Today is the day. I'm finally able to join a wizard guild. I passed wizard school with outstanding grades, and ever since, I have honed my skills to the max. Now the time has come for me to choose a guild to join, and I already decided that I'm aiming for number one. So it doesn't make sense for me to join any other guild than the number one guild in Magnolia. Plus, I'm looking for a certain someone.
"There it is!" I say as I run towards the building I spot just over a distant hill.
As I run, I jump over ledges, dodge chimneys, all while doing my best to avoid loose tiles. I'm not in the mood to plummet three stories down onto an innocent bystander or a merchant's stand. Yes, it's dangerous to be running on roofs, but that doesn't mean that I intend to fall. I might have just jinxed myself, because not even a step later, I trip, slip off of the roof, and start rolling down the hill, uncontrollably. After a lot of rolling, and a few occasional screams from the people I almost bowl over, my face slams into a brick wall.
"Ow," I groan, as I get up off the ground. Then I look up and my eyes start to sparkle, because standing right in front of me was the guild building.
I smile really wide, and I can't hold in my excitement. That's where the worry kicks in, turning my smile into a frown. What if I don't fit in? What if I'm not good enough? I clap my hands to my cheeks and shake the negative thoughts out of my head. I know I'm good enough, and I will fit in. I have been dreaming of being a part of this guild ever since I became a wizard, so I'm not going to back down now. I take a deep breath and outstretch my arms to open the door, and slowly walk inside.
I imagined a place with everybody talking together, sitting at tables, eating. You know, a civilized place worthy of the title of number one guild. What I got is the complete opposite.
I am almost immediately greeted with a table, a chair, a bowl, a plate of food, a sword, and what seemed to be…teeth? I dodge the objects that are hurdling at me, and immediately look to see what is going on. For some reason, everybody was brawling, throwing all kinds of magic at each other: fire, ice, water, iron, plant, and a bunch of others that don't come to mind. The variety of magic and weapons is astounding, though. For some reason, I even spot a pair of jean arise from the chaos, flying through the air.
Somehow, through all the ruckus, a young woman approaches me. She has long, white hair that slightly curls at the ends. Right above her forehead is a short, upward ponytail. She is wearing a sleeveless, ankle-length maroon dress with a pleated skirt. Her chest is adorned by a large, pink bow. The woman also wears high-heeled shoes that match her dress, a necklace with a blue oval gem attached to it, and a bracelet made of white flowers around her right wrist. I can't believe my eyes, because I know exactly who she is.
"Aren't you Mirajane Strauss?" I ask questioningly. The hot swimsuit model in Sorcerer's Magazine, I think to myself. I don't want to say that aloud, because it would most likely result in me getting punched in the face.
The woman smiles back at me. "Wow, I didn't think I was that popular. But yes, that's me."
I had always thought of Mirajane as a cruel person that terrorized everyone around her. After all, her nickname is "The She-Devil". It turns out that she has a sweet, caring personality.
"So what brings you here?" Mirajane asks me.
"I would like to know if I can join this guild," I respond.
"Okay, then. Right this way."
I follow Mirajane through the brawl. Like before, she passes through without being affected in the least, so I decide to stay close and avoid getting involved. Once we finally get across the battlefield, Mirajane walks behind the bar. I take a seat at the bar and wait, patiently.
Sitting next to me is another young woman. She has long, mid-back length brown hair. Two shoulder-length strands of hair frame her face. She wears a light blue bikini top, a pair of capri pants, and a light belt covered in heart motifs loosely tied around her waist. She also wears a pair of high-heel sandals, a pair of metal bracelets on her upper arms, and three simple, round metal bracelets on her right wrist. She also carries a huge barrel of beer.
"Hey, you," she calls me out. She is obviously drunk, because she has a very giddy voice. "I haven't seen you here, before. You new here?"
"Yes, I am," I reply.
"Oh. I'm Kana." She holds out her hand after taking a drink of her beer. "Pleased to meet you."
I shake her hand. "The pleasure's all mine."
Shortly thereafter, Mirajane walks back into the room. "Well, you're all set," she says to me. "All you have to do, now, is get the master's approval."
I can hardly hold in my excitement. I'm just a step away from my lifetime dream. "So, where can I find the guild master?"
My question is answered seconds later, as the ground shakes beneath my feet. I turn around but there is no light, even though there was, just seconds ago. I look up and realize that there is huge figure blocking the light. Before I can jump out of my pants, the large figure begins to shrink. What is left is a short, elderly man. He is bald, except for the white hair on the outer rims of his head. He has a thick, white mustache. He wears a white shirt covered by an orange hoodie, matching orange shorts, and an orange-and-blue-stripes designed jester hat.
"Hiya!" he greets me.
"This is our guild master, Makarov," Mirajane introduces. "Master, he wants to join the guild."
Makarov stares at me closely. "Well, we just got another newcomer a few days ago." He pauses and thinks for a moment, which scares me. "Oh, what the heck. The kid can join."
If I wasn't in the presence of Makarov, I would be jumping around, screaming, and acting like a gorilla that had gone bananas. The gratefulness and excitement is just so overwhelming. My lifelong goal is complete…almost.
"So, tell me a little about yourself, kid," Makarov says to me.
"My name is Inuyoku Sasaki, I'm 16 years old, and I'm a fire wizard."
"Okay, then, Inuyoku. Welcome to Fairy Tail." He looks at Mirajane. "Would you do me a favor and give Inuyoku his official guild mark? I have a few things to do."
"Sure thing, Master." Mirajane replies, as Makarov walks upstairs.
"See you around, kiddo." He says before disappearing up the stairs.
Mirajane directs her attention to me. "So, where do you want your guild mark to be applied?" she asks, as she walks behind the bar counter and pull out a magic stamp from one of the wooden drawers.
I point to the upper part of my right arm. "Right here, please."
I watch as Mirajane presses the magic stamp onto my arm and an orange guild mark appears in its place.
"There you go. Now you're officially a member of the Fairy Tail," she says with a smile.
I feel like a heavy weight is lifted off my shoulders with just those few words. I have officially completed my lifelong goal. Fairy Tail is now my will and my way. But something feels off. I just got accepted into the guild, but I get the feeling that I'm forgetting one very important thing. And, then it hits me.
"Would you excuse me for a moment?" I ask Mirajane, as I walk into the heat of the brawl.
"Sure thing. Just be careful!" she calls after me.
I continue to walk to the center of the brawl, where a wooden table stands. When I get there, I grab a wooden chair that sits next to it and put it on top of it. Then, I jump on top of the chair.
"Hey!" I yell. The brawling stops, and everyone stares at me. I never was one to enjoy public speaking, but after officially getting into the guild, I had all sorts of confidence.
"Who the hell are you?!" someone yells from the back.
"My name is Inuyoku Sasaki. I am a fire wizard."
"So?! What do you want?!" someone else yells, but their attitude doesn't affect me.
This is it. There's no turning back, now. I take one last deep breath.
"Natsu Dragneel! I challenge you to a fight!"