Chapter 44 : Akane Resort!!

Magnolia.

As usual, Everit returned to the guild to greet everyone and then planned to relax and work on his Tier 7.0 project.

"Ah, Everit, you came back just in time!"

Natsu exclaimed, slinging his arm around Everit's neck as soon as he entered the guild.

"What's going on?" Everit asked, a hint of doubt in his voice.

"That guy Loke gave us some tickets to Akane Resort. It's a super high-end place. Let's go together!" Natsu said, excitement evident in his voice.

"Loke? Since when is he so generous?" Everit said, surprised.

"Ah, I'm planning to return to the Celestial Spirit World, so I've prepared gifts for everyone," Loke explained. "Everit, your gift is special. You've taken great care of me over the years."

"Oh?" Everit tilted his head slightly.

Loke handed him a cardboard box. "Open it."

Everit took the box and glanced at Natsu and Happy, who were looking at him eagerly. "Natsu, why don't you guys come over and open it together?"

"Huh? But this is obviously a gift for you from Loke," Natsu protested.

"It doesn't matter, though it's mine, but you can still share in the excitement," Everit reassured him with a smile.

"Awesome!"

"Yay!"

Natsu and Happy hugged the box happily and opened it.

'Poof'

A burst of red gas erupted and sprayed directly into Natsu and Happy's faces.

"What? It's just wine," Natsu scratched his head.

"Hahaha, what a shame," Loke said, a hint of regret on his face. "Everit wasn't fooled."

"By the way, Loke, what you prepared was a wine trap, not just beer. If Everit had fallen for it and got drunk on red wine, things could have gotten very messy," Gray remarked.

"Huh? Is there a difference?" Lucy wondered aloud. "Isn't wine just... well... wine to Everit?"

As Lucy spoke, she caught Everit's knowing smile, prompting her to quickly close her mouth.

"Well, not all alcohol have the same effect. It depends on the situation. Red wine tends to..." Gray paused for a moment, searching for the right words. "Lucy, you're overthinking it."

"Gray," Everit's deep voice cut through. "I've said it many times before. I don't drink because of my father's advice. It doesn't mean I can't drink. Just because you've managed to knock me out with sleeping pills or slipped potions into my drink. Or perhaps you're working with the Mystogan, using sleep magic to prank me and then spreading rumors!"

"You're relentless on this topic, Everit," Erza remarked, holding her forehead with a helpless expression.

Happy chimed in, "Just like how Everit can never catch fish, but..."

Natsu interrupted, "In winter, it's too cold, so fish hibernate. And in summer, it's too hot, so the fish dive deep."

Gray added, "Exactly. When it's hot, the fish sink to the bottom."

Everit adjusted his glasses.

"Hey, ease up, Everit. Don't take it so seriously!" Lucy's face turned pale with fright.

"I'm not afraid of you, Everit. If you wanna fight, let's do it!" Natsu rolled up his sleeves, ready for action.

"Yeah, count me in!" Gray joined, equally serious.

"How can I fight? I'm a pacifist," Everit smiled.

"Alright," Erza intervened at the right moment. "Let's save this for later. We have a mission to focus on. Everit, if you're done, join us."

"Sure thing," Everit nodded. "But let me unload these goods first."

With that, he produced a card and tossed it into the open space.

*Rumble*

Goods of all sizes materialized and formed a pile.

"What's all this?" Everyone peered over curiously.

"These are little gifts I got for everyone, each labeled with their name," Everit explained.

"Thank you, Everit," everyone expressed their gratitude.

"Let's get going," Erza declared.

"Alright!" Natsu exclaimed, dragging Lucy along in his excitement.

"Wait, slow down, Natsu," Lucy pleaded, trying to match his pace.

"Lucy's stamina is really improving," Everit observed with a sigh.

"Are you gonna become a muscle girl, Lucy?" Happy asked eagerly.

"No way!!!" Lucy's voice echoed in the distance.

Everyone piled into the car.

Natsu was in his seat within seconds.

Everit took the window spot, Gray settled in the middle, and Erza embraced Happy, occupying one side.

Natsu reclined in his seat as usual, his face resting against Lucy's thigh, and then he shut his eyes with a grimace of discomfort.

"Speaking of which," Happy glanced at Everit, "Can't you use magic to prevent Natsu from getting car sick?"

"Ah," Everit shook his head, "It's not possible."

It's a flaw. There are limitations in dragon slayer magic itself. Unless they're corrected, Everit can trick the five senses but can't manipulate the essence of magic.

No magic is flawless; that's why there are wizards – individuals who delve into its mysteries.

"By the way, what have you all been up to lately?" Everit asked with curiosity.

He raised his head, and Happy excitedly recounted recent events.

First, Lucy returned home and expressed her desire for her father not to interfere with her affairs anymore. After all, Fairy Tail was her true family.

Worried about her, Natsu and the others accompanied her.

Then, Loke's true identity was unveiled – he was actually the celestial spirit Leo.

Unable to tolerate his previous master's mistreatment of celestial spirits, he defied his master's commands, leading to the master's demise and his own exile.

Only recently recognized by Lucy and re-established as her celestial spirit, he was able to return to the celestial spirit world.

Upon hearing this, Everit glanced at Natsu, who lay with his head on Lucy's lap. Lucy was tenderly patting his head, seemingly trying to alleviate his discomfort. However, it proved futile.

Everit chuckled and inquired, "Has Natsu been 'recognized'?"

"???"

Everyone was puzzled.

Happy was the first to catch on, jesting, "Although Lucy's father appears stern and difficult to please, everyone else seems to praise Natsu."

Lucy blushed, understanding Everit's implication.

"Well," Gray interjected with a smirk, "I suppose Natsu could be considered 'recognized.'"

Lucy's cheeks reddened further as she lowered her head, vigorously ruffling Natsu's hair.

"Hey Lucy," Natsu whined.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Lucy realized her actions and quickly withdrew her hand.

Erza beamed.

"Playing matchmaker, huh~" Happy stifled a laugh behind his hand.

"Ugh—" Lucy buried her face in her hands, mortified!

Out at sea, a ship bobbed on the waves.

At the ship's bow, a graceful girl with pink hair, clad in an elegant kimono, sat regally.

She balanced the long knife between her knees, clutching a family portrait tightly in her hand—a cherished memento adorned with the faces of numerous children.

"Emily," she spoke softly, her crimson lips parting, her countenance clouded with sorrow.

"Captain, now that you've accepted the mission, try not to dwell on it too much," advised a burly man standing beside her, his head resembling that of an owl. "True justice is only achieved when you carry out your duty earnestly."

"Innocent lives should never be sacrificed in the name of justice," she sighed.

"But don't you want to earn enough to afford your sister's medical treatment? Without it, she won't survive," the owl-headed man pressed.

She fell silent, her gaze lifting to the looming tower ahead as she bit her lip in contemplation.

Meanwhile, inside the cabin, hushed conversations filled the air.

"Vidaldus, the decision regarding the Captaincy of the Trinity Raven now rests with you," whispered one figure.

"Thank you, Guild Master, for entrusting me with this opportunity. I will secure that position without fail," Vidaldus affirmed resolutely.

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