Chapter 21: Alex's First Failed Mission?

In the bustling city of Magnolia.

Lisanna, who had just gotten off the train, looked around at the vibrant world of traffic and people, feeling incredibly happy.

This was a scene Lisanna had never witnessed before.

"Alex, what's that?" Lisanna pointed to the amusement park in the nearby park.

Alex smiled slightly and said, "That's a place for kids like you to play."

Unexpectedly, Lisanna pouted and said, "But Alex, aren't you also a child?"

...

Due to Lisanna's high spirits, Alex and the others decided to take her around for a bit. However, during this time, Mirajane felt extremely uneasy. Despite being wrapped up tightly in a cloak, she kept grabbing at it, afraid it might fall and reveal her demon arm.

Seeing this, the group decided not to continue wandering and headed towards the Fairy Tail guild.

"Wow, this is the Fairy Tail guild?" Lisanna exclaimed in awe.

Mirajane remained silent, but her eyes showed some emotional waves. Perhaps soon, she would be free from this demon arm that had brought so much suffering to her and her family.

Alex walked to the front door and, as usual, raised his right foot and kicked it hard.

"Boom!" The door swung open with a loud bang.

The three people behind him couldn't help but twitch their eyes. Are you sure you're not here to collect debts?

"I'm back!" Alex shouted.

"Oh, welcome back, Alex."

"Welcome back."

...

"Looks like Alex is quite popular in the guild," Lisanna whispered to Mirajane.

"Oh? Alex's back? Come and fight me!" Just as the two were whispering, an untimely voice rang out.

Alex didn't need to think with his feet to know who else but that idiot Natsu would be so headstrong?

Sure enough, Natsu burst out from the crowd, shouting, "I've developed a new move that will definitely beat you, Alex."

"Fire Dragon's Iron head~~"

With flames gathering above his head, Natsu charged straight at Alex.

Well, now he was really using his head.

Alex stretched out his right hand and effortlessly caught Natsu's head. The flames gradually dissipated.

With a casual toss, Alex threw Natsu upwards, sending him crashing into the ceiling.

"Bang!" Natsu never expected his iron head to make him crash through the ceiling, leaving him stuck with his head embedded and his body dangling.

"Aren't you companions? Is this really okay?" Mirajane said helplessly, looking at Natsu hanging from the ceiling.

"Alex, is he okay?" Lisanna, being kind-hearted, was worried about Natsu's well-being.

Alex waved nonchalantly and said, "Don't worry, this guy can take a beating. Let's go meet the guild master."

"Oh, okay." Hearing that they were about to meet the guild master, Mirajane felt a surge of excitement.

Alex led the three through the crowd and soon found Makarov sitting at the bar.

At this moment, Makarov, who was taking a sip of his drink, looked at the approaching Alex and asked, "Alex, how did the mission go?"

Alex scratched his head sheepishly and said, "The mission failed."

As soon as he finished speaking, the previously noisy guild fell silent.

Then came waves of murmuring.

"Gasp, no way, even Alex failed a mission?"

"Yeah, just how difficult was this mission?"

"I remember Alex never failing a mission before. I can't believe it this time."

Some even shouted to comfort him, "Alex, don't worry about it. We all fail missions sometimes. Just try again next time."

Although Alex was an S-Class mage, the guild members hadn't forgotten that he was also just a teenager.

The guild members were afraid Alex would feel disheartened.

Makarov paused mid-drink and looked at Alex, saying, "It's no big deal that this mission failed. Besides, Satan Soul is no easy foe."

"As long as you're safe, that's all that matters. And these three are?"

Seeing everyone's comfort, Alex smiled wryly and then pointed to the three, recounting the entire story.

Makarov listened, shaking his head repeatedly, seemingly lamenting the unfairness of fate towards these three children.

When Alex finished speaking, Makarov looked at Mirajane and said, "May I see your arm?"

Mirajane hesitated.

Alex patted her shoulder and said, "Don't worry, let the master see it. Trust me, no one here dislikes your arm."

Thinking of the last time Alex grabbed her demon claw, Mirajane blushed. She then took off her cloak, revealing the demon claw.

Everyone who saw the terrifying demon claw froze.

Seeing the entire guild's silence, Mirajane's heart sank. "As I thought, they're afraid of my arm too."

Looking at her hand, Mirajane even considered cutting it off.

But after a brief silence, the crowd erupted into cheers and admiration...

"Wow, cool arm!" Natsu, having come down from the ceiling, stared wide-eyed at the demon claw, eyes gleaming with admiration.

"That looks like a really powerful arm."

"That's amazing."

"If I had those arms..."

...

Hearing the continuous praise around her, Mirajane was stunned. She had never thought that this arm, which had brought her so much misfortune, could receive such admiration.

"See? I told you, no one would mind," Alex said, flashing a bright smile.

"Hmph, silly..." Mirajane hummed softly. Looking at everything around her, she couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging. Maybe this place was where she truly belonged.

Originally, Mirajane had thought that if her arm couldn't be healed, she would leave Lisanna and Elfman here and find a time to leave herself, not wanting to be a burden to her siblings.

But now, there was only one thought in Mirajane's mind: to stay, to remain in this place where she truly belonged.

At that moment, Makarov, who had been observing for a while, spoke up: "Child, you don't need to worry about your arm. It's just that your magic isn't yet fully mastered."

"Once you become more proficient in your magic, you can transform your arm back to normal. Plus, you can use the demon's power in battle. It's a very strong ability."

Hearing this, Mirajane's heart finally settled. Lisanna was so happy that she hugged Mirajane tightly, exclaiming, "That's great, Mira, that's great..."

Mirajane hugged her sister firmly, while Elfman stood beside them, repeatedly expressing his joy.

Makarov watched the happy children with a kindly smile on his face.

Once their excitement had mostly subsided, Makarov continued, "I heard from Alex that you are currently homeless, and he has already invited you."

"So, have you decided? Do you want to join Fairy Tail?"

The three children exchanged glances, and finally, Mirajane spoke solemnly, "Master Makarov, we wish to join Fairy Tail. Please accept us!"

"Hahaha, of course, of course," Makarov laughed heartily. From his experienced eye, these were indeed excellent prospects.

Especially Mirajane, who could even accept Satan's power. Being able to handle demon-possessing magic was something Makarov had never seen before.

Regardless of whether this Satan was in a soul state or not, it was still Satan. In the future, she might grow to be no less talented than Erza.

"Let's get you marked then." Saying this, Makarov took out the Fairy Tail emblem stamper.

Soon, the three had their marks stamped.

Makarov smiled and said, "Introduce yourselves to everyone. You'll all be comrades in the guild from now on."

The three nodded.

Mirajane started first: "I'm Mirajane Strauss."

Lisanna smiled sweetly and said, "Hello everyone, I'm Lisanna Strauss. Please take care of me." She bowed deeply.

This caused an uproar of excited cheers from the guild members, as she was just too adorable.

Elfman, being naturally timid, was even more nervous seeing the noisy crowd.

He stammered for a long time but couldn't get the words out. Alex shouted, "Quiet down! The introductions aren't finished yet."

The guild fell silent again.

Alex gave Elfman an encouraging look.

Elfman took a deep breath and said, "Hello everyone, I'm Elfman Strauss. Pl-please take care of me." He also bowed deeply.

"Alright, everyone," Makarov said, seeing that the introductions were complete. He jumped onto the bar counter, raising his drink high and declaring, "Let's welcome these three kids. Let's have a party!!"

"Oh yeah, a party, a party!!"

The celebration began.

"No, no, no, I really can't drink! I really can't drink!!" Alex was trying to order his essential glass of milk when Cana, along with Macao and Wakaba, conspired to force him to drink alcohol.

"Come on, I wanted to have a drink with you last time. You're not getting away this time." Cana, holding a bottle, looked like a devil.

But Alex, being who he was, wouldn't be easily overpowered by two uncles and a little girl.

Using his impressive strength, he broke free from their grasp.

"Natsu, Gray, don't you want revenge? If so, come help hold Alex down," Cana called for reinforcements.

Natsu's eyes lit up and he quickly joined in. Gray hesitated but, remembering the times Alex had beaten him up, decided to join too.

"Haha, if that's the case, let's get in on this too. Alex, we owe you a lot," more and more people joined in, and soon Alex was pinned down, unable to fight back.

Cana, with a bottle of strong liquor, laughed wickedly and poured it into his mouth.

Alex glanced over at Mirajane and her siblings, who hadn't joined the fray due to unfamiliarity. He waved a hand frantically, as if to say, "Help me, help me!!"

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