Chapter 3: Chapter 3 : Erza Got Tricked!
The chaos ensued, everyone's patience worn thin.
They were not about to let Everit get away with his tricks!
With determination, they charged towards Everit, Natsu leading the way.
But...
Natsu slipped.
"Ah?"
Confusion crossed Natsu's face as he tumbled into the floor.
A series of 'plop' sounds echoed as everyone followed suit, falling one after another.
"Why is it so slippery?"
Glancing down, they found the floor covered in a yellow oil slick, making it impossible to regain their footing.
"You've really ticked me off, Everit!" Gray growled through clenched teeth.
His right hand balled into a fist, releasing an intense chill of ice with magic.
"Miss Mirajane, could I trouble you for a strawberry-flavored sparkling water?" Everit's back turned to the group, unfazed by Gray's Ice-Make magic.
"Sure thing."
Mirajane handed Everit a glass of sparkling water.
"Hey, hey, hey, watch out!" Lucy cried out, fear evident as she attempted to flee.
A rumble shook the air.
Suddenly, a terrifying ice magic burst forth!
A massive, sharp icicle pierced through the guild wall with ferocity.
"Ah?" Lucy blinked in confusion.
Was that a misfire?
Even if it was, it wouldn't skew at a 90-degree angle!
"Hahaha, look at yourself, you got what you deserved!" Gray pointed towards the damaged wall, laughing triumphantly. The guild fell silent, heads bowed in apprehension.
"Gray!!!" Guild Master Makarov's giant fist crashed down towards Gray from the second floor.
Boom!
Gray was sent crashing into the ground below.
"Hahaha, Gray, you're such a fool!" Natsu jeered.
Before Makarov could retract his fist, he swung again, silencing Natsu.
"Ahem." Everit placed money on the counter, guilt weighing heavily on him as he stood up with his sparkling water and made his exit.
Suddenly, a looming figure blocked his path.
Boom!
"..."
Ten seconds later.
Everit reappeared at the door with his cup, this time not daring to be cocky. Without stopping or looking back, he hailed a carriage and left discreetly.
He owned property in town.
A two-floor residence with a small backyard facing the street.
The ground floor served as a shop.
"Valliere's Magic Props House,"
selling homemade magical and prank props for children.
Business was good, but Everit often kept the shop closed for various reasons.
He had been exhausted in his past life, but in this one, he yearned for a more laid-back existence.
Back home.
Showered and dined.
He laid out in the yard, soaking in the warmth of the sun, as noted in the diary resting on the table.
"On the nth day, weary from work, I whiled away the afternoon beneath the sun's rays.
On n+1, the day progressed from breakfast to noon, then from lunch to dinner. Afterward, I sought out Natsu for a game, but found his absence puzzling. Had he embarked on a mission? Yet, all his luggage remained at home.
On n+2, I devoted the day to marbles, yet victory eluded me at every turn.
On n+3, a full day's worth of fishing yielded no catch.
On n+5, a drinking contest with Cana which ended in my defeat. While she imbibed alcohol, I adhered strictly to soda. Magic couldn't be employed for cheating.
However, perhaps a restless night left me vulnerable, for I inexplicably dozed off, securing my loss.
Gray jested that I succumbed to inebriation from the mere scent of alcohol, subsequently sleeping through the day and night.
Absurd, isn't it?
Despite never touching alcohol, one would assume I could handle a litre or two. It seems trivial, really. Merely abiding by my promise to my father to never drink alcohol.
On n+6, I entertained children with magic tricks on the street, until an unwitting adult inadvertently revealed my secret. Remarkably observant, yet oblivious to the path beneath their feet, they stumbled thrice in succession, much to my amusement.
On n+8, Mystogan's return prompted another day spent slumbering within the guild. Awakening upon the Guild Master's office sofa, I was advised to stay away from Cana. Perplexing. My head has throbbed relentlessly for a day now. Could it be a cold?
On n+9, I tended to shop for the day. Despite brisk business, fatigue lingered, dissuading any notion of reopening tomorrow. I shall seek out a commission instead.
Taking a few days off.
Everit resumes his duties.
Money isn't a concern for him, considering his tasks seldom involve extensive property damage. He refrains from dipping into his recent commissions to cover any collateral expenses.
However, maintaining a balance between work and leisure is essential.
Parking his car by the guild entrance as customary.
Upon alighting, his gaze met a red-haired, armored girl berating everyone near a massive horn.
Natsu and Gray, typically at odds like fire and ice, stood together, visibly shaken.
Newcomer Lucy appeared bewildered.
Erza had returned.
Everit turned away.
"Everit!"
Erza's abrupt turn caught him off guard. "I can smell the rotten smell of you already!"
Halting, Everit replied, "I'm not returning to the guild. Just passing through. I have matters to attend to at home. Furthermore, there's no stench on me. I've had a thorough bath and my attire is freshly scented."
Erza retorted, "Someone's washed away the rot from your heart. Are you finished?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she turned around and punched the air, producing a sharp sound.
Everit suddenly materialized, taking several steps back while defensively clutching his cane, only halting when his back met the counter.
"It hurts," Everit winced, rubbing his waist.
"Hit, hit?!" Lucy exclaimed, taken aback.
Having learned of Everit's magic from Mirajane, Lucy couldn't help but marvel at its potency.
In her mind, Everit was always composed, never experiencing defeat, even against the Guild Master. Yet, here he was, driven back by this formidable young lady!
Mirajane chimed in, "Of course, Erza is S-level, the strongest female mage in the guild!"
"So powerful!" Lucy couldn't help but remark.
Erza addressed Everit, "You're just in time, Everit. I was planning to seek you out. Join me on a mission."
She turned to Natsu and Gray, "You two are coming along as well."
"Huh?" Mirajane's voice betrayed her surprise, "It's unusual for Erza to invite Everit, let alone Natsu and Gray. What kind of formidable task awaits them?"
"But..."
"Erza, Everit, Natsu, and Gray—this is already Fairy Tail's strongest team!"
"Yes," Lucy nodded in agreement.
"No, you're mistaken," Everit waved his hand dismissively, "I'm not strong enough to be part of such an elite team for a quest."
"Newcomer, listen," Erza explained to Lucy, "Everit's magic doesn't work when he's asleep."
The threat!
The looming danger!
Everit, seated by the door, swiftly rose to his feet, saying, "Dear Miss Erza, it's my honor to team up with you!"
Everyone was taken aback.
Everit at the counter had vanished.
Silence engulfed the guild, each member hesitant to meet Erza's gaze. In the hushed atmosphere, Natsu suddenly burst into raucous laughter.
"Hahahaha! Even Erza got tricked!"
Natsu...
Lucy turned away, unable to bear it.
"Natsu, have you matured at all lately?"
"Of course, Erza, I..." Natsu's words were cut off by a resounding crash.
Lucy turned back to see Natsu sound asleep in Erza's arms.
"Such youth," Everit remarked before disappearing into the distance, leaving only his words behind.
****
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