"Please… don't hurt Sister Mira! If you're going to hit someone, hit me instead!"
The one who opened the door was the little girl from earlier—Lisanna.
"And me too!" Elfman stepped in front of her, arms spread wide, his body trembling with fear.
"Lisanna, Elfman, get back here!" Mira, dressed in a black cloak, spoke firmly as she stepped forward. "If you want to kill or punish someone, do it to me. But don't involve them—they're not possessed."
Her eyes were filled with determination as she stared at Ultear and Arlen—lingering the longest on Arlen.
"Don't worry," Ultear said gently, reaching out to pat Lisanna's head. "We're not going to do anything."
"Really?" Lisanna tilted her head. "But… weren't you hired by the village to deal with us?"
"Lisanna, come back." Mira quickly pulled her behind, her gaze turning wary again.
"Let me see your hand."
Arlen finally spoke, his eyes fixed on the arm that had briefly been exposed beneath Mira's cloak.
"…Fine," Mira said, lifting her chin stubbornly. "But make it quick. And don't hurt my brother and sister."
Arlen was speechless.
What exactly are they imagining…? If I wanted to act, I would've done so already.
Mira extended her hand.
It no longer resembled a human hand—
But a grotesque demonic claw.
Arlen took it lightly, examined it carefully, then released it.
"You're not turning into a demon," he said calmly. "You've unconsciously received the demon from the church."
"…What?" Mira froze.
"Does that mean Sister Mira will be okay?" Lisanna's eyes lit up with hope. Elfman and Mira both looked toward Arlen.
"That's right," Arlen nodded. "You have talent. Even without learning it, you've instinctively used Take Over Magic."
"That demon's power now resides within you."
"It's strong—very strong."
"But since you don't yet have the magical control to use it, it manifests like this… partial transformation in your arm."
"That's great!" Lisanna cheered. "I knew Sister Mira would be fine!"
Elfman nodded vigorously.
Only Mira remained silent.
Her head lowered, her hand gripping tightly onto her demonic arm.
"You don't need to worry," Ultear said softly. "Once you learn how to control Take Over Magic, your arm will return to normal."
"…I don't want it."
Mira's voice was low.
"I don't want this kind of power at all."
"Power itself isn't good or evil," Arlen said quietly. "It's the one who uses it that determines that."
"If you want to protect your brother and sister…"
"Then don't reject it."
"Turn it into the strength to protect them."
His voice was calm—
Yet it carried a weight that reached straight into the heart.
Mira slowly raised her head.
She looked at Arlen.
At Ultear's encouraging smile.
At Lisanna and Elfman's worried faces.
Then—
She took a deep breath.
Clenched her fists.
And bowed deeply.
"Please… teach me how to control this power!"
"I want the strength to protect Lisanna… to protect Elfman!"
"I'm begging you!"
Ultear smiled softly.
Lisanna and Elfman hugged Mira, tears in their eyes.
Even Arlen's usually indifferent expression softened—just slightly.
"Come with us," Arlen said, extending his hand. "To Fairy Tail."
"From now on… we're your family."
"…Thank you."
A long-lost smile appeared on Mira's face.
"My name is Mirajane Strauss."
She placed her demonic hand gently into Arlen's.
"Please take care of me."
"Pack what you need. We're heading back," Arlen said, glancing around the modest house.
The three siblings quickly gathered their belongings, each carrying a bulging bag.
Before leaving, they took one last look at the home they had lived in for so long—
Then turned away.
Without looking back.
There was nothing left worth staying for.
Arlen had Ultear handle things with the village chief. He had no desire to see those people again.
He left first with Mira, Lisanna, and Elfman.
Standing at a distance from the village, they could still hear the villagers cheering.
Mira bit her lip silently.
Lisanna and Elfman looked… angry.
"My lord Arlen, it's done," Ultear said as she returned.
"Good. Let's go."
Arlen stepped onto the carriage.
The others followed.
Mira stood last.
She looked back at the village one final time.
"…Goodbye."
Inside the swaying carriage—
"Brother Arlen! My name is Lisanna Strauss!" the little girl said brightly. "This is my brother, Elfman—and you already know Sister Mirajane!"
"I'm Ultear Milkovich," Ultear said with a smile. "You can just call me Ultear. And this is Arlen Viviamillio."
"Hey," Mira nudged Arlen with her elbow. "Why do you always look so cold? With a face like yours, it's such a waste."
Arlen glanced at her—
Then closed his eyes again, returning to meditation.
"Hey! What was that look? So rude!"
Mira huffed, standing up—
Thunk!
Her head smacked straight into the carriage ceiling.
"Ow—!"
She clutched her head, baring her teeth in pain.
Lisanna and Elfman covered their mouths, trying not to laugh.
Even Ultear couldn't help but chuckle softly.
This is all Arlen's fault! Mira fumed internally. If not for him, I wouldn't have embarrassed myself like this!
Because of Mira's condition, they minimized stops, only resting when necessary.
After several days of travel—
They finally arrived at Magnolia.
"Wow… it's so lively!" Elfman exclaimed, eyes wide.
"Are we really going to live here?" Lisanna clung to Arlen's arm, swaying it excitedly.
"That's right," Arlen said. "This is Magnolia—home of Fairy Tail."
"How is it?" Ultear asked gently.
Mira nodded.
To the three of them, who had never left their remote village—
Everything here felt new.
Alive.
"Let's go," Arlen said. "We'll handle your arm first. After that, you can explore as much as you like."
They stopped in front of the guild.
Laughter and noise spilled out from inside.
Mira, Lisanna, and Elfman stood there—
Nervous.
Yet hopeful.
Ultear pushed open the doors.
Turned back with a smile.
"Welcome…"
"To Fairy Tail."
—------------------------------
Pat reon Advance Chapters: patreon.com/FicWarden