"" - Speech
'' - Thought
[] - Sacred Gear
[] - Dragons
...
Merlin groaned as the beeping of his alarm clock woke him up, groggily groping out with his left arm so he could turn it off even as he Re-Quipped his glasses out of a bad habit as he turned it off before slumping back into his bed as he noticed a pair of arms tightly holding onto his waist as he muttered tiredly "I was sure I went to bed alone last night unless Cana had somehow managed to get Lucy drunk again… but I do still have my pyjamas on so can't be that"
[No… The magic circle hasn't been in use since Erza left] Tiamat answered amused, Merlin nodding sleepily before pulling back the sheets to see Aya sleeping with her head on his chest and wearing a tank top and panties.
"What the…!?" Merlin shouted surprised, finding himself fully awakening upon realising who had snuck into his room. Aya moaned, oddly sensually, as she rubbed her face against his t-shirt before opening her eyes to offer him a sleepy smile as she spoke
"Mornin' Husband"
"Aya-san, what are you doing here? And I'm not your husband" Merlin replied, trying and failing to wriggle out of the [Rook's] grasp as she frowned as she countered, pushing Merlin back onto the bed as she sighed
"But its tradition in my family. The first man to see me naked is to be my husband and that… was you"
[Weird family tradition] Tiamat mused, Merlin shooting a mental glare to the dragon as he tried to change the subject and avoid being pinned to his bed in case Tsubasa comes to investigate as he spoke
"Let's get ready for school and we'll talk about this later"
"Merlin-san! Breakfast is ready!" Tsubasa called, knocking on the bedroom door before looking into the room, her eyes narrowing in jealousy. She was already dressed in her school uniform with a white apron over the top.
"What are you doing Aya-chan!?" Tsubasa shouted jealously, pointing at the ginger haired girl who smiled innocently as she replied
"Just explaining things to my husband"
"Husband!? Merlin-san isn't your husband" Tsubasa shot back, stomping into the room and pointing at Aya who frowned and was about to speak before Merlin spoke up
"We'll sort this out later"
…
"That's what I had to deal with this morning and why we were nearly late" Merlin spoke with a sigh as he sat in the Student Council Room for lunch. Kira and Madoka were both blushing while shooting jealous looks to Aya and Tsubasa who seemed to be giving challenging glares to each other while Kazehana and Kanu chuckled amused and Yukari frowned at her fellow Devils. Sona sighed at this surprising development before Reina clicked her fingers in realisation as she spoke
"I forgot about that tradition…"
"You should have warned him about it, Phenex" Sona spoke with a hint of annoyance, Merlin catching the jealous look from Saji aimed at him as Reina shrugged
"Not much I can do now…Aya, I just hope that this doesn't interfere with Merlin's progress and try and at least try and make your relationship normal"
"What do I have to after school?" Merlin asked, between bites of his meal, hoping that Aya would at least listen to Reina as Sona answered him first
"You'll have to do your leaflet duty again and then we'll look to getting you started with contracts." Merlin nodded in understanding as the conversation went back to more normal topics.
…
A blue haired young woman watched the teen through the pool of water before her, the large pair of wings extended from her long backless white dress showing that she was a fairy as she looked sadly at Merlin. She mentally cursed her twin sister for what she did to him and all just for trying to obtain power and wealth.
'Legends repeat and yet while they don't follow the same pattern the results end up the same' She thought sadly as she pondered over what to do to make it up for the mage, turning as she heard one of the other Fairies speak
"Ojou-sama you continue to watch that boy even after what…"
"Do not mention her name here, Gator…" The blue haired fairy replied seriously as she glanced back to see the redhead fairy pout in annoyance before bowing as she reported
"His staff is nearly repaired, Ojou-sama… But it won't be as strong as it once was"
…
Merlin smirked to himself as he played soccer in the gym lesson with the other guys of his year, Issei on the opposing team with this two perverted friends as he dribbled the ball while waiting for Kiba to get ahead so he could pass it as he faked Issei out and got past him.
[I guess all that training with Natsu and Gray helped your stamina] Tiamat mused, knowing that Merlin had originally done it to help his own stamina given that he had to learn to fight better in Fiore, due to magic being used at close range unlike what he was use to, as well as helping him holding his Artificial Balance Breaker together for longer.
'Yeah… but outwitting Hyodo is child play' Merlin thought as he flicked the ball up onto his knee before knocking it over the bald pervert and kicking the ball to Kiba who started running with it as Merlin moved to catch him up.
"Merlin-san!" Kiba called, passing the ball through another player's legs which Merlin quickly caught with his foot as he took a quick moment of mental geometry before shooting the ball at Saji, who was in goal, who barely missed getting contact of the ball before it hit the back of the net.
"Good work" Kiba spoke with a smile as other guys on his team celebrated briefly as he replied
"Thanks"
From the third years' classrooms and the female half of the second year who had paused in their own gym lesson, numerous students were gossiping as they watched the football match.
"Looks like Merlin is already in good shape" Kanu spoke to a blushing Yukari, who nodded, while Reina was watching her new [Bishop] get back to playing soccer as she added
"Yes, looks like we don't really need to go easy with his training either"
…
After school that day, Merlin entered the Student Council room with Saji in tow as the fellow [Pawn] asked "Why didn't you show you were that good before?"
"Oh, I was hiding remember. If I had showed anything off Kaichou, Phenex-sama and Rias-sempai would have started to pay attention to me" Merlin replied, Saji realising what the Magician was saying as he spoke
"I guess that makes sense…"
"I was rather surprised how athletic you were, Merlin… I guess this will make training easier once we get into it" Reina spoke after noticing the pair enter, Merlin nodding in understanding as he spotted Sona giving him a small smile as she spoke
"It looks like you have your first contract today, Merlin…Saji can you go along with him just in case"
"Right Kaichou!" Saji spoke eagerly as the pair moved to where Tsubaki was preparing the transportation magic circle.
…
When the magic circle faded, the two boys found themselves inside the storage room of some café with a brown haired man who was dressed in a waiter's uniform which consisted of a white shirt, black slacks, a black bowtie and a black apron which was tied around his waist, while the top of it was probably hidden.
"What would you like us to do?" Saji asked respectfully before noticing who was before him as he blurted
"Shinji, you need help with the café again?"
"Yeah, Saji, who's your friend?"
"Oh this is Merlin, he's new to everything" Saji replied as Merlin gaze turned confused as Shinji pulled out two clothes hangers with waiter's uniforms on them
"That's great I need all the help we can get" The two devil accepted the uniforms as Shinji quickly left to prepare whatever he had to.
"I didn't think I'd have to work as a waiter on my first job" Merlin spoke as he magically changed into them, Saji looking at him impressed as he spoke
"You've got to teach me how to do that"
"I will do after this" Merlin replied as he moved to head into the café to find out what Shinji wanted them to do.
…
"May I take your order?" Merlin asked respectfully as he stood at the table, a small notepad and pencil ready in his hands as he took the table of blushing girls' order before heading over to the kitchen to hand it in, noticing Saji was having a less happy reaction from the mostly female customers he served.
"How can you be so popular, it's your first time working here as well" Saji spoke as he handed in his table's orders as Merlin shrugged as he replied
"No idea…I'm not even this popular at school so it's as confusing for you as it is for me"
"I suppose your right…it's probably just luck" Saji sighed as he turned to find Merlin was taking another table's order, the girls embarrassed as they gave him the order, Saji's eyebrow twitched in annoyance.
…
It was evening when the pair returned to the council room by magic circle, both were still dressed in there waiter outfits as Sona and Tsubaki gave them a confused look, their cheeks pink as the former spoke
"What are you two doing dressed like that?"
"Shinji-san said we deserved to keep them after how well things went…and he would like us to help out next time he needs some" Saji spoke embarrassed, scratching the back of his head as Sona replied
"That's good…well why don't you go home"
"I'll teach you as we go, Saji" Merlin added as they started out of the room, closing the door behind him as both third years tried to focus back on their paperwork and failing
"Merlin-kun looked… good" Tsubaki spoke slightly embarrassed, Sona blush deepening as she spoke
"Yes…he did, didn't he?"
…
"It's mostly to do with imagination you know like what you use… just imagine the clothes on you and have some sort of trigger" Merlin spoke as he clicked his fingers his clothes swapping back to his school uniform as Saji nodded in understanding as he closed his eyes to concentrate before clicking his own fingers with nothing happening.
He sighed disheartened as Merlin added "I was taught by moving swords first from a few feet away to my hand. Clothes are even harder because it involves remembering what you have stored in your Re-quip dimension already. My teacher was rather tough about it as well, considering it was her style of fighting… anyway practice makes perfect"
"Guess I've got something to work on" Saji spoke with a sigh as they headed off the school grounds.
…
Merlin sighed as he attempted to enjoy the sun after school as he sat on a bench in a secluded park. He'd sent a few [Thought Projections] out to deliver leaflets in his stead, more as a training exercise for his demonically enhanced magic reserves than anything else.
'I can't believe I can hold five together at one time now… I could just about hold two barely together before but then I never trained this particular magic spell very much before' Merlin thought to himself, frowning as he picked up a familiar holy aura approaching him before a male voice spoke up
"Looks like Le Fay was crying over nothing…"
"Hello Arthur" Merlin replied, opening his eyes to regard the blonde English young man who nodded in response
"Hello Merlin… Looks like Heracles' boasting about killing you was a lie"
"No… He did kill me, I just got pulled back as a Devil but in my defence the muscle head had an anti-teleport spell by Georg to stop me from escaping" Merlin replied, sitting up on the bench as Arthur nodded in understanding
"Well they really wanted you out of the way then"
"How is my first student then?" Merlin asked, Arthur taking a seat next to him as he explained
"Le Fay is getting better with her magic through those books you gave her, but she misses you a lot and she cried a lot when she heard you died so she'll be happy to hear you survive."
Merlin offered Arthur a smile, moving a hand to dig out a piece of paper from his pocket before using a small amount of magic to create a magic circle on it as he spoke as he offered it to Arthur "This will let her get in touch with me… Just be careful it doesn't get into the wrong hands, last think I need is Georg able to break through my defences and those idiot heroes coming after me again"
"Alright…" Arthur said as he accepted it, folding it before putting it into his pocket as he glanced around
"Looks like we have some company…"
"Stray exorcists, great. I was hoping for a quiet evening" Merlin replied as the pair stood up, Merlin activating his [Chaos Cannon] while Arthur summoned [Excalibur Ruler] from his pocket dimension as he smirked and added
"I didn't think you had quiet evening with all those girls around you"
"Oi! I am not a pervert like the Sekiryuutei…" Merlin shot back, Arthur unsheathing his sword as he took in the group of Exorcists before them as Merlin took aim as the blond added
"Not from what Jeanne told Le Fay… and she was rather imaginative, especially when she talked about your apparent size and skill"
"I've never touched that girl and she's spouting that off as if we are lovers…" Merlin grumbled with a blush, even as the fight started up and he was shooting exorcists with magic bullets while Arthur chuckled as he cut down another Exorcist with his holy sword.
The pair easily dispatched of their opponents, Merlin twirling his Sacred Gear before dismissing it while Arthur dismissed his sword after flicking off the blood as he spoke "Le Fay will be happy that nothing went on between you and Jeanne back then…"
"Yeah you tell her that and if you see Jeanne tell her to stop lying about my relationship with her… I better get back to my devil duties" Merlin spoke, glancing around and making dozens of small magic circles appear over the exorcist guns and swords before storing them into his Re-quip dimension as Arthur replied
"Nice to see that you're alright anyway… See you Merlin" Merlin gave him a nod and wave before Arthur left the area, Merlin going about clearing up the area of bodies.
…
"Sorry I'm late… I had a run in with a dozen exorcists" Merlin spoke with a sigh once he'd entered the SC (Student Council) room, Sona, Reina, Tsubaki and Yukari looking surprised as he took a seat on one of the sofas as Yukari asked concerned
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah I'm fine" Merlin replied, waving off the concerned looks the third years gave him as he added
"I managed to get some exorcist weapons as well so hopefully I can start working on a means to negate the backlash I get from light magic and even incorporate it into my Sacred Gear. Maybe create some anti-holy spells or shields"
"You can do that?" Reina asked surprised, Merlin nodding as he thought aloud
"Probably…It just a matter of working out how to alter the poisonous effect light has on a Devil, maybe even completely convert it into demonic energy instead to stop it completely" Sona and Reina stared impressed at Merlin as he started to scribble down notes onto a piece of paper before hiding them both.
"Would you like to play chess, Merlin-san?"
"Yeah go on then… I use to play it when I was younger" Merlin replied, missing Tsubaki's surprised look to Sona as she went about setting up the chess board.
As the pair played, the other Devils of both peerages returned and became engrossed in the game, both Merlin and Sona keeping up with the other's moves. Reina couldn't help to but be impressed at Merlin was able to keep up with Sona and even appeared to be winning in the latter half of the game.
"Amazing…" Sona spoke shocked, looking at the chess board and seeing she had lost to Merlin who was rubbing his temple as he spoke
"Darn… Never been pushed that hard before. That was a great game, Kaichou"
The other members of Sona's peerage whispered between them at the fact Sona had lost, Sona blushing at the compliment as she spoke "Thank you, you were an excellent opponent as well"
Reina looked impressed at the young man who stretched his arms above his head as he asked "So… Am I going to make a start with contracts or can I head home tonight?"
Sona shook her head, doing her best to clear her shock at the situation as she spoke "You can head home for now, Merlin… Something has come up"
"Alright…" Merlin spoke, curious as to what had happened as he made to leave for the day.
…
Merlin couldn't help but smile as he sat in his kitchen, looking at the purple coloured communication circle that was floating before him had a teenage girl with long blonde hair under a witch's hat looking at him shocked as he spoke "Le Fay… I thought you had an important question to ask?"
{S-Sorry Merlin-sensei! I-I just didn't believe Onii-sama when he told me you were alive} Le Fay replied embarrassed, Merlin smiling softly as he sat back and replied
"It's alright…Kinda would expect it being hard with the muscle idiot spouting it off proudly"
{…And Jeanne-san?} Le Fay asked nervously, Merlin blinking surprised as he replied
"Nothing happened, Le Fay… You remember how busy I was working with my magic back when I was around her… plus she always stared at me weirdly and wrote in that notebook of hers"
[You know… I think she had a thing for you…] Tiamat mused, Merlin sensing the shift in magic energy in his own home which he sensed a familiar magical aura as he spoke
"I've gotta go now, Le Fay… I'll speak to you soon"
{Goodbye Merlin-sensei!} Le Fay spoke cheerfully before the magic circle disappeared as Merlin leant back in his seat as he turned around as Tsubasa stepped into the room as she asked curiously
"Who was that?"
"Oh, just a student of mine" Merlin replied, much to her surprise as Aya stepped into the kitchen as well as she asked surprised
"You have a student already?"
"Yeah, of course… Let's just say there was a lot of pressure put on me to be the best so I ended up being sought after as the best tutor for magic at times despite the fact I was still learning stuff at the same time" Merlin replied, Tsubasa and Aya sharing surprised looks as they sat down at the table as the former asked
"So you can teach Magician's Magic to others…?"
"Yeah… Plus with some of the special styles with my friends, like Erza, I can teach portions of their magic as well" Merlin answered with a nod, Aya looking curious as she asked
"What magic does Erza-san use?"
"It's called [Re-Quip Magic] and allows someone to call weapons to them from a special [Re-Quip] space that's like a dimensional pocket. Erza can use an advanced form that allows her to change armour as well" Merlin explained, his tone fitting a teacher as he continued
"It tends to be good for weapon users as broken weapons stored there will be repaired in time depending on how much damage they have taken and also applies to clothes and armour stored in there. Also [Re-Quip] can be used to change the user's clothes so they can avoid embarrassment and keep fighting"
"Maybe we should talk to Kaichou about you teaching the rest of us?" Tsubasa asked thoughtfully, Merlin nodding in agreement before he spoke
"Let's go grab some food then" Merlin moved to stand up, only for both girls to push him back into the chair as Aya spoke sternly
"Oh no you don't. You are going to start eating better than just take out stuff"
"Yes. We both know how to cook so now we'll get some proper shopping in" Tsubasa added, Merlin being easily lifted out of his chair by the two [Rooks] and being pulled towards the front door as he tried to protest
"I can't go out to do shopping now… I was going to try and finishing working on my latest project. Plus it's not like I have time to learn to cook with the schedule I have at the moment between training, school and devil work I barely have time for my own stuff as it is"
"Don't argue back, husband!" Aya shot back, Merlin frowning as he was finally pulled out of the front door as Tiamat laughed loudly in his mind.
…
"Tomorrow Onii-san is coming" Reina started with a slight frown, Merlin blinking at the groans that came from Reina's peerage. They were sitting in an empty classroom to make the meeting more private before they would go to the Student Council room to go about their devil duties.
"So they are moving that forwards then?" Kanu spoke with a frown, crossing her arms under her chest.
"Moving what?" Merlin asked curiously, the girls looking at him as Yukari answered
"Rias Gremory's engagement with Riser-san"
"Wait… Rias-sempai is engaged to that ponce?" Merlin asked shocked, drawing smiles from the others even as Reina tried to keep it from her own face as she answered
"Yes. My parents made an engagement with the Gremory Clan between Riser and Rias. She's never been happy about it and I can understand given Onii-sama is a blatant pervert"
"He's even worse the Hyodo and that's saying something" Kazehana spoke in an oddly serious tone, drawing surprised looks from Merlin, Kira and Madoka.
"H-How so…?" Kira asked slightly nervously, Madoka looking askingly at the other young women in the room as Aya scowled and responded
"He assumed that because we're Reina-sama's servants that he has some right to try something with us but that soon stopped when Reina-sama incinerated his bits. Too bad that they grew back."
"Sounds like a douche and if he tries anything around me he'll have his ass kicked" Merlin spoke with a frown, the girls smiled brightly at hearing that before the blonde [King] spoke
"Well let's get going to the Council room to continue with normal Devil duties"
…
Merlin appeared out of the magic circle on his first contract for Reina, his eyes looking around as he realised he was in an empty dressing room with a middle aged man in a business suit standing before him.
"Hello. I'm Merlin, what is your wish?" Merlin asked formally, the man smiling as he nodded before speaking
"I need an assistant to help set up some of the props and lights for the concert today, Merlin-san"
"That should be fine" Merlin replied with a nod after checking the price of the wish, changing his clothes with his magic into a pair of jeans and a black hoodie so he wouldn't stand out in the school uniform he had appeared in as he asked
"Can you show me where I should get started?"
"Of course… There is something else that I want you to do if you can do it without anyone knowing about it…" The man spoke curiously, Merlin arching an eyebrow in curiosity as he asked
"I can see what I can do… What is it?"
"I want you to try and cheer up Rise Fujiwara, she is the person who the concert is for. She's been really down lately, I'll even cover for any escape you want to make to help her cheer up" The man explained, Merlin nodding as he tried to avoid blushing as he spoke
"Of course, sir… I'll see what I can do" With that the manager nodded with a small smile and lead Merlin to who he would be helping amongst the crew.
…
[Looks like you're enjoying this contract…] Tiamat spoke teasingly as Merlin finished with the last light that he needed to set up, wiping his brow with one of the sleeves before he made his way down the scaffolding as he mentally retort
'Now is not the time for you to tease me…'
[Oh, but I thought you were a fan of Risette? And now you have the honour of saying you took her out on a date] Tiamat countered, Merlin's face reddening as he shot back
'I am… But I can't exactly tell anyone can I? This is a Devil's contract'
Hopping down the last through rungs of the ladder, Merlin caught the eye of his summoner standing next to a depressed Rise Fujiwara and getting a nod as he moved away from her.
'Guess that's the signal to start on the real part of the mission' Merlin thought to himself, moving towards the copper haired young woman as he took a calming breathe as Tiamat teased
[Nervous are we…?] Merlin rolled his eyes mentally before he asked in concern
"Are you alright, Risette-san?"
Rise jumped where she sat, her eyes jerking up to meet his before averting out of nervousness as she replied "I'm fine…"
Merlin frowned at hearing that, taking a seat next to her as he replied "You don't sound like it… Sorry."
"It's alright…" Rise started, a slight smile forming on her face as she noticed Merlin looking around as he continued
"Why don't we make an escape from here for a while…? You deserve some time as a normal person. I think you have a few hours before you need to come back right?" Merlin gently took Rise's hand, making her blush as she nodded before her eyes widened as she asked
"H-How are we going to sneak out though without anyone noticing?" Merlin made a show of rummaging into the pockets of his hoodie before pulling out a dark colour flat cap which he'd made during his time in the Hero Faction. The cap would subtly alter someone's features from those around, making it a perfect disguise as it kept changing with each person that was viewing them, although he never shared the idea or showed the intricate enchanting in the cap to anyone so there was no chance of it being reproduced.
"This'll work…" Merlin spoke, holding out the flat cap to Rise who was looking over it warily as he added
"Just trust me this one time. If it doesn't work then…" Merlin shrugged as Rise pursed her lips before nodding as she took the cap as she spoke
"Alright…" Taking a moment to fit it on her head, tucking her copper hair into it as they headed over to the stage door, Merlin holding it open for her as Rise stepped out to see that it was devoid of the usual reporters and fans, her smile growing as she gripped Merlin's hand and started to pull him along.
…
"That was a great date!" Rise sighed happily as she walked next to Merlin, cuddling his arm, much the magician's embarrassment. The escape had turned into a date of sorts, having headed to the nearest family restaurant to enjoy a meal before they started to look around the shopping centre and around the town.
"Glad you enjoyed yourself…" Merlin replied with a smile, glad that Rise was out of her slump as they reached the stage door to the concert hall. Rise turning to face him as she took off the flat cap and shook her hair out as she spoke
"Thank you… I really needed a break with everything that was going on"
"It's alright, least I could do" Merlin countered, waving her off after she handed him back the flat cap, a quick kiss on his cheek drawing a darker blush from him before she headed inside.
[Well, well, well… Aren't you lucky? Getting hugged and kissed by your idol after a romantic date. I guess even the straight faced and serious descendant of the First Magician can still act like a normal teenager] Tiamat spoke amused, Merlin rolling his eyes which didn't detract from the blush on his face as he stored the flat cap into his pocket dimension as he thought back
'Tiamat! Please don't tease me… I'm completely allowed to relax at times and it's nice not to be seen as anything other than just a normal guy.'
[You know the girls would be jealous when they find out… And I don't think they really care about what you are more than who considering things.] Tiamat retort, Merlin sighing silently as he nodded and headed inside to find the manager as he mentally responded
'I guess you're right…'
"Ah Merlin-san!" Rise's manager called as he walked over, Merlin glancing around to see the man approaching him with a large smile.
"Thank you for helping Rise-san out."
"It is no problem sir… If she wants to see me again you should get her to summon me next time" Merlin replied, gaining a nod from the man as they moved inside.
…
Merlin slumped into a chair in the living room, his gaze focused on the novel he was holding as he took the time to relax. Aya and Yura was still on contracts meaning he was alone at the moment. Rise's manager had given him a few props which would be rare atop of the money for the contract, the former he had stored away so he wouldn't get any annoyed looks from the girls or Saji.
[Sure that's why you hid away a cardboard stand of Risette…] Tiamat replied amused, Merlin rolling his eyes as he continued reading, preferring to not give her a response before he felt his senses perk up in a familiar aura.
'Oh no…' Merlin thought with a nervous gulp, putting his bookmark into the novel in his hands and setting it down as Tiamat chuckled
[Too late to hide from them now]
"Merlin!" The familiar call of Lucy made Merlin turn nervously to the doorway to see the busty blonde look in, her eyes widening at spotting him as he spoke
"H-Hey Lucy…" Lucy blinked for a moment as she looked at him, her smile growing as she barrelled towards him and hugged him tightly and started shouting at him
"Y-You idiot! How could you…" Merlin patted her on her back as she started a tirade of how stupid he was to not call for help when he was attacked or how he had been avoiding the whole guild due to his devil duties. Glancing at the doorway he saw Lisanna and Wendy smiling brightly at seeing him and rushing to hug him as well, pinning him to his seat before Lucy slapped him.
"That is for not letting us help you and worrying us" Lucy ended, Merlin moving to rub his cheek as he replied
"I didn't want you to get hurt… There has been too many close calls before for you and the others. Tower of Heaven, Oracion Seis, that weird woman Daphne, Edolas…"
"You were involved with those fights as well and you should know by now we can take care of ourselves." Lucy replied, Lisanna and Wendy nodding as the former added
"She's right Merlin-san… We protect and help each other"
"The guy I was fighting shrugged off most of my magic attacks and superhuman strength. I even used Dragon Force on him and didn't cause nothing more than a few bruises" Merlin replied, getting looks of surprise from the three girls as he dipped his head and added
"I'm sorry for worrying you but I couldn't see how Natsu, Erza or even Gajeel could handle him if I was already having trouble against him and I really didn't want to risk any of you getting hurt"
"We understand…" Lisanna spoke with a smile, Wendy nodding as she added
"We want to keep you save as well Merlin-san… Everyone was worried about you when you didn't show up that day"
"Wendy's right… We were worried that you weren't there to see us off onto our mission, Merlin" Lucy spoke with a concerned look, Merlin looked saddened at hearing that before Tiamat spoke up
[You should get him to take you out to make up for it]
"T-Tiamat!? You can't be serious" Merlin spoke surprised, noticing the weird glint in Lisanna and Lucy's eyes while Wendy giggled as Lisanna and Lucy spoke together
"That's a great idea…Dinner would be a start of an apology for making us worry"
Merlin sighed in defeat, knowing he wouldn't be able to win against one of the girls let alone the three of them as he nodded and replied "Alright… I know a good place in town"
…
Merlin smiled as he sat in the family restaurant that he was sitting in with Lucy, Lisanna and Wendy, who were having trouble with using the chopsticks, demonstrating how to hold them. Lisanna was next to him while Lucy was opposite and Wendy sat next to her.
"Here let me help" Merlin spoke, placing his own chopsticks down before reaching over to help Lucy fix her grip while not noticing the blush that spread over her cheeks.
"That's better right? Just remember to keep the right grip on it and you should do fine" Merlin spoke, looking over her hand before nodding as Wendy was easily using her own chopsticks before noticing Lisanna and Lucy were still having trouble with their chopsticks before he picked up some of the former's food, keeping his hand under it as he spoke
"Say 'Ahh'…" Lisanna blushed before complying, Merlin putting the food in her mouth before taking a bite of his own and making the three girls blush while Tiamat chuckled
[Looks like Saji's angry at you…]
'Wait what?' Merlin thought turning to the window to see Saji glaring at him from the other side before Wendy asked
"Who's that?"
"He works on the Student Council with me, his name is Saji" Merlin replied, mentally glad that he had explained to the trio of young ladies about the front of Sona's peerage so they would understand. Merlin arching an eyebrow as Saji walked off without another word before he mumbled to himself
"Well… Looks like I'll have to deal with his jealousy next time I see him."
"Where do you want to go after this?" Merlin asked to the girls, Lucy, Lisanna and Wendy sharing looks before the older two spoke up in sync
"Shopping!"
…
Merlin slumped onto the sofa as he sighed in relief, Lucy, Lisanna and Wendy having headed back to the Fairy Tail guild hall with couple bags of shopping which he had to carry and pay for, ranging from clothes to cuddly toys.
'Just glad that I have the money to spare for it thanks to my spell work' He thought to himself as Tiamat chuckled in his mind
[Looks like you'll have to start make more enchanted items to sell. Maybe you could make a deal with the devils about making simple shielding accessories or something. Those magic rings you made were rather popular]
Merlin nodded thoughtfully, the magic rings had been an augmented version of Fiore's [Ring Magic] but he made sure they weren't too powerful lest they be abused by Magicians and supernatural beings alike. Other items had included enchanting armour to reduce damage and even protect from weather and extreme temperatures.
'I could probably see if Phenex and Kaichou want me to make some for them…' Merlin thought absently, hearing the door open as Aya and Tsubasa entered. Merlin's eyes moved to catch their exhausted forms in the doorway, his eyebrow rising in curiosity before moving to help them.
…
Merlin scratched his head as he headed to the Kendo club, deciding that he should pick up Kira and Madoka about the meeting with Riser today. School had been rather tense, Reina's peerage being on edge at what would happen and even Sona had commented about being there for Rias.
[I can't believe Saji was angry at you just because he caught you feeding Lisanna] Tiamat spoke up amused, Merlin trying to avoid blushing as he knocked on the doors of the Kendo hall so he wouldn't get in trouble with the girls inside before the doors slid open to see Captain of the Kendo club, Saeko Busujima, standing before him and couldn't help the blush forming at seeing her in the tradition uniform which showed off her figure
"I'm just here to see Katase-san and Murayama-san, if that's ok Busujima-sempai. They are needed for a meeting at the Student Council" Merlin spoke respectfully, Saeko smirking slightly at seeing his response before replying
"Alright… Try not to disturb the others, Tsunagi-kun" Merlin nodded in response, Saeko moving out of the way so he could enter as she spoke up to the room
"Kira, Madoka…Tsunagi-kun needs to speak with you" Most of the girls looked over to see Merlin standing a few steps behind Saeko and starting to gossip amongst themselves as Kira and Madoka suddenly gave him a look of realisation before hurrying over to him
"Sorry Merlin-san, forgot about the meeting today" Madoka spoke slightly embarrassed, Kira wringing her hands on the bokken in her hands in embarrassment as Merlin smiled as he replied
"Its fine girls, just hurry as the meeting will start soon"
"Right" Kira and Madoka spoke together before heading to the changing room adjoining the room, Merlin moving to lean against the wall as Saeko called out
"Back to practice girls" With a few grumbles and whispers the girls went back to their practicing, Merlin looking amused for a few moments before his eyes widened at feeling a familiar magical aura outside.
[That aura…] Tiamat spoke shocked, Merlin turning to head outside before quickly looking around to try and catch the owner of it as he thought with a frown
'That can't be her… I mean she died'
[I don't know, Merlin…] Tiamat replied warily, Merlin clenching his hands as he tried to expand his magic sense as far as it could go before scowling at not finding anything within range.
"Merlin-san is everything alright?" Madoka asked as she and Kira stepped out dressed back in their school uniform, Merlin offering a slight smile as he replied
"It's nothing… Just thought I sensed something"
"Let's get going then" Kira spoke, smiling to Merlin as he nodded and the trio started their way to the Old School Building.
…
Merlin entered the clubroom after knocking the door, his eyes flickering around the room, spotting Reina sitting next to a blond haired man with her peerage behind her while Sona and Rias sat on the opposite sofa with Rias' peerage behind her, before settling on Issei as he shouted "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here because Kaichou and Phenex-sama asked me to be here, Hyodo" Merlin replied, Issei's gaze shifting to Sona and then Reina and the blond man that Merlin assumed was Riser Phenex.
"Sorry we're late, Phenex-sama" Kira spoke calmly as she and Madoka walked over to the rest of Reina's peerage, Merlin glaring at the leering look Riser was giving the two girls before scowling as he focused on Merlin as he spoke
"So this is the brat that you have to share with Sona…"
"Onii-san! Don't talk about Merlin-san like that" Reina scolded, Sona frowning as she shot an annoyed look at Riser who scoffed
"Fine…"
"How can he be in two peerages?" Issei asked confused as those around him seemed to shrug before Merlin spoke as he moved over to stand next to Tsubaki, frowning slightly at finally noticing the silver haired maid, who he recognised as Grayfia Lucifuge, looking at him curiously as he spoke
"I've no clue myself…but I had Phenex-sama's [Bishop] in one of my pockets when Kaichou revived me"
With that everyone turned their attention back to the meeting as Grayfia spoke up "It was expected that it would become like this, if it can't be settled with talks then we have to take the last resort measures."
"Ojou-sama, if you're insistent in your wish, then how about settling it with a rating game" She continued, Merlin looked confused at his fellow servants as Tsubaki quietly explained it to him
"A [Rating Game] is a fight with your servants in a special arena…it's like chess as it involves strategy and is often used to solve family or house disputes" Merlin nodded in understanding as he turned back to the discussion
"As you know, Ojou-sama can't participate in official games, but if it's unofficial, then even non-adult devils can participate. For this event, it usually is…" Grayfia spoke as Rias added
"A meeting of relatives, or between households, to settle a quarrel. Meaning, father and the others have already considered the possibility of my refusal and made the preparations for the game…Just how much are they going to tamper with my life till they're satisfied….?"
"Then, Ojou-sama, do you refuse the game as well?" Grayfia asked as Rias turned to answer
"No way, this opportunity won't come again. All right, let's settle this with the game, Riser"
"Heh, you're accepting it, huh? I don't mind it, but I have already had experience with the official games many times, and have won plenty of times. Even then will you fight, Rias?" Riser asked not seeming too worried by the game.
"I'll do it! I'll make you disappear!"
"Fine with me. If you win, you can do as you like. If I win, you'll immediately marry me." Riser countered as Grayfia spoke up
"I, Grayfia, confirm your intentions. As the representative of both your houses is it alright for me to manage the game's details?" Both Riser and Rias nodded in agreement before the blonde devil asked
"Hey, Rias. It can't be that the ones gathered before Reina and Sona showed are all your servants?"
"If that's the case, what about it?" Rias asked as Riser burst out laughing before speaking
"Wouldn't this game be a joke? Except for your [Queen], the rest won't even be qualified opponents for my cute servants…" Clicking his fingers the flaming red circle of the Phenex clan appeared and fifteen shadows appeared from it before it became noticeable that they were girls. Merlin sighing annoyed, managing to conceal his own blush, upon noticing Issei's reaction, crying at the sight of Raiser's beautiful servants, before turning to see Saji's mouth open wide.
"He… Hey Rias…That servant-kun over there is crying a lot while looking at me" Raiser spoke as Rias sighed while looking at Issei as she spoke
"This boy's dream is to have a harem. I think he was moved after looking at your servants." Merlin facepalmed upon hearing that, it sounded just like Issei to him, removing his hand his eyes widened at seeing Riser kissing one of his servants.
'Looks like the info was right about him then' He thought confused.
[Humph… Devils really are perverted beings] Tiamat spoke calmly in his head as Merlin felt his hand twitch in annoyance and embarrassment, currently trying to resist covering them in water.
"Damn…" Saji whispered next to him surprised, his cheeks red along with most of the others as he finished turning to look at Issei with a sneer
"You will never be able to do this."
"Don't say what I think you were saying! Damn it! [Boosted Gear!]" Issei replied as he activated his Sacred Gear, the red gauntlet appearing as he pointed at Riser and shouted
"A womanizer like you isn't good enough to be with Buchou!"
"Huh? Aren't you looking up to me, the so-called womanizer?" Riser asked curiously, Issei clenching his fists as Merlin rolled his eyes feeling that one of the phrases his mother used, something about a pot and a kettle seemed to fit the situation as Issei shouted back
"Sh...shut up! That's different with the thing about Buchou! At this rate, you will continue to flirt with other girls even after you marry Buchou!"
"Heroes love women. That's a saying in the human world, right? A good phrase indeed, but this is just a close relationship with my servants. Even you get adored by Rias, don't you?" Riser replied with a shrug as Issei shouted again
"Hero my ass! You are just a bird guy! Fire bird Pheonix? Hahaha! That's the same as Yakitori!" Reina seemed to clench her fists at hearing her brother being called a Yakitori while Riser made an outrageous face at Issei's provocation.
"Yakitori!? You low-class devil! Don't get ahead of yourself! That's not the way you talk to a high-class devil! Rias! You have to educate your servants!"
Rias just ignored his claim and said "Like I care".
"Hey fried-chicken guy! I will just beat the crap out of you with my [Boosted Gear!]" Issei challenged the Phenex Devil without any worries as Sona seemed to sigh at his antics as Issei continued
"We don't need to have a match! I will just take you all down, right here, right now!" Issei spoke confidently, Merlin deciding to prepare to stop them fighting before it could get out of hand as the [Boosted Gear] called out
[BOOST!] Riser just made a sigh where he stood before turning back to his servants
"Mira, do it." Riser ordered his servant the girl with the long pole stepping forward as she spoke
"Yes, Riser-sama" Merlin reacting quickly with a flick of his hand, Koneko and Saji turning to look at him before they saw Mira's weapon slam into an white coloured Magician's circle which appeared before Issei, the [Pawn] looking in surprise at the white magic circle before him which soon faded as Merlin stepped forwards as he spoke up calmly
"Please avoid fighting here…"
"Hey, Tsunagi, why'd you do that?" Issei asked annoyed as Merlin sighed before answering
"You would've had your ass kicked you idiot…if you saw how fast she moved she'd have got you in seconds, likely I'm a faster caster then that" Stuffing his hands into his pockets as he noticed Mira's surprised face at being stopped.
"Interesting" Riser spoke, looking over Merlin for a moment, Reina waiting for the verdict from her older brother about Merlin
"Such confidence from someone so lowly…fitting for my sister's servant" Raiser spoke as Merlin shrugged
"I've got a lot a practice under my belt…this idiot wouldn't even give you a challenge unless you gave him…" Merlin spoke calmly, turning to look over Issei who was looking annoyed back at him before continued "two weeks…I'd guess"
Turning so he could catch the sight of both Rias and Sona he gave them a wink as he shook his head as he continued "Actually make that about a month…if you're willing to give them a fighting chance"
"Really…" Riser spoke, taking a moment to look over Rias' servants as he decided on something himself before turning to Rias
"How about we have the match in two weeks, Rias?"
"Alright" Rias spoke feeling better for having the time to prepare as Riser turned to Issei as he spoke
"Hey you, don't put Rias to shame, Rias' [Pawn]…A blow to you is a blow to Rias"
Riser turned to his sister as he continued "Come on Reina…I want to see how strong your [Bishop] is"
Merlin turned to see Reina nod as she smirked as she replied "Alright…just don't feel bad when Merlin takes out your servants"
Riser scoffed at hearing that, his peerage looking confident while Reina's group shared knowing looks as they followed, Merlin turning to speak to Sona "I'll let you know how things go, Kaichou"
Before he followed the group onto the magic circle which flashed as it teleported them out of the room.
…
Author's Note
Sorry for the long wait for this chapter. I will admit that I had some trouble working out what to include here but hope you enjoy it. Reina is intended to look like older Ravel and has a mix of her and Riser's personalities except her arrogance is toned down. I will be trying to include more Fairy Tail elements into things as they go along and will also try and fit in some flashbacks to show how Merlin had an effect on Fairy Tail events.
Here's the list for Merlin's Harem, Issei will be saying much the same as in canon although I may put Ravel into Merlin's rather then Issei's.
Merlin's harem: Sona, Tsubasa, Reina, Yukari Takeba [Persona], Kazehana [Sekirei], Aya Natsume [Tenjho Tenge], Kanu Unchou [Ikki Tousen], (Kira) Katase, (Madoka) Murayama, Serafall Leviathan, Jeanne, Le Fay, Lucy Heartfilia, Erza Scarlett, Lisanna Strauss, Wendy Marvell, Chelia Blendy, Yukino Aguria, Saeko Busujima, Saya Takagi, Shizuka Marikawa, Mizore Shurayuki, Blake Belladonna [RWBY], Wiess Schnee [RWBY], Naoto, Rise Fujiwara, Rana Lichen.