Chapter 28: The Feeling of Home

A figure slowly walked into the guild's entrance.

"Who are you?" Alex demanded, his gaze filled with anger as he stared at the odd figure standing at the doorway.

The person was completely shrouded in a large cloak, even their face covered by a mask, and carried five magic staves on their back, giving them an extremely bizarre appearance.

Gently placing Mirajane on a couch so she could lean against the bar, Alex had just checked her condition and was relieved to find that she was merely asleep.

Only then did he speak, ensuring there had been no further harm done to anyone. If there had been, Alex wouldn't have hesitated to draw his sword.

Alex's tone was far from pleasant, his magical power roiling around him as his dangerous eyes fixed on the stranger.

"To think someone besides Master Makarov is still awake," the masked person said, sounding somewhat surprised.

The stranger then stepped further inside, but immediately a sword appeared in front of them, its tip gleaming menacingly.

Alex held his blade, Ryūjin Jakka, pointing it straight at the masked individual. "What exactly do you intend to do? You put everyone in the guild to sleep."

"Alex, this young man means no harm. Let's hear what he has to say first," Makarov spoke from behind.

After thinking for a moment, Alex lowered Ryūjin Jakka. "If you don't have a good explanation, you won't be leaving through that door," Alex warned, pointing to the guild's entrance.

The masked person felt the coldness in Alex's tone and had no doubt that Alex meant what he said; without a good explanation, he was prepared to kill.

Fortunately, Alex had lowered his sword. The masked person nodded and said, "I understand. Putting everyone to sleep was indeed not a friendly act."

"But I had no choice. Please understand," the masked person bowed slightly, seemingly apologizing.

He continued, "I came here to join Fairy Tail." The masked person looked at Makarov, seeking his approval.

Makarov shook his head. "I can't allow someone whose background is shrouded in mystery, who doesn't even dare to show their face openly, to join Fairy Tail."

Setting down his beer mug, Makarov's eyes turned stern. "So, I can't grant your request. Given that you haven't harmed anyone in the guild, I'll let you go."

The masked person, seeing Makarov's firm stance, thought for a moment before reaching up to remove his mask.

Alex's eyes widened. He recognized this face from the Magic Council, the body that governed legal wizard guilds.

Because Alex frequently caused significant destruction, he was often summoned by the Magic Council. Among the highest-ranking council members was someone who looked exactly like this person.

"Jellal?" Alex asked, puzzled.

The masked person shook his head. "That's why I hide my face. I'm not him."

Makarov thought for a moment before saying, "Are you Jellal's twin brother, the one who fell into darkness?"

The masked person smiled wryly. "Although we look identical, I'm not them. My name is Mystogan. I wear the mask to avoid being mistaken for Jellal."

Makarov nodded, looking deeply at Mystogan. Mystogan met his gaze without flinching.

After a long pause, Makarov finally spoke. "Alright, I agree. Where would you like your guild mark?" Makarov asked, holding out the Fairy Tail stamp.

"On my hand," Mystogan replied, extending his hand. The Fairy Tail emblem soon appeared on it. He stared at it, lost in thought.

"Just like in my memories," he muttered, then looked at Makarov. "Can I take on a mission now?"

Makarov pointed to the mission board. "Choose one and then register it with me."

Mystogan nodded and walked over to the mission board.

"Master, is this really okay?" Alex asked as he returned to his seat. "I won't question your decision, but I want to know why."

Makarov watched Mystogan's retreating figure. "I see pure goodness in his eyes. This child has a tragic past."

Looking around at the guild members sleeping peacefully, Makarov continued, "Like many in our guild, those burdened with pain need support and guidance. Otherwise, they might stray down a dark path."

"Allowing the young to go astray is a failure on the part of us elders," Makarov said, taking a sip of his drink. He couldn't stop his own son from falling into darkness, but perhaps he could help steer others in the right direction.

Alex nodded in understanding.

"I've chosen a task, Master," Mystogan said, handing Makarov a request slip.

Makarov glanced at it and nodded. "Alright, thank you, Master," Mystogan said, expressing his gratitude before attempting to leave.

"Hey, Mystogan, have a drink with us," Alex said, offering Mystogan a cup.

Mystogan looked at the cup of milk, his mouth twitching slightly before he smiled and took it.

"Let's toast. Forget the unpleasantness just now," Alex raised his cup.

"Seriously, where did you learn this? Most people drink alcohol," Mystogan replied, clinking his cup with Alex's and drinking it in one gulp.

"The earlier incident was my fault, don't worry about it. It's nice to meet you, Alex," Mystogan placed the cup back on the counter and turned to leave.

"At least dispel your magic," Makarov called out.

"Five, four, three, two, one," Mystogan counted down as he vanished from the guild hall's light.

At that moment, everyone in the guild began to wake up.

"Huh? What happened? I just fell asleep!" Natsu said, scratching his head in confusion.

"Natsu, get up! You're crushing me!" Happy cried, pinned underneath Natsu.

Natsu quickly jumped up. "Sorry, Happy. Haha."

"Hmm?" A soft voice sounded from beside Alex, and he saw Mirajane waking up, looking dazed. Alex's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Did I just hear that right? The tough girl has such a cute side?" Alex's mind was filled with questions.

Mirajane slowly sat up, still a bit dazed, then noticed Alex's intense gaze. Her face immediately turned red.

"What... what are you looking at?" she stammered, unable to bear Alex's gaze any longer. She quickly left to find Lisanna.

Makarov had an amused smile on his face, but he noticed Alex looking at him curiously.

"Master, your expression is really strange," Alex said, having never seen Makarov look like this before.

"Uh, nothing, nothing. Just happy about Mystogan," Makarov said, shaking his head and offering an unconvincing excuse.

"Really?" Alex asked, rubbing his chin skeptically.

Makarov then turned serious.

"Master, what happened to us just now?" Levy asked, concerned about the unusual incident that had put everyone to sleep.

"Yeah, Master, what was that all about?" others echoed.

"Don't worry about it. That was our new member, Mystogan's magic," Makarov explained.

Gray frowned. "That guy put us all to sleep? Where is he?"

Alex sipped his milk. "Gray, Mystogan has already left."

"Come on, let's not dwell on it. He has his reasons for not showing his face. Be understanding," Makarov said.

"But, Master, can we really trust someone who won't even show his face?" Macao asked.

"I've already evaluated him. You can rest assured," Makarov assured.

Hearing this, everyone in the guild trusted Makarov's judgment without further questions.

Makarov raised his beer mug. "Alright, let's have a party to welcome our new family member!"

"Party time!" Natsu cheered, breathing fire in excitement.

"He really has a lot of energy," Lisanna laughed.

Happy, munching on a fish, raised his paw. "Aye! That's Natsu for you."

Thus, a noisy, lively welcome party ensued in the Fairy Tail guild.

Outside the guild, Mystogan sat on a large tree, watching the bustling guild and smiling.

"It seems everyone is willing to accept me, even with my concealed identity. Only Fairy Tail could achieve something like this," he thought, looking at the guild mark on his hand.

"This is what a home feels like. It's a wonderful guild," he whispered before disappearing.

Inside the guild, Natsu's fire had inevitably reached Gray, leading to...

"Flame brain, do you want to die?" Gray shouted, patting out the flames on his head. Ever since Alex had once completely burned off his hair, he had been particularly careful with it.

With his hair nearly singed again, Gray couldn't stand it. He kicked over a table and yelled at Natsu.

"What did you say, Ice Princess?" Natsu retorted, refusing to back down.

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