Chapter 11
Finding herself procrastinating on writing the actual chapters, Lucy wrote some brief summary instead. She took the parchment and for the umpteenth time, read it mentally
1. Iris is the daughter of Duke Valentine. She does not want to be married to the son of Duke Glory. She ran away, basically cutting her relationship off from her father.
2. The sequel book will start right after the events of the first book, wherein Iris, Julia, Rex and Sieghart arrived in the Empire. They arrived at night time, still bruised from their fight.
3. The event here would be Iris using her Sacred Powers as a priestess to heal her friends' wounds in a safer environment. They decided not to rest on the way and just go home immediately.
4. When morning came, they were called by the Emperor to congratulate them and give them their rewards in front of the nobles. The setting here would be the throne room. The Emperor would grant something (not yet sure) to Julia and Sieghart. The Emperor would ask what Iris wants. She would say the freedom-marriage thing.
5. The Emperor will say that he will be the one who will conduct her ceremony should it happen. Then, the Emperor would announce that he plans to gradually step down so that Rex can take over as the Emperor. Note: this will shock the nobles.
6. Then, some urgent news came from one of the members of the Mage Tower, the graves of The Five Ancient Gods, a group of powerful warriors that had been the founders of the Empire, were desecrated. And their remains were nowhere to be found.
7. A Necromancer did this. He resurrected The Five Ancient Gods who have wielded unimaginable abilities in their life to take over the Empire.
Lucy looked at the list, and suddenly, a thought came to her. She wrote, 8. The Emperor tasked Iris and her friends. However, Rex was not to be allowed to join. It is revealed later that this is because the Emperor has correctly deduced and suspected that the reason why The Five Ancient Gods were resurrected is because the person behind everything wants the crown. And Rex must remain in his position as the Crown Prince to ensure that he is safe to take the throne. This will be the perfect opportunity since the Emperor will assign Alexander (name still not final) as replacement.
"And then the adventure shall continue," Lucy said as she finished writing the last line. Without meaning to, a yawn escaped from her lips, as her body instinctively stretched until her arms were up in the air.
She stood up from the wooden stool, and made her way towards the table placed beside the refrigerator, intending to wake herself up with a small walk. On top of the table rests a copy of Sorcerer Magazine .
'Oh, well. I need to recharge with some fresh gossip,' Lucy remarked to herself, seeing that the volume was fairly recent. She browsed through the section of Top 10 Perfect Boyfriends because why not? She would just like to see who are the most eligible bachelors in all of Fiore. 'And, this is also for research purposes. Yeah, research!' she resolved.
Sorcerer Magazine Presents: Top 10 Perfect Boyfriends
by Acastus Peliason
Sorcerer Magazine, the leading publication for all things magical, has scoured the guild for the ultimate list of perfect boyfriends. From charming charmers to steadfast protectors, here are the Top 8 Perfect Boyfriends, as chosen by our enchanted readers
Top 10 - Bacchus Groh: The Life of the Party
Known for his boisterous personality and unbeatable drinking skills, Bacchus Groh makes the list as the ultimate party companion. With his confidence and charisma, he can turn any gathering into an unforgettable celebration. Whether he's competing in the Grand Magic Games or sharing a laugh at the guildhall, Bacchus brings the fun wherever he goes.
Top 9 - Rogue Cheney: The Mysterious Heartthrob
With his dark allure and enigmatic aura, Rogue Cheney captivates hearts with ease. His quiet strength and unwavering loyalty make him a steadfast partner for any adventure. Behind his stoic exterior lies a caring soul, ready to protect those he holds dear. Whether he's training with his Exceed companion Frosch or silently supporting his friends, Rogue's mysterious charm never fails to intrigue.
Top 8 - Eve Tearm: Gentle as a Snow
Eve Tearm is a gentle lover with a heart of gold. His kindness and compassion know no bounds, making him a pillar of support for his loved ones. Whether he's nurturing his beloved plants or lending a listening ear, Eve's unwavering devotion makes him the perfect boyfriend for anyone seeking solace and understanding.
Top 7 - Lyon Vastia: The Ice-Make Lover
Lyon Vastia has captured hearts not only with his icy magic but also with his unwavering dedication and loyalty. Lyon's journey from seeking revenge to fostering genuine connections speaks volumes about his character. His proficiency in Ice-Make magic mirrors his cool demeanor, but beneath the frost lies a warmth that resonates with those around him.
Top 6 - Natsu Dragneel: The Fiery Protector
With flames of passion burning in his heart, Natsu Dragneel blazes a trail as one of Fairy Tail's most beloved wizards. His fierce determination and unwavering courage make him a formidable ally and a loyal friend. Whether he's battling dark wizards or standing up for the ones he loves, Natsu's fiery spirit ignites hope and admiration in all who know him.
Top 5 - Sting Eucliffe: The Charismatic Leader
As the charismatic master of the Sabertooth guild, Sting Eucliffe commands attention wherever he goes. His confidence and ambition drive him to reach new heights, inspiring those around him to do the same. Whether he's leading his guild to victory in the Grand Magic Games or lending a helping hand to a friend in need, Sting's magnetic charm and unwavering determination make him a standout boyfriend.
Top 4 - Freed Justine: A Loyal Companion
With his unwavering loyalty and steadfast dedication, Freed Justine proves that true love knows no bounds. As a member of the Thunder God Tribe, he stands by his friends through thick and thin, always ready to offer support and guidance. Whether he's casting powerful spells or standing up for justice, Freed's commitment to those he cares about makes him a reliable and trustworthy partner.
Top 3 - Gray Fullbuster: Cool and Collected
Cool, collected, and always in control, Gray Fullbuster exudes confidence and charm wherever he goes. As an ice-make wizard, he channels his emotions into his magic, creating beauty from his inner turmoil. Whether he's training tirelessly to hone his skills or sharing a quiet moment with a loved one, Gray's calm demeanor and unwavering determination make him a perfect boyfriend for those seeking stability and strength.
Top 2 - Loke: The Charming Celestial Spirit
As a celestial spirit with a flair for the dramatic, Loke enchants hearts with his irresistible charm and dashing good looks. His suave demeanor and quick wit make him the life of the party, captivating admirers with his charisma and grace. Whether he's fighting alongside his celestial wizard partner Lucy or wooing the ladies with his smooth moves, Loke's irresistible charm makes him a top contender for the title of perfect boyfriend.
Top 1 - Hibiki Lates: The Romantic Intellectual
Taking the top spot as the ultimate perfect boyfriend is none other than Hibiki Lates. With his keen intellect and romantic soul, he captivates hearts with his thoughtful gestures and genuine kindness. As a member of the Blue Pegasus guild, he embodies the spirit of chivalry and romance, always ready to sweep his partner off their feet with his charm and sophistication. Whether he's composing love letters or planning extravagant dates, Hibiki's unwavering devotion and romantic nature make him the epitome of the perfect boyfriend.
In a world where magic and romance intertwine, these enchanting wizards prove that love knows no bounds. From fiery protectors to charismatic leaders, the perfect boyfriend comes in many forms. So whether you're seeking adventure or romance, rest assured that the wizards are always ready to make your dreams come true.
Lucy felt her cheeks heating up from reading the article. 'Gosh, there were too many Fairy Tail Mages included in this list.'
There was Loke, her loyal Celestial Spirit of The Lion, which was not really that surprising anymore. He had been one the contenders for quite a few years already. He would sometimes interchange with Hibiki as Top 1.
Gray and Freed, Lucy also understood since they both have this mysterious air around them. They were the kind of boys that put the word cool in cool guys.
Lucy has known Gray for a bit of time, but that was time enough to get some good grasp regarding the inner workings of the Ice-Make Mage. For one thing, she believes that Gray is the Dark Crusader type of guy, the classic Bad Boy… the Jerk with a Heart of Gold . He was all the brooding, silent type that one can see in shoujo mangas.
'Perhaps that's the reason why Juvia just can't get enough of him.'
And if Lucy was an honest woman, there was a time that she had a crush on him. But enough about that. Juvia would skin her alive if she knew the breadth of what she was thinking right this instant.
Freed, on the other hand…well, Lucy has heard of him prior to even joining the guild. He was born to Marquess and Marchioness Justine. Freed was…well, he was one of her prospective fiances, after Sawarr Junelle. For all intents and purposes, Freed Justine is a nobleman. That may be his greatest asset since he comes across as a Prince straight out of fairy tales.
Like all the depth of things related to her birth as an heiress to Heartfilia Konzern, Lucy has kept mum about this little tidbit of information.
If Freed was aware of this connection between them, it is such a relief that he has not made any comment. Who knows what kind of mayhem may come from this, once the guild got wind of this!
Now, Natsu…well, Lucy was quite surprised regarding that, not to mention as Top 6! She could not be more proud, though she was not too sure if Natsu particularly cared if he was even published in an article. If Lucy remembered correctly, Natsu hated Sorcerer Magazine since all the destruction he caused was published in the following issue.
Lucy noticed herself snickering. Sorcerer Magazine was not technically wrong since they do not need to exaggerate all of Natsu's antics and chaos. The publishing house even loves him for all the sensational pieces of news that he practically delivered to them on a silver platter.
Lucy gave the article another passing glance. 'Someone is missing. Where's Laxus?' She went back to the cover page, checking to see if the magazine was truly updated. It was.
She re-read the whole article. Laxus was really not included.
Lucy would assume that given Laxus' lax temperament recently, and his rise in popularity when he briefly joined Blue Pegasus combined with his overall performance in the Grand Magic Games, he would surely be one of the Top 10 .
'Apparently, he's not?' a voice inside her head said dryly.
Lucy cannot believe it. 'For crying out loud, Laxus is one of the best-looking men out there! Laxus is The Bad Boy! He is handsome, yes. But that lightning-shaped scar…woah!'
Lucy looked at Laxus from over the magazine. The man in question was lying down and sleeping on the sofa, his coat covering him like a blanket. He was snoring softly.
Lucy sighed. 'Thank God, he's asleep.'
She then returned to her musings, still staring at Laxus. 'Laxus has the figure of a god. His height can make anyone swoon. And those muscles and those huge bulky arms that could suffocate the life out of anyone...'
'Ten out of ten,' Lucy mentally nodded, before she stopped all the gawking.
Lucy felt herself blush, not for the sudden awakening of her puberty-driven hormonal rants. Rather, she felt scandalized and embarrassed at the mere realization that she was doing the very thing that she wished men would stop doing to her. Objectifying, that is.
True, she appreciates Laxus' beauty, but it was not all that he was. He is smart and knows how to identify blindspots in battle, and even the plot holes in the book that she wrote and is currently writing.
Laxus is confident that it borders into arrogance. He has worked himself to the bone for the things that he wants, even if that means sitting in a room too big for him under limited light just to study the intricacies of being a Guild Master. Last she heard is that he was also creating some specialized training regimen for some of the guild members.
'But, he really needs to be taken down a peg or two,' Lucy chuckled as she noticed that Laxus began shifting to another sleeping position. 'He's really cocky when he wants to be.'
He is a good guy. Under all of that booze, snark and lightning, Laxus is a good person. No matter how gruff he may be, he sees people for who and what they are because he tries to empathize with them .
'Laxus is a good guy,' Lucy repeated it to herself, remembering how he had let her escape a life of being chained to Sawarr Junelle as a trophy wife.
"Thank you for seeing me, Laxus," Lucy whispered to no one. That was the second time that day that she had let those words escape her lips, and she found that she was not embarrassed in doing so. Rather, it filled her with fuzzy feelings she cannot put a name to yet.
"Lucy…" Laxus groaned.
"ErzaAaAaAaaaa…" Natsu's clearly bored voice emanated like droning fly from the ground floor, and Erza felt the sudden urge to hurry her descent.
"Mira," Erza said as she stood up, offering her hand to the white-haired barmaid. The latter took it, and stood as well. "I think my boys are starting to get antsy. We should probably process that A-Class Mission before Natsu starts burning some shit out of boredom."
"True. True," Mirajane nodded sagely, matching Erza's pace as they began walking down the staircase. They left their used plates, utensils and cups by the now empty table.
Once they stepped down to the ground floor, Erza was greeted by the sight of a very wet Natsu and Happy. Clearly, those two still do not know how to use an umbrella. Gray, on the other hand, was wearing his somewhat-favorite white coat over some loose dark pants; and most importantly, he was dry.
"I thought we were going to meet after an hour," Gray asked, confused. "Did something happen?"
Erza glanced at the nearby clock placed on the upper wall inside the bar. It read 3:43 PM. The red-head only sighed. How can she explain the reason for her tardiness if there was basically a gag order placed upon them by Gildarts to prevent her from talking about the contents of their meeting. "Master called for an emergency meeting," Erza said simply.
"Okay," Gray replied. Erza found comfort in the fact that Gray did not press the issue any further. Perhaps, he had also understood that there were things that should not be discussed yet. He is quite mature regarding such matters.
Erza nodded before looking at Natsu. He was sitting in one of the seats, his upper body sprawled over the table as droplets dripped from his clothes down to the wooden floor. His backpack rested against his left side, whereas Happy leaned on his right…both of which were also sopping wet.
"Mira," Erza began walking towards the bar, Mirajane kept her smile as she handed Erza the stamped mission flier.
The barmaid also took out a large record book, and instructed Erza to first sign on the area for the Date Accepted. Erza wrote June 3, X794 . She then moved and answered the part of Signature over Printed Name.
"Thank you," Erza said to Mirajane before walking away, dragging Natsu by his collar.
"Be careful, you three!" Mira called out just as they were exiting the guild doors.
The precipitation had already stopped, and only puddles remained. Erza inhaled the pleasant petrichor smell of rain while relishing the comfort brought by the cool, refreshing wind. The dark clouds have begun to give way to the first signs of light since this morning. Tentatively, Erza used her Requip Magic to exchange her usual armor to her casual sleeveless shirt. She retained the plain skirt and dark boots. "That's more like it," she approved with an exhale, stretching her arms out.
"Ne, Erza," Natsu caught up to her. "What's the mission this time?"
Erza unfurled the piece of flier, and began reading:
Brave souls, heed the call to action! A shadow of fear looms over our beloved Municipality of Gronov near the Boundary Forest located in the south-eastern part of Fiore near the borders to Sevens, as marauding bandits have wrought havoc upon our streets. Pillaging our homes, plundering our treasures, and leaving a trail of devastation in their wake, these nefarious raiders have brought chaos to our once tranquil community.
The elders have decreed a mission of utmost importance: the capture of these lawless bandits. To achieve this noble goal, we seek the aid of valiant adventurers willing to venture forth into the unknown, to confront the scourge that threatens our way of life.
The journey will not be without peril, as the bandits have entrenched themselves in the wild and treacherous lands beyond our borders. But fear not, for courage shall be your guide, and unity our strength.
And so, brave adventurers, the call to arms has been sounded. Will you heed the call and join in this noble quest? Will you stand as guardians of peace and champions of justice? The fate of our Municipality hangs in the balance, and only through unity and courage can we hope to prevail. The time has come to embark on your journey, to confront the darkness that threatens to consume us. Together, help us reclaim our home and restore peace to our land!
Erza noticed that Natsu had become silent. "What's wrong, Natsu?"
"Idiot's probably frying his brain trying to understand what the quest means," Gray snickered. Erza was also at the cusp of snickering too but something in Natsu's expression seemed off.
"Natsu?" she repeated. "What's wrong?"
"Huh," Natsu jolted. "Yeah…ah…" he scratched at the back of his head. "Isn't Boundary Forest the place where we took Eclair to search for information regarding the Phoenix Stone?"
Erza was momentarily blindsided by such a sentimental comment from Natsu that she abruptly stopped walking. The other two boys passed by her a couple of centimeters before they stared at her weirdly.
"Yes," Erza smiled at Natsu, putting her hand on Natsu's head to gently ruffle his hair. 'You really have grown, Natsu,' she reminisced to herself. "Ne, Natsu?"
"Yeah?" The pink-haired Mage raised an eyebrow.
The action made Erza remember their childhood, and how innocent and wide-eyed Natsu had been. "About Lisanna…Be sure to always treat her well, ne?"
"I always treat her well," Natsu informed her, as if that was the most obvious thing in the world. "She's a good person, and she's going to be my wife someday," he announced with a big grin.
Erza's breath was caught in her throat. It was both a happy and proud kind of sob that she was able to hold back, lest she make a scene here in public. Her younger brother-in-arms has really matured into such a fine young man.
"Gray," Erza then faced the confused-looking Ice-Make Mage.
"W-What?" he stuttered.
"Juvia, yes?" Erza pointed out. She had been in the front row seat of Gray and Juvia's progress into their situationship right now. "Tell her, okay?"
"Geez, Mom," Gray groaned, turning around to begin walking again. "Yes," he said without looking back. "Yes, I always tell her."
"Erza," Happy landed on her shoulder, gripping the cloth tightly with his paws. Happy's eyes held unease. "Are you going to die?"
Erza slapped that motherfucker off.
"HAPPPYYY!" Natsu screamed as Happy shot like a rocket towards the sky. Natsu ran towards the direction that the blue cat flew off to.
"AYMMM! SHO-WWIEEE!" Happy's voice echoed until it got further and further.
"..." Erza growled before stomping off towards the direction of the train station.