If you stared at a map of the country of Fiore, you will notice a large bold dot in the middle labelled Magnolia. That's right. Why don't you check it out someday? No doubt you'd be instantly hypnotised by its quaint apartments and the sparkling blue horizon, stretching so far you can't find its end. And it is in Magnolia where our story of Lucy Heartfilia – and the five young men who will play a very significant role later on – is going to take place.
So… Let's continue. Oh, and did I inform you that the date is 29th January, X785? I didn't? OK, well, now you know.
The commencement of the new school year for 16-and-a-half-years-old Lucy who will be going to Magnolia Faery Academy starts with an astonishing twist. Before we begin, let me introduce you to the school where only children of the rich and famous attended. Being the top educational institution in Magnolia, it is composed of seven totally grand dormitories: three for the girls and four for the guys. However, the fourth one (nicknamed by students as The Wreck) is a special exception.
Don't get me wrong. The six other quarters are all fabulously luxurious, put together by this renowned interior designer who has fantastic taste for oak furniture and beautiful French doors. It is only until you have stepped into The Wreck – but it's strictly off-limits to outsiders so if you don't wish to be caught by the headmaster snooping, you better stay out. Bit of an advice from me – can you recognise the disparities between them. The occupants are these five SUPER élite male students in the school, basically kin of the five wealthiest entrepreneurs and personalities in Fiore.
First, there's the grandson of Cheney Electronics Corporation's CEO: Rogue. He's like a math problem too difficult to solve. Don't believe me? No, really, I mean it. Nothing special happens in the daily life of this black-haired, red-eyed young man who despises conflict and discord between humanity. Day by day he is overwhelmed by unwanted attention from teachers who make him answer questions on the blackboard he barely understands, and secret photos taken of him posted on social networking sites by some over-obsessive fan-girl determined to crack his nutshell. Nowhere in the world is special to Rogue other than the school library. Side-note: he sleeps with Trimmer's Romantic Philosophy close at hand.
You see that gorgeous orange-haired guy standing over there? That's Loke Celeste – the son of Sequoia Crow, Fiore's most respected actress. He's a playboy like you will never believe and since he was fourteen, has never been seen without a girl for more than a week. Loke is an actor, having followed his mother's footsteps, but he mostly works part time because Ms Crow is reluctant to have her son pursue a career so early and affect his schooling. Mostly Loke takes on roles as the protagonist in these dark supernatural romantic soap operas that are only ever watched by stalkers and fans alike who salivate at his excessive good looks. He's even modelled and interviewed and featured for Sorcerer Weekly many times. So far, to admit, none of the girls he's dated were who he wanted to settle down and get serious with. He is currently lying in wait for that 'special girl' he's always dreamed of.
Sting Eucliffe is your typical all-around good guy, plus champion of the soccer team, active member of the social justices club and a born katana wielder. That spiky blonde hair, lazy smile and glorious body of his make him the second most sought after by girls. Not only is he handsome – as all the guys in The Wreck are, anyway – he is also extremely kind and will lend a helping hand without being asked.
Tripped over? Sting comes to the rescue, helps you up and insists to take you to the nurse's office even if the wound is just a scratch. Because he's persistent like that, mind you. Having trouble with geometry? Not a problem for the founder of the Maths Societies Club. Need a shoulder to cry on? You've got one right there. Rumour has it he is to take over his father's private security business, Fiore's most powerful company. As for the latest record, his family is currently the third richest in the kingdom.
Remember how your mama always recited 'Never judge a book by its cover' to you? I seriously can't stress that line enough... Anyway, I just hope that you don't make this sort of stupid mistake, because you never know. You might just end up never seeing a person's true colours, perhaps even under- or overestimate him. Take Laxus Dreyar, for example – the poor guy. Lots of people are intimidated by that badass look and scar over his right eye (it totally sparked the students' debate).
But in reality, Laxus is just this kind, innocent young man who happens to be born with the face of a guy who's been in so many fights he lost count. His gentleness is so great he refuses to kill a mosquito and thus, in the end has to suffer a mile-wide rash on his arm. While his only friends are receiving anonymous love letters from God knows whom, Laxus' name is never included in any girl's Top Potential Boyfriend list. It's sad that some people haven't made the effort to talk to him, hence putting Laxus in such desolation he hates himself.
Last, but never least, is Natsu Dragneel whose main goal being born is to live through life's dramas. His name and family is never not mentioned in the newspapers' headlines and columns. God knows why, because he is the son of Igneel and Grandine, the king and queen of Fiore. Every time there are formal inspections held by the royal family, His Highness is sure to be at hand and I don't know how they even find out, but there will always be a horde of rowdily impatient girls lying in wait as though they're waiting for some great wizard to just conjure the prince out of thin air.
And hey presto, the wizard has done it! Natsu Dragneel finally puts in an appearance and, oh, the fandom! Absolute pandemonium, I tell you. They threaten to rip apart the aisles, chase Natsu down the street that even police escorts and numbers (give or take a few thousands) of security guards are required to keep them in order. Flaking out and screaming, the fans are in such a state that they nearly kill themselves from an overdose of Natsu Dragneel fangirling.
Natsu D-mania, the reporters term it.
Do you think that this have made him consider marrying any of them, or impressed him any more than it did? Heck, no. Now Natsu just thinks that all girls must be nuts. He's even declared he will never, like ever, fall in love.
Some princes are just so damn arrogant and such ridiculous snobs, but not all of them, of course. Natsu is barely one under that category but if any of you signorinas are seeking for a boyfriend, then I REALLY recommend you join in the pursuit… But I doubt there's any hope for you, no offence.
Just imagine the hell lot of competition you'll have trying to make him eat out of your hand. Besides, you're not the only one who's been in love with him the whole time. Don't forget the others too, so be more considerate. Sheesh. And I don't think it's that surprising to note all the girls at Magnolia Faery Academy – well, the majority who don't have Valentines on February 14th, that is – are heads over heels in love with him.
About 95% of the anonymous love letters sent by his fellow single female peers are addressed to him. None of them are answered or even opened, but they are stored in a shoebox under his royal bed back in the palace.
True, he is the best looking in the school. But more importantly, Natsu is also extremely loyal, honest, kind, dependable and protective of his family and friends. And how do they even know this in the first place, anyway? But they have voted these are the most important qualities in a guy. Yet there's only flaw about Natsu that's making them all groan in exasperation: his (supposed) denseness. Natsu is as dense as a rock. For years, girls have had trouble trying to capture his attention with fluttering eyelashes and skimpy clothes and exposed cleavages.
But I'll let you in on a secret. That's all just an act to make himself look unreachable and another very important reason which will be revealed later on. Natsu is in truth a very smart guy and isn't unaware of anything, as he makes himself seem to be. He knows fine well the excitement that ensues when he's around women, as well as their vain attempts to flirt with him. But, in order to frustrate them further and I wonder if it's out of spite or what, Natsu just pretends not to notice.
The sight of beautiful women does not excite him in the least. Sure, his other friends (female acquaintances of his outside The Wreck) are great beauties but even they don't make him feel mad with desire or the need to propose to them in the future. To him, they are just good friends for life.
That's all.
A second annoying fact about Natsu is that he can be quite argumentative with women. He bickers with his sister Wendy and his mother and people of the opposite gender as much as he makes a scrap with Gray and Gajeel. Except 97% of the girls he argues with never care at all or takes his brazen words to heart because they are so blinded by their love for him. They will later make each other jealous by texting to claim Natsu spoke to them.
However, these five SINGLE young men don't know that this year, something is going to change their lives forever and their outlook on what is known as life. A radiant golden light will shine through their hearts and make them fall at its feet.
And I don't even need to tell you who that 'golden light' is.
Now, as we go on with the story, we see Lucy making her way through a sea of students to the main office, pulling an enormous Louis Vuitton suitcase behind her and walking lopesided as she struggles to manage two 75 kg carry-on leather bags that is packed to the brim with extra clothes and study materials and books from home. The school is bigger than she'd imagined, though nowhere as big as the Heartfilia estate. No one pays her the slightest bit of mind. The time when the boarders return school is always the most exciting. Because everyone hasn't seen each other for two and a half months, it's gossip galore.
What happened on TV. How much your family's company made in investments last month. What hot guy/girl chatted you up in the holidays. Which soccer team won in the Semi-Finals broadcasted on TV. What kind of nagging your parents did in the holidays, if they nagged. Who is the hottest guy/girl in Sorcerer Weekly. Why is he/she the hottest guy/girl in Sorcerer Weekly.
Lucy enters a brightly lit air-conditioned room and goes up to the front desk. "Hi," she says. "I'm the new student, Lucy."
"Oh it's you," says the beautiful receptionist who at first sounds indifferent but then greets her with a warm smile. "The Lucy Heartfilia whom everyone's been talking about!"
"Uh, yeah, that's me," Lucy laughs awkwardly.
"Gosh, you look even prettier in real life! I am Miss Mirajane Strauss, by the way, but please. Call me Mira. How lovely to have met you. Have you come for your room and timetable?"
"Yes."
"I have your timetable over here, but about your room... There seems to be some issues regarding which dorm you will be living in."
"What is it?" Lucy asks quietly, as if afraid of the answer she is to receive.
"All the girls' dormitories are full," Mirajane tells her. "But there is somewhere else we can put you in (I hope you won't mind) which is The Wreck."
"The what?"
"The Wreck," Mirajane repeats. "It is Magnolia Faery Academy's grandest lodging. I hope it's comfortable enough for the daughter of Heartfilia Concern." She directs Lucy's eyes to a photo of the most extravagant room Lucy has ever seen, with a diamond chandelier, hanging artworks painted by a skilful hand and a fluffy wool carpet.
"Are you serious, Miss Mira? I-I-I can really stay there? You sure?"
"Of course you can! We've even prepared the bed for you, just so you would be comfortable. But I hope you don't mind that –"
"Wow, really?" squeals Lucy. "Thank the stars! I'm in luck!"
"I just need to remind first of all that –" Mirajane gets broken off instantly.
"Oh, and look at that! It has a fireplace, of all things! I've never even had a real one in my own room!"
"... you'll be rooming with them," she trails off quietly to herself.
Lucy's eyes glimmer with such excitement that eventually shuts Mirajane up. Should she be so cruel as to ruin the new student's happiness? She gives a sigh of helplessness. Well, it's up to Lucy to find out the embarrassing truth.
"I just hope you won't regret your decision," the receptionist whispers to herself, but Lucy overhears.
She giggles at Mirajane's presumed unnecessary concerns. "What's to regret? It's the loveliest room I've ever seen. Don't worry, Miss Mira, I will be perfectly fine!"
The beautiful woman, with her sleek white hair and kind blue eyes, sighs but presents her with the room key and points to a large octagonal house that is to be Lucy's residence this and in the coming year. As she leaves, Mirajane stares at Lucy's retreating figure and whispers good luck in her stay there.
~XXX~
A breath of wind tousles her blonde hair as Lucy makes her way to the house. Questions start to amalgamate in Lucy's pretty little head. Like, why was the house given such a crude name as The Wreck? Why is the dormitory built in the enormous courtyard but not in the school building? Were they trying to isolate it from everyone else? Now Lucy seriously wants to back out but when she thinks through it again, she decides living alone is better after all.
The exterior is painted snow-white yet gives off a sparkling glean when radiated by sun-rays. Its solid chimney is like a giant slab of toffee stuck onto the roof. On the black windowsill sits a row of potted geraniums, red as blood. Now, why did she think that? When she lets herself in, to her surprise, there isn't one king-sized bed but six! Well, one's for her, but what's with the five other beds? She thought she was going to room on her own! And it seems these people, whoever they are, have arrived earlier before her, dumped their bags and went out. Though it's not as bad as it seems, having five other girls to room with.
Lucy begins to pace about the room, admiring its tasteful alpine furnishings in preparation for coming winter and elegant décor. And oh, the little fireplace is such a beauty! She pirouettes around in glee, and then unpacks some fresh clothes and goes to take a shower.
About an hour or so later in the evening, Lucy (with only a red towel wrapped around her curvaceous body) strolls into the room and is towel-drying her hair when the front door opens. In steps five young men who immediately stop in mid-conversation and mid-laugh, and gape at the half-naked Lucy standing in front of them. Rooted to the spot, Lucy's cheeks flare up in anger and embarrassment.
"KYAAAAAAAAAA!" she shrieks and flings the nearest chair in their direction. One of them, strong as he appears, smoothly grasps its leg and calmly puts it down next to the bed. He has spiky platinum-blonde hair and a dangling earring adorns his left ear. A sports captain of some sort. Good-looking, but not her type.
"W-W-Who the heck are you guys?! A-A-And what're you doing in my room?!" Lucy hotly demands, hugging the towel tight, just in case it slips. That will make the current situation even worse as it is.
"That's our line!" a boy with pink hair says. "What the hell is a woman doing in our room?"
"What? Your room?" Lucy echoes stupidly, her face growing redder.
"Yes, this is OUR room! How did you even get in this house?!"
"I was allowed to stay here. If you don't believe me, ask the headmaster! And how should I know that –"
"That this house was reserved only for men," the boy finishes, glaring at her. "You're lying. No way would they let a girl live in this dorm. I'm going to ask Gramps..."
As he tries to head out the door, one of them, a young man with black hair, takes a hold of his shirt and pulls him back with quite some force. "Let's hear her side first," he says.
"Go ahead, let him ask," Lucy says. "I doubt it'll get him anywhere."
The boy opens his mouth, as if to spit back something equally biting in reply. But the drop-dead-gorgeous one who caught the chair earlier hushes him, steps forward and politely acknowledges Lucy. "My sincerest apologies for the intrusion, miss. Had we known of your presence, we would never have invaded your privacy in such a vulgar way. I gather that you are a new student to the school, am I correct?"
"Yes. I just arrived this afternoon."
"Oh, then there is nothing to worry about. I believe Mr Dreyar has forgotten to notify you of the nature of this dormitory. You mustn't blame him; his old age limits his memory. And forgive my friend here for his uncivil manners. He isn't used to encountering beautiful women such as yourself in his domain."
When he catches Lucy's eye, the pink-haired boy glowers at her and turns away with a huff. She rolls her eyes in annoyance.
"It wasn't the headmaster's fault or anyone else's," Lucy says in a matter-of-factly way. "It was Miss Mirajane Strauss, the secretary, who told me they couldn't fit me in the girl's dormitories because they were all full. I was left with this as my only choice... Although, it would've been helpful if Miss Mira had told me earlier who I was expecting to stay with or was that what she was doing the entire time..." Lucy trails off quietly to herself.
Everyone standing in the room is silent until the young man speaks up again. "Well, seems like that's that then," he sighs and then smiles. "But nevertheless, I bid you welcome to our bungalow, The Wreck. My name is Sting Eucliffe, son of Sir Weisslogia Eucliffe." He bows. "And you, my lady?"
Being called 'my lady' seems to be too much for Lucy. That is her mother, and always will be. Her parents have only ever called her by her real name, while to underlings and the like, she is just 'Miss Lucy'.
"I am Lucy Heartfilia, of Heartfilia Concern." Remembering her manners and considering his gracious etiquette towards her, she gives a small curtsy. Sting bows again. What a gentleman he is, so unlike that rude pink-haired bastard!
A dashing young man with gelled orange hair kisses the top of her hand, making her blush all over again. "Who would've thought that the daughter of Heartfilia Concern was such a beauty? Allow me to introduce myself. I am Loke Celeste, son of the actress Sequoia Crow. At your service." He straightens, motioning to the rest.
"You see him? That's Rogue Cheney with the black hair. Next to him is Laxus Dreyar," Loke continues.
Lucy stares at Laxus, noting a little resemblance. "You're the headmaster's…"
"He's my grandfather," the blonde man with the scarred eye explains.
"Then why did Pinky over there refer to him as 'Gramps'?" Lucy asks. "What's his connection with him?"
"Don't you dare call me Pinky, woman!" the boy snaps.
"And, as you've already encountered, that is Natsu Dragneel," Sting adds. "Otherwise known as Prince Natsu of Fiore, the son and heir of King Igneel of Fiore."
"W-What?!" Lucy stutters. "H-He is the PRINCE?"