Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, a year had passed. It was now June of the year X777.
Tike was in an exceptionally bright mood today, a smile he couldn't suppress hanging on his lips.
He had just received a letter from Ultear saying she had successfully passed the Magic Council's assessment and would be taking a two-month leave in July to come home and reunite with him.
To welcome his sister's return, Tike ran excitedly to the shop to pick out a new outfit, planning to wear it for her when she came back.
Because he was too excited, Tike paid directly after picking it out without even trying it on. It wasn't until he returned home and remembered to try on the new clothes that he realized he had made a small mistake—the clothes were too big.
However, Tike wasn't depressed about this, nor did he think about returning them.
(It's about time I grew a bit taller too.)
For Tike, whose true form was a dragon, his current childlike appearance was merely a form he transformed into.
Therefore, the size of the clothes wasn't a problem for him at all.
As long as he was willing, he could adjust his body at any time to make the clothes fit.
Of course, changing too much at once would bring severe discomfort, so Tike decided to proceed gradually, slowly transforming his appearance toward adulthood.
After adjusting his figure, Tike left home contentedly and walked toward the guild with brisk steps.
He wasn't going to help Grandma Porlyusica today. Erza had invited him to go on a job together yesterday, so he had already asked for leave in advance.
Over the past year, Tike had also participated in quite a few guild missions.
From helping town residents find lost cats to subjugating magical beasts harming the area, as long as he found the mission interesting, he would actively participate.
Rather than saying he went to work, it was more like he held a playful attitude.
When Tike arrived at the guild entrance, he saw Erza waiting there at a glance.
The girl wore her signature armor, the silver plating shining in the sunlight, her long scarlet hair fluttering gently in the breeze like flames.
Erza also noticed Tike walking toward her and keenly perceived that the boy looked slightly taller than yesterday.
"Tike, how did you suddenly grow so much taller?"
Tike scratched his head and briefly explained that he had used transformation magic to adjust his figure slightly because the new clothes he bought were too big.
After listening, Erza's eyes revealed unconcealable envy.
"I just bought a new set of armor, but it's too big. If I could learn such convenient magic, I could wear it now instead of waiting a few years."
Regarding this, Tike patted his chest confidently.
"I can teach you! This transformation magic is actually very simple. With Big Sis's talent, you'll definitely learn it right away!"
Erza nodded slightly, a trace of interest flashing in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed this thought.
"Let's complete the request first. We can study the transformation magic slowly after the mission ends. By the way, did Alice not come out with you today?"
This person and cat were practically inseparable, rarely apart, so seeing Alice absent, Erza was a bit concerned.
"Alice went to the church with Sis Cana again today to take care of the children," Tike responded.
Only there could Alice realize her true value, instead of being a useless cat who just mooched food and drink.
Although she couldn't help much most of the time there, just being a mascot.
(Anyway, as long as she likes it.)
---
The client this time wasn't far from the guild, living in a secluded manor on the outskirts of Magnolia.
The pharmacist Daryl had asked the guild for help, claiming that the magical herbs he planted near his residence had all disappeared overnight.
Tike twitched his nose gently, followed the faint scent of herbs in the air, and successfully found the target near the station.
It was a thin, ragged man, furtively holding a large sack, looking around in panic.
"Is that him?" Erza lowered her voice and confirmed with Tike.
Tike nodded without hesitation.
Receiving Tike's confirmation, Erza's gaze sharpened. She waved her right hand lightly in the air, and a sharp longsword shot out from her requip space, accurately pinning the man holding the sack to the wall opposite.
Frightened pale by the sudden turn of events, the man looked up at the two walking toward him and begged in a pleading tone, "Wizard lords, please let me go! I have an eighty-year-old mother at home waiting for these herbs to save her life!"
"You don't look like someone who knows how to use medicine."
Tike walked up to the man pinned to the wall, pulled open the sack in his arms, sniffed the raw scent emanating from within, and revealed a pitying expression.
"Look at you, you even pulled out all those herbs that weren't fully mature. Were you planning to take these herbs back and try them one by one to see which one could cure your mother's illness?"
The man waved his hands hurriedly, explaining in panic, "No, no, no! How could I be that stupid! I planned to sell these herbs for money, then buy medicine to treat my mother!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Tike raised his eyebrows. "Since you've been reduced to stealing, why not go directly to the pharmacy? Wouldn't that be easier?"
"The pharmacy has people on duty 24 hours... hard to steal..."
"So you specifically pick easy targets, right?"
Rendered speechless by Tike, the man lowered his head in shame.
"However, you indeed didn't lie."
Tike nodded to himself, then turned to Erza and said, "Big Sis Erza, could you please return the things this guy stole to Mr. Daryl first? I'll go examine his mother to see if I can help."
Erza smiled, nodded, and readily agreed.
The man looked at Tike in surprise.
"You're willing to believe me?"
Tike answered as a matter of course, "You didn't lie; why should I doubt you?"
In his conversation with the man, Tike didn't smell any lies on him and could confirm that what the man said was true—he had indeed resorted to theft to raise medical expenses for his seriously ill mother.
The man was still somewhat hesitant.
Could this young child before him really cure his mother's illness?
Seeing his doubts, Tike rolled up his sleeve, revealing the dark blue guild mark on his right shoulder.
"Trust me. I'm a wizard of the Fairy Tail guild and also a disciple of the pharmacist Porlyusica. If I can't cure her, I can ask Grandma Porlyusica to come personally. With us here, your mother's illness will definitely be cured."
Seeing the mark on Tike's shoulder, the doubts in the man's heart dissipated significantly.
Fairy Tail was a famous wizard guild in the Kingdom of Fiore, and Porlyusica was a renowned pharmacist within it.
Since Tike was her disciple, his medical skills wouldn't be bad.
At worst, as he said, he could still ask his master to come.
Thinking of this, the man finally felt relieved.
"I'll take you there right now! Please!"