"She's Mirajane, our new companion."
Facing Erza's question, Moen answered with a smile.
"This girl is really strong. She uses Take Over Magic — she can use the power of demons! Another magic prodigy!"
Macao added from the side, his expression full of emotion.
Although he was only just past thirty and had only recently become a father, nowhere near being considered old, he still felt as if he were about to be completely overtaken by the next generation.
The children in the guild were all ridiculously talented — each one more impressive than the last. It made veterans like them feel painfully ordinary.
"Is she strong?"
Erza's eyes narrowed. That strange sense of déjà vu grew stronger. Very strong, sitting alone off to the side…
"Of course! She's taken over a demon!"
Wakaba answered firmly.
The two uncles who were always in the guild like NPCs — one drinking, one smoking — chatted on without the slightest intention of avoiding the cloaked girl in the corner. Moen sighed inwardly, but he couldn't say anything.
Macao and Wakaba truly meant no harm. They were praising Mirajane, even speaking with a bit of envy.
Mirajane had awakened her magic at such a young age and could Take Over demonic power — she was definitely S-Class material.
Naturally, Macao and Wakaba envied that. They themselves were already fixed in place; becoming S-Class mages in this lifetime was basically impossible.
So, speaking this loudly about Mirajane didn't feel wrong to them. Praising someone for being strong and gifted, why whisper behind her back?
However, to Mirajane, who deeply rejected this demonic power these same words sounded completely different. The power others envied was the power she despised.
Mirajane stood up and left, walking past them.
Her head was lowered, her face invisible beneath the hood. Only her tightly pressed lips could be seen. She had already been in the guild for more than ten days, yet no one had ever seen her smile.
Forget smiling, no one had even managed to properly speak with her.
If not for the fact that Mirajane had talked to Master Makarov on her first day, everyone probably would've thought she was mute.
"Hello, Mirajane, I'm—"
When Mirajane walked past her, Erza took the initiative to speak, wanting to meet the new companion.
Her face showed a friendly smile. She had pushed down that initial strange irritation. She believed she could get along with her.
But the result of her friendliness only disappointed Erza — even angered her a little.
Mirajane kept her head down, clutching her cloak tightly, and walked straight past Erza as if she hadn't heard a word. Her pace even quickened — practically fleeing.
Such a rude reaction made Erza's brow furrow.
"Hey!"
That inexplicable irritation surged again. Erza's tone sharpened as she called out. At the same time, she reached out to grab the fleeing Mirajane.
Smack.
Moen grabbed Erza's arm, stopping her from pulling Mirajane back. Erza was forced to stop and regained her composure.
"What's wrong with her?"
Erza looked at Moen, confused. If one looked closely, one could even see a faint, almost invisible sense of hurt. She had greeted Mirajane sincerely…
"Don't worry about it, Erza. She's been like this since she arrived — doesn't talk, doesn't smile, always has that scary look. If you want to make friends, better go to her younger siblings."
Before Moen could speak, Macao and Wakaba chimed in again, this time actually whispering.
"…"
Moen shot them a look — full of disdain.
"You two sure love to talk."
His blunt jab made both men burst out laughing.
"Well, we've been pretty free lately. Once we head out on a job in a couple days, you won't hear the old men rambling anymore!"
They didn't mind Moen's jab at all. They returned to their drinking — both of them loved alcohol.
In fact, almost everyone in the guild drank.
Makarov, Gildarts, Macao, Wakaba — all drinkers. Sometimes Moen genuinely worried the guild would raise an entire generation of little alcoholics. That was why he paid extra attention to this and never allowed the young ones to get near alcohol.
Fiore's legal drinking age was fifteen. Moen felt that was a bit young, they should at least wait until adulthood. Alcohol could cause trouble and stunt growth.
"Mirajane…"
Macao and Wakaba's words made Erza's expression soften a bit. At least now she knew Mirajane wasn't targeting her specifically — she acted like this toward everyone.
"Moen, are you helping her?"
Erza blinked her large eyes, staring hard at Moen.
"Uh…"
Moen froze.
"Do you need my help?"
Erza continued, blinking sincerely, her emotions coming and going quickly.
Mirajane's current state reminded Erza strongly of her past self, so she was very willing to help Mirajane integrate into the guild — just like Moen had helped her.
As for how to help, Erza had no idea. But she trusted that Moen definitely knew what to do, and likely had already begun.
"Not for now."
Moen shook his head with a smile. With how serious Erza looked, he had thought she had some objection.
"Oh."
Hearing that help wasn't needed, Erza nodded, a little disappointed.
Seeing her expression, Moen thought for a moment and then added:
"If possible, you can help me keep an eye on Mirajane. Don't let her slip away secretly — that would ruin my plan."
To give Erza some sense of participation, Moen decided to entrust her with watching Mirajane. After all, Mirajane was a girl — it wasn't convenient for him to follow her around all day.
"No problem! Leave it to me! I won't let her run away!"
The moment she was given a task, Erza's energy exploded. Her eyes lit up. She patted her armored chest hard, the metal making a loud clank clank, and before Moen could say another word, she dashed out after Mirajane, who had just left the guild.
"…"
Moen grimaced. Judging from that posture, Erza looked more like she was chasing down some dangerous criminal.
He also faintly sensed something the aura between Erza and Mirajane…
didn't seem to mix very well.
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