After finishing his talk with Master Makarov, it was already late at night beneath a dim moon.
By the riverbank, in a small rented house.
"Ahh, I'm really curious who else will be joining besides Jupiter!"
Natsu, the true owner of the place, lay with his cheeks puffed against the low table. "The master is so obnoxious. We'll only find out when he decides to say it!"
"I want to know now!"
Across from him, the house's second-in-command, Happy, warmed his paws by the fireplace and said, "Natsu, you mean the pervy rain girl, right? And Jupiter is Phantom Lord's magical cannon."
Watching the two of them sprawl about with zero sense of boundaries, Lucy the nominal homeowner couldn't help complaining:
"Whether it's Jupiter or that 'pervy rain girl,' those names are way too rude to a cute girl!"
"Also, this is my house. Why did you two follow me here?!"
"You mangy cat! Get your stinky claws off me!"
As her words sped up, little flecks of spit flew while she glared.
Just then, the half-open bathroom door eased wider.
Erza shook out her long scarlet hair, still beaded with droplets. Even wrapped in a bath towel, her toned figure and flawless skin were impossible to hide.
She crossed the room with a relaxed look and waved to the card mage sitting quietly on the sofa with his tea. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Chase."
"It's fine. Just enough time for a pot of tea." Chase set down his cup and stood.
The Dark Guild's Trinity Raven carried Council bounties, and Makarov had used that payout to compensate for battle damages.
But Chase's home was beyond saving, still in ruins. He'd need someone to rebuild it.
With nowhere else to go, Lucy's place across the river naturally became an excellent, free refuge.
"Forget Brother Chase, but why is Erza, who lives in the girls' dorm, showing up here…" Lucy was at her limit.
These people never thought of themselves as outsiders. That was nice, but it was also a bit much.
If she had a choice, she would have liked some boundaries. "Well, I always feel more relaxed at Lucy's," Erza said.
Realizing she might be imposing, she added, apologetic, "I'm sorry, Lucy. Did I trouble you?"
The sudden seriousness made Lucy flustered. "It's okay. I'm used to it anyway."
She regretted it the instant it left her mouth. The little villain in her head jumped up and down: Why didn't you politely but firmly say no to Erza!
At the same time, kindhearted mini-Lucy chimed in: We're all comrades, and Erza's helped us so much. Kicking her out would be awful.
In the end, soft-hearted Lucy gave up resisting, sank onto the sofa, and let out a heavy sigh.
"Don't worry, Lucy. I'm not freeloading. I'll cover this month's rent and next," Chase said, walking toward the bathroom door.
"Well, I can chip in for water and electricity," Erza added.
"Really? That's awesome!"
When he finished talking with Master Makarov, it was already late at night beneath a dim moon.
By the riverbank, in a small rented house.
"Ahh, I'm really curious who else will be joining besides Jupiter!"
Natsu, the real owner of the place, was sprawled over the low table, cheeks puffed like buns. "The master is so obnoxious. We'll only know when he decides to tell us!"
"I want to know now!"
Across from him, the house's second-in-command, Happy, warmed his paws at the fireplace and said, "Natsu, you mean that pervy rain girl, right? And Jupiter is Phantom Lord's magical cannon."
Watching the two of them lounge around with zero boundaries, Lucy, the nominal homeowner, couldn't help complaining:
"Whether it's Jupiter or that 'pervy rain girl,' those names are way too rude to a cute girl!"
"Also, this is my house. Why did you two follow me here?!"
"You mangy cat! Get your stinky claws off me!"
As her words sped up, little flecks of spit flew while she glared fiercely.
Just then, the half-open bathroom door swung wider.
Erza shook out her long scarlet hair, still dappled with droplets. Even wrapped in a bath towel, her toned figure and smooth skin were impossible to hide.
She crossed the room with a relaxed look and waved to the card mage sitting quietly on the sofa with his tea. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Chase."
"It's fine. Just enough time for a pot of tea." Chase set down his cup and stood.
The Dark Guild's Trinity Raven carried Council bounties, and Makarov had used that payout to compensate for the property damage from the battle.
But Chase's home was beyond saving, still in ruins. He'd need someone to rebuild it.
With nowhere else to go, Lucy's place across the river naturally became an excellent, free refuge.
"Brother Chase is one thing, but why is Erza, who lives in the girls' dorm, showing up here…" Lucy was on the verge of breaking down.
They never thought of themselves as outsiders. That was nice, but it was also a bit much.
If she had a choice, she would still prefer a few boundaries. "Well, I always feel more relaxed at Lucy's," Erza said.
Realizing she might be imposing, she added, apologetic, "I'm sorry, Lucy. Did I trouble you?"
The sudden seriousness made Lucy flustered. "It's okay. I'm used to it anyway."
She regretted it the instant it left her mouth. The little villain in her head jumped up and down: Why didn't you politely and firmly say no to Erza!
At the same time, kind-hearted mini-Lucy chimed in: We're all comrades, and Erza's helped us so much. Kicking her out would be awful.
In the end, soft-hearted Lucy gave up resisting, sank onto the sofa, and let out a heavy sigh.
"Don't worry, Lucy. I'm not freeloading. I'll cover this month's rent and next," Chase said, heading toward the bathroom door.
"Well, I can help with the water and electricity," Erza added.
"Really? That's awesome!"
Lucy, despondent a moment ago, perked up at once, big eyes blinking with the sparkle of a hopeless pauper.
"Then you can stay here, Chase! Stay as long as you want, a whole month if you like!"
"And Erza, the bathroom is always open to you!"
Happy watched her money-obsessed grin and muttered, "Natsu, I've seen the ugly side of humans."
"Lucy's that kind of person," Natsu nodded firmly.
Lucy's mouth twitched. "…Hey! I'm talking to you two blockheads!"
In the end, although Erza said she should head back to the girls' dorm, she stayed.
Her reason was that she was worried about Lucy being alone with two half-males.
Natsu and Happy originally wanted to use the chance to play an exciting King's Game, but everyone had been running around all day and was physically and mentally exhausted, so that little benefit was shelved.
Moonlight washed the silent streets, bringing a touch of calm and comfort to the slightly crowded little house.
As girls, Erza and Lucy naturally slept on the bed, while Chase, Natsu, and Happy slept on the floor.
Listening to Natsu's snoring, Chase, using Happy as a pillow, closed his eyes and let his consciousness sink into the Card Space.
After defeating Jellal, there had been Ultear's matter, then the Council's investigation, and then the conversation with Makarov.
Only now did he finally have time to meet his new partners.
In the Card Space it was also midnight, stars scattered across the sky.
There was no true day or night here. The weather was synced to reality only so the monsters could keep a regular rhythm to their lives.
After greeting the monsters who sensed his presence, Chase turned into a streak of dark-gold light and arrived at a newly opened zone.
It was a space suffused with light and darkness.
Even standing outside, he could feel the fierce fighting spirit pulsing within the flowing, chaotic radiance.
Like Lucy's Celestial Spirit Magic, whenever he obtained a new monster card, Chase needed to form a contract with it.
This contract did not impose strict clauses, it was more of a formal greeting.
After all, Chase was the absolute master of the deck provided he had the strength to back it up, like with Slifer the Sky Dragon.
The two new cards dropped from Jellal this time were a matched pair.
They were the monster card Black Luster Soldier and the Spell Card Black Luster Ritual.
Black Luster Soldier: a Level 8 monster born from a chaotic field interwoven with light and darkness, boasting formidable ATK and DEF, the legendary strongest warrior.
Black Luster Ritual: the ritual used to Special Summon Black Luster Soldier. From the lore, if Magician of Black Chaos is the pinnacle at the abyssal end of magic, then without a doubt Black Luster Soldier is the apex among warriors.
In the past, Chase might have needed great effort just to step into the domain where Black Luster Soldier dwelled.
But now, contracting a Level 8 monster was no longer difficult for someone whose magic power stood at a Wizard Saint's level.
The moment he crossed the chaos barrier, a powerful killing intent rushed to meet him.
What lay before his eyes was a plain-wide battlefield, littered with swords, spears, and halberds against a roiling, chaotic backdrop.
On the lone hill at the center of the plain, a mighty warrior in black-and-gold armor, sword and shield in hand, slowly opened his eyes.
Bathed in the glow of chaos, the Black Luster Soldier glanced at Chase and spoke slowly.
"Summoned by contract… are you my master?"
Lucy's room.
Lucy tossed and turned several times, then finally flung back a corner of the quilt and sat bolt upright.
"No! I can't sleep at all!"
Her eyes were a little bloodshot. Natsu's snoring made sleep impossible.
"Natsu's the same as always. He won't settle down unless I coax him to sleep."
Erza, noticing the movement, opened her eyes.
With a look that said leave it to me, she slipped off the bed, pinched Natsu's scarf, lifted him with ease, then drove a punch straight into his abdomen.
Poof!
Natsu thumped safely to the floor as a tiny white "soul" popped out of his mouth.
Erza flicked the drifting soul back with a casual backhand, dusted her palms, and returned to bed.
Lucy was stunned. "Figures… that's Erza."
"Lucy, if you still can't sleep, just tell me. I'm very good at coaxing people to sleep!" Erza clenched a confident fist.
"No, no!" Lucy snapped wide awake, her head shaking like a rattle.
If you use that method on me, I'll die for sure!
"Even without my armor on, I can still be honest with my friends, just like now…"
Erza drew Lucy gently into her arms, smiling as she let out a relaxed breath.
Lucy's cheeks flushed scarlet.
The next morning, sunlight scattered the darkness.
Fairy Tail construction site.
Workers kept dismantling the remaining scaffolding, while the decorators moved in. Orders and the rumble of machinery rose one after another.
"Good morning, Mira!"
By the makeshift bar, Lucy waved energetically.
Judging by her face, she'd slept very soundly in Erza's arms.
More importantly, she didn't have to worry about rent anymore.
In contrast, the blue cat in the air looked exhausted. "Love~ So weird. My backache from Galuna Island is acting up again."
"Damn it! I couldn't beat Erza even in my dreams, and my stomach still hurts. I'll get my revenge!" Natsu scowled.
Hearing that, Lucy offered an awkward, polite smile. Ever consider you actually were beaten?
"Oh? You can't just say that and expect me not to hear."
Erza, in her everyday armor, approached from behind, hands on hips. "Want to challenge me, Natsu?"
"Love! I was just kidding!" Natsu instantly turned into Happy No. 2.
"Oh, how embarrassing." Gray arrived a beat later.
"Gray, get along with Natsu."
"Yes, Lady Erza!"
Chase, who had come with the group, sat quietly to one side, enjoying the breakfast Mira had carefully prepared.
Seeing that, Natsu immediately scampered over, begging for a share like a little kid.
Mira agreed with a smile, brought out a piece of cake that hadn't sold yesterday, warmed it up, and handed it over.
Staring at the sizzling mystery dish, Lucy scooted her hips away on instinct. She and Erza had skipped breakfast too, so they ordered normal-looking milk bread, while Happy asked for his usual sashimi.
"Gray, what about you?" Mira looked over.
"I'm good. I picked up a lunch box on the way. Looks a little weird, but it tastes fine." Gray patted his stomach.
He hadn't had many jobs lately, and the ones he did get barely covered costs. His wallet was tight, so he made do.
"You really aren't picky." Mira glanced meaningfully at the stack of materials nearby and smiled.
"By the way, Mira, you already have a new pool table?"
"Mm. A sample from the vendor. Spoiler, the new guild's basement is getting turned into an entertainment space," Mira explained.
"I see. Sounds pretty nice."
Gray nodded, wandered to the table, picked up a cue, and weighed it in his hand.
"Gray can play billiards?" Lucy sipped her milk, surprised.
"Yeah. He's a shark at it, even better than Wakaba," Mira said, lifting a finger to her cheek. "Oh right, I remember Natsu seemed pretty good too."
"Pffft! Natsu, who can't even handle bumper cars?!"
Lucy exploded, spraying milk.
Chase, sitting right beside her, took the hit square on and ate one hundred percent of the splash damage.
"Ah? Sorry, sorry, Brother Chase! I didn't mean it!" Lucy waved frantically.
"It's fine."
Chase accepted the bear-pattern handkerchief Mira passed over and quietly wiped his face.
Only because it was Lucy. If it had been Natsu or Gray, he'd have put a fist in Attack Position to help them understand.
"Billiards? Ahahahaha, I'm fired up!"
Natsu dropped his plate and dashed over. "You ice cube, you got the guts to face me?!"
"A rematch against a former loser? No problem. I accept," Gray's mouth quirked.
"Idiot! Last time I didn't even know the rules," Natsu grumbled.
He snatched the cue from Gray, stepped to the head of the table, bent low, one hand gripping the cue and the other braced as a bridge, eyes locked on the cue ball.
Lucy blinked at his all-too-professional stance. Wait, can he actually do this?
"Ohhh! Watch me, the Fire Dragon clears the table!"
Natsu answered her doubts with action.
There was a thunderous boom, shards flew, smoke and dust billowed.
A visible crack split the brand-new table down the middle, running all the way to a jagged break at the far end. Billiard balls lay in pulverized fragments across the felt.
"Tsk, only six," Natsu scratched his head, dissatisfied.
"Love~ That's already amazing, Natsu. You broke Gray's record," Happy announced.
"Hey, look closely. It's only five."
Gray pointed with grave dignity at the one relatively intact cue ball. "This one isn't completely smashed."
This inhuman playstyle made Lucy's eyes bug. "Is it even legal to play like this?!"
"Interesting. I didn't know billiards could be played this way," Chase stood, stretching his limbs.
"It's basically a game to see who can destroy the most enemies. All right, I'll give it a go!"
Erza was itching to try. "Change clothes, pool girl!"
"There is no such game! You two are obviously making it up! Don't take it so seriously!"
Watching Chase and a freshly dressed Erza stroll toward the table, Lucy felt like she'd awakened Observation Haki, and pressed a hand to her forehead with a heavy sigh.
Rest in peace, dear Mr. Pool Table…
Bang!!
....
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