadpan precision, setting Hana gently on a chair.
Ino burst through the doorway moments later, Ayame following behind, her paintbrush trailing streaks of neon paint across the wall. "Rules are boring," Ino exclaimed. "We should make a fun schedule. Magic lessons, ninja training, obstacle courses, scavenger hunts…" Her voice trailed off as Milo nudged Nina into the broomstick stand, sending a flurry of dust into the air.
Temari's sharp voice cut through the noise. "If you want order, Peter, you must enforce it! Discipline, focus, strength. No more excuses."
Peter rubbed his eyes. Eight mothers, nine children, all with powers that could level cities. And I… I'm supposed to be in charge?
The children, sensing hesitation, took this as an invitation to escalate their antics. Axel tried to levitate the family cat, which screeched indignantly before leaping onto the chandelier, swinging precariously. Lyria and Celestia teamed up to create a glitter storm, Milo pushed Nina into a pile of pillows, and Kaito attempted to herd them all, failing spectacularly. Ryuji, ever serious, attempted to restore order, barking out instructions like a mini drill sergeant.
Peter leapt to action, mopping up milk midair, catching flying eggs, and attempting to retrieve the levitating furniture. "Enough!" he shouted. For a moment, silence reigned. The children froze, caught in the act. Even Axel's wand lowered slightly, uncertainty flickering across his face.
Juvia stepped forward, her eyes wide and bright. "Peter, I can help! We can—" She was promptly interrupted by a floating broom, guided by Axel's chaotic magic, which knocked her sideways. She giggled despite the fall, brushing herself off and standing again, undeterred.
Peter sank into a chair, finally letting out a long, shuddering breath. This is beyond any training I've ever had. Beyond any mission. This is… a family.
Mirajane leaned on the doorway, arms crossed, smiling softly. "You'll adapt, Peter. It's not about control. It's about guiding them, and sometimes… letting them guide you."
Peter chuckled dryly, thinking of the chaos still spiraling around him. "Guided by nine children, eight mothers, and a household that seems to be alive… great." He shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. I can do this. One step at a time. One impossible, chaotic, magical step at a time.
Just then, Axel levitated a spoon straight toward him, Kaito dove to catch a floating muffin, and Lyria's glitter exploded in a sparkling cloud that coated Peter's hair. He groaned, brushing it away. Welcome to parenthood, Peter. Welcome indeed.
The day had only just begun.