The evening's event was commencing and the organizers spoke once more.
"Welcome back everyone to tonight's events! We are going to start off by all participants briefly introducing themselves to the crowd and afterwards you will be treated to refreshments while you mingle with your fellow participants."
Gajeel watched from afar as everyone took their turn introducing themselves. He scanned the crowd after growing bored with the losers talking about dumb shit.
He sneered when he spotted that knot head Alpha from earlier in the crowd chatting it up with several females who were enraptured with the playboy.
"Hmph. Those idiots have no idea that it's all an act. Kudos to you Shrimp for not falling for it."
Gajeel let out a pleased huff of air remembering the hilarious scene of an Omega putting an Alpha in their place.
Gajeel perked up and looked toward the stage after hearing a familiar voice on stage.
Levy stood nervously as she talked into the microphone with her hands behind her back and a shy expression on her blushing face.
"G-good evening everyone. My name is Levy McGarden. I'm a translator and researcher by trade…I love to read books. A-and I'm fluent in about 50 different languages and I'm also a Solid Script Mage… Uhm… t-that's it I suppose. Thank you for your time."
Gajeel watched amused as she gave a small bow and awkwardly hurried off stage, he could see her trying to fix her hair that had become loose from her headband.
"Gihi~ Figures that the Shrimp would be Queen Nerd."
"Excuse me Sir, but you need to head towards the stage."
Gajeel turned to see a staff member approaching him.
"Tch. Yeah yeah. Let's get this over with." Gajeel said as he jumped over the crowd and landed on the stage. Catching everyone's attention as he yanked the microphone out of the hand of some random guy.
"Listen up cause I'm only saying this once! The name's Gajeel Redfox and that's all you fuckers need to know." Dropping the microphone he stomped off the stage as the crowd cleared away for him with people whispering about his crude demeanor and poor attitude.
"How horrid! What poor mate will end up with him?!"
"Look at those scars! He looks like a criminal."
"I can't imagine anyone agreeing to be his mate."
"Tch! Whatever, nothing I haven't heard before…" Gajeel thought as he stood at the edge of the forest, waiting out the event in solitude.
After a short while he stood there staring into the empty forest when he stomach gave out a loud grumble.
"I guess this is perfect timing then. I figured you were going to steer clear of the refreshments area."
Gajeel flinched as he suddenly found Levy standing behind him with a small shy smile on her face. Even better was that she was holding a large plate of food in her hand and she was offering it to him.
Gajeel stood there dumbstruck as he took in the situation.
"Come on now Gajeel, you remember me from earlier right? From the park?" Levy said as she placed the plate onto his hands.
"…What are you doing here?"
"I'm not too good in crowds and I saw you over here by yourself so I figured I'd bribe you with food so you would let me share your hiding spot…" Levy laughed nervously.
"What makes you so sure that I'd be so kind as to let some shrimp hang around me?" "There you go making fun of my height again! We only just met and you're already mocking me!" Levy scolded.
Gajeel's pierced eyebrows rose as he stood in disbelief at the backbone this Omega had to possess to stand up to him, hell to even approach him showed she had guts.
"And as incentive for letting me hide out here with you… I can make you something with my magic if that's acceptable…" Levy said with an unsure tone.
"Hmph. I guess for now this grub will act as enough payment for basking in my presence Gihi~" Gajeel laughed as he started to wolf down his meal.
After the food was gone, the two of them stood awkwardly as they tried to figure out what to talk about.
Gajeel scratched at the back of his head in agitation as he glanced at the woman next to him from time to time.
"S-so you mentioned on stage that you were a Solid Script Mage? What kind of magic is that?"
"Well basically my magic manifests whatever I write into what the word itself means. So if I were to write 'water' the word would turn into actual water."
"That type of magic suits a nerd like you."
"Haha! I suppose it does. Now how about you Mr. Mysterious? I didn't learn much from your introduction." Levy said sarcastically.
Gajeel smirked and posed proudly.
"I'm an Iron Dragon Slayer!"
"Wow! That is impressive. I hope you'll show me your magic some time! And if it's not too much of a hassle, I would love to talk to you about your magic." Levy said while looking at Gajeel with big innocent hazel eyes.
Gajeel blushed slightly as processed that this woman wanted to willingly spend time with him.
"I guess I got nothing better to do tomorrow.
Levy beamed at his agreement and Gajeel watched as she swished her right hand quickly in the air.
He saw the hand strokes begin to take shape into the word 'Iron' and looked back at Levy as she told him to get ready to catch it.
Baffled he put his hand underneath the word just as it solidified and plunged downward.
He easily caught it despite its weight and brought it up to his face to inspect it.
He gave it a sniff and his eyed widened at realizing that the entire thing was genuine iron.
"Go ahead Gajeel. It's edible, well at least to YOU it is." Levy watched as he took a bite.
"?!"
Gajeel eagerly chomped down the rest and let out a small shiver at feeling the rush of magic course through him.
"Not bad Shorty. Best iron I've ever tasted."
Levy blushed hotly at the compliment.
"T-thanks."
"Alright I've decided. If you agree to supply me with those whenever I crave it, I'll answer any dumb question ya got about Slayers. Hell I'll even let you watch Lily and me spare if ya want!"
"Ooohh, uhmm. Well if you don't mind? Y-yeah I'll take you up on that offer."
"We'll meet you tomorrow at the park once we're free from these moronic activities." Gajeel said with a huff, looking over he spotted people starting to leave.
"Speaking of, looks like we're free to go…"
"Seems like it… I guess this is goodnight Gajeel." Levy said as she gave a small wave before walking away.
Gajeel watched her go and couldn't help but perk up as he caught her looking back towards him with a smile on her face as she unconsciously tucked her hair back into place.
"Guess this event isn't so shitty…" Gajeel grumbled as he walked away.
Neither of them noticed that another Alpha was watching them, eyes staying focused on Levy.
"Hmph. What's that lowlife Alpha doing talking to my future mate. No matter, all will fall into place. Soon my little Omega… you'll be mine." Letting out an arrogant and possessive chuckle, the Alpha returned to town.