Chapter 20: Mirajane Strauss

Lisanna pulled her hand back and said, "It's okay, Mira. I just bumped it accidentally. Don't worry."

"Who are you?" Mirajane had noticed Alex following them. She quickly pulled Lisanna and Elfman behind her and asked with a wary tone.

Alex, who had been quietly watching their reunion and didn't want to interrupt, now saw himself being mistaken for a threat. He smiled wryly and said, "Don't worry, I mean you no harm."

"That's right, Mira. This is Alex, and he's here to help us," Lisanna added, holding onto Mirajane's hand.

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Alex Blaze. I'm a wizard from Fairy Tail, and I'm here to resolve the demon problem," Alex said, revealing the Fairy Tail emblem on his shoulder.

"A wizard? You're here because of the demon?" Mirajane's wariness only increased.

Elfman, hearing that Alex was there to deal with the demon, quickly stepped in front of Mirajane, trembling with fear.

"I... I won't let you hurt my sister," he stammered.

Alex chuckled. "You can relax. Eliminating isn't the only way to resolve problems."

Despite being mistaken for a villain, Alex wasn't angry. He could see that Mirajane was heavily injured yet still protected her siblings. Elfman, though terrified, stood up to protect his family. And Lisanna, though weak, had gone out alone to find a way to survive.

The bond among these siblings was truly remarkable.

"You all haven't eaten for a while. Why don't you eat something first?" Alex suggested, showing the supplies he had brought.

"Mira, Elfman, you should eat something. Alex is really not a bad person," Lisanna encouraged.

Seeing Lisanna's trust in Alex and knowing they hadn't eaten in a long time, Mirajane nodded and led Alex into the cave, though she remained cautious.

Inside the cave, Lisanna ran to Alex and asked, "Alex, where's my bread?"

"Here it is," Alex replied, handing over the remaining half of the bread.

Lisanna happily took it to Mirajane. "Mira, look, this is bread from the town. We've wanted to eat this for so long but never could. Alex bought it for me, and I saved some for you and Elfman."

She divided the remaining bread and gave it to her siblings.

"You went to the town, didn't you?" Mirajane asked, gently stroking Lisanna's hair. She knew the risks Lisanna took by going there.

"It's okay, Mira. I did face some trouble in town, but Alex saved me, so he's really a good person," Lisanna said, enjoying her sister's affection, her eyes forming little crescents.

Lisanna told her siblings about what happened in the town but left out certain details. She glanced at Alex with pleading eyes, silently asking him to keep those parts secret.

Mirajane then stood up and bowed deeply in front of Alex. "Thank you so much for saving Lisanna. We are truly grateful!"

Alex, not used to such gestures, quickly stood and helped Mirajane up. "It was nothing. No need for such formalities."

Seeing her siblings finally trust Alex made Lisanna very happy.

"By the way, I still don't know your names. I've only heard them from Lisanna," Alex said, inviting Mirajane to sit down.

"My name is Mirajane Strauss."

"And I'm Elfman Strauss."

Alex nodded. "Now that we know each other, we're friends. Mirajane, Lisanna wanted to buy these medicines for you. After eating, you should use them. Otherwise, your wounds might get infected."

Lisanna had told Alex that Mirajane was seriously injured, with a large gash on her back.

Alex handed the medicines to Mirajane.

"Thank you."

"One more thing. Can I see your hand?" Alex asked, looking at the right hand Mirajane had hidden under her cloak.

Mirajane lowered her head, instinctively hiding her right hand further.

"It's a cursed thing, really disgusting. It's better not to see it," she murmured.

"It's okay. I'm here to deal with this issue, and I already have an idea. Your arm might not be cursed after all, and there might be a way to fix it. But I need to see it first. Is that alright?" Alex reassured her.

For Mirajane, this arm had brought nothing but misfortune to her and her siblings. She couldn't even show it to her brother and sister, let alone to Alex, whom they had just met.

In the end, Mirajane agreed.

She cautiously extended her arm from under the cloak, revealing the demon arm that had made the townspeople tremble in fear.

The arm was significantly more robust than a normal human's, completely black, and covered with scales. Sharp claws gleamed coldly at the tips.

After a moment, Mirajane quickly retracted her arm, lowering her head. She couldn't bear to see Alex's reaction, having grown accustomed to the look of disgust from others.

"Alex, how is it?" Elfman asked, his voice filled with concern.

"Yeah, Alex, can you help my sister's arm?" Lisanna added, looking anxiously at Alex's silent contemplation.

"Alright, Lisanna, Elfman, it's not so easy to fix my arm. Stop asking," Mirajane said, her mood sinking as she noted Alex's silence.

Alex's train of thought was interrupted by their conversation. He then spoke up, "It can be treated."

"Really?" Lisanna exclaimed, grabbing Alex's hand and shaking it vigorously.

Elfman jumped up in excitement.

Mirajane, who had her head lowered, looked up in disbelief.

"Alright, Lisanna, stop shaking me. You're making me dizzy," Alex said helplessly, unable to resist Lisanna's cuteness. He couldn't help but think that if it were Natsu shaking him like this, he would have already sent him flying... but that was beside the point.

Bringing his thoughts back to the present, Alex continued, "Mirajane, if I'm not mistaken, your arm isn't possessed by a demon or cursed."

"It's magic. This is the magic you have awakened."

"Magic?" Mirajane had heard of magic, having seen wizards passing through the isolated mountain town.

"Yes, it's Take Over Magic. It allows you to take on the powers of monsters or animals."

"Take Over Magic?" Mirajane looked at her right hand, the demonic claw, and shook her head. "If I could, I wouldn't want such magic."

"This arm only makes people despise me."

Sensing Mirajane's distress, Alex grabbed her demon claw.

Mirajane's eyes widened, and she tried to pull away. "What are you doing? It's disgusting. Why are you..."

Alex interrupted her. "Listen, Mirajane, so what if it's a demon's arm? So what if it's an evil power? What's important is how you use it."

"Even if it's a demon's claw, if you use it to protect your family, it becomes the most reliable arm for them."

Mirajane froze, ceasing her struggle. Alex continued to hold her demon arm. Suddenly, a small hand grasped it as well.

"Lisanna, you..."

"Mira, I'm not afraid. No matter how you change, I won't be scared because I know you won't hurt me," Lisanna said, smiling as she held Mirajane's demon hand.

Elfman also stepped forward. "Yeah, sister, we're not afraid."

Mirajane covered her mouth with her other hand, tears welling up in her eyes.

Alex saw this and continued, "Moreover, I never said your arm can't return to normal."

"Is there really a way?" Lisanna asked, her eyes filled with hope.

Alex nodded. "I don't know your specific situation, but I know someone who can help restore your arm."

"Who is it? Tell us, Alex," Elfman asked eagerly.

Not wanting to keep them in suspense, Alex replied, "Our guild master, Makarov. He will definitely have a way to restore your arm."

The three siblings looked at each other, not recognizing the name.

"Don't worry about the details. Master Makarov will definitely have a solution. So, why don't you come with me to Fairy Tail?"

"Fairy Tail? Is that your guild?" Lisanna recalled Alex mentioning his guild before.

"Yes, everyone in the guild is very kind. And since you don't have a home now, why not join our guild?" Alex suggested, thinking of his own situation, as well as Erza, Natsu, Gray, Cana, and others—most of whom were also homeless children.

"Mira?" Lisanna looked to her sister, waiting for her to decide.

Seeing her siblings looking at her, and then at Alex who was still holding her demon arm, Mirajane solemnly said, "If you can guarantee my siblings' safety, we'll go with you."

Alex nodded, turning to Lisanna. "You don't need to worry. I'll protect you. Lisanna is very likable, and everyone in the guild will love her."

"Alright, we'll go to Fairy Tail with you!"