Chapter 7

Chapter 7. About the role of Charisma in life.

Those who cannot smile should not engage in trade.

(Chinese proverb)

Sephiroth.

No, Mira is just a miracle, and a very responsible miracle. They didn't just show me the city and told me where it was, they took me to all the shops, from vegetable to magical (the latter, there were almost more than grocery, after all, a chic city, Magnolia), showed me where the Fey there is a discount (at the sight of Mira, many sellers threw off very decently, and she did not even try to charm anyone, like Lucy, the very presence was enough ... it seems that my Toad now also has an idol), and it is much better not to go to connection with a misunderstanding between the owner of the shop and the guilds. We also went to the magistrate, where a very serious-looking aunt helped us with the choice of the site. There were ready-made houses there, but none of them suited me. Something was not well placed, something didn't meet my aesthetic feelings, or it was not very practical. In general, after several hours of torment, I still strangled Toad and bought a plot and development of a house project to my requirements. All the pleasure cost fifteen million precious - almost all of my money, by the way, but the future home was definitely worth the money. The plan was drawn up right in front of us, there will be two floors in the house, the first is stone, with rather strong walls, sheathed with wooden panels from the inside, the second floor is wood, but with impregnation, similar in properties to creosote, perhaps not toxic and not smelly, but this is not the main thing. The main thing is the three floors of the basement. Actually, the lion's share of the funds was spent on strengthening the supporting structure so that it would not fall into the void. Well, the place was chosen very well - it took about ten minutes of a leisurely step to the guild, and even less to the Fey women's hostel (yeah ... a very good place). Also, having talked with the invited architect face to face (and threw some more money on top), I managed to supplement the drawing with several 'secret' passages and the ability to dig a hole from the basement (I would not want to catch the collapsing house with the back of my head while digging a tunnel to the women's hostel), but now I will dig a move on my own - no one should know about it for sure. Yes, you still need to stick a trap system in there ... just in case. Paranoia bloomed violently, I suddenly remembered how Natsu and a company suddenly visited Lucy's house, I didn't want such visits, except from Lucy and Elsa ... um ... what am I talking about? Oh, yes ... what if at this moment I will not be alone, or, even better, produce something like nitroglycerin? In general, I decided to myself that my house will definitely be my fortress and minefields are not such a bad idea. Hmmm, something carried me away. In any case, I left the magistrate with Mira very soon, noticeably impoverished, but terribly happy and with a whole pile of papers on the ground, an agreement with builders and so on. By the way, the guys worked smartly, they promised to hand over the house in a week. Well, a further walk and dinner awaited us. Out of the corner of my eye, I constantly noted surveillance. Damn, but only a blind man would not have noticed her, almost the entire male composition of Wormtail, and even part of the female, trying not to attract undue attention, followed on our heels. Elfman stood out in particular. The white-haired guy two by one and a half meters, and even accustomed to ramming, could not be unnoticed, but Mira pretended not to notice anyone and I had to support this game.

We got rid of the tail from the Tail (heh, sounds funny), only on the doorstep of the restaurant, again recommended by the blond angel. At dinner, we had a good chat about all sorts of trivia, the girl told a couple of funny stories from the history of the guild (taking into account that there almost every day, like an anecdote, I laughed for a long time and sincerely). I also told a couple of funny stories with Elfman, where I almost sobbed, in general it was fun. I didn't even try to stick to her - we're not that familiar, but what is it, she knows me for less than a day, but there was no sense in a special rush - everything has its time. After dinner, I walked her home, Mira tried to refuse, but gave up, after my statement made in a brave voice from a pretentious counter.

-A real man should accompany the girl to the house, especially if it is already night in the yard, - then he added in a normal voice, - otherwise, Elfman will definitely beat me and he certainly won't let you go for a walk with me again, - hmm, or I heard, or from the next rooftop something like, 'And here he got you, buddy,' said in Wakaba's voice ... sort of.

-Yes ... leaving a friend to be torn apart by my brother would be very inhumane of me, - smiled Mira, - then we go back to the guild - I live right in the building.

- I see ... Hmm, so Fairy Tail's premises are much larger than they look from the outside? The hall there is rather big, plus a library, and now, as it turned out, there are also living quarters ...

-Magic can do a lot, well, good architects, of course ...

So, discussing various ways to improve life with the help of magical art, we came to 'Tail'. Mira offered to spend the night in one of the guild's guest rooms, but I refused - it would be better after all in the hotel, so we parted at the threshold. However, in the meantime, the girl agreed to somehow get out for a picnic in the woods, so the day was not just profitable, but downright excellent.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the mountains. Lucy Heartfilia.

-Brrr, well and cold, - Lucy wrapped herself up in a fur coat more tightly, remembering with a kind word Sephiroth, who reminded of the weather in the mountains, without outer clothing she would have been frozen to the bones.

"Stop whining, I don't like it, go back to the city, I've got it already," Natsu growled, continuing to walk forward through the snowfall with the inexorability of an icebreaker.

-Yeah! - happily confirmed the cat.

Lucy sighed heavily, although now she is one of the Fairy Tail, it would be naive to expect to be immediately imbued with sympathy, the famous Salamander, in addition to everything, clearly did not differ in elegance of manners. Although, with what grace there was, he was raised by a DRAGON, a hefty fire-breathing creature, it is unlikely that he taught him etiquette or taught him how to deal with girls. Heartfilia shuddered once more in the icy wind and uncorked the flask. From the neck pulled the scent of some herbs. Taking a large sip, the girl blissfully closed her eyes, feeling how the liquid rushed in a hot stream down the esophagus, kindling a small fire somewhere in her stomach, the warmth from which began to spread pleasantly throughout her body. After chatting a little with the flask, Lucy took another sip, involuntarily remembering the owner of the vessel. Sephiroth, a strange name, however, its owner was also clearly not simple. He called himself a weak magician, but managed to intercept that thug on the fly ... Elfman and even send him on a return flight, and he took care of her, covering herself from the next flying projectile in time ... helped with Natsu's delivery ... the girl mechanically did another sip. Yes, and he is handsome ... clearly cuter than this pink-haired boor, hic! Yes, I'll have to have dinner with him.

Another gust of wind slightly sobered the quickly 'swam' girl, at the same time reminding them that they went to the mountains for a reason.

- Hey, Natsu, what was Macao doing here?

- Ran on a task without even knowing its essence? Hmmm ... Actually, he was dealing with a terrible monster here, they call them Vulcan, have you heard?

"Uh ... no," the girl felt a little sad from the prospect of facing some evil creature, but the alcohol gave her too much courage, so Lucy never came up with the idea of ​​returning to Magnolia.

- A volcano is a monster capable of using Absorption magic, - the cat issued a certificate.

- Absorption?

-He steals the bodies and lives of his opponents, becoming stronger with each consumed. There were, however, cases when the victim itself absorbed Vulcan, but there are not very many of them - the monster is sentient and absorbs only weak or weakened opponents, - continued Happy's consultation.

- Yeah, - Lucy nodded and took another sip - the contents of the flask soothed and encouraged the rapidly deteriorating mood.

-MAKAAAOOOO, - the dragonseer shouted with his hands folded (yeah, yelled at the top of his lungs, in the snow-capped mountains, isn't he a good fellow?).

Instead of a fire magician, a mountain-like monster, the same recently discussed volcano, jumped out of the blizzard onto the dragonller. Wiggling his nose, he roared in an inhuman voice:

-FEMALE!!!

Before Natsu and Lucy had time to figure out what was happening, the girl was grabbed and dragged at a breakneck speed somewhere up to the very top of the mountain. Heartfilia tried to resist, but the creature held her tight. Deigning to let go of the clutches only in some cave. Drunk, slightly crumpled and fingered, the girl was unceremoniously thrown onto the icy floor of the cave. The monkey jumped around her, the movements of the monster suspiciously resembled the mating dance of some primates, in any case, Lucy saw a description of something like that in one of the books at home.

-Female, female, I got a female !!!

This was the last straw, the piercing cold, the companion-boor, the journey in the arms of a stinking monkey (to the monkey's honor, she still didn't smell, but the girl didn't really care), and now the realization of WHAT the aforementioned monkey wants with do it ...

-Aarrrgh, how you all got me !!! - in one hand the girl took the faithful whip, in the other, the Golden Key of Taurus, - Star Spirit, open the gates, Taurus!

From the rune circle emerged the imposing figure of a bull-man armed with a hefty ax.

"Mmm, Lucy, you still have a cool figure," the minotaur licked his lips.

-Hey, this is my female! - the monkey was indignant.

-Your female? - the bull was clearly not happy with such a turn of things, - What do you allow yourself ?! This is my female!

The girl's eye twitched.

- Are you really crazy? - once again taking a sip from the flask, Lucy, scoring on magic, went on the attack, using exclusively the whip, and she already had two goals ...

Natsu Dragneel. A little earlier.

- Damn, how many problems from her! - swore the dragonseer, watching the rapidly receding Vulcan.

-Yeah! - happily confirmed the cat.

- But there is nothing to do, now she is a member of the family, which means you need to get her out, let's go.

-Yeah! - once again confirmed the words of his friend Happy and flew after the kidnapping monkey.

When the couple reached the cave, they heard strange clicking sounds and some moans.

-Hell, if he does to her, what I just thought, he will not live!

The dragonseer broke into the cave, ready to save the girl from anything, but in shock he realized that if it was necessary and who to save, then only the unfortunate Vulcan. The poor monkey huddled into a corner with some bull-headed monster and moaned plaintively, receiving blows from a whip directed by a gentle girl's hand.

- Taurus, go home! We'll talk about your behavior later!

The bullhead cast a sympathetic glance at the monkey and disappeared into a golden glow.

-And you, - the whistle of the cut air and blow, - more, - another blow, - never, - again a blow, - don't you dare! Me! Paw! - each word was accompanied by a new blow. On the last blow, the monster could not stand it and lost consciousness, taking the form of a badly rumpled man with dark blue hair, 'slightly over thirty'.

-Uh? - the girl was surprised.

-Gods, Macau! Natsu exclaimed.

- He was a monkey recently, hic! Lucy hiccupped drunkenly.

-So, Vulcan used absorption on him, - the guy did not waste time, starting to bandage his wounded comrade. He got the bandages and the first-aid kit from the cat's backpack, and you are great, I was about to save you, but you did it yourself.

-You? Ik, save me? - Lucy was surprised.

-What's the big deal? In the guild, everyone is friends, although no, not really, rather, a family and helping and saving each other is in the order of things. And now you are one of us, so get used to it, - the dragonseer smiled.

The girl was embarrassed and reached for the flask, but for some reason it turned out to be empty. However, this did not bother her much - the world was so colorful and joyful, she had a real family, where everyone helps and takes care of each other. Even rude Natsu actually worries about her. And a joyfully smiling Heartfilia smoothly sank to the floor, setting off for the land of dreams.

- ** be! - expressed his opinion about the universe, Natsu, looking at the two bodies lying on the blanket.

-Yeah! - the cat agreed with him.

Several hours later. Lucy Heartfilia.

"Oooh, my head," the girl whispered with disobedient lips. An artel of hammer-fighters settled in the skull, setting themselves the task of fulfilling the five-year plan in a week. A desert formed in the throat, and in the mouth - something suspiciously reminiscent of a cat litter. In general, it was lousy.

"Natsu, Lucy woke up," a disgusting, piercing voice hit his ears, sending a new portion of unpleasant sensations straight to the brain.

-Fuf, this cannot but rejoice, - the voice was not so unpleasant, but the girl would have preferred it to sound quieter, - okay, halt.

Only now did Lucy notice that they were moving somewhere throughout the conversation. Opening her eyes, Heartfilia looked around. She was on something resembling a drag, next to him in a semi-conscious state was that same magician 'slightly over thirty' ... Macao. Following the name came memories of how she found herself in a similar position. The girl blushed, it is necessary - so get drunk! Well Sephiroth, well, you bastard ... although, he warned! But still a bastard! I'll return to the guild, and I'll tell him everything ... well ... and let him apologize, and I will forgive him ... maybe ... but later.

Meanwhile, the dragonsleer dragged the drags into the shade under the tree.

-Lucy, you're scary! - said the flying cat happily. The girl was insulted to the core, this flying misunderstanding called her terrible! What an asshole with wings!

-Yes, - Natsu confirmed, - when I saw you with a whip and that expression on your face, I thought that Elsa possessed you! Brrrr ... - the guy shrugged his shoulders.

-He, shket, if you will communicate like this with girls, no dragon vitality will be enough - they will bury, believe my experience, - Macao entered the conversation, having already come to his senses.

- Oh, where are we? - the girl got up from the drag and tried to look around. The change in the position of the body in space led to the rocking of the world and a new outbreak of headache.

- We will soon be in Magnolia, the city is only thirty minutes away.

- How much did I sleep?

-Hours seven, agas, - answered the cat.

-Have a rest? Then let's go further, you, Macao, Romeo is waiting there, - Natsu answered somewhat irritatedly, it seems that the question of the girls pissed him off.

- Come on ... help me get up, - Macao leaned on the shoulder of the dragonsler and the company slowly wandered towards Magnolia, already visible on the horizon.

Sephiroth. Around the same time, but still a little earlier.

Morning paints with a gentle light ... or what was the classic there? Oh, it doesn't matter. The night at the hotel (another minus five thousand, argh ...) was spent thinking and calculating the finances and analyzing the DNA of the dragon and the dragonlayer. Financially, the picture did not come out very well. Now I had a little less than three million precious ones, a rather large amount, but there is definitely not enough for home improvement in terms of purchasing furniture, books for a small personal library and equipment for a laboratory and spell chambers. More precisely, there will not be enough money even to buy all the furniture, if you order really good, high-quality, made of real wood. You can, of course, do with one created with the magic of Creation, but, firstly, such furniture requires periodic replenishment of magic, and secondly - I don't want to have this in my house, purely from an aesthetic point of view - an ordinary person will not notice the difference, but a more or less experienced magician will sense the background from objects, which can make on him (although, with my character, rather on her) not the most favorable impression, in general, down with artificial things, you give a natural product! It all came down to finance. Having estimated this and that, I realized that everything about everything still needs twenty million, and preferably twenty-five. Then there will be enough for furniture, a small library and a laboratory in the "initial configuration". So, no matter how much I would like to dig into the Fey book depository, I need to go on assignments, although ... I need to go there anyway - otherwise my behavior will look at least strange. So, it's time to stomp into the guild. But, first, a few words about dragons and their offspring - dragonsleers. Amazing creatures, I can tell you that parents, that children. Although I still don't really have any knowledge of magic, but I have more than enough knowledge in biology, that's why I left. I will not say that I understood all the mechanisms, for this piece of skin, a completely new biological species for me, is still not enough, but purely theoretically ... Take, for example, bones - this is an amazing combination of lightness and strength, comparable to the latest developments in composites in the world Marvell, or muscle and nervous tissue, both are orders of magnitude superior to human counterparts. But the glands that would produce natural napalm or something like that, I did not find, it seems that magic is just being used here. As in the issue of flight, although for its size the dragon should have weigh surprisingly little, but still, the estimated wingspan for taking off from the ground by pure physics was clearly not enough. It was also very interesting with Natsu, in my past world he would be called a mutant and they would be absolutely right. No longer a man, but not yet a dragon, an amazing hybrid of seemingly incompatible genomes, and, judging by some features of his cells, 'draconization' is more than possible for him, right up to the complete and final restructuring of the organism. Unfortunately, it was not possible to understand exactly where the natural propensity for fire magic lies, too many elements were completely new for me and even Simba's instincts here gave up. Realizing this, I thought. I thought hard. On the one hand, I can already try to get the abilities of a fiery dragonslayer, even if I don't get magic, then I'll only use physics alone, that is, improving the body, I'll break out much ahead in terms of personal strength. After all, the physical indicators of the dragonsler in combination with the power of the symbiote ... Yes, I can tie most of the local monsters in a pretzel with my bare hands. But on the other hand ... Will not all the rest of the magic be covered by this? If suddenly a dragon sler is tightly tied to the elements of his dragon, will this not lead to the fact that the fire will interrupt other available directions? I would not like to limit myself to one, albeit very destructive, element. Really ... if you think about it ... I actually don't know how to do anything. The theoretical predisposition to the magic of Darkness and Absorption is a purely abstract value, in practical terms, at the moment, it does not mean anything. Rearmament? It's more difficult here, the Hamster, as they say, is indignant, but in fact my spatial pocket is laughter through tears. It is doubtful that I will be able to stuff at least one normal artifact there, and without this, in terms of combat, it also means almost nothing. I can wear a sword on my belt, which by the way will be more correct, and a supply of food ... so nobody canceled backpacks and bags. At the same time, the magic of fire is easier to study, now I have as many as three specialists at my side, and how many are still in the guild, and will they meet in the future? Plus, you can always change the body, and I still have the magic of Rearmament, so why should it disappear? In general, having weighed all the pros and cons, I decided to follow the popular wisdom about the tit and the crane, since the tit was very plump and even fat, but the crane was perhaps looming somewhere on the horizon.

However, having made a decision, I still did not immediately implement it. Firstly, this is the time, which I don't have very much now. Secondly, the restructuring of the body requires resources and a lot, but the rumors wandering around Magnolia that someone Sephiroth was eating like a dozen boars, I did not need at all. The city here is, of course, big, but all the Fairy Tail mages are surely in sight and the rumor will be carefully conveyed by compassionate traders to the tender ears of our sorceresses, and I certainly don't need such fame. And finally, thirdly, to carry out the operation in a hotel room is clearly not the best idea. So while you do not have your own home, you will have to do with what you have, and at the same time you can collect information, for example, about the real relationship of dragonslers with other areas of magic.

During the night, nothing happened to the guild building, which could not but rejoice. So first of all I made my way to the counter and asked Mira, who smiled at me, for a hearty breakfast and a glass of tea. While the order was being collected in the mysterious kitchen of the guild, I chatted a little with the girl, finding out what orders she would advise a novice magician. However, alas, the girl's story did not please me. It turned out that the C rank could only count on all sorts of nonsense, such as delivering a parcel, searching for an escaped cat or prey of a not particularly dangerous animal. It was impossible to get anything higher than 30,000 precious for such work. Pichalka. Seeing my sad face (I almost didn't pretend! Honestly!), The blond angel suggested another option. Team up with a more experienced magician. Then it will be possible to take missions that are much more complex, but also more highly paid. Thanking Mirazhanu, I go to the board in search of a suitable assignment, and then I will look for a companion, since this is so necessary (although I have a suspicion that newcomers are simply attached to someone stronger and more experienced, so that nothing will happen to the newcomer to the guild In general, the correct approach, but specifically in my case, it does more harm than good). On the other hand, they don't force anyone to shove me, which means that you can just take the order and go to fulfill it alone. Still, I'm not burning with the desire to join the team, alone there is less chance of being lit up. And in general, what if my companion sees something not entirely bright from my side, do I not eliminate him in this case? So what makes me happy with the quest board?

The board pleased me with a bunch of small errands. Hmmm ... oh, what's this? And how did I not notice before? There was a fist dent on the edge of the board, and in the dent was a slightly battered contract record. Yeah, cleaning up the thieves' den, 180,000 precious. Oh yes, the mayor of Onibasa, oh yes, well done, he paired me more than three times. So, where is it? Wow, just a day's journey from Magnolia. The town of Salisbury ... no, I don't remember it from the anime, however, it's not surprising, it mentioned that at most a dozen cities for all the time, and Fiore is a rather big kingdom, with a population of more than 17 million inhabitants, and the same Magnolia is home to no more than 200 thousand ... in general, there is where to walk. Well, okay, the contract suits me, we rip it off the board and stomp to the station. No, you need to fix your luggage problem first.

For a couple of days I rented a small room in the guild, where I unloaded all unnecessary from my spatial pocket, leaving only the necessary minimum - a week's ration and a set of 'potions', after which I went to the station - a railway line was laid to the desired city, which could not but rejoice ... Almost at the door I ran into Cana. The girl looked slightly rumpled, but overall, nothing at all. Seeing me, for some reason she was embarrassed and hastened to dash to the counter. On the way out, I ran into Natsu and Lucy, face to face, judging by the pleased face of the dragonsler's face, the return of prodigal Macao was quite successful. And then they locked eyes with Gray, who was just about to walk up to the task board. Well, it seems that I had the opportunity to chat with one cute blonde, while this sweet couple once again sort things out.

-Hello, beauty, - I smile at the girl, - how was the trip? Is it good?

-Hi, Sephiroth, - Lucy smiled torturedly, - everything went great, except for a couple of moments.

-She drained the whole flask, and then chased with a whip for Macau! - passed Heartfilia kote. Oh, what a look, I think, it is better for the cat to quickly disappear into the fog. Happy also realized where the wind was blowing from and quickly flew up to the ceiling, where he disappeared into the interweaving of beams. I look at the girl and raise an eyebrow inquiringly.

-It was not like that! - objected Lucy, continuing her attempts to incinerate the flying cats with her eyes, - Macao was absorbed by Vulcan, it was self-defense! - In a fit of feelings, the blonde stamped her foot and immediately grabbed her head.

- Does it hurt?

- Yeah, - they looked at me with some indignation, - your tincture is the most vile thing that I have ever held in my hands!

- Well, sorry, sorry, I thought a simple warning would be enough, especially after what happened to Cana.

-What happened to her? - the girl was surprised.

-And right, you went with Natsu before that. In general, you are not the only one who suffered from this masterpiece of the winemaker. By the way, here, - I call out from the pocket of my space a flask with an extract of herbs that removes traces of violent libations - a couple of sips should be enough to return to normal.

Lucy took the container from my hands and sniffed at the contents suspiciously. Then, making up her mind, she nevertheless kissed the flask. After standing for ten seconds, listening to my feelings, I exhaled with relief.

-Thank you, and really better, - the vessel was returned to me.

-Do not mention it. By the way, Lucy, can you tell us what really happened in the mountains?

-Hmm ... well, I think I can do it ... - the girl did not have time to finish - Natsu almost demolished her. Gray, such an infection, set up a small skating rink at the entrance, as a result of which the fiery dragonseer decided to take up flying. But the weather turned out to be non-flying, I had to save Lucy from too close acquaintance with Natsu's head by intercepting the latter in flight. At the same time, I planted my cells on him - let them study exactly how his body works.

-Eh, that's why I'm so unlucky? For the third time I catch a body flying past and for the third time it turns out to be some guy, no pretty girls would fall into my arms ... - I shake my head sadly, - So, where did we stop? Oh yes. Lucy, can you please tell me this story at dinner? I'm running away on a mission now, but how do I get back, can I celebrate my first contract salary, and at the same time I can tell you something about my adventures?

- Well, I don't even know ... although ... why not? - the girl was in a slight stupor, looking at me with Natsu in her arms. Hmm, yes, we must look at least strange.

-That's great, then, I hope, see you soon, - bowing to the girl (and 'accidentally' dropping Natsu to the ground, this nutcase did not pay any attention to the situation and with a shout of 'Icepout, come on!' Again rushed towards Fulbuster) leaving the guild building.

Meanwhile. In the Fairy Tail Guild.

Having got rid of this fucking firebrand, Gray still got to the task board.

- Damn, nothing interesting. There was something like an order for the Thieves Guild ... hmm, where is he ... Hey, Mira, do you know what happened to the order from Salisbury?

-Look more closely, it should be there! - Shouted a girl from behind the counter.

-Yes, there is nothing here! Hey folks, nobody saw where the contract went? - shouted Gray into the hall.

- Well, here recently Sephiroth was hanging around the board, maybe he grabbed it? - came from the hall.

- Isn't it too cool for a C rank newbie?

Mirazana pursed her lips in displeasure. She explained everything to him thoroughly, and now what to do? Oh, these guys, always self-confident and always trying to jump over their heads. However ... not only guys, the girl thought sadly.

- Gray, can you intercept him? Well, or at least back up?

-And where to go, since the sane magicians in our guild can be counted on the fingers? I'll try to catch up with him at the station, - the ice magician was about to leave.

-Gray! - Shouted to him in the trail of the world.

-What else?

-Your clothes ...

-What the hell! - to the friendly laughter of the guildmates, Fulbuster left the building.

Sephiroth. Railway station.

So, here is the train you need. A couple of hours on the piece of iron and I am there. So, what is he doing here?

Gray Fulbuster was in a hurry in my direction, he looked clearly not very happy, and judging by the way he purposefully stomped in my direction, he was looking for me here. What else happened?

-Hi Gray, what are the fates?

"Sephiroth," the ice mage nodded coldly to me, "didn't you take the Salisbury thieves contract?

-Let's admit.

-Do not take it for an insult, but are you not weak for such a job?

- Let's just say that I have already done something similar. As you can see, I am quite alive and well, - I grin slightly.

-It's clear, and yet you are a new person in our guild and we are somewhat worried about you, - Gray added, - the world will not give me peace if you go there alone.

Hmmm, so what should I do about it? He also dragged Mirazhanu ... Okay, it seems that at first we will have to work in a team, and then we will see.

- Maybe then we will fulfill the contract together? Profit in half.

"That's another matter," smiled Fulbuster and we shook hands.

A little later, on the train to Salisbury.

-Grey, explain to me, even though I know you nothing at all, it seems to me that you are a very reasonable, judicious magician. So why are you constantly trying to beat each other with Natsu?

Fulbuster pondered, trying to find the answer to the question.

"You know, I don't understand myself, but every time I see Dragneel, I just feel an unbearable urge to stuff his face," an icy chuckle, "this is how we have it since childhood. As long as I remember him, we have always tried to surpass each other, no matter what, the main thing is to surpass. Probably, at first we began to behave like this in imitation of the eternal showdown between Elsa and Mira. The one who hated each other was they ...

-Oh, okay, Mira is just an angel in the flesh, why would she go to conflict with someone?

-He. Mira was not always an angel, rather the opposite, however, after one incident ... - Gray gloomily, - but this is another story and whether to tell it to you or not, it is up to Mira and Elfman to decide.

- I see ..., - it is not customary to tell the first person you meet about the problems of the guild, and I will not become completely mine soon, unless, of course, I do something really useful for 'Tail', - Gray, since we became companions, not can you tell me more about your magic? I have heard a little about Ice Creation, but I haven't had a chance to encounter magicians practicing it before, "I decided to change the topic of conversation.

-Of course, - seized the opportunity to get off the unpleasant topic of Fulbuster, - Ice magic came from the Northern continent, there are quite a few practicing it ...

The two magicians were discussing the various types of magic, and the train still carried them slowly forward to Salisbury, to meet with thieves and adventures.