Chapter 01: Hope House

Boom!

Kira was jolted awake by the sudden pang of pain.

"It hurts! Who's the blind fool disturbing my nap? I'll surely make them..."

"It's me!"

He blinked open his sky-blue eyes and found himself staring at a woman whose long hair matched the hue of his own. Her expression radiated fury, making her resemble the fiery pepper from next door. The glare in her eyes seemed to spell out a clear warning: "If you don't get up, I'll wreck your shop."

Kira's foggy mind quickly cleared, and his tone shifted immediately. "…I should be grateful she woke me up to work."

"Oh, isn't this Erza?" He shot to his feet and swiftly wiped the drool off the corners of his mouth. "Come in, take a seat. What can I get you?"

At that moment, Kira looked more like a tavern waiter than the proprietor of a magic shop.

"Well… I heard you bought all the strawberry cakes from the new bakery next door yesterday?"

"I see! I'll prepare some for you right away!"

Kira's eagerness wasn't born out of fear of Erza's might but rather…

"Dear VIP customer, enjoy your treat! If it doesn't satisfy your taste buds, I'll personally demolish the bakery for you!"

The "Hope Hut," Kira's establishment, was Magnolia's premier magic shop, renowned for offering an array of magic tools and powerful armaments. Naturally, Erza, an S-class wizard adept at dress-up magic and knight magic, had earned the status of a VIP customer. But most importantly, she had the financial resources to back it up.

A minute later…

Seated gracefully on a leather sofa, Erza sampled the uniquely flavored cake with utmost poise. "The taste is exquisite, and the texture suits me perfectly. But the service is rather slow."

Seriously? This was slow?

Once the culinary delights were addressed, Erza finally stated the reason for her visit. "I'm here to pick up the armor I ordered two days ago."

"Got it. Please wait a moment."

Kira nodded and headed to the store's inner room. Moments later, he returned carrying a set of dazzling armor.

The armor gleamed snow-white and was entirely seamless. Despite its thin appearance, it exuded a solid toughness. Every component—from the helmet to the breastplate, arm guards, leotard, boots, and gloves—seemed intricately interconnected. Paired with a round shield, the ensemble showcased a stunning blend of elegance and raw power, perfectly complementing Erza.

"This diamond armor was crafted precisely to your specifications, based on the H-K store's design blueprints," Kira began his detailed introduction. "It incorporates the finest materials: giant snake scales, rhino horns, jackal claws, and crocodile teeth. Plus, I infused it with a defense magic I've honed over twelve years, ensuring top-tier protection."

This spiel was a tactic he'd picked up from the owner of the most renowned magic shop in the royal capital during his trip there last month. It was supposed to dazzle and impress customers.

Unfortunately, his audience was Erza.

Polite as ever, Erza didn't interrupt Kira's elaborate explanation. However, not a word of it registered. Her sole focus was on the armor's functionality. "Let's test it out now."

"Wait! I'm not done yet!"

This was his masterpiece, the fruit of painstaking labor. Even for a VIP, brushing aside his introduction felt like an insult. It was like wearing a luxurious brocade robe in the dark—completely unappreciated!

"It's fine. I don't need the details."

"Alright, got it... Also, notice the small logo of our shop—"

"Yeah, yeah," Erza dismissed nonchalantly. She couldn't care less about logos; all that mattered was the armor's quality. "Hurry up!"

"Yes, ma'am!!!"

Kira positioned the armor before a uniquely designed wall composed of energy-absorbing stone.

This rare and costly mineral neutralized most magic and physical energy that struck it, preventing collateral damage. It was commonly used to reinforce critical structures, like city walls. However, in Ishgar, a different mineral called Magic Sealing Stone was often preferred, especially for crafting handcuffs that could suppress a wizard's magic.

For a magic shop to demonstrate its wares' effectiveness, owning such a wall was a mark of excellence. So, despite its expense, Kira had invested in one.

He retrieved a distinctive magic wand from his sleeve—a sleek silver rod about 30 cm long and as thick as an index finger, engraved with enigmatic symbols. While it appeared to be just a beautifully crafted stick, any seasoned magician could instantly sense the magic circle embedded within.

"Stand back!" Kira warned, pressing the wand against the armor and muttering, "Energy shock."

The wand emitted an intense surge of magic, forming a glowing red circle in midair. Responding to Kira's incantation, the magic transformed into a massive energy blast. Amplified by the wand, it unleashed a destructive force powerful enough to obliterate the entire shop.

A fierce wind from the blast sent Erza's hair and skirt fluttering, but she remained firmly rooted, unshaken.

Kira glanced at her and thought: As expected of Erza—steady as a rock despite the aftermath!

Erza glanced back, musing: Typical Kira—effortlessly wielding such high-level magic!

After a brief exchange of looks, both quickly turned away, silently resolving: We need to spar soon!

Erza reflected inwardly: Kira's been slacking off for so long without taking any missions. I assumed his skills had stagnated, but his Word Magic has grown remarkably powerful.

With no stabilization device in place, the blast flung the armor against the wall. However, the expected clatter was absent—the energy-absorbing stone had neutralized the magic's aftershock, minimizing vibrations.

As long as this wall stood, no attack could harm the shop.

Kira retrieved the armor, brushing it off proudly before presenting it to Erza. "See? Not a scratch. The defense is impeccable."

Erza stepped closer to inspect it. Having experienced the sheer power of the magic firsthand, she confirmed the armor's flawless condition. Its defensive capabilities surpassed any armor she'd owned before. She nodded approvingly, deeply satisfied with her new acquisition.

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