Chapter 4 : Kageyama!!

Magnolia Station.

Natsu and Gray were locked in a heated argument.

Lucy and Happy were seated on a nearby bench, engaged in casual conversation.

"Tsk," Lucy muttered under her breath as a carriage pulled up in front of her.

Everit emerged from the carriage, dressed in light attire and sporting a hat.

"Mr. Everit, your luggage," the coachman retrieved the suitcase.

"Thank you," Everit replied, settling the fare and offering a generous tip.

"Good morning, Mr. Everit," Lucy greeted with a hint of desperation.

"Good morning, Miss Lucy," Everit responded, taking a seat beside her.

"Why the long face?" Everit inquired, noticing Lucy's troubled expression.

Lucy sighed. "I'm worried about my own strength. If Natsu and Gray are like that and when we encounter enemies I fear I won't be able to hold my own."

"Don't fret," Everit reassured her with a smile. "Natsu and Gray are dependable, and Erza is even more so. With your guidance, victory is within reach."

"And what about you, Mr. Everit?" Lucy asked, sensing beneath his gentlemanly facade a mischievous nature that hinted at intelligence and cunning.

As a teammate, Everit seems reliable, as Miss Mirajane had suggested.

Not as reckless as Natsu and Gray.

"Frontal combat is not my forte. Miss Lucy, as a Celestial Spirit Mage, you likely face similar challenges," Everit admitted, producing a card from his pocket. 

"This might just save your life. When danger looms, grasp it firmly with your left hand, raise it high, and recite the incantation: 'I am the wielder of black flame. Oh, foolish man, be consumed by the black flames.' Trust me, it works."

Lucy eyed the card skeptically. "Are you serious? How can a mere card..."

"I don't jest about matters of life and death," Everit replied solemnly.

"Thank you," Lucy said, accepting the card gratefully. "But do I really have to do all that?"

"Yes, it's crucial. Remember every detail, or it may fail when you need it most," Everit cautioned. "Perhaps you should test its effectiveness now?"

"No!" Lucy refused hastily.

"Then remember it well. Your life may depend on it," Everit concluded with a serious tone.

"Yeah," Lucy nodded, silently reciting the spell in her heart.

"Sorry for the long wait."

Erza arrived, dragging a large cart of luggage, and Natsu and Gray immediately struck up a camaraderie.

"Lucy," Erza said with a smile, "I heard you defeated the Vulcan with just one finger. Thank you for joining us. With your help, this mission will surely be a success!"

"Huh?!" Lucy was taken aback, feeling honored to be regarded by Erza with such hopeful and appreciative eyes.

Defeating Vulcan with just one finger was merely a rumor!

What if I deliberately act weak during the battle?

"Erza, let's not put too much pressure on the newcomers," Everit intervened.

"Everit!" Lucy glanced gratefully at Everit. He truly proved to be a reliable and kind person!

"Everit," Erza addressed him with a frown, "You better feel the pressure. This matter is extremely troublesome!"

"I understand," Everit nodded, offering no rebuttal.

Troublesome?

The guild master that couldn't defeat Natsu.

There was even a fool who boasted to the guild masters using Lullaby.

They've truly never been defeated by the Official Guilds.

I came here simply to travel and enjoy myself.

He glanced at Lucy, who returned his grateful gaze, and he offered her a soft smile.

Lucy is such an innocent and amusing girl.

"Dududu" Natsu, who was enthusiastic before boarding the train, ready to challenge Erza, was now lying on his seat, his head resting on Erza's thigh, wearing an uncomfortable expression.

Everit leaned against the window, gazing at the passing scenery.

Erza began recounting what had happened.

During her return from a mission, she heard news about the dark guild Eisenwald.

They had obtained Lullaby, the Cursed Flute, and were plotting a major conspiracy.

Erza decided to lead everyone and directly infiltrate the Eisenwald!

"Lucy, there's a lot of soup," Happy said.

"That's sweat," Lucy replied, already trembling with fear at Erza's plan.

Everit glanced at her.

Though Lucy proved reliable in critical moments, her cowardice added an interesting dynamic.

As everyone chatted, they arrived at Oshibana Station.

After disembarking the train, they waited for the train to depart.

Then Happy asked, "By the way, where's Natsu?"

Silence.

"Natsu was left in the train!" Lucy exclaimed, belatedly realizing.

"It's all my fault. I should have known he can't handle transportation!" Erza blamed herself.

"Don't worry, right, Everit?" Gray reassured, looking at Everit. "You're not careless."

Though they didn't fully trust Everit in some matters, there were areas where he placed complete faith in him.

Everit smiled faintly and slowly faded away.

"Huh?" Lucy was puzzled.

"Everit's magic won't be affected as long as he leaves a certain range. He must still be in the train," Gray explained, trying to reassure her.

"Everit, why didn't you remind us?" Erza questioned, her tone tinged with anger.

"With him taking care of Natsu, there's no need to worry," Lucy said, feeling relieved.

Meanwhile, in the train...

*Bang!*

Kageyama, the dark wizard of the Eisenwald, stepped on Natsu's face triumphantly. "Don't get too comfortable just because it's a run-of-the-mill guild, little boy."

These words ignited a furious rage within Natsu.

But just as he was about to cause a scene, the magic dissipated as the train continued its motion, leaving him devoid of all his fighting prowess.

Kageyama thrashed and beat up Natsu. 

Not too far away, Everit remained seated calmly, refraining from any action.

Natsu, with his tough exterior and resilience, was no delicate flower. The level of attack he faced was akin to a mere massage, let alone tickling.

Suddenly, the train came to an abrupt halt. The unexpected jolt sent Kageyama sprawling forward, the unsightly flute tumbling to the ground.

Seizing the moment, Everit approached, retrieving the flute and exchanging it with a counterfeit he had crafted the night before, then placing it on the floor.

Caught up in the chaos, Kageyama failed to notice this sequence of events and hastily picked up the fake flute.

"How dare you strike me!"

Natsu instantly revived, flames coalescing in his hands, poised for a powerful strike.

"Alright, let's not wreck the train. You'd better save some money. You aren't young now. How will you get girls without money? Think about the future."

Everit tapped Natsu on the head, then recalled that Lucy was a wealthy young lady with ample inheritance. Natsu should be taken care of easily. 

Only he is different. He need to earn himself.

This realization led to a sudden regret for his earlier light tap.

"Everit, why are you on the train? Were you just spectating when I was getting beaten up?!" Natsu redirected his anger towards Everit.

"Yes, I witnessed you being beaten up, Natsu," Everit's voice chimed from behind Kageyama.

"When?" Kageyama was taken aback, just as he attempted to turn around, he was swiftly kicked down by Everit.

****

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