Chapter I

It was a day like any other, at least it seemed. The sun was just at its zenith and beamed brightly down to earth. Leisurely, I walked along the paved path that led me directly into the city. The closer I got to her, the more people I met .They were all in a good mood due to the warmth and the beautiful weather and gave the surroundings a very exuberant atmosphere. I had hardly entered the city, because there was a very different feeling around me. People bustled around the streets and alleys in good spirits, and at almost every corner there were booths where many people stopped and looked at the displays. Many others would probably have called such a day "beautiful" or "wonderful" and enjoyed the boisterous mood in this city, but I had not paid attention to such things for a long time. Maybe it sounded heartless, but I just did not really have a sense for it, but to be honest, it did not bother me much. For a long time I had not experienced any nice days and I was pretty sure that would not change that soon.

Leisurely, I walked through the streets of this city. The houses were all built of stone and many of them were adorned with colorful flowers , which helped to improve the dull gray of the buildings. Finally, on a wide street, I came to a large square where one of the city's landmarks stood. I was right in front of the imposing Kardia Cathedral, which stood at a tremendous height very far from the normal houses around it. It was completely made of stone and large impressive windows decorated the sides of the building. The condition of the cathedral was impeccable and even I had to admit that the sight was quite impressive.

From here it was not far to my destination, so it had been assured me at least by some people that I had asked for directions on the way. So I left the cathedral behind me and plunged back into the narrow streets and alleyways, passing in between a channel that ran across the city and in a short time actually had my goal in the nose.

For a moment I stopped and looked from a distance to the big stone building at the end of the path. It was quite high and the rooftop of the tile roof loosened up the gray colors of the stone walls. Countless windows and small ornaments adorned the façade, and at the top there was a sort of tower with a mighty imposing bell that flashed brightly in the sunlight. Around the building there was a stone fence that demarcated the property and directly behind it, the sea had to begin. At least you could hear the sound of the waves and the screaming of seagulls. Just below the belfry was a large orange flag with a white emblem on it.

Well, since I was standing right in front of this building, I wondered a bit about myself. Why exactly had I come here ? I had endured it alone for years and was coping well , but deep inside of me I had always felt this for a community and belonging to it. The feeling of finally having another place to return to. I had buried all these longings deep inside of me, telling myself that I would not need all this. The truth, however, was that every person needed a home and even though I still could not really admit it to myself, I needed those things to find myself again.

Sighing, I sat down again and walked towards the archway, which was connected to the stone fence. In large dark letters there was the name of the most famous and notorious guild in Fiore: Fairy Tail.

As I walked underneath, I shook my head again. Why this guild? I had asked myself that question again and again and again and again came to the same answer. Of course I had heard many things from other guilds too, but Fairy Tail seemed to strike me as a strange magnet. Just as if I felt that I would not find my way in any other guild except this one. It was strange to rely completely on my gut feeling, because otherwise I did it almost never. But I needed employment and belonging again, I kept arguing, as if to confirm myself that I was doing the right thing.

Without thinking about it, I laid the last few steps back to the big brown wooden door and pushed it open with a strong swing.

When I entered, I stood in a large wood-clad hall. Numerous tables and benches lined the room, where many people sat and talked with each other laughing. Behind it was a wide bar, behind which stood a pretty white-haired young woman smiling and serving the people. Right next to it was a broad table with a number of notes on it. Probably all the orders , I thought, letting my eyes wander around the room. Through the many windows, a lot of daylight shone in and dipped everything in a gentle and almost cozy atmosphere .

Some heads of the audience turned to me and eyed me in surprise. I looked into a few faces, but avoided giving a big welcome speech. I just wanted to speak to Master, more was not interested at the moment. Slowly I passed through the room and was well aware that many looked after me and looked at me questioningly. Silently, I made my way between the tables and benches and finally stopped in front of the wide bar. The woman behind the counter was a few years younger than me and looked curiously at me out of big blue eyes. She wore a light red dress with a pink bow in front of it and her long hair flowed down her shoulders in soft white waves. For a moment she looked a bit puzzled, but then gave me a big smile as I came to a stop in front of her. From close up, she was even prettier and sure she had some admirers here, I stated matter-of-factly, when I looked at her, but did not return her smile.

"Welcome to Fairy Tail.", She cheered happily and crossed her arms behind her back, "Can I help you maybe?"

Monotonously, I just looked at her and ignored her friendliness. " I would like to talk to the master. Is he in the Guild right now? "I told her and saw how she got a bit shaken by my repellent way.

"Um ... yeah, he's here," she replied, but held up her big smile , "he just went back, but he'd have to be back soon ..."

"Hello! Who are you, then? And why do you want to speak Opi? ", A striking voice suddenly boomed behind me and interrupted the young woman while talking. Amazed, I turned around and faced a young man. He may have been about the same age as the woman and had showy pink hair. He was wrapped in dark black clothes and was wearing white pants. Despite the warmth, a checkered white scarf was wrapped around his neck and he looked at me with a cheeky grin on his face. He was taller than me and seemed to be well trained. It seems a strong and impetuous young man.

"That's probably my business," I muttered, looking into his dark eyes. Stunned by my answer, he cocked his head and crossed his arms.

"But at least you'll be able to tell your name, right?" He said, his grin dying. I studied him a little further and when I did not answer immediately, he continued.

"So I am Natsu. I'm glad. ", He said and I had to admit that it was amazing that he still treated me so friendly. For a moment I kept looking at it before sighing and giving in. It would be stupid of me if I would separate myself from the others right from the start.

"Levi." I said curtly to him and he began to grin a little more. He was probably triumphing inwardly that he still had my name.

"That's a funny name," he said with a grin and my expression darkened immediately. Grimly, I gritted my teeth and took a step toward him.

"What's wrong with that, please?" I growled threateningly and Natsu's smile died instantly. He slightly pulled his eyebrows together and looked down at me.

"Now do not be so upset ... I just meant that ...", he said calmly, but from the corner of my eye, I realized that he was easily in a lunge position and actually looked ready to fight.

"Ah, master! There you are. ", Suddenly the bright voice of the woman behind me," Here is someone who would like to speak to you. "Gritting my teeth, I turned away from Natsu, after all, I did not want to face the master of this guild with one of the Create members.

"Oh, that's a surprise," said a small old man, who was suddenly sitting on the counter next to the young woman. A white, thick mustache graced his face, and only on the sides of his head , above his ears, did he have hair on his wore a light cloak and looked at me kindly from watchful eyes. His features were rather pithy and distinctive, and despite his small appearance, he exercised some authority. So that's Master Makarov of Fairy Tail, I'm a bit surprised by his appearance.

"What can I do for you, young man?" He asked gently and I crossed my arms as I stepped in front of him.

"My name is Levi, Master Makarov." I said to him, trying not to sound too dismissive, "And I would like to join Fairy Tail."

As I said this, I heard Natsu coughing behind me in surprise, and the woman behind the bar, too, puzzled her head for a moment. So they probably did not expect such a request.

The master now looked at me carefully from head to toe and just sat in silence for a felt eternity. "So," he finally said, looking me straight in the eye, " Basically, anyone who appreciates the community and the family is welcome."

I made no expression at his words and just kept looking at him stoically. Sure, I was not a family man, and I had usually struggled with other interpersonal relationships too, but at the bottom of my heart these things meant something to me. However, I would never really pronounce this and so I simply trusted the old man's judgment as to whether he judged me worthy of the Guild or not.

"Well ... why not?", He said and suddenly grinned again cocky, "I have a good feeling with you and I believe that you will enrich our guild."

I had to admit that I was a bit surprised by this reaction. I had expected all sorts of things, secretly preparing myself to persuade him to accept me, and now he simply nodded my request? A really quaint old man, but it certainly had his reasons for being the master of this famous guild.

"Thanks," I managed curtly and Master nodded benevolently to me, before he grabbed a mug from the counter and my business for him apparently was now ticked off.

"Well then, once again officially welcome to Fairy Tail." Again, the woman behind the bar spoke up and put already a small brown case on the table. With quick movements, she opened it and produced a kind of stamp showing the emblem of Fairy Tail.

"By the way, I'm Mirajane.", She said smiling and beckoned me closer, "Where would you like to have your guild sign?"

Frowning, I walked slowly straight to the counter, so I stood directly opposite her and silently stretched out my right arm. On my forearm at the level of the wrist, she gently pressed the stamp on my skin. For a moment I looked questioningly at my arm when suddenly the guild sign appeared in a turquoise hue. Well, it was a done deal, I was an official member of Fairy Tail. But a little reverently I looked at the sign for a moment before I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Hey, no offense because of that," Natsu said next to me, grinning at me, "And welcome to Fairy Tail, Levi."

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