Chapter 11. Magnolia.
A few hours later, four magicians had already arrived in Magnolia.
- It's Magnolia, isn't it? - Eros exclaimed in surprise.
Magnolia is a city located in the southernmost part of the kingdom of Fiore. The population of the city is about 60,000 inhabitants. Most of the inhabitants are engaged in trade, so the city has flourished since ancient times.
Magnolia has a large built-up area spreading over a large, rectangular area to the shores of Lake Skiliora. Dividing the city vertically and horizontally is a series of major roads. All places are designed in Western style and strongly resemble the Middle Ages.
- Surprised, huh? - Makarov laughed with pride.
- Yes, it is very beautiful here, the feeling as if the city is overflowing with magic ... - closing his eyes, said Eros with a slight smile on his lips.
As they walked through the city, the titan saw many shops with a wide variety of items, from the most common eateries to shops selling magic goods. In one of the shops, he also saw lacrima, exactly like the one Polyushka gave him, but the price surprised him. After all, while he was being treated, Eros tried to understand the economy, and also asked Polyushka about rewards for assignments, prices for various goods, etc. Therefore, when he saw the price of 500,000 precious stones, he experienced a slight shock, but quickly pulled himself together.
- Lacrimas, I wonder? - smiled Makarov, - Quite a useful thing, but not cheap, - he pointed to a transparent one, - This is the Mana Storage, magicians usually call it that, because it is most often used to provide all kinds of buildings with Magic Power, working on magic or in the time of the rituals, both the price and the demand for them are not small.
- Truth?
- Yes, - he pointed to another red lacrima, with a pattern of fire, - This is the Lacrima of Heat, I mainly use it at home, it spreads warm or hot air ... In general, a convenient thing.
- I understand, thanks for the explanation.
- Not at all, if you have questions, do not hesitate, ask.
- Okay.
So imperceptibly, they approached a large three-story building. The roof of the building is brown and made of wooden slabs. The very appearance of the roof is a simple curved ledge protruding up the corners of the building. The topmost roof has a simple, round and pointed dome on which the flag is placed. There is a sign above the entrance to the building. On it is the name of the Fairy Tail guild in purple, and the plaque itself is dark in color, and at its ends there are a pair of carved fairies. Guild windows are located on each floor and are shaped like pentagons.
- This is it… - Makarov exclaimed proudly, - Fairy Tail Guild Buildings.
- Quite extravagant, - Eros said with a smile, examining the building.
- We were surprised the first time, too, - Roni said.
- So, well, stop standing at the entrance, let's go in, - Makarov went to the door of the guild, lifted his leg and hit them ... - WELL WHAT SPANE! WANTED ?!
- MASTER! WELCOME BACK!
- Master, isn't it him? Yes? - exclaimed one of the magicians and everyone's attention was concentrated on Eros.
- Yes! - grinned Makarov, and the titan felt something was wrong, but it was too late to run away, because in the next moment he was surrounded.
- Hey, is it true that you saved all these children? - asked one excited girl, with shining eyes looking at the figure of Eros.
- Um, it is, but I was not alone ...
- He is also so modest! - exclaimed another girl, and with joy hugging the titan to her ...
- Hey! He's not only yours! Give it to us too! - Shouted another girl, taking Eros and pressed his face into her chest.
Of course, the titan was glad of the female attention, especially from such pretty girls, but when you are literally strangled, it's hard to call it "pleasant".
- What a cute, let me hug him too!
While the girls "strangled" Eros, the male half gathered ten meters away and looked enviously at this "child abuse", Rick and Roni also joined them.
- Well, stop! - Makarov shouted, giving free rein to a small part of his magical power, - Then you will have fun!
- Yes! - the girls exclaimed cheerfully, and Eros, who was able to free himself from the "heavenly embrace" for a moment, dived behind Makarov's back.
Seeing this action and the haunted gaze of the titan, the girls had only one thing on their minds, it was to take Eros back and squeeze it, but the latter apparently was not too interested in this, clinging like a tick to the back of the Fairy Tail master.
The male part of the guild, neighing loudly at the sight of this scene.
- How do you like it? - With a mockery asked Makarov, looking around the sides of Eros.
- Besides the fact that I was almost strangled, that's good, - his shoulders trembled slightly when he faced the girls' "hot" looks.
- If you don't want to join, you will have no end to the girls.
- Are you kidding me? - With a trembling voice, asked Eros, - If I stay here, then in a couple of days, there will be a corpse of an eleven-year-old boy with signs of suffocation.
- Come on, don't push it, - but seeing the shining eyes of the female half of the guild, I decided to take my words back, - Although everything can be.
- Master... or how to contact you? - Confused, asked Eros.
- If you want, you can just Makarov, I'm used to it.
- Okay, Makarov... Inconvenient, I can call you a master...
He only laughed in response.
- Well, the master is so master. So what do you want to ask?
- Allow me to look into your library.
The old man looked at Eros in surprise, rarely anyone visits her at all, books mostly just gather dust on the shelves and only the master occasionally visits her to refresh knowledge in some aspects.
- I have nothing against, come in anytime, but, - his face became serious, - Do not spoil books and do not try to use them to light a fire!
- And that was?
Makarov's gaze fell on several guys, but they only turned away embarrassedly, pretending not to notice his gaze.
- In general, I understand, - with a trembling smile, replied Eros, - And also, I would like to know, and Gildarts in the guild? - after pronouncing this name, everyone froze and silence fell in the hall.
- And why are you looking for him? - in a serious voice, asked Makarov.
- When I was treated by Polyushka... - and after this name, everyone shuddered, even the master, - In general, she said that my magic is very similar to his and if I ever meet with him, then ask for a couple of tips or as a student , - all the girls who had previously looked at Eros with shining eyes, abruptly moved ten meters back, along with the guys.
- You speak like, - all the fun from Makarov's voice disappeared when he looked at the boy in front of him, - Can you show me how your magic works? - In response, the titan smiled slightly and looked around him, and realizing something, the master got up from his place and went to the side of the door that was next to the bar, - Let's follow me.
Entering the office, Makarov closed the door and at that moment a golden magic circle lit up on the floor.
- You think right, - he said in a firm tone, - It's better not to show this to anyone if you don't have the strength to defend yourself. While you are still weak, you can simply be kidnapped and brainwashed, and then bring up a weapon...
- I get it, don't go on.
- If so, then well, - Makarov snapped his finger and a golden dome appeared above us, - Use your abilities.
- Yes, - on Eros's outstretched hand, a white magic circle lit up and a white transparent square appeared on it, - Don't worry, I can control it.
- This is good, - he nodded, approached the cube and stretched out his arms, a magic circle lit up in front of him ... - Indeed, - Makarov whispered slightly sadly, - There are almost no differences.
- It means…
- That your powers are 95% similar.
- Only 95%?
- There are no 100% identical types of magic, only if you are not relatives, - he looked suspiciously at Eros, - And Gildarts is not your case ...
- I can say with 100% certainty that no, - immediately snapped the titan, without letting him finish, - If so, do not tell me where is Gildarts now?
- Oooh ... He's on a mission now, and when he comes, I don't know, so you have to wait, - a sly smile appeared on Makarov's face, - How about if you join the guild, then I will force Gildarts to become your teacher and forbid he will visit any missions until he teaches you everything that he knows himself.
- An intriguing offer, but I will refuse, really have already given up, eh?
- So it is, - the old man stretched out with disappointment, - With such magic, in ten years, you can become the Chosen of God, and with your talent, then in 6-7.
- And you highly value me.
- At the moment, the strongest in the Guildarts guild.
- I know…
- He is even stronger than me, - Eros looked at Makarov in surprise, - Stronger than the master and one of the Chosen of God, even though now he can easily enter the first four and you yourself must understand that any guild will want to drag a magician with the same strength , and I generally keep quiet about hidden organizations.
- I understand that you are worried about me, - for the fourth time in all his life, Eros felt warmth in his chest, - Thank you, but I cannot stay here for a long time.
Makarov looked at the titan with slight disappointment.
- How much time do you plan to spend in the guild?
- Not more than a year, and then I will leave.
- Okay, - Makarov nodded, - Then I will have a condition.
- Condition?
- Yes. When you finish your journey, the place where you will create the guild will be Magnolia.
The time has come for Eros to be surprised.
- What is the benefit to you in this?
- Oh, this is an alliance with a potentially strong guild, isn't that enough? - but seeing the incredulous look of Eros, the master just laughed, and sharply became serious, - And if something ever happens to me, that you would become her shield.
"Master, you are talking to a child who is only eleven years old.
- In our time, children grow up very quickly, and I generally keep quiet about such monstrously talented children," he said, returning his cheerful tone again.
- I cannot but agree, - replied Eros, holding out his hand, - I agree, but I ask you for the same measures.
- It goes! - grinned Makarov, shaking hands with the titan.