Chapter 3: It Turns Out That the News About the Fire Dragon Is...
This is the world of magic, in the continent of Ascalante, within Ishgar, the Kingdom of Fiore, in the town of Magnolia.
Magnolia's central street is renowned as the most expensive, vibrant, and densely populated area of the town. It's here, in this prime location, that Kira's Hope Hut stands.
Kira, who had been holed up in his shop crafting magical items for quite some time, finally stepped out. To his surprise, he found that the surroundings had changed rapidly. Even though he hadn't left the shop for only a few days, the town felt distinctly different.
Fortunately, the people and atmosphere remained as lively as ever. As Kira strolled down the street, he felt as though a cheerful melody played alongside him. A lightness filled his heart, and he instinctively quickened his pace, heading toward the guild.
Magnolia is one of the most famous towns in the Kingdom of Fiore. It is constantly buzzing with activity, its streets alive with the ebb and flow of people. Merchants traverse between cities and nations, trading goods, while tourists wander to expand their horizons and soak in the town's charm.
The town's vibrancy is not only due to its hospitable residents but also because it is home to one of Fiore's most renowned magic guilds—Fairy Tail.
Among the prominent magic guilds in Fiore, two stand out. One is the "Ruler of Phantoms," known for its extensive network of branches and the largest membership across the region. The other is Fairy Tail, a guild that feels more like a lively tavern.
The Fairy Tail guild hall is a unique, pyramid-shaped structure adorned with a large clock at the top. Beneath it waves the guild's flag, a red banner emblazoned with white stripes. Outside, the hall boasts a fenced courtyard.
The courtyard is open and inviting, with a black sign bearing the words "FAIRY TAIL" hanging prominently at the entrance. From the outside, the building resembles a cozy western-style villa. The wooden doors on the first floor are typically left ajar, offering a glimpse inside, where wizards can often be seen laughing and drinking. The sounds of chatter, laughter, and the occasional argument drift out, filling the air with noise and warmth.
The members of this guild are always quarreling.
Since Kira joined Fairy Tail nearly a decade ago, little has changed in the guild's atmosphere. It has always been a place of relentless energy and activity. If anything, the only noticeable difference is the increase in people lounging around, drinking, and talking.
It's almost baffling how this group of "background characters" seems to have no pressing need to work yet always has money to spend on drinks and merriment. Their carefree lifestyle is enviable and would undoubtedly bring nobles to tears.
As Kira looked around, it was clear who the usual suspects were. As expected, the loudest voices belonged to Cana, Wakaba, and Makao, engaged in their typical drinking contest. This trio, infamous for their rowdy antics, had even roped Gray into their revelry this time.
At the center of it all was Mira, busy as ever. As the guild's unofficial waitress and the one who managed most of its affairs, she flitted about with her characteristic warm smile and sweet demeanor.
Meanwhile, Rocky, one of the guild's most popular wizards—especially among the ladies—was basking in attention. Flanked by two beautiful women, he seemed thoroughly delighted, much to the envy of those around him.
In another corner stood Elfman, repeatedly proclaiming his manliness, though the exact point of his shouting remained a mystery.
Despite the lively chaos, Levy sat diligently engrossed in her books. The two guildmates clinging to her—whose names Kira couldn't quite recall—seemed determined to fawn over her.
The rest of the guild members filled the space in their unique ways. Some huddled together, animatedly discussing food and fashion. Others lingered in front of the task board, seemingly paralyzed by indecision. A few sat quietly in corners, sketching or painting.
It was a medley of personalities and energy—a quintessential Fairy Tail scene.
The cacophony never ceased, but that didn't mean Kira's arrival went unnoticed.
Mira, ever the attentive sister, was the first to greet him. As both the guild's de facto caretaker and its welcoming committee, Mira was always the first to acknowledge anyone entering or leaving the hall.
"Hey, Kira! Long time no see! What brings you here from the shop today?" she asked with her usual warmth.
Kira smiled back. "Hey, Mira! It's been a while. The shop's done great business today! How about treating me to one of the guild's new drinks?"
"Of course~," Mira replied cheerfully.
Kira settled onto a barstool and stretched with a sigh of contentment. "Ah! Having Erza as a regular customer takes a lot off my plate. I don't need to go out on missions. I can make plenty just staying in the shop and crafting magic equipment."
"That's so convenient! But don't you need to go out to gather materials for your work?"
"Well, about that…" Kira leaned forward conspiratorially. "I sometimes post material collection requests on the guild board. It's a win-win—guild members get work, and I get my materials. Efficient, right?"
He couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride in his strategy. After all, he had found a way to keep the benefits "in the family."
Still, some rare materials were tricky to procure. "Of course, there are times when I have to step out and handle things personally," Kira admitted.
Mira set a glass before him. "Here's your drink. Isn't Erza one of your collectors?"
Kira took a sip and sighed, his expression tinged with melancholy. "She was, but let's just say only about a tenth of what she brought back was usable."
"Why?" Mira asked, tilting her head in confusion.
Kira raised an eyebrow. "It's Erza we're talking about. Mercy isn't in her vocabulary when it comes to battle."
Mira's face lit with understanding. "Ah, I see! That's so like Erza—amazing as always!"
Huh? Is that really a compliment? Kira thought, baffled by Mira's perspective.
"By the way, where are Natsu and Happy? Are they out on a mission? He's usually here, picking fights with Gray."
Mira nodded, a smile playing on her lips as she polished a glass. "I heard he got wind of news about the fire dragon, so he and Happy went off to investigate."
Kira nearly dropped his drink. "The fire dragon? You mean Igneel? Now? No way—there's nothing like that in my memory."
"If there were a dragon, it'd be huge news by now," Kira reasoned.
Gray, who had wandered over, chimed in. "You know how Natsu is. He bolted the moment he heard the rumor."
"And the follow-up news?" Kira asked.
"Turns out it's some wizard running scams under the name 'Fire Dragon,'" Cana said, joining them with a small barrel of ale in each hand. She wrapped her arms around Kira and Gray's shoulders and hollered, "Mira, two more barrels!"
"Yes~," Mira replied.
Kira nodded thoughtfully. "That does make sense."
Could this be the start of the story? Is Lucy about to join? Will the guild's chaos officially kick off? Wait, no—the guild has always been chaotic.
"Anyway, let's not dwell on that," Cana interrupted. "Since you're here, how about a drink with me?"
"I'll pass," Kira said, raising his glass. "I'm already covered, thanks."
Taking the hint, Kira shifted gears. "By the way, Cana, remember I told you about the new magic props coming to Hope House? We've got some cards that'll pair perfectly with your magic. Interested?"
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