16-20

Chapter 16: The Dragon Trainer  

"Running out of stamina already?"  

As the opponent in this sparring match, Makarov was the first to notice, raising an eyebrow.  

But upon reflection, it made sense.  

Though Rayne’s magical power and physical abilities surpassed those of his peers, he was still just a child.  

Sustaining high-intensity combat for long periods was impossible.  

In fact, Makarov was surprised Rayne had lasted this long.  

He hadn’t closely analyzed the nature of Rayne’s magic before, but from what he could see now, its enhancement effect on the body was far stronger than that of most mages.  

For a Holder-Type mage, this was unusual.  

Then again…  

For someone who could summon dragons, maybe it wasn’t so strange after all.  

Either way, Makarov knew it was time to end the fight.  

"It’s over!"  

Seizing the moment Rayne slowed from exhaustion, Makarov swung his fist—a compact, wind-splitting blow aimed straight at the boy.  

But just as he did, a dark shadow flickered at the edge of his vision.  

"What—?!"  

It was Rayne’s own fist, moving at a speed that defied his supposed fatigue.  

Their punches collided—but Rayne’s was caught in Makarov’s palm, fingers clamping down with surprising strength.  

For a brief moment, even Makarov couldn’t break free.  

His other hand was too slow to block.  

"A trap?!"  

Realization struck. He’d misjudged Rayne’s endurance.  

"Fine, I’ll take the hit."  

Makarov braced himself, but inwardly, he was thrilled.  

Even while suppressing his own power to match Rayne’s level, the fact that a rookie—someone who’d only trained for half a month—could land a blow on him?  

For a guild master like Makarov, a single punch was nothing. He’d take a hundred if it meant nurturing such talent.  

But when the strike finally landed…  

It was barely a tap.  

"...Guild Master, you taught me this on the first day—'what looks like an opening might not be one.'"  

Rayne released Makarov’s fist, panting heavily as he stood.  

Sweat drenched his clothes, clinging to his skin as his chest rose and fell.  

The fight hadn’t been long, but fighting at full intensity had drained him.  

Yet his eyes were bright, his smile genuine—a stark contrast to his ferocity in battle.  

"Heh… Guess I’m getting old."  

Makarov chuckled, shaking his head.  

He wasn’t retired yet, but he rarely fought these days.  

To think he’d let his guard down twice against Rayne.  

Though, in hindsight, the first time was carelessness.  

This time? Even in his prime, he might not have dodged.  

The boy’s growth—both in magic and physique—was staggering.  

"I thought you said you were gonna punch me?" Makarov mused, dismissing his Giant Magic.  

"I did."  

"Hm?"  

Makarov gave him a skeptical look. That "punch" had been featherlight.  

"Hitting you was just a goal—not like I’d actually do it."  

Rayne tilted his head, as if Makarov were the odd one for expecting a real strike.  

A soft hmph echoed in Rayne’s mind—Ddraig clearly disapproved.  

Rayne ignored it.  

Makarov wasn’t just his savior and mentor; the man’s grandfatherly appearance alone made it hard to swing seriously.  

(Of course, had this been one of the vile old men from his past life, he wouldn’t have held back.)  

"But if you really want a beating, ask someone else."  

Rayne turned toward the spectators—Kanna and Porlyusica—and grinned.  

"Yeah!"  

With a sharp exhale, he punched the air, the sunlight glinting off the sweat-drenched Fairy Tail emblem on his hand.  

The guild’s sigil—a white fairy mid-stride, its tail like a streak of motion—shone brilliantly.  

"Rayne!"  

Kanna sprinted toward him, tiny legs pumping, her ivory horns glinting.  

The way she charged, head slightly lowered, made Rayne half-expect to be impaled.  

He barely managed to stop her by planting a hand on her forehead—  

—before the sheer force slammed him onto his back, staring at the sky.  

Even in human form, Kanna’s strength was monstrous.  

Normally, Rayne could handle it, but post-sparring? He had zero energy left.  

Makarov hadn’t been entirely wrong—Rayne was exhausted.  

Blocking that last punch had drained him completely.  

(And that was with Makarov pulling his strike at the last second.)  

"So this is how Uma Musume trainers get trampled, huh? Does that make me… a dragon trainer?"  

The thought slipped out, his usual discipline frayed by fatigue and relief.  

"Rayne, when can we play too?"  

Kanna’s face hovered above him, blocking the sky, her tone oddly eager.  

"Hah… Give me a while, okay?"  

He pinched her soft, chubby cheeks, laughing.  

Kanna’s idea of "play" wasn’t child’s games—it was full-on dragon play.  

And right now? One hit from her might send him straight to the afterlife.  

"Okay."  

She pouted but didn’t push, mimicking him by squishing his face in her tiny hands.  

"You spacing out? Don’t tell me losing to a kid got to you."  

Porlyusica’s dry voice cut in as she approached Makarov.  

"Not at all. Just feeling lucky—to have found such a promising boy."  

Makarov grinned, wide and unguarded.  

"Fairy Tail won’t fade on my watch!"  

"You look like an idiot."  

Porlyusica scoffed, but as his old comrade, she understood.  

Makarov had carried a quiet fear—one he’d never voiced.  

Until now, only Gildarts had the strength to uphold Fairy Tail’s legacy.  

Laxus had potential, but his arrogance festered.  

Warrod and Macao were capable, but in a guild like this? They weren’t enough.  

For a while, Fairy Tail had teetered on the edge—a generation slipping through the cracks.  

It had weighed on Makarov, thinning his hair into its current state.  

But now?  

Now there was Rayne.  

A little reckless in battle, perhaps, but otherwise flawless.  

And for the first time in years, Makarov felt—  

Maybe I haven’t failed the First and Second after all.  

(◠‿◠) 

Chapter 17: Hunting for a Job  

After regaining some energy, Rayne freshened up inside the house before stepping out with his packed belongings.  

"Thank you for your hospitality these past days."  

Standing before Porlyusica, Rayne bowed slightly, his tone sincere.  

"Hmph. I just didn’t want you wasting time here," she scoffed, raising a hand to cut him off, her voice dripping with impatience. "The sooner you finish your training and leave, the sooner I get my peace back."  

"Mm-hmm."  

Used to her attitude, Rayne’s smile didn’t waver. He’d remember her kindness regardless of her words.  

"Take this. It’s just taking up space."  

Porlyusica’s frown deepened at his nonchalance, but she had no retort. Instead, she shoved a jar into his hands—filled with dried fruits she’d prepared over the days.  

The intended recipient was obvious.  

"Heh~"  

Rayne’s lips quirked at her feigned indifference. But when he glanced down at Conna, the little dragon’s eyes were locked onto the jar, her tiny fists clutching his clothes so tightly the fabric strained. A faint, desperate whimper escaped her.  

"Conna, what do we say?" Rayne prompted quickly before his shirt met its doom.  

"Thank you, Granny Porlyusica!"  

Snapping out of her trance, Conna bowed deeply.  

"Just go. And don’t come back to bother me."  

With a dismissive wave, Porlyusica turned on her heel and marched inside, slamming the door behind her.  

"Let’s head back. You’ll need time to clean your place," Makarov finally spoke, having watched the exchange in silence. After fifteen days vacant, dust was inevitable.  

"Right."  

Cradling the jar, Rayne followed the Guild Master. Behind them, Conna paused to wave at the closed door.  

"Bye-bye, Granny Porlyusica~!"  

Her sweet voice carried through the wood before she toddled after Rayne.  

"...Hmph."  

On the other side, Porlyusica’s stern face softened—just a little—into something almost resembling a smile.  

The trio’s pace was far swifter than an average traveler’s. By the time they reached Magnolia, the sun still hung lazily in the sky.  

Rayne navigated the familiar streets with ease, soon arriving at the guildhall. The sight of the well-worn building stirred something in his chest.  

"Loser buys the drinks!" 

"Bring it on! Last time was a fluke!" 

"My bet’s on Wakaba! You’re going down!" 

"Oh, you wanna fight?!"  

Even before stepping inside, the rowdy clamor of Fairy Tail washed over him. The noise was chaotic, yet inexplicably… comforting.  

"Hey! Rayne’s back!"  

Someone’s shout turned heads. The guild’s usual frenzy paused as members peered toward the entrance.  

"Lookin’ sharp, kid! Proper mage material now!" 

"Training’s over already?" 

"Not bad! Still not as strong as me, though—HAH!" 

"Pfft, bragging to a kid? Fight me instead, coward!"  

The racket doubled. As one of the guild’s youngest—and most level-headed—Rayne had carved out a place among them. His return sparked genuine cheers.  

"Waaah! Connaaaa! I missed you~!"  

Carolyn’s squeal cut through the noise as she barreled forward.  

"......"  

Conna froze under the onslaught of affection before ducking behind Rayne, burying her face in his clothes. With violence off the table, the dragon had no defense against such enthusiasm.  

"Aww…" Carolyn wilted but didn’t push further.  

"She doesn’t know how to handle you when you’re like this," Rayne chuckled.  

Carolyn eyed him, noting the changes. He’d grown taller—now reaching her chest—his boyish features sharpening into something more refined. The glint in his eyes held a new edge, unmistakably a mage’s.  

"Not bad~ Starting to look the part. A bit skinny, though. Training must’ve been rough." She grinned, clapping his shoulder with her usual brightness.  

"Skinny?"  

Rayne glanced down. If anything, his muscles had outgrown his clothes.  

Shaking it off, he nodded toward the request board. "I’ll check for jobs."  

He hadn’t come straight to the guild just to socialize. Securing a job now meant he could depart first thing tomorrow.  

Carolyn blinked, then shot a look at Makarov—now sipping ale at the bar. His lack of protest confirmed Rayne had his approval.  

Half a month, and the kid’s already earned the old man’s trust?  

"Go for it. Just pick something safe," she said, stepping aside.  

For the first time, no one blocked his path.  

The request board spanned an entire wall, its cork surface pockmarked by countless pin holes. Dozens of notes and parchments—some crisp, others yellowed—were haphazardly tacked on.  

Sloppy scrawls sat beside elegant calligraphy, each whisper of ink and aged paper blending with the guild’s ale-scented air. It was a mosaic of needs and desperation, a mercenary’s marketplace.  

Rayne exhaled, the thrill of adventure prickling under his skin.  

Time to find his first real job. 

Chapter 18: Leisurely Hours at the Apartment  

The request board was a chaotic mosaic of jobs.  

At the low end, there were tasks like finding lost cats or waitressing at restaurants. At the high end? Escort missions, monster hunts, even investigations into dark guilds and extermination requests. Truly, there was something for everyone.  

"The guild master said my current strength is suited for C-rank jobs, so D-rank is out of the question."  

Rayne recalled Makarov’s words when he’d returned earlier. After their spar, the old man had clearly assessed his capabilities—and that was before factoring in [Boosted Gear]. With its power, even a B-rank mission might not be impossible.  

To help mages find suitable work, requests were categorized by danger level: from the lowest (D-rank) up to S-rank. In Fairy Tail, the first-floor board only went up to A-rank.  

Your rank as a mage wasn’t always a perfect measure of strength—some low-rankers were deceptively powerful—but high-rankers? They earned their status.  

Rayne also remembered the three legendary tiers beyond S-rank:  

SS-rank. Decade missions. Century missions.  

The last two were exactly what they sounded like—requests left unfulfilled for ten or a hundred years. The pinnacle of difficulty, reserved exclusively for Fairy Tail’s second floor… where only S-class mages could tread.  

"Better start with C-rank."  

Suppressing his ambition, Rayne opted for caution.  

Besides, Makarov had to approve all requests. Even if he grabbed a higher-ranked one, the old man might veto it.  

With that in mind, Rayne ignored the D-rank cat searches and part-time gigs, focusing solely on C-rank postings.  

But he’d returned too late.  

Most of the good C-rank jobs were already taken. This wasn’t a game; quests didn’t magically refresh. And since C-rank was the sweet spot for average guild members, competition was fierce.  

The leftovers were either tedious or underpaid.  

Rayne sighed and began scanning the slim pickings.  

"Hmm… an escort or a monster hunt?"  

His eyes landed on one in particular:  

Request: Escort for Herbalist 

Rank: C 

Details: Elderly herbalist requires protection while gathering Moonlight Blossoms—a rare flower that blooms only briefly in early autumn—in the Southern Green Hills. Recent rumors of monster activity necessitate a mage escort for one day. 

Client: Master Herbalist Bartolo 

Reward: 30,000J  

Compared to the others, this one had clear advantages:  

1. Same-day round trip (no overnight stays).  

1. Higher pay than the remaining options. 

The other postings required travel, meaning he’d lose money before earning any.  

"This is the one."  

Decision made, Rayne plucked the sheet from the board.  

"Guild master, I’m taking this job."  

Makarov glanced at the request, then nodded. "Old Bartolo, huh? Alright."  

After stamping the form, he handed it back with a warning: "Watch out for monsters in those hills."  

"Got it. We’re heading out, then."  

With a wave, Rayne and Kanna exited the guild, bidding quick goodbyes to Caroline and the others along the way.  

The new apartment was a fair distance from the dorms—east versus south. Caroline had personally scouted the place after hearing about his move.  

The landlady was ruthless, refusing to budge on the 70,000J monthly rent. Thankfully, Makarov had covered the first few months—otherwise, Rayne would’ve been broke.  

Now that he could take jobs? Money would be less of a worry.  

With [Dragon’s Origin], failing to earn cash would just be pathetic.  

Still, it stung that he’d only slept there one night before vanishing for half a month. By his math, that was tens of thousands of J wasted—a painful thought for someone currently penniless.  

Hand in hand with Kanna, Rayne walked along the canal, letting the cool breeze clear his mind.  

Boats drifted lazily downstream, their oarsmen lounging on deck. Sunset painted the water in gold, scattering light like blooming flowers across the surface.  

Ten minutes later, they arrived at the apartment—a modest two-story building.  

Caroline had mentioned the landlady lived on the first floor but rented out the second to avoid leaving it empty. A separate outdoor staircase meant no awkward intrusions through her home.  

The wooden steps creaked softly as they ascended.  

The unit itself was a standard studio: a combined living-bedroom space, plus a small kitchen and bathroom.  

Cozy, not cavernous—exactly how Rayne preferred it. Empty rooms just felt… lonely.  

Thankfully, two weeks of absence hadn’t left much dust. Kanna "helped" clean, though the result was just her tiny body coated in grime.  

Still, her antics made the chore oddly fun.  

"Phew—"  

Leaning on the balcony railing, Rayne exhaled, taking in the view.  

The location was perfect: the riverfront, the streets beyond, the vast sky stretching endlessly.  

"Rayne, Rayne! Lift me up!"  

Kanna tugged at his sleeve, her cheeks smudged with dust. Standing on tiptoe in her white stockings, she strained futilely toward the railing.  

"Sure."  

He hoisted her up without bothering to wipe her face first. At this height—or even a hundred meters higher—falling meant nothing to a dragon.  

But to avoid alarming passersby, Rayne kept a hand on her back as she swung her red-shoed legs, gazing curiously at the gilded clouds.  

To her, sunsets were nothing new.  

But now?  

She wasn’t watching alone.  

Something about that felt… different.  

She didn’t have the words yet.  

So instead, she memorized the scene—Rayne’s view, Rayne’s world—saving it for the day she’d understand. 

Chapter 19: First Mission  

Morning in Magnolia 

At the southern gate of Magnolia, two figures—one tall, one small—stood side by side, drawing curious glances from passersby.  

The taller one was just a handsome young man. While he caught the attention of a few women, he wasn’t the main attraction.  

The smaller one, however, had horns, a tail, and an otherworldly outfit paired with an adorable face.  

It was impossible not to stare.  

Thankfully, Magnolia was a town steeped in magic. Strange sights were common, so no one panicked—though many couldn’t help but smile at the drowsy little girl swaying on her feet, occasionally bumping into the boy beside her.  

"Connie, maybe you should go back and sleep for a bit?"  

Rayne glanced down at the half-asleep dragon girl and made his suggestion.  

By "go back," he didn’t mean their apartment—he meant her original world. That way, he could summon her anytime if needed.  

Not that a C-rank mission should be dangerous, but still.  

"No~"  

Her voice was soft and dreamy, but her tiny fingers tightened around the hem of his shirt.  

Sleeping in her own world? Boring. Staying here? Much more fun.  

"Alright."  

Rayne didn’t push it. Instead, he scanned the bustling gate entrance.  

Before long, an elderly man came into view—white-haired, slightly hunched, but with a lively energy about him. A woven basket hung on his back, similar to the ones Porlyusica used for gathering herbs.  

"That must be Bartlow."  

Rayne’s gaze didn’t go unnoticed. The old man’s cloudy eyes flicked toward him, then to the request sheet in his hand—emblazoned with Fairy Tail’s crest.  

"You two took my request? This isn’t a sightseeing trip, you know."  

Bartlow hesitated when he saw Connie, still blinking sleep from her eyes.  

Rayne? He could believe. But a child younger than his granddaughter? Was this safe?  

"Don’t worry, Mr. Bartlow. I wouldn’t gamble with our lives."  

Rayne’s calm smile eased some of the old man’s doubts.  

"Connie’s here because Master Makarov approved it."  

Invoking Makarov’s name worked like a charm.  

Everyone in Magnolia knew Fairy Tail was… loud and unpredictable. But they also knew Makarov took his guild’s safety seriously.  

If he allowed it, then maybe it wasn’t so strange after all.  

"I see… Well then, I’ll be counting on you."  

Bartlow sighed but didn’t argue further.  

"Thanks for understanding."  

With that settled, it was time to depart.  

But Bartlow wasn’t about to hike all that way on foot. Instead, the three boarded a horse-drawn carriage heading south—a common mode of transport between towns.  

These carriages functioned like buses, picking up and dropping off passengers along the route.  

Rayne’s first thought when he heard about them? "So this world has public transit. Neat."  

There were magic-powered vehicles—faster and smoother—but they guzzled magic energy like crazy.  

Ten miles in a horse carriage? Just some hay and feed.  

Ten miles in a magic wagon? Say goodbye to a few mages’ worth of power.  

So unless it was an emergency, most people stuck to horses.  

Also, magic wagons were expensive.  

But horse carriages had their downsides too.  

Bumpy. Slow.  

The roads outside towns were far from smooth, and every jolt sent passengers bouncing in their seats.  

"Glad I’m not a Dragon Slayer. Motion sickness would suck."  

Rayne grimaced as the carriage rattled along.  

Connie, however, perked up almost immediately.  

Kneeling at the carriage’s front railing, she watched the scenery roll by with wide-eyed fascination.  

"Rayne, Rayne! What’s that?!"  

She pointed excitedly at a creature in the grass—a snow-white deer with crystalline antlers, watching them with curious, tilted eyes before darting into the forest.  

"Aww… it left."  

Her voice was wistful.  

"Ah, you’re lucky, little one! That was a Glimmerstag—a rare magical beast. They say spotting one brings good fortune!"  

Bartlow chuckled warmly.  

Rayne, meanwhile, could only smile awkwardly.  

He knew Connie’s disappointment wasn’t because the deer was gone—but because it wasn’t in her mouth.  

Still, the encounter made the sluggish trip more enjoyable.  

Connie soon forgot about the deer, kicking her little legs idly as she propped her chin on her hands, watching birds soar past overhead.  

Even the other passengers couldn’t help but smile at her antics.  

Slow as it was, the carriage eventually reached its stop.  

An hour later, at a fork in the road, Bartlow led Rayne and Connie off the wagon.  

Then—  

"Rayne."  

Connie tugged his sleeve, her voice casual.  

"Someone’s following us."  

Like she was commenting on the weather.  

Rayne blinked.  

His first thought? "The Black Magic cult?"  

But that didn’t make sense. Those slavers wouldn’t waste time tracking him down.  

So who—?  

Chapter 20: Vigilance  

Battlero stood quietly, his bamboo basket strapped to his back, watching as the two discussed.  

As an older man who’d seen much of the world, he knew better than to interfere in matters outside his expertise. His role was gathering herbs—not meddling in their conversation.  

Still, he couldn’t help but marvel at Kanna.  

This child, who looked so small and unassuming, had somehow detected their pursuer—something even the boy beside her hadn’t noticed.  

"As expected of Fairy Tail’s members," he mused. "Even the youngest among them possess extraordinary abilities."  

"It’s the smoking man from the guild," Kanna added, identifying the stalker.  

Though her draconic powers were limited by Rayne’s magic supply, her senses—honed by her true nature—far surpassed any human’s. She’d known Wakaba’s location from the moment he began tailing them.  

At first, she’d assumed their paths simply overlapped. But now that they’d stopped and he’d halted too, she spoke up.  

"Wakaba?"  

The name conjured an image in Rayne’s mind: the man crashing into Makarov during his guild introduction.  

They’d grown somewhat familiar over the past weeks, but that first impression—spectacularly awkward—stuck with him.  

"This must be the Guild Master’s doing."  

Realization dawned. Only Makarov could’ve sent Wakaba after them.  

Normally, guild members were expected to complete jobs independently unless they requested backup. Unwanted assistance implied doubt in their abilities—an unspoken insult.  

Yet rules like these sometimes felt… harsh.  

Wakaba’s presence here? Likely just Makarov’s caution. A first mission was always risky.  

"Seems Makarov holds you two in high regard," Battlero remarked, his earlier tension easing.  

"He’s a good man," Rayne replied easily, unbothered.  

Pride might’ve made others resent the oversight, but Rayne understood. He was a rookie.  

"You’ve got a fine temperament, boy."  

Battlero’s wrinkled face softened. Most youths would’ve bristled at the implied lack of trust. He’d even prepared a speech to smooth things over—only to find it unnecessary.  

"If we want the Guild Master to stop worrying, we’ll just have to nail this mission," Rayne said, ruffling Kanna’s hair before shifting focus. "Battlero-san, lead the way. We’ll handle security."  

"Well said!"  

The old man chuckled, stepping forward. Rayne followed, grip firm on Kanna’s hand as his eyes scanned their surroundings.  

Relying solely on Kanna’s senses would’ve been easier, but Rayne refused to grow dependent. Habits forged now would save him when intuition wasn’t an option.  

"Finally moving again. Wonder what that pause was about?"  

Far behind them, Wakaba trailed discreetly, oblivious to his exposure.  

Battlero moved with surprising agility for his age, navigating paths invisible to untrained eyes.  

"Moonlight Blossoms have many uses," he explained, noting Rayne’s curiosity. "I come here several times a year."  

"What kind of monsters tend to gather near them?" Rayne asked, filing away a mental note: Always research targets beforehand.  

"Hmm… As the name suggests, the flowers bloom at night, absorbing lunar energy. Certain beasts are drawn to it."  

Though primarily an herbalist, Battlero knew enough about the local fauna.  

"Silverwhiskers, Stardust Moths, Moonbeam Bears, and Hush Owls."  

He launched into a detailed breakdown:  

"Silverwhiskers are swift. Stardust Moths scatter hallucinogenic pollen. Moonbeam Bears pack brute strength but lack speed. Hush Owls emit sleep-inducing sonic pulses."  

He paused, almost disappointed when Rayne didn’t ask for more.  

"Understood. Thank you."  

"You sure? I’ve got plenty more to share!" Battlero pressed.  

Few apprentices cared for herbology these days—even his family found it dull. This rare chance to lecture had him itching to continue.  

"Not here. It’s not safe to lose focus," Rayne declined—then added, "But I’d love to learn more after we return."  

The guild’s library held extensive records, but firsthand knowledge from a master? Priceless.  

Rayne wasn’t planning to specialize in herbs, but understanding their habitats could prove vital for future jobs.  

"You’ve got yourself a deal!"  

Battlero’s eyes lit up. He pointed ahead eagerly.  

"There—the valley beyond those bushes is where the Moonlight Blossoms grow."  

"Wait!"  

Rayne’s gaze sharpened. He yanked Battlero back, pressing a finger to his lips.  

The old man froze, then retreated behind Kanna with practiced speed—ready to bolt at the first sign of danger.  

Rayne’s eye twitched.  

"No wonder he’s survived years of herb-gathering alone."  

The man’s self-awareness was impressive.  

At least this meant Rayne could fight unrestrained.  

Steeling himself, he peered through the foliage—into the moonlit valley where danger waited.  

(¬‿¬)