The morning sun bathed Magnolia in golden light as the town stirred to life. Merchants set up stalls, the scent of fresh bread mingling with flowers and river air. Children's laughter echoed as carts clattered over cobblestones.
"Alright... let's do this," I muttered, adjusting my cloak as I made my way to the Fairy Tail guildhall. The golden mark on my shoulder felt heavier today maybe nerves, maybe something else.
The guildhall loomed ahead, its banners swaying gently. I pushed open the wooden doors, greeted by the familiar hum of laughter, chatter, and clinking tankards. A few members glanced my way and offered nods or smiles. Friendly, but distant. I'd have to earn my place here.
At the far end of the room, a desk stood to the side of the raised platform where Makarov often sat. Behind it was a young woman with auburn hair tied into a neat braid, her emerald-green eyes scanning the ledger in front of her with practiced efficiency. She looked up briefly as I approached, offering a polite smile.
"You must be Aidan," she said, her tone warm but professional. "I'm Alma, the guild's receptionist. Makarov mentioned we'd be seeing more of you."
"Alma," I repeated, inclining my head slightly in greeting. "It's nice to meet you. I was hoping to ask for your help with something."
"Of course," she said, setting the ledger aside and giving me her full attention. "What do you need?"
"I'm looking to settle here in Magnolia," I began, choosing my words carefully. "Something simple—a house or an apartment. Do you know of any places available for rent?"
Alma's eyes lit up, and she nodded. "You've come to the right person. We keep a list of properties that are often rented out to guild members—places that are close to the guildhall and reasonably priced. Let me see what's available." She flipped through a smaller book beside her ledger, her fingers moving quickly over the pages. After a moment, she looked up.
"There's a small apartment just down the street from the guild. It's cozy but well-maintained, and the landlord's a friend of the guild. There's also a cottage near the riverbank—a bit more space if you prefer quiet. Either of those sound appealing?"
I considered her words for a moment. "The cottage," I said finally.
Alma smiled, jotting something down in her book. "I'll let the landlord know to expect you. You can take a look after your day here and see if it suits you.
"Thank you," I said sincerely. "That helps a lot."
"It's my job," she replied with a slight shrug. "Now, was there something else you needed?"
"Yes," I said, glancing briefly at the requests pinned to the nearby board. "I was hoping to take on my first mission."
"For that," Alma said with a gentle smile, "you'll need to speak with Master Makarov first. New members must be accompanied by a senior guild member for their first mission—it's tradition, and for your safety."
"She's correct," came a soft, weathered voice behind me. I turned to see Master Makarov approaching, his hands clasped behind his back. Despite his small stature, his presence was unshakable, though there was a kindness in his demeanor that softened the edges. "We wouldn't want you rushing headfirst into danger. You're part of the guild now, and that means we look after our own."
He paused, studying me with a thoughtful expression, his sharp eyes twinkling faintly in the light. "Now then... who shall I pair you with?"
Before he could decide, a deep, hearty voice interrupted from the nearby tables. "I'll do it," Gildarts said, a grin spreading across his face as he leaned back in his chair. "I've got some time before I head out on my next job, and, well, I'm curious about the new kid."
Makarov turned, his expression soft but faintly surprised. "You, Gildarts? Hmm..." He stroked his beard slowly. "That would certainly be something. Though I do hope you won't frighten the boy." His lips curved into a faint, teasing smile.
"Come on, Master," Gildarts replied, his grin broadening. "I'll behave. Besides, I've got a knack for showing rookies the ropes."
Makarov let out a low chuckle, his tone fond. "Very well, then. If you're volunteering, I'll leave Aiden in your capable hands. Alma, give him a mission, something suitable for a first outing."
My mind faltered for a moment. Gildarts. Of all people—Gildarts. Not just the walking legend everyone revered, but the same guy who had a reputation for absolute chaos. He wasn't just strong—he was a troublemaker, a one-man demolition crew who could turn a simple trip to the market into a full-scale disaster zone. The thought of being paired with him wasn't just daunting—it was terrifying. How many stories had I already overheard about Gildarts accidentally leveling buildings while "helping"?
Makarov then turned his attention fully to me, his tone soft but tinged with a subtle edge of warning. "Aiden," he said, clasping his hands behind his back, "as your first mission companion, Gildarts will be your guide... and your responsibility."
"Wait, my responsibility?" I blinked, momentarily forgetting myself. Wasn't he supposed to be the senior member here?
Alma nodded and flipped through the stack of scrolls on her desk, her movements brisk and efficient. After a moment, she held one out. "Here we go. A merchant in the northern district needs help transporting goods to a nearby village. It's a straightforward escort job, but there have been reports of bandits on the road. It should be manageable, especially with Gildarts accompanying you."
Makarov's lips curled into the faintest of smiles, but there was no mistaking the seriousness in his tone. "Someone needs to keep him in line. The job may be straightforward, but with Gildarts involved..." He trailed off, shaking his head as though recalling a distant memory. "Let's just say you'll need to make sure the merchant's goods and the road are still standing by the end of it."
Gildarts let out a hearty laugh, completely unbothered. "Come on Master, you make it sound like I'm some kind of walking disaster. I'll be on my best behavior, I promise."
Makarov arched a brow. "Your best behavior? Gildarts, the last time you said that, we had to rebuild the east wall of the guildhall."
"That wasn't my fault," Gildarts replied, grinning. "The wall was in the way."
I exhaled slowly, adjusting the scroll Alma had handed me. How exactly was I supposed to "keep Gildarts in line"? The man could probably crush a mountain by sneezing too hard. But from the amused gleam in Makarov's eye, it was clear this wasn't a suggestion—it was a test.
"Understood," I said, keeping my tone as steady as I could manage. Inside, I was already wondering if I should invest in disaster insurance, do they even exist here?
"Good lad," Makarov said, his expression softening. "Learn well and keep your head. And, Gildarts..." His eyes shifted to the grinning powerhouse. "Do try to make sure the guild doesn't receive a bill for damages by the time you return."
"No promises," Gildarts replied with a wink, already heading toward the door. He gestured for me to follow, his pace casual and confident. "Let's get moving, kid. This'll be fun!"
Great. My first mission, and I was already being sent out with the guild's resident wrecking ball. What could possibly go wrong?