Fairy Tail

A week had passed since the hostage incident at the orphanage. The children had returned to their carefree selves, as though it had never happened.

One day after dinner, Maria called Eleven over to her.

"Little Eleven, would you like to try joining a wizard guild?"

"A wizard guild?"

Eleven tilted his little face up. He remembered the term, and although his knowledge was limited, he did know something about guilds. He just didn't understand why Maria had suddenly brought it up.

"That's right. There are lots of powerful wizards in wizard guilds. If you join one, you can definitely become a powerful wizard too. Then I won't have to worry about your future."

Maria spoke with a kindly, gratified expression, along with a touch of self-satisfaction.

"Do I have to leave the orphanage? Miss Maria, don't you want me anymore?"

Eleven didn't notice Maria's expression at all. His eyes immediately turned red, and he looked up at her with tears brimming in them.

"Ah, no, that's not it! Ah, don't cry! That's not what I meant."

Maria flusteredly tried to comfort Eleven, while also finding his sensitivity and tenderness a little cute.

"That's not what I meant. You'll always be welcome back at the orphanage. I want you to join a guild for the sake of your future. Once you become an official wizard, you won't have to worry about finding work. How about we go take a look at a wizard guild?"

Maria explained as she wiped away Eleven's tears.

"No! I want to stay with Maria."

For the first time in his life, Eleven acted willfully, pleading with the person closest to him like a spoiled child.

Maria's heart nearly melted. She hadn't expected to be touched so suddenly. Even so, she put on a stern face.

"Are you planning to live at the orphanage for the rest of your life?"

"Yes!"

Maria hadn't expected Eleven to answer so confidently. For a moment, she didn't know what to say.

After spending a week with him, Maria knew that Eleven was a little... well... innocent of the ways of the world. He had no interest in the outside world at all, as though the orphanage's little courtyard were his entire world.

Maria knew that wasn't good. The boy was clever, learned quickly, and had a natural talent for magic. She couldn't let his attachment to the orphanage hold him back.

"Sigh, little Eleven, you can't live at the orphanage forever. When the children here turn fifteen, they have to go out, find work, and live on their own."

"Then I'll also..."

"And the children who go out to work all give a small part of their wages to help support the orphanage!"

Maria gave Eleven no chance to bargain, pressing on with coaxing and trickery.

"So, little Eleven, if you join a wizard guild now, you might be able to start working and earning money right away. Don't you want to help the orphanage with money you've earned yourself?"

"Would that make you happy, Maria?"

Eleven asked, looking up at her.

Maria suddenly felt a sting in her nose. She sniffed hard, held back her tears, and nodded firmly.

"Then I'll go!"

Eleven broke into a radiant smile.

"Waaah!"

Maria couldn't hold back any longer. She hugged Eleven and burst into tears. How could this child be so cute? Was he an angel?

Early the next morning, Maria pulled Eleven into her room, washed and groomed him, and dressed him in a new outfit.

Eleven stood in front of the mirror and almost failed to recognize himself.

The boy in the mirror had neat, short gray hair and wore a crisp little black-and-white suit. The only color on him came from his pale blue eyes, which stood out all the more. He looked worlds apart from his former self, with his messy nest of hair and oversized tank top.

"Mm, I look good."

Eleven didn't know how bad Maria's taste was. In any case, he couldn't have been happier to be wearing a little suit for the first time.

Holding Eleven's little hand, Maria walked out of the orphanage. The other children leaned over the courtyard wall to watch them leave, making it all seem so serious that Eleven grew a little nervous.

This was Eleven's first time walking the streets of Magnolia. He carefully observed the colorful streets around him as he chatted with Maria.

"Miss Maria, which guild are we going to?"

"The guild is in this city, not very far away. It's the only wizard guild in the city, and it's a wonderful guild."

"Hmm, I hope it's as nice a place as the orphanage."

"Haha, it'll be even better than the orphanage. Don't worry."

Chatting and laughing, the two came to the edge of the city and stopped in front of a rather dirty-looking tavern that was clearly quite old. Its white walls and red roof tiles clashed with the style of the surrounding buildings.

"We're here." Maria squeezed the little hand in hers.

Eleven looked up at the large words above the entrance.

"Fairy... Tail?"

"That's right!"

At that moment, an old man even shorter than Eleven appeared from who knew where. He wore a pointed hat and walked over unsteadily, his eyes narrowed and his breath reeking of alcohol. As he walked, he said:

"Do fairies really have tails...? When you get right down to it, nobody can even say for certain whether fairies exist.

"And that's exactly why it's an eternal mystery... an eternal adventure!

"That's what the name means. Well? It's a good name, isn't it?"

With that, the old man gave Eleven a toothy grin.

Eleven quickly grinned back at him.

"Ah! Master Makarov, sorry to have kept you waiting. This is the child I told you about." Sister Maria seemed a little nervous at the sight of Makarov and nudged Eleven forward.

Makarov opened his narrowed eyes slightly and studied Eleven closely.

"Oh, you have a very special kind of magic power! What's your name?"

"Eleven... Eleven Brain."

"Eleven, huh...? Good, I approve your admission! We have another new companion joining us. Haha, it's party time again!"

Makarov gave a drunken burp, took Eleven by the hand, and headed for the guild. Halfway there, he suddenly remembered something. He turned back to Maria with a lecherous look and asked:

"Sister, would you like to join us for a drink? We're about to hold a welcome party for Eleven!"

Maria smiled helplessly. If she didn't trust Guild Master Makarov's character, she really wouldn't want to leave little Eleven in such an unreliable place. She just hoped he wouldn't be led astray.

"Thank you, Master Makarov, but there are still many children at the orphanage who need me to look after them. I have to hurry back."

An apologetic smile appeared on Maria's face. She turned to Eleven and gave him an encouraging gesture.

Eleven had just begun to feel reluctant to part and had the urge to go back when he felt a great force from behind him.

Makarov pulled him straight through the guild's doors.

"Everyone, we have a newcomer! Let's throw a welcome party!"

The already noisy guild erupted into an uproar.

Feeling the thick atmosphere of joy in the air, Eleven found himself grinning along.

Makarov had already jumped onto the bar at the far end. He raised the mug in his hand, pointed at Eleven, and shouted:

"Everyone, welcome Eleven, our newest member! As of today, we have another new family member. Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

At the same time, everyone below raised their mugs toward the sky and cheered in unison. Someone lifted Eleven onto the bar beside Makarov, set him down, and then thrust a mug of beer into his arms.

Eleven carefully took a sip, then immediately spat it out, spluttering. Everyone burst into laughter.

Eleven put down his mug and swung his little feet as he watched everyone celebrate. Suddenly, he remembered the half-hour revelry at the orphanage late at night a week ago.

He started grinning along with everyone again. Eleven thought this place seemed pretty nice too.

He didn't notice Makarov beside him, holding a beer and doing a strange dance as he secretly watched him. When Makarov saw his smile, he danced with even more enthusiasm.

In the year X773, Eleven Brain officially joined Fairy Tail.