Carla looked at Aux with a surprised expression.
She seemed not to have expected to meet a Mage who had such a deep understanding of Enchantment Magic.
Wendy nervously asked, "My Enchantment Magic was taught to me by Grandeeney. Big Brother Aux, have you met her...?"
Wendy instinctively thought that Grandeeney had taught someone else the same magic.
"Wendy..." Carla's expression was complicated.
Wendy also seemed to realize she was babbling and lowered her head after being gently called.
That's right!
Enchantment Magic isn't some special magic; it's normal for others to possess this ability.
"I'm afraid I haven't," Aux replied.
Despite being mentally prepared for such an answer, Wendy was still very upset.
There was no further communication on the way back.
Back in Hargeon.
The client and the fishermen immediately took the fish away from the coastline, to prevent it from escaping after reverting to its original form.
Aux's remuneration had, of course, not yet been given.
He, along with Wendy and Carla, were invited to an open space they had prepared in advance.
Besides the fishermen, there were also many residents from the city.
Among them were quite a few nobles.
Five hours passed in a blink of an eye, and everyone held their breath, their eyes wide.
Firearms, chains, and other preparations were ready.
Buzz... A white light emanated from the fish, and it slowly grew larger under everyone's gaze.
Clap, clap, clap, clap... The monstrous fish's body reverted, immediately causing all the residents present to exclaim repeatedly.
At the same time, they quickly retreated to a distance.
"How can this monstrous fish be so big? If it hits you with its tail, you'll surely die!"
"I didn't expect there to be such a huge monstrous fish in the sea."
"It's a pity it's too big, otherwise, buying it to keep as an ornamental fish would be great."
"How much meat must such a big fish have?"
"I wonder if the meat of this monstrous fish is tasty. I'll buy a couple of pounds later to try."
"..."
The residents and nobles chattered endlessly.
The latter, especially, wanted to eat the fish meat, and they were greedily swallowing their saliva.
"Chains on!"
The surrounding fishermen immediately moved, wanting to lock the monstrous fish firmly with chains.
But the monstrous fish was too strong.
The chains couldn't hold it, and with a few thrashes, it threw off many fishermen.
"Just kill it first!"
Seeing this, the client could only be forced to change his plan.
Several fishermen holding magical tools appeared and began to relentlessly hammer the monstrous fish.
A bloody scent spread, and the monstrous fish on the shore had no chance against the magical tools.
It died there not long after.
Blood flowed, and the residents covered their mouths and noses, choked by the smell.
"Those who want monstrous fish meat can come and buy it!" the client shouted.
Immediately, many residents smiled.
Such a big monstrous fish, after eating it, there might be some magical effects, so they had to buy some to take back and try.
The nobles, of course, wouldn't give up.
They specifically chose the best parts of the meat and bought large quantities.
Looking at the client's beaming face, this monstrous fish would allow them to make a fortune.
"These people aren't afraid of it being poisonous..." Aux grumbled.
Carla replied, "Probably not. They all live by the sea, so they must know whether this kind of fish is poisonous or not."
Aux thought about it and realized she was right.
He didn't speak carelessly anymore, watching as the client sold the monstrous fish until only its large head remained.
The residents of Hargeon seemed uninterested in the fish head.
After buying meat, they all dispersed.
Only the client and the fishermen who had gone out to sea remained at the scene.
"I've kept you waiting," the client said.
The client, holding a wad of money, came over again and offered the reward for the commission with both hands:
"You've been a great help. Besides this remuneration, the monstrous fish's head is also a gift for you."
Hmm?
Aux was counting the money he had just received when he heard the client's words and raised an eyebrow.
This gift was a bit strange.
He couldn't possibly take this fish head back to the guild as a collectible, could he?
It would stink after two days.
It would be better to give him a few teeth from the monstrous fish as decoration.
"This type of monstrous fish is very common; it's a unique fish delicacy in Hargeon. Its meat is delicious, and after cooking, it emits a floral fragrance."
"And its head is the essence. Although its size is a bit deformed due to being too large, its origin hasn't changed. Mage Sir, you can try it."
The client introduced the species of the monstrous fish.
After listening, Aux summarized it in two words... Delicious!
It was hard to refuse such hospitality.
At the client's repeated politeness, Aux used magic to shrink the fish head again.
He bid farewell to the fishermen, Wendy, and Carla, and left.
Without taking a train, they relied solely on their feet to leave Hargeon, stopping outside the forest near the city.
"A rare delicacy. And since I can't finish it all by myself, you two should try some too," Aux said.
Carla and Wendy gladly accepted.
The three of them gathered many dead branches and leaves from the forest and built a bonfire to grill the fish head.
The monstrous fish's head was not small.
If he had to describe it, Aux thought it was similar to the Sea Kings in the Pirate World.
It would definitely be difficult to cook it thoroughly with just natural fire.
So Aux could only use magic.
A series of spells were cast under the astonished gazes of Wendy and Carla, and the fish head began to emit a floral fragrance.
"Try it."
Aux divided the fish head into several pieces.
Wendy and Carla also tried a taste.
It was delicious!
No wonder the client wanted to give him the fish head; the meat of this monstrous fish was truly delicious.
Across from him, Carla and Wendy were also happily eating.
He had originally thought such a large fish head couldn't be finished, but Aux underestimated the appetite of a Dragon Slayer Mage.
Even little Wendy.
Once she started eating meat, she was like a glutton incarnate.
Two-thirds of the fish head meat went into Wendy's stomach, yet even so, her belly didn't bulge.
"I ate a bit too much..."
Wendy seemed to realize she had eaten a bit too much and smiled a little sheepishly.
Carla, beside her, touched her belly.
It was still perfectly flat. "Don't tell me you have a black hole in your stomach?"
She had never noticed Wendy could eat so much before.
Was her appetite so good today?
Wendy replied, "I don't know what's going on, but I just feel this meat is unexpectedly delicious."
Dragon Slayer Mages are truly amazing creatures!
Aux put the last two bites of meat into his mouth, thinking with emotion.
"Little Wendy, would you like to become my disciple?" Aux asked while tidying up the bonfire. "In the field of Enchantment Magic, I do have some skill and can teach you more powerful Addition techniques."
Carla immediately became wary.
She was afraid Aux was trying to use the excuse of taking a disciple to conceal his ulterior motives.
Wendy hesitated, "Actually, I'd rather use offensive magic..."
Sky Dragon Slayer Magic.
She wanted to use this magic more, perhaps she could sense Grandeeney's traces while using it.
"Little Wendy, girls shouldn't be so violent..."
Aux was heartbroken!
What's wrong with this world? When will support magic ever rise up?!
Fuming with coldness~
Carla nodded in agreement, "I also think girls shouldn't be so rough..."
Hearing her good partner say so.
Wendy also began to hesitate. She was a very indecisive girl and easily persuaded by others.
But becoming a disciple... Aux said understandingly, "No need to rush; there's still a long way to go."
Wendy nodded, indicating she understood.
After breaking off a few teeth from the monstrous fish, Aux, Wendy, and Carla continued their journey.
Since they didn't take the train, they relied on their feet and spent a night traveling from Hargeon to Magnolia.
Aux invited, "Do you want to come back to the guild with me? Natsu should be there too."
Wendy was very tempted.
However, this outing had been a bit long, and her guild master must be worried, so it was better to go back soon.
Wendy declined, "I'll come to see him next time..."
They boarded the train.
Wendy and Carla waved goodbye to him...