"Good morning. Did you need me for something, Lucy?"
Ankh walked into the guild feeling refreshed and light all over. The moment he entered, he saw Lucy, as well as Natsu, who was sitting beside her and sleeping in.
In just one night, the request board had already been filled to the brim with jobs.
Everyone finally no longer had to sit around with nothing to do, and one after another, they began choosing requests.
Lucy clasped her hands behind her back.
There was no trace of yesterday's mental torment on her face at all as she smiled energetically.
"Actually, it's not me. My father sent me a letter and asked me to give it to you."
Ankh raised an eyebrow, then took the letter, opened it, and read through it.
He could not help but laugh.
There was nothing particularly complicated in the letter. It was about the matter Ankh had contacted him for before. Jude had acted very efficiently and helped him purchase properties in several prosperous cities, including Magnolia.
Lucy could not help leaning over curiously, then sucked in a sharp breath.
"This many houses? Ankh, are you moving away?"
"No. I'm just preparing for the future. Housing prices are rising like crazy right now. Who knows what the market will look like later?"
Gray and the others, who were picking jobs nearby, deeply agreed with that.
In the past, everyone had been among the strongest mages of the younger generation. They only had to feed themselves and had no family to worry about.
Their ability to complete jobs was also strong, and as long as they went out for a job and did not cause damage, the money they earned was enough for them to live freely for quite a long time.
But now, more and more young people from Fairy Tail's golden generation were entering relationships.
They had to consider all sorts of future situations, and after being slapped hard by the time assassin called rent, everyone seemed to have developed a deep resistance toward living in rented dorms.
They wanted a nest.
A nest that belonged to them.
Looking at it that way, the cleverest among the little fairies was actually Natsu, who had bought his own house outright early on.
Never mind whether that house was shabby or not.
At least Natsu did not have to worry about rent, though the little savings he and Happy had hidden at home seven years ago had been stolen…
"If you're interested, I can reserve a few houses in Magnolia for you. When the time comes, just buy them directly from me. I'll give you a bargain price."
Ankh put away Jude's letter and began drinking happily.
Lucy's eyes sparkled, but then she gave a bitter smile.
"That's still far off. After I pay rent with the money I earn from work, I can't save much."
Lucy's strength was actually quite good compared to the outside world, but unfortunately, she was also a big spender.
Her wardrobe at home was packed full…
Gajeel, who had been silently listening from the side, seemed a little tempted by something, though no one knew what he was thinking.
"Oh, right. Ankh, Yukino and I agreed that we'd thank the Celestial Spirits together for helping us back in the royal capital. Do you want to come too?"
Ankh froze for a moment, then thought briefly before nodding.
"That's fine."
During the battle in the royal capital, the Celestial Spirits had all appeared together to help Ankh close the Eclipse Gate.
Before that, they had even hosted them for a meal in the Celestial Spirit World. Lucy had been planning this for quite some time.
Just then, Makarov looked at the members crowding in front of the counter, waiting to register their jobs, and sweat broke out on his forehead.
He hurriedly ran over to Ankh and asked, "Ankh! Has Mirajane not arrived yet? Everyone is waiting for her to register their requests so they can go to work!"
Seeing Makarov's anxious appearance, Ankh tactically lowered his head and drank, his gaze drifting as he said.
"She took the day off. She won't be coming to the guild today."
"Hah?"
Makarov was about to ask more, but Ankh quickly pulled Lucy up and said, "Hurry up, let's go thank the Celestial Spirits. I'll leave this place to you, Master!"
Looking at the two who had already run far away, Makarov stretched out a desperate hand.
Today was the first day back at work… The busiest day!
Makarov looked at the guild hall full of excited members holding request sheets, like hungry chicks waiting to be fed, and could only miserably take over Mirajane's work and register their jobs for them!
…
Far outside Magnolia, on a hill called Star Hill, the view was wide and open.
Looking up, there were no trees blocking the sky, making it seem like a wonderful place for a picnic.
After Lucy, Ankh, and the ones who had automatically followed along—Lucy's "exclusive Celestial Spirit," Natsu and Happy—climbed up Star Hill, they immediately saw Yukino waving at them.
"Oh! It's the girl from Sabertooth, called…"
Seeing Yukino, Natsu slapped his palm as he tried to remember her name, then blurted out.
"Haruno!"
Ankh gave him a strange look.
"Hehe… That's a lovely name too, but mine is Yukino," Yukino said with a smile.
Beneath her cool, elegant appearance, her personality was gentle, so she was not angry at all.
Natsu looked as though he had suddenly understood, while Lucy rolled her eyes at him speechlessly.
Then she looked around at the scenery and sighed.
"This really does seem like a nice place to host everyone."
Beautiful surroundings, clear weather, and an open view. Anyone who came here should feel happy, right?
Hopefully that mermaid lady thought so too…
"Ankh-sama."
Yukino politely greeted him, then asked, "May I ask where Angel-onee-san is?"
"After we returned from the royal capital, I've always wanted to find her and thank her personally for helping me before."
"And… Angel-onee-san makes people feel like they can't help wanting to get close to her. I want to become friends with her…"
Looking at Yukino's reddened cheeks, Ankh naturally understood what Sorano was thinking.
Sorano did not know how to face her little sister with her current identity, so she had never revealed the truth.
She cared about Yukino's situation, but she did not want to drag her into danger either, which was why she deliberately avoided her.
"She's at Ram Company. You can go visit later, she should meet you."
Ankh made the choice for Sorano without the slightest hesitation.
Yukino immediately showed a happy smile and nodded.
Some things were better spoken about early than left until they turned into melodrama later.
"All right, then I'll start first!"
After they finished discussing private matters, Lucy took out her key.
Lucy swung the Celestial Spirit key, and golden starlight shone.
A soft and delicate-looking girl appeared before everyone.
"I-I'm sorry…"
Aries, the apologetic and timid ram of the zodiac, appeared.
After hearing that Lucy and Yukino wanted to host the Celestial Spirits, Aries gathered her courage and stated her wish.
"I want to sunbathe!"
"Hm?"
Everyone present froze at once.
Aries quickly panicked and explained. Although she wore a cute, fluffy dress and had delicate, fair skin, she actually preferred getting tanned.
"That's easy!"
The moment Natsu heard that request, he understood.
Without hesitation, he sprayed a Fire Dragon's Roar toward Aries.
Lucy immediately bristled and cried out in shock!
However, after the flames swept past, Aries's natural wool dress had been roasted into a gyaru-style outfit, and her skin had turned into a healthy tan, making her look exactly like an energetic athletic girl.
"Thank you! This is exactly what I wanted!"
Aries cheered in satisfaction.
Ankh and Lucy could not help twitching at the corners of their mouths.
What kind of body was that?
Aries's wish had been unexpectedly easy to fulfill, so Lucy waved her key and continued their Celestial Spirit wish fulfillment operation.