Chapter 8: Scheme

**Scheme**

[The Veil of Silence]

On the way to the commissioner, I quickly realized I wasn't alone in taking the mission. Someone was following me—none other than Cana.

I could've easily used my hypnosis, Kyoka Suigetsu, to trick her into losing track of me, but as I've said before, I'm strict when it comes to rules and completing tasks the right way. 

Besides, Cana wasn't foolish. Someone must've asked her to tag along, and I had a feeling it was the president's doing. 

I wasn't exactly Laxus, though—pride and all that. Not that I knew his story in full, but the comparison lingered. The truth is, those who get it, get it. 

In the end, your achievements are your own. No one else can claim them, no matter who they're related to. Your successes come from your own blood, sweat, and effort—not because of your family name or their legacy. 

I understood that frustration all too well—when people assume your accomplishments are just a product of genetics or family ties. But arguing with fools? It's a waste of time.

I couldn't help but remember a particular story from the plot—a time when Lucy took on a quest, and the client kept pretending to be someone they weren't. They'd constantly try to show off, acting as if they were wealthy, when in reality, they were poor. I understood that kind of behavior all too well. In my past life, I was often discredited for my accomplishments, and it was something I couldn't shake.

I was desperate to prove myself, to build a good image. That desire, however, played a major role in my downfall.

Since joining Fairy Tail, I often find myself reflecting on my past life. Maybe it's because I've been procrastinating, knowing that I could easily resolve things but not acting on it. I've lacked the decisiveness I need.

But I'm different now. When I finally came to understand that what I once considered threats were really just trivial matters, I couldn't help but feel embarrassed. Frustrated with myself. As someone with pride, it was hard to accept how much time I wasted.

That's just the way the world works, though. If you don't take advantage of opportunities, you'll end up getting taken advantage of. It's survival of the fittest. Growth doesn't start with physical action—it starts in the mind.

"Anyway, you don't even use magic. Why did the president send you here? You're not in the best shape, and you're not qualified for this. Even something simple like chopping wood can be dangerous in the forest. You'll just be in the way. Can you even lift an axe or pick up a twig? Probably not. Once we get to the station, you should head back."

Just like a machine, my mouth never stops. I didn't hold back with my words, even if others looked at me like I was trash. So what? What I said wasn't bullying—it was just me being realistic. Her decision to follow me on this task, even if it was at the president's request, was incredibly irresponsible. 

It was like stepping into a landmine. 

And this wasn't me being overprotective; I was being practical. I wanted her to understand that every action carries responsibility. 

She was far too naive.

Cana looked down at the floor, her fist clenched tightly. She clearly wanted to retort, but the words just wouldn't come. After all, what I said was reasonable—even if a bit harsh. Despite her naivety, she wasn't that stupid.

Just as I was about to turn away, she looked up at me, her eyes filled with resolve. "Uhm... The president told me I can learn magic from you…"

I paused. 

I didn't know how to respond to that. I didn't sever bonds with my companions—at least, not completely. A stranger becoming family wasn't the issue, but forming a bond with someone I already considered family? That was a different matter entirely. 

Even without looking into a mirror, I could feel my expression. It was like someone who'd just chewed a whole lemon and been forced to swallow it.

Thinking about Cana's magic, I recalled that she uses cards. Card magic certainly has a certain flair, but only if you're looking at it from a child's perspective. Might as well collect Pokémon or summon something out of a graveyard. Or maybe just play Teks for the fun of it. 

It wasn't like she was using nen-infused cards, like Hisoka—now, that was elegant. No, her cards were just magic-infused trinkets, nothing special. 

I sighed, helpless, at myself...

"In order to learn magic, you must first understand what magic is..." I began, watching as Cana listened intently, her eyes filled with admiration. Honestly, I wasn't sure how to feel about it, but when I commit to a task, I give it my all.

What I said was simply what I understood and what I had read in books. Despite my travels, I made sure to keep studying—knowledge, after all, is power. As I spoke, I kept a deliberate distance between us, never letting us get too close. I knew better than to let things become one-sided. I didn't want Cana to turn into some kind of Naruto, chasing after me in the name of friendship.

What I wanted for her was independence—complete self-reliance. I didn't want her too entangled with Gildarts and me. It wouldn't be good for her.

Why?

Gildarts is too strong, and I'm no slouch either. As for Cana? She's far too weak.

It would only become a burden on her growth. So, better to nip that in the bud as early as possible.

Before I knew it, we had arrived at the client's place. "I'll say it now—on this commission, I'm in charge. You'll follow everything I say, no questions asked."

She nodded in agreement, and I couldn't help but sigh. Despite it being a D-rank mission, I had a nagging feeling things were bound to go sideways. Cana would probably play a bigger role in that than I wanted. It was better not to get my hopes up.

Ding dong...

I rang the doorbell, and after a few moments, the door creaked open, revealing an elderly lady. I swiftly removed the black gloves from my left hand, revealing the black emblem of Fairy Tail, a symbol of both pride and duty.

"We are wizards from Fairy Tail, here to take on your commission," I said, my voice steady and authoritative.

She glanced at the emblem, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Welcome! Have you eaten yet? Please, do come inside."

Her hospitality was warm, almost overbearing. I gave a polite but firm shake of my head. 

"Thank you for your generosity, madam. However, I'd like to discuss the specifics of the mission first."

*Specifics?* 

Cana looked at me, her expression confused, as though she hadn't quite expected such a response. But I didn't pay her any mind; after all, I was the one in charge here.

Yes, *specifics*.

Just because the quest was about wood gathering didn't mean it was as simple as picking up a few twigs.

As I saw it, there was a tool for every task. You wouldn't use a hammer to hang a picture, after all; its purpose was for nails. The same principle applied to the task at hand. Different types of wood had different purposes. Some were meant for cooking, for warmth, while others—those with higher moisture content—could be used for signaling, creating plumes of thick smoke. Some trees even had greater durability than others. Every detail mattered.

*This kid is quite sharp...* The elder thought to herself, her gaze lingering on me with a silent assessment.

"Well, the quest is simple enough—just gather wood. You don't need to worry too much about moisture content, and size can be standard. But the tree must be of a particular type…" She elaborated, and I couldn't help but chuckle softly to myself.

*She knows that I know she's hiding something.*

As we made our way toward the forest, Cana trailed behind me like a loyal dog, her curiosity clearly piqued. "Why did you refuse the elder's invitation? She was so nice, though…"

I shot her a sidelong glance. "You're too naive."

"Eh...?" she blinked, clearly baffled by my words.

I let out a sigh, helplessly shaken. *Is this really my sister? Why is there such a gap between us?* Well, I suppose it's a good lesson in itself—might as well take the opportunity to explain things to her.

"Idiot," I muttered, turning to face her with a mix of exasperation and clarity. "If you take a proper look at her house, you'll see it's modern. The location's close to the city, too. There's absolutely no reason for her to use firewood for cooking or heating. Didn't you even notice the way she was dressed? And the scent in the air?"

"Smell...?" Cana's brow furrowed in confusion.

"Yes, it's a magic stone, one used for everyday tasks. In a world like ours, even those without magic can rely on magic stones and modern tools to make life easier."

I took a deep breath, watching her process the information. "Think about it carefully. She has no reason to use wood. But when I asked for specifics, she mentioned gathering wood from a particular type of tree."

Cana blinked, the realization dawning on her slowly. "Which means..."

"Exactly," I replied, pulling a map from my spatial pocket. I traced a line from our current location, moving my finger toward another point where a tree stood. "She's telling us something's going on here. It could be a dark guild, or perhaps a beast lurking nearby."

"Then... is it really necessary to go through such a complicated method to ask us to eliminate them?" She was hesitant, a touch of concern in her voice.

"Of course. It's possible the elder's being watched, or maybe she reported it earlier, but the council didn't take any action. There's more to it, though." I paused, my suspicion growing clearer. "If my guess is right, she may have also commissioned us to investigate a specific location. It's a C-rank mission, but it feels like something's off. Wizards might've taken the same commission... and perished."

The casual mention of death seemed to send a shiver down Cana's spine. I could see the unease creeping into her expression, a sign that she was realizing the gravity of the situation.

"Cold feet now, huh? Regretting your decision?" I couldn't help but laugh, a note of mockery in my voice. But to my surprise, she didn't flinch.

"No," she said, her voice steady. "I need to become stronger... to find someone."

*Oh boy, I know that look.* That gleam of determination in her eyes. It's a good thing. If we run into dark guilds, she'll need to have blood on her hands. Otherwise, she might not make it out. 

But before I could dwell on that, my thoughts were abruptly cut off. I gestured sharply to Cana, signaling her to stop. A subtle shift in the air caught my attention—two presences, human, nearby.

*Dark guild activity…* I felt the weight of the situation settling over me. No time to waste. I activated my Kyoka Suigetsu.

The way it worked was simple, but with a catch. Kyoka Suigetsu required the victim to at least glance at me once, but I'd factored in those with heightened perception. If the target was within 15 meters, the usual condition was bypassed, and I could use the illusion without them even realizing it—*for now*. 

Of course, the risk was significant. If they managed to escape the 15-meter radius, they'd snap out of the illusion and recognize it for what it was: magic. The illusion, too, was limited to the sense of vision—nothing more.

With a thought, I manipulated the world around us. In an instant, I transformed both myself and Cana into rabbits—small, unthreatening, and inconspicuous. I wanted to lead them astray, let them believe we were harmless, while keeping our true intentions hidden. It wasn't the most elegant solution, but it would give us an edge.

*Rustle!*

*Rustle!*

The sound of movement came from the underbrush, a clear sign they had noticed. 

"What's going on!?" 

"Are the kids finally here!?" 

*'Kids?'* I paused, my mind churning through the implications. *I see, so she's an associate... These guys aren't that smart but they aren't that stupid either. At best they were capable of planning but lack in polishing it."

The two figures, now fully alert, rushed toward our location. Cana, on the other hand, was panicking, clutching her twig with the fervor of someone ready to swing it at a dark guild member's head.

I shook my head, a mix of disbelief and exasperation. My hand motioned for her to calm down. This wasn't a battle, not yet. I reminded myself that what I had done was a partial hypnosis, just enough to distort their vision. It would only affect their eyes, nothing more.

"Dammit, it's just a rabbit!" one of them cursed, kicking the ground in frustration. The force of his boot sent a cloud of dust into the air, swirling in the breeze. "Where are they!?"