A/N: Okay, so I have a reason for taking so long on this chapter when I said "next day or so". When I woke up on Friday, I was told to pack my bags since I would be going on a road trip as soon as my mother returned home from work and I would be returning on Monday, and since nobody told me of it beforehand, I couldn't tell you guys until after I arrived at my destination (where I did tell a few of you over a PM since you happened to message me). I also got sick on Saturday, so I was sick and away from home at the same time, which is a horrible thing. But I was able to devote what time I had over the weekend to planning out the story and organizing things, so I'm hoping to get a few chapters out (including this one) during this week.
Also, as you might have guessed by the change in the story's summary, I've hit 30 OCs (31 actually, since I said that I would be accepting around 30). And I have 4 Dragon Slayers, and 5 S-Class Mages, with both of those being above their quotas, but oh well.
Well then, please have patience if your character is not introduced in this chapter, because I will get around to introducing them all in the next few chapters.
I would like to send thanks to Asher Grey, UnderTheDeepBlue, Believe in the Unknown, LightandDarkHeart, lexlovesya, potentialauthor18, Joshua1277, QueenKazza, PrinceOfTheMatrix, and writtenmindset for sending in OCs and villains.
I would also like to send thanks to Falling Lanterns, WrittenWhim, Saiyan-Styles, WaterDragonMaverick, M-anonymous, MyDearWatson, lexlovesya, H8rslovemecausei'mawesome (aka Believe in the Unknown), LightandDarkHeart, Reitzel-chan, UnderTheDeepBlue, Asher Grey, potentialauthor18, ViennaxSky, Stormhawk99, Blazingfire55, Hikari, PhantomvZero, and Hawk725 for their reviews.
Falling Lanterns- Ha! Compass, lead to, that's so punny, you my friend are priceless. Anyways, I'm glad that you liked the chapter and that you like the characters introduced so far, I hope you enjoy this one as well!
WrittenWhim- I'm glad that you liked the chapter and that it was just detailed enough to not be painful to read, that's what I'm aiming for these first few chapters since I have to introduce all of the mages. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
Saiyan-Styles- Well whatever you decide, let me know through a PM, and I'm glad that you enjoyed the last chapter and hope that you enjoy this one as well!
WaterDragonMaverick- Glad that you enjoyed the last chapter, and we might see some of the Dragon Slayers soon *gives a knowing smile*. Hope you enjoy the chapter!
M-anonymous- I'm that you enjoyed the last chapter. And I'm sorry about the wait for this one, hope you enjoy it!
MyDearWatson- I'm glad that you liked the chapter and think that I managed to pull it off, I hope I manage to with this chapter as well. I'm glad that you like Team Camille's introduction, the three of them mesh well together, but it took me a while to settle on which idea of how to introduce I liked best, and who could Camille's master be? It seems like if I read Thunder Stone that I might be able to figure it out based on the magic she uses and her necklace XD. I think Yune's going to be one of the more adorable members of the guild, but we'll see where I take her after she wakes up in a few chapters. We'll learn more about Aspen in due time, there's already quite a bit already lined up for her, but it's good to hear that you've taken an interest in her. Hope you enjoy this chapter and how I introduced your OCs!
lexlovesya- I'm glad that you think that the story is interesting so far. Thank you for your OCs and I hope you enjoy the chapter!
H8slovemecauseI'mawesome (AKA- Believe in the Unknown)- I'm glad that you enjoyed the last chapter and I hope that you enjoy this one too! Also, thank you for your character!
LightandDarkHeart- I'm glad that you think it's interesting so far and I hope that you enjoy this chapter as well! I'm glad that you like that about Salina and that you think the OCs introduced so far are cool. Now before I forget, thank you for your villain!
Reitzel-chan- I'm glad that you like the layout of the guild, especially the infirmary, I added that while I was writing the chapter just for Caleb (who I plan on introducing in either the next chapter or the one after), and I'm glad that you liked Rayner. As this is my first story, I'm still adjusting my writing style, so things may change with how I handle the introductions or they may not. And at the time that you had sent in your review I had hardly any plans at all, but I managed to correct that issue over the weekend, so yes, I have plans on how to do that now. Hope you enjoy the chapter!
UnderTheDeepBlue- I'm sorry that it's causing you to skip some, but these first few chapters are going to be loaded with descriptive paragraphs since I have to introduce all of the characters and I want to give them the all good introductions. At least I won't have to describe what the guild looks like this chapter (cause I know that that was a looooong descriptive paragraph). So don't worry, after I finish introducing all of the characters the story will become easier to read since the descriptive paragraphs won't be as common, they'll still happen, but they won't take up most of the chapters. Okay? Anyways, I hope that you enjoy the chapter and how I introduced Sean and Jean!
Asher Grey- That's good to hear, I always look through a chapter several times before posting, but sometimes I miss a few errors, like in chapter 1 I skipped some words in the author's notes and didn't notice until after I posted the chapter. Well anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter!
potentialauthor18- Glad that you liked the first chapter, and yeah, I've received a lot of interesting magics alongside the characters that I've just thought, "Why didn't I think of that?" Hope you enjoy the chapter!
ViennaxSky- I'm glad that you loved how I introduced Yune, it's good to hear that a reader enjoyed how I chose to introduce their character, and she'll wake up in a few chapters after night falls. I'm glad that you enjoy my writing style as well, I try to catch all of the writing mistakes before posting a chapter, but some got through in the author's notes last time. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Stormhawk99- I'm glad that you liked the first chapter and I hope that you enjoy this one as well as how I've introduced Fareth!
Blazingfire55- I'm glad that like the story so far and I hope that you enjoy this chapter as well. Also, since I did say "around 30", I'm willing to take in one more OC so long as it isn't a Dragon Slayer, a God Slayer, or an S-Class mage (unless it's a villain, then it can be whatever you want so long as it makes sense).
Hikari- I'm glad that you liked the last chapter and she'll appear soon, don't worry. Well I'm sure that your cat will forgive you eventually, I know that my dog can get pretty upset with me sometimes when I leave him someplace for a long time. Hope you enjoy the chapter!
PhantomvZero- I'm glad that you like the story, and Thunder Stone as well. I haven't read Herald's Crest yet, but don't worry, I don't think you're going mad. Hope you enjoy the chapter!
Hawk725- Glad that you enjoyed the chapter!
Whew, that was a lot of reviews, 19 to be exact. So once again, thank you for all of your reviews and characters!
Credits:
Ajax Cruz and Leon- MyDearWatson
Reno Lozier- MyDearWatson
Jace Maverick and Rave- WaterDragonMaverick
Fareth Keylian- Stormhawk99
Sean Clement and Jean- UnderTheDeepBlue
Chapter 2
"Well," Rayner started, "Do you think it's time to get going?" he asked Camille with a smirk.
Camille looked up from her empty mug and nodded, "Yes," she answered before turning to look at Salina, who was busy polishing glasses, "We'll be going on this mission, Salina," Camille stated as she pulled the mission request from her pocket set it on the bar.
"Oh? You're going on a mission?" Salina asked as she set down the glass and rag and picked up the request paper to look it over. "Well it looks like you're off to deal with some thieves, alright then," she spoke as she reached under the bar and pulled out a large logbook and began flipping through the pages to find the mission.
"Yeah," Miriam answered, "The bastards have been harassing a merchant guild in Acalypha Town by raiding their shipments with magic." she explained as she pulled a pair of sleek, black glasses out of her pocket and put them on, pushing them up against the bridge of her nose.
Salina finished writing down the necessary information in the logbook before closing it with a loud thud, "Well you three are all set to go, good luck!" she waved goodbye as the three got up and began to walk towards the dorms to gather their things.
Before the trio could get very far, they ran into three more members of the guild. The first was a young man at the age of 21 named Ajax Cruz. He stood at 6'0" with a slim, yet muscular and toned build and tan skin. He had slicked back, platinum blond hair that reached down to the nape of his neck and ivory colored eyes. He was currently wearing a pair of light gray jeans, tucked into a pair of dark gray, steel-toed boots with nothing on his upper body asides from a pair of fingerless, white leather gloves and his assorted piercings. Both of his earlobes were pierced with earrings that have little glass orbs hanging from them and he also has metal studs up along both ears, with his left eyebrow being pierced as well. He also had a few scars on his arms and one across his back from fighting and his guild mark was on his right shoulder in white. Ajax was a third generation Glass Dragon Slayer, being the only one of the four Dragon Slayers in Undine's Cove to not be a first generation Dragon Slayer.
On Ajax's shoulder was a small lime green Exceed named Leon. He had a black, lightning stripe pattern in his fur that traveled up his back and split to end on his ears causing the tips of his ears to be black, the tip of his tail and his nose were black as well. Leon was usually always seen wearing a black, hoodie jacket with the sleeves torn off and his guild mark was located on his stomach in black. And like all Exceeds, Leon possessed the magic Aera, which allows him to sprout little white wings that give him the ability to fly.
Next to Ajax was a young woman at the age of 19 named Reno Lozier. She stood at 5'9" with a curvy and ample bust and a sun kissed tan. She had long and unkempt blond hair that fell down to her hips with ends of each layer spiking out slightly. Her bangs were the same way, framing her face and covering her forehead in the same messy and spiky way. She had bright, sea-green eyes that held a sense of adventure and excitement in them. Reno was often seen wearing tight black pants tucked into tall, brown, knee-high boots that each had three buckles on the sides of them. She also wore a semi-tight, yellow tank top that seemed to hang more loosely on her left hip, over the tank top was an open jacket that stopped just below her bust. The inside of the jacket was the same sea-green as her eyes, and the sleeves were rolled up to her elbows. Her ears were pierced with with small earrings that had little treasure chests hanging from them and the top of her left ear was pierced with two small, gold loops. Reno possessed Wind Magic and her guild mark was sea-green and on the inside of her left wrist.
The two teams walked past each other, Rayner and Ajax eying each other. As Ajax, Reno, and Leon walked into the guildhall, Camille placed a hand on Rayner's shoulder and squeezed it, "You can wait until we return for your rematch, Rayner," Camille ordered.
"Yeah yeah," he said waving off what she said as he split from the two girls to gather his things from the male dorm.
As Ajax and Reno entered the guildhall, they walked towards the bar and sat down, "Ah, Ajax, Reno, and Leon! You're back! What can I get you three?" Salina asked with a bright smile.
"Just get us a few empty mugs, I brought some of the family recipe today Salina," Reno answered brightly, "Oh and a few empty glasses for Ajax and a milk for Leon of course!" she added quickly as she sat a jar down on the bar and began to try to pull out the cork.
"Need some help with that?" Ajax asked Reno as he watched her unsuccessfully try to pull out the cork.
"No, I got this," she said as she stood up with her arm wrapped around the jar as she continued to try and pull out the cork. Reno continued to try and remove the cork when her hand slipped off of it, causing her to drop the jar on the hard concrete floor, shattering it and spilling the contents everywhere. Ajax sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose while Reno just stared at the shattered jar with a shocked expression before sinking down to the ground, "Why is the rum always gone?" she sobbed as she tried to piece together two different shards of glass.
Salina returned with the empty mugs and glasses and saw Reno on the ground trying to fix the jar, "Did you drop it again, Reno?" she asked as she set down the glasses and mugs.
"Yes," she sobbed as she stood back up and sat down on a stool next to Ajax.
"You think she would've learned by now to just let me open it after breaking so many," Ajax sighed as he picked up one of the glasses and took a bite out of it, "So we're going to need you to fill those mugs up with some of the regular stuff instead," he continued between bites as he set some Jewels down on the bar.
Salina hummed a yes as she picked up the money and began to fill the mugs as she heard a large explosion come from the jungle behind the guild.
. : + : .
Two mages stood staring each other down amidst the trees, the area between the two mages was ruined and smoking due their last attack, their respective 'Dragon's Roar' spells.
The first mage was a 17 year-old named Jace Maverick, he stood at 6'0" with a thin, yet muscular build and he had white, silvery hair that was cut short in a slightly grown out buzz cut. He had sharp, amber colored eyes and he had scars on his shoulders and forearms that resembled scales. He was often seen wearing different hoodies and vests over a t-shirt, but he was currently just wearing a white t-shirt that had blue sleeves with a pair of blue jeans and white sneakers and his guild mark was blue and located on his right forearm. Jace was a first generation Water Dragon Slayer that could use Ice Magic to enhance his spells, as well as Ice-Make magic.
The second mage was a 19 year-old named Fareth Keylian, he stood at 6'2" with an average build and a handsome face. He had short, chopped black hair, deep green eyes, and a prosthetic right lower leg. Fareth was most often seen wearing a black vest over a white long sleeved undershirt with a black cape and a black and white checkerboard scarf, as well as faded black jeans and black and white skater shoes. He was a first generation Fire Dragon Slayer, so it was only natural that Jace saw him as his rival.
The two of them continued to stare each other down until Jace relaxed his stance and sighed, "It looks like we're both still evenly matched," he said as he walked over to his Exceed partner, who was safeguarding his weapons and headphones.
Jace's Exceed partner had a silverish gray fur coat and was named Rave, "Here you go, Onii-chan, you'll beat him next time," the small cat said as he handed Jace his headphones. Jace scratched Rave's chin, causing him to purr, as he took the headphones, then he walked over to where his Tachi sword and his large war fan were. After Jace made sure his weapons were secured he looked over at Fareth, who was picking up a sword hilt that could generate a blade of flame.
"Ready to head back?" Jace asked as he walked over to Fareth.
"Yeah," he answered. As far as Jace could tell since Fareth joined the guild a month ago, he didn't really speak that much unless he was close to the person he was talking to or he had something to talk about, but he knew that Fareth was somebody that you could count on when you needed him.
"Alright then!" Jace announced as Rave landed on his shoulder, "Let's head back!"
. : + : .
Aspen Weathercroft was currently sitting in the 8-Island Restaurant ran by the former Magic Council member, Yajima, waiting for her meal. 8-Island was a popular place among the members of Undine's Cove, with many of the mages going there for their meals since the guildhall lacked the facilities required for cooking. It had been Aspen's intent to quietly work on a puzzle while waiting for her meal, but a member of her guild was currently preventing her from doing that.
The member's name was Jean, and he was a black and white Exceed that resembled a tomcat with red eyes and his guild mark was located on his back in black. He was usually seen wearing a blue robe with a large, yellow wizard's hat, but he was currently wearing the male uniform for waiters at the restaurant. While Jean is capable of utilizing Aera like all Exceeds, Jean also utilized basic element magic with a magic staff and tome that he had set in the kitchen for the time being.
Aspen sighed and looked up at Jean who had been standing on the table, "Can't you go do your job instead of bothering me?" she asked coldly, "You're annoying."
"Ahh, you're so cold-hearted Aspen!" Jean nonchalantly stated, "It makes me feel like you've got something to hide. Like some kind of dark, naughty si-"
Aspen quickly cut him off by grabbing his head tightly and causing it to heat up. "Shut it, you perverted cat," she demanded quietly. Aspen was normally a very patient person, but Jean had been grating on her nerves ever since she had arrived with his perverted comments and questions.
Jean gasped in pain as his feet danced on the table while he tried to get out of Aspen's grip, "Alright! Alright! I'll stop!" he pleaded. Aspen figured that he had learned his lesson and let go of his head. Jean quickly hopped over next to the window and tried to see his reflection in it, "You burnt my fur..." he quietly pouted before hearing a bell ring in the kitchen, causing Jean to hop off of the table and run into the kitchen as Aspen sighed in relief.
As Jean entered into the kitchen he saw his partner, Sean Clement, load a few plates onto a tray before picking it up. Sean was a tall young man, standing at 6'6" with a slender build and somewhat messy black hair and bright, sky blue eyes and his guild mark was on the back of his right hand in white. He was currently wearing a chef's outfit since he took a job as a cook for Yajima. Most members of Undine's Cove knew Sean as a Lightning Mage, but he had another magic that he was far more skilled at, but didn't want to use. Compared to Jean, Sean was his exact opposite, especially when it came to women. While Jean was a pervert towards them, Sean was always respectful of them.
Sean turned around when he heard Jean enter the kitchen and he bent down onto his knees to hand him the tray, "What happened to your fur?" he asked after noticing the singed fur on Sean's head.
"Oh that?" Jean replied while rubbing the back of his head, "It was just from that last tray of hot food," he lied so that Jean wouldn't know what he was up to.
Sean's eye twitched, "Jean," he began, "You shouldn't bother women so much, especially if they're more than capable of hurting you," he looked at Jean who just quietly stood there after being scolded with a smile on his face.
"Do not attempt to scold your Grandfather!" he suddenly screamed while jumping in the air and waving his arms and legs around before landing back on the ground, "Honestly, the nerve of the youth these days. Presuming themselves good enough to scold their elders," Jean grumbled as he took the tray as Sean sighed while watching him exit the kitchen.
Over by one of the stoves, Yajima smiled to himself after listening in on the conversation between the two mages, "It seems that Hargeon is much more lively now, Makarov."
A/N: I spent approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes writing and editing this chapter, in one sitting I might add.
Anyways, there's Chapter 2, hope you enjoyed it!
Also, please remember to have patience if your character hasn't showed up yet, I plan on introducing about 5 characters every chapter (not counting Exceeds).
I'll try to have the next chapter up sometime this week, I need a small break before I jump back into writing, so I'm going to use tomorrow as a day to do other things rather than working on Undine's Cove.
Please remember to review!
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