Fairy had three floors—the second one was smaller than the first but larger than the third. They all had a peculiar atmosphere, and of course, the welcome sign with "Fairy Tail" hung above the entrance.
Lucy couldn't contain her excitement, while Allen could feel the presence of many mages inside. It was a unique place radiating an aura filled with light. Allen stopped, but Lucy and Natsu kept walking.
'A guild… huh.'
Allen didn't have a full understanding of this world, but he knew about guilds. In many fantasy worlds, they were places where adventurers—or in this case, mages—gathered to take on jobs. These ranged from simple requests made by regular citizens to missions ordered by royalty themselves.
Allen had no intention of joining Fairy Tail, but at the same time, he knew he had to stay close to this place. Of course, anyone could tell Fairy Tail was the center of this world. So, it was easy to see that entering Fairy Tail was the best choice for Allen.
But...
Allen stared silently at the building. Ever since he arrived in this world, he'd just gone with the flow. But, but now, he wasn't in the mood...
"Maybe I should just wander around… without being part of Fairy Tail..." Allen murmured.
Eve – You're still feeling down about losing…
"It's not that I feel bad. I'm just tired…"
MJ – You can take a break. There's nothing wrong with resting for a while…
"Thanks… maybe I will."
A lot of people in the Chat were still worried about Allen. There was something different about his aura—not just because his hair was no longer black—but because, compared to when he was in the Invincible world, he looked more drained overall. Many theorized whether this has to do with Void being destroyed outside of Allen's will.... or Allen was simply depressed. After all Allen had become proud before that.
[Host, just a reminder: you're not obligated to get involved... but ignoring missions is dangerous. They don't exist just for fun.]
The mission generator creates them based on the world's needs and current circumstances, so letting Lucy get kidnapped and Natsu die carries heavy implications.
[I'd like to explain why...]
'Don't worry, I get it... two important people in this world were in mortal danger for a short time. Whatever condition Lucifer introduced into this world… it's probably affecting fate, luck, the intelligence of the villains—or maybe even something else.' Allen looked at Lucy, who was smiling, and then at Natsu walking toward the entrance with Happy. It was hard to believe those three had been in such serious danger… but they had.
"I need to stay alert…"
"Hm?" Lucy looked back at Allen, who had suddenly stopped walking and was lost in thought. "Allen, is something wrong?"
Allen shook off the dark thoughts, walked up to Lucy, gently placed his hand on her head as he passed her, and kept walking.
"Let's go…"
Lucy blushed and pouted. "I'm not a little girl…"
...
"I'm back!"
Natsu kicked the guild's door open to enter. That made a couple of mages inside angry—and made others laugh.
A man with long teeth looked at Natsu. "Hey, Natsu! How'd it go—"
Before he could finish, Natsu punched him.
"You bastard! You lied! There was no dragon in Hargeon!"
"Ouch! I just told you rumors!"
"Happy was in danger because of that!"
"That's your fault!"
Natsu started fighting the mage who had tricked him. In the chaos, a few tables got flipped over, spilling someone's beer. That someone got pissed and joined the fight, and soon enough, the whole guild was in a brawl.
Lucy stood behind Allen, scared. "What's happening?! Why is everyone fighting?!"
Allen chuckled. "Looks lively…"
"This isn't funny…"
"NATSU!" a black-haired guy kicked the door open, furious. "Let's finish what we started last time!"
Without context, he stripped off his clothes for some reason and jumped into the fight with Natsu. He was just as strong, making it an even match. Then, a large, white-haired man with a fierce gaze showed up.
"HEY!" With arms crossed, he looked at everyone seriously. "You're all acting like kids!"
"What did you say, Elfman?!" Natsu shouted, feeling provoked. "Let me finish off that bastard Gray and I'll take you on next!"
"Natsu, if you're a man, then settle this with your fists, not your words!" Elfman took a step forward, angry—but got knocked out in a single hit by Natsu and the exhibitionist guy, who apparently was named Gray.
"He's already out!" Lucy cried.
"Haha!" Out of nowhere, the smug laughter of a guy wearing sunglasses and light brown hair echoed. He was sitting with two girls in his arms.
"Idiots~"
....
Gwen – He's like a cheap knockoff of Allen.
Felicia – Why do I feel chills down my spine?
Yoruichi – That's what happens when someone tries to be like Allen-kun but ends up three miles short~
Kara – He looks so weak...
Amanda – Not even handsome... yet acts like he is.
Hestia – No charm at all…
....
"Ugh, what's this weird feeling? Like I'm being compared to someone and getting completely crushed?"
The young man felt like something had attacked his soul. Depressed and gloomy, he was pulled from those thoughts when a jar of beer smacked him in the face. Annoyed, he stood up.
"Wait here, I'll stop this~"
Trying to act calm, he went and joined the fight.
"Yuck… I can't believe that guy is Loke… one of the most sought-after mages," Lucy muttered, peeking from behind Allen's shoulder.
"Lucy, do you still want to join?" Allen asked with a smile, his eyes fixed on her.
Lucy looked around. Even if it was noisy and chaotic… it felt strangely warm.
"Yes~"
Allen smiled. "Then it's fine…"
"All the guys here are so vulgar." A black-haired girl grabbed a huge beer barrel and started drinking straight from it.
"Ehh…" Even Allen was surprised this time—alcohol was never his thing.
The girl paused and looked in Allen's direction, but seemed confused a moment later and kept drinking.
"How strange… I thought I felt the presence of a good man for a second…"
"…?" Allen raised an eyebrow. Could she see through his magic? He chuckled quietly at the thought.
"Well, well, we've got some new faces~"
"Mirajane!" Lucy exclaimed. And no wonder—standing in front of her was a beautiful girl with white hair and blue eyes. She gave off a big-sisterly vibe. Her long hair was loose except for the front, where her bangs were tied. Her hairstyle was a bit odd, but it didn't take away from her beauty—especially with the red dress that made her look graceful and elegant.
"Oh? You know me?" the girl asked.
"Of course! You're— Huh?"
Before Lucy could finish speaking, Allen disappeared. She had been leaning on his sword, so with him gone, she fell to the ground. Looking up, she saw Allen holding Mirajane by the waist while stopping Elfman with one hand—he had been sent flying from the fight and was about to crash into her.
"Th-thank you…" Mirajane said, stunned.
"Don't worry…"
"All good now…" Lucy, puffing her cheek in annoyance, approached and pulled Allen away from Mirajane. "Was it really necessary to let me fall?"
Mirajane laughed behind her hand at the sight, but also felt her heart skip a beat. She was used to men like the ones currently brawling around, so Allen's calm, smooth action caught her completely off guard.
"Wow, you sure took that chance!" Lucy started to grumble, but Allen simply smiled and patted her head—making her even more annoyed.
"STOP, BUNCH OF IDIOTS!"
An overwhelming shout stopped the fight, and out of nowhere, a giant monster covered in shadows appeared. Silence ruled the place as Mirajane greeted the four-meter-tall giant. Everyone was scared except Allen, who stayed silent and unafraid, and Natsu, who laughed until the giant stepped on him like an insect.
"Good morning, Guild Master," Mirajane said with a smile.
"Good morning, Mira~"
The Guild Master's attitude changed, and he shrank until he was small, almost looking like an elf, and his two-horned hat didn't help give any other impression.
He jumped up to the second floor and addressed everyone. Then he pulled out a stack of papers.
"Look at this, the Magic Council keeps sending more and more complaints about you all!"
Allen gave a half-smile; Lucy had told him Fairy Tail was a place for troublemaker mages, but if the Magic Council was what he thought it was and all those papers were what he thought they were, it was a miracle this guild hadn't been shut down.
To the surprise of the onlookers and Allen himself, the papers burst into flames.
"Screw that!" said the Guild Master, burning the complaints with magic and throwing them to Natsu to eat. "Listen, magic is an unreasonable power born in reason, it's not a miracle! When our spirit combines with the spirit of nature, a physical manifestation occurs; this requires concentration and mental strength. NO! Magic is the manifestation of our souls! There's no way to advance on the path of magic in this world if we fear those watching us from above, so forget the council and follow your own path!"
"This is what it means to be a Fairy Tail mage!" The Guild Master raised his hand making an "L" shape, which the others copied as they shouted excitedly. If Allen had not arrived by coincidence on a random day he would think that these were rehearsed beforehand.
Lucy couldn't help but join in, raising her hand while laughing.
Allen watched her silently. 'Oh, so that's how magic works in this world… it's simpler and purer than Harry Potter's... it has its charm', thought, smiling.
...
(Half an hour later)
Lucy was at a table with Mirajane while the latter was preparing a magical seal to put on Lucy's hand to officially make her a member of Fairy Tail.
"..." Allen sat at the bar and ordered a non-alcoholic drink. he silently stared at his glass as the liquid swayed quietly.
"Not joining?" asked an old voice beside him.
"..." Allen glanced sideways at the elderly man.
The Guild Master, whose name was Makarov—Allen had heard from Mirajane—sat next to him at the bar. Although he spoke to Allen, his eyes were focused on where Lucy was. His demeanor was far from the previous lighthearted and lively one.
"Sounds like a heavy commitment…" Allen said, then lowered his voice, "Take care of Lucy. She's a bit clumsy and intense, but she's a good girl."
"Why don't you take care of her yourself?" Makarov asked quietly.
"I don't know if my current self is suitable for taking care of others."
The devil watches, the devil smiles, the devil waits…
An opportunity for Omnipotence…
One mistake and it's all over…
"Makarov, it's a very nice place… but I just want to rest, just for a moment."
Makarov listened silently; the atmosphere in the guild was changing.
"Are you depressed?" Mirajane asked with a sweet smile. At some point, she finished putting the guild symbol on Lucy's hand and returned to the bar.
Makarov watched this but decided not to intervene—for now…
...
(Moments earlier)
Lucy looked at the seal excitedly—or so it seemed since her gaze kept flicking back to the bar. This was her moment; she had become a Fairy Tail mage, but Lucy clutched her heart.
"…"
"Is he… not going to join?" Mirajane asked Lucy, who immediately flinched, then bitterly smiled. "I don't know. Come to Fairy Tail and joining was my dream from the start, but that person is different. He's already a very powerful mage and just accompanied me out of kindness… I don't think he'll join."
Lucy looked down…
Mirajane smiled slightly and winked at Lucy, who looked at her confused. She didn't answer and walked to the bar, then she appeared in front of Allen.
The girl with albino hair had a cunning smile after asking:
"Me, depressed?" Allen chuckled quietly, being the same Allen Walker who became an Emperor, a hero, a villain, a warrior who fought a God-King, who faced the very Omnipotent Lucifer to the end. "I'm just recovering…"
"From what?" Mirajane stepped closer to Allen without stopping her smile; by now, the guild was discreetly paying attention.
Allen paused before answering, took a sip of his drink, and glanced sideways at Makarov, then at Mirajane, the girl who seemed like she wouldn't leave until he answered.
"From a defeat…"
Lucy, who had also approached, stopped walking; she remembered how Allen was full of mystery but always gave the impression of being an extremely powerful mage.
Mirajane brought a jug of iced tea and refilled Allen's glass. "We all lose…"
"I know, no one can win every fight…" Allen shook his head with a scornful smile, "But there are fights you can't afford to lose…"
Mirajane stopped smiling and put on a melancholic expression, then reached out and placed her hand on Allen's. "Forgive me if I asked something uncomfortable…"
Seeing Mirajane's sad face, Allen knew she must have remembered something unpleasant.
"Don't worry… it's not uncomfortable, just reality."
Noticing the situation, Makarov spoke quietly, "You don't have to talk if you don't want to… everyone has their secrets, everyone has their demons. This place doesn't force you to do anything—we're just a group of misfits trying to carry our pasts. However!"
"…"
"You can be sure this place is perfect for having a drink and resting after a long journey… even if it's just a stopover." Makarov smiled.
Allen's eyes opened wide at that, then he smiled, "Heh, what a crazy bunch…"
"That's Fairy Tail, hahaha!" With Makarov's loud laugh, the atmosphere lightened.
Allen smiled as he looked around the tavern...
"My name is Allen Walker. I would like to join Fairy Tail," Allen said with a half-smile.
"Welcome Allen! Makarov smiled and raised a jug of alcohol, You heard that, bastards, we've got more family!"
Allen wanted to deny the old man's words. Didn't he just tell Allen he could join without commitment and only as a stop on his path? Calling it family contradicted that. However, the mood improved even more with everyone celebrating… or at least until someone interrupted.
"WAIT!" Natsu suddenly interrupted the good atmosphere, "You, weren't you going to join?!"
Allen took a drink before replying, "I wasn't planning to join, but I changed my mind…"
"Damn it, I almost lost my chance!" Natsu yelled frustrated.
Allen shook his head, laughing quietly as if he knew what the young dragon was thinking.
"Fight me!" Natsu covered his fists with fire, "I was going to ask after you rested a day, but I can't risk you leaving!"
"Didn't you hear me?" Allen replied bored, "I'm not going anywhere, for now…"
"Never mind the small details, fight!"
"Natsu, stop!" Makarov shouted.
"Natsu's going to kill you…" Happy said fearfully, while the guild was shocked. Natsu wasn't the strongest, but under the S-class, he was one of the most powerful mages in Fairy Tail.
Everyone's eyes turned to the mysterious young man, but strangely some saw his face blurry and rubbed their eyes; others didn't see anything special in Allen. In fact, he looked like an ordinary person… without magic.
Wait…
All mages had a magical aura around them, but Allen didn't. It was as if he were just an ordinary person. If he were someone else, no one would have noticed him, but even Makarov insisted he join Fairy Tail.
As the mystery deepened, Allen, still sitting, took his glass and kept drinking, then extended it, and Mirajane poured more. "I don't want to…"
"What?!" Natsu stumbled, used to everyone accepting fights because that's how things were there. "What do you mean you don't want to?!"
"I just don't want to…" Allen continued drinking while recalling his fight against Lucifer. Every time he did, he wondered how he could have done better, "I'm not in the mood to hit you…"
"Huh?!" Natsu got mad and surrounded himself with fire. "What did you just say…"
"…" Allen shrugged.
[Side Quest: Defeat the spoiled young dragon. Monetary and respect reward…]
Seriously?
[Sorry, I don't control that…]
Allen shook his head, wondering if he did the right thing by joining this place. Even the system encouraged him to be a troublemaker like them.
...
[Quest: Accompany Lucy to Fairy Tail (complete) + 50,000 J + Lucy's Trust + Lucy's Affection + Magical Detox Potion.]
[Quest: Prevent Natsu Dragneel from being assassinated (complete) + 150,000 J + Natsu's Trust + Natsu's Respect + Healing Elixir.]