Tap… tap… tap… soft footsteps crossed the hall, paused briefly in front of the request board, then turned toward the counter.
Mystogan, wrapped up tight, blinked in surprise at the sight of Hope at the counter; the only part of him left uncovered—his eyes—flickered with astonishment.
Even Erza had succumbed to his Sleep Magic, yet this rookie he'd met once outside Granny Polyushka's house was still conscious.
The waters of this world truly run deeper than they seem.
Mystogan reflexively tightened his mask and waved the request he'd just torn off the board. "Tell Mirajane for me—I'm taking this job."
His voice was low and slightly hoarse, the same fake tone he'd used when they first met.
Hope glanced at the slip, then back at Mystogan: a dark cloak, body wrapped in bandages, not an inch of skin showing.
If covering his eyes wouldn't cripple his mobility, Hope suspected the man would blindfold those too.
Just how much does he hate being seen? Still, the tattoo showing around Mystogan's right eye looked familiar, but the mask obscured enough to keep it unrecognizable, so Hope let it drop.
He pulled the registry from behind the counter and logged Mystogan's name, mission, and time with practiced ease.
While writing, Hope muttered, "You're only here to pick up a job—was putting the whole hall to sleep really necessary?"
Mystogan answered with silence, but another voice drifted down from the floor above.
"It's because Mystogan's really shy."
"If people see his face, he gets embarrassed."
Hope looked up to see a blond youth in a black cloak leaning over the second-floor railing, cigarette in mouth.
A lightning-shaped mark ran down his right cheek; oversized, garish headphones framed a cocky, rebellious grin.
Laxus Dreyar.
One of Fairy Tail's five S-Class Mages, the guild's top youth, and Makarov's own grandson.
Hope frowned.
Mirajane had singled Laxus out when introducing the guild—he had zero patience for the weak.
A bit like Gajeel back in Phantom Lord: not quite calling everyone trash, but far prouder.
And he had the power to back it up.
Feeling Hope's stare, Laxus blew a smoke ring. "So you're Hope? Making waves lately. Heard you fought Jose and helped Erza lame him."
He smirked. "Good—now you're worthy of being my stepping-stone."
Without another word he flicked a finger; a bolt of golden lightning shot straight at Hope.
No warning, no reason—Laxus had attacked a comrade.
Before Hope could counter, a magic wand swung up and batted the lightning aside, charring the wall instead.
Mystogan lowered his wand and met Laxus's glare. "This is a guild, not a battlefield; these are allies, not enemies."
"Hah, you think I care about the weaklings?"
Laxus's voice was ice, his eyes blazing. "When will you finally fight me, Mystogan? After I beat you, only Gildarts remains."
He spread his arms, voice echoing through the hall.
"Whether it's the drunk, you, Erza, or Mirajane—Fairy Tail's top seat belongs to no one but me!"
I'm the strongest!"
Hope face-palmed at the chuuni declaration.
Fighting for the title of strongest in Fairy Tail? Aim higher—be the strongest in Ishgar, in the whole world!
Mystogan tucked his wand beneath his cloak, long used to Laxus's rant, and murmured to Hope, "I'm leaving."
Watching him go, Hope thought he'd forgotten to release the sleep spell and started to cast a dispel—until he heard Mystogan counting down.
"Five… four… three… two… one…"
On zero he stepped through the doors and vanished into a puff of smoke.
At the same instant the hall woke, people rubbing eyes and stretching.
"Asleep again—bet it was him."
"Mystogan and his stupid trick."
"Dammit, he made me knock over my two-day puzzle!"
"…"
Hope repaired the scorched wall with a wave and turned to find Erza and Mirajane staring at him.
Mirajane eyed the restored stone. "Laxus?"
Erza's tone went steel-cold. "He attacked in the guild again?"
Hope nodded, glancing at the now-empty balcony. If Mystogan's shy, Laxus has issues just as big.
Four of the guild's five S-Class Mages seen: the rebel, the schemer, the strict captain, the hermit—each flawed.
Hope suddenly wondered what quirk the last one—Gildarts, "Fairy Tail's strongest"—would carry.
He handed the registry back to Mirajane and looked at Erza. "Before the spell hit, you wanted to tell me something?"
Erza's gaze dropped to the tickets on the floor.
Mystogan's interruption had stolen the nerve she'd built up.
"Actually… I was thinking…"
Erza whispered, "Let's wait and go on a beach trip with Natsu, Lucy and the others."
Hope nodded; any time was fine by him.
"Oh, and I invited Doranbalt."
If all goes well, he'll be Mest again tonight—be sure to bring the master."
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