The First Mission

"Learning the Rasengan in a month, and completing the first stage of Demon Flash in the remaining month, that's pretty good progress." At the doorway, the little girl Feiyin, crossed her arms and laughed.

Chiba strode over, then plopped down on the threshold. Looking at the now bare forest, he said, "Winter's already here without us even realizing it. Is the New Year almost here?"

Feiyin nodded and smiled, "What? Looking forward to this world's festival?"

"A little, but before that, I'd like to go to work because I'm broke," Chiba shrugged.

Thinking this, he stood up and said, "Let's go! I've been in the guild for so long, and I haven't even taken on a single job."

Feiyin nodded, then transformed into a streak of white light and entered Chiba's body.

Chiba walked towards the guild.

Before long, he arrived at the guild hall, which was as noisy as ever. However, this also dispelled the winter chill, and at this time of year, very few people were working, as it was nearing the end of the year and everyone seemed to be preparing for the New Year. After a year of work, the mages also wanted to take a break during this time.

"Yo! Chiba! What brings you to the guild now?"

As soon as I entered, I was greeted by Macao, a very energetic middle-aged man.

Chiba laughed and said, "It's almost the end of the year, and we don't have money for the New Year, so we have to go to work!"

"Thinking about going to work at this time?" Macao was slightly surprised, but still smiled and said, "Well, it's good that young people are energetic."

He seemed unaware that this was Chiba's first time preparing to accept a mission...

After saying goodbye to Macao, Chiba went straight to the quest panel and looked at the few quests on it.

[Exterminate the Monster]: A mutated creature has appeared around Kabu Town. We are now recruiting a mage. Reward promised: 150,000 J

[Cargo Escort]: The wealthy Labi is preparing to transport a batch of goods to Shanwu Town and urgently needs two mages. Reward promised: 2,800,000 J.

There are only these two tasks on the taskbar. Perhaps it's because it's nearing the end of the year; the taskbar, which should be full, is now reduced to just these two. However...

Chiba rubbed his eyes, making sure the reward for the next task was correct.

The reward for defeating the first monster is only 150,000, but the reward for escorting the goods is a whopping 2.8 million?

This is it!

As long as it's not S-Class mission, Chiba is generally confident he can handle it. And even if he can't, he can escape unscathed. Furthermore, even if a stronger opponent comes along, he can simply use his Partial Tailed Beast Transformation to kill the target.

Just as he was about to tear off the mission, a familiar girl's voice rang out behind him.

Why are you thinking about doing quests now?

Behind her, the girl in the black dress and short skirt walked up to Chiba and smiled faintly.

Chiba sighed and said, "Because we're out of money."

The girl was slightly surprised. "What happened to the two million I gave you? You live outside and don't have to pay rent, how did you spend it so quickly?"

"Um... this..."

Chiba scratched his head, a sheepish smile on his face.

Chiba, who was initially adamant about not accepting Mira's Chiba, was later thoroughly humiliated by Mira and forced to accept her two million yen. He originally didn't intend to use the money, but Feiyin insisted on buying clothes, so in the end, the two of them took Natsu and had fun in Magnolia during their training.

"I ate it," he honestly admitted.

Mira sighed and facepalmed. "Fine, fine, you spendthrift, it seems raising you will be quite a challenge."

Chiba gave an awkward smile, then changed the subject, waving the task in his hand and saying, "This task has two slots, and I only have one. Do you want to join me?"

"Together? Two slots available?"

Mira's little face showed a momentary panic, but she quickly regained her composure. However, she seemed to be hesitating about something, stammering and failing to finish her sentence.

Chiba was somewhat puzzled. "If it's an emergency, then forget it. But if you're alone..."

"I'll go with you." Mira interrupted him before Chiba could finish speaking.

She turned to the side and muttered, "Anyway... anyway, I don't have anything else to do, so I'll go with you."

"Did Mira forget that she was supposed to help us prepare for the New Year?" At that moment, Lisanna's voice quietly sounded behind the two of them.

Wearing a thick coat, Lisanna walked over with Elfman. Lisanna tilted her head and giggled, "But if Mira goes on a mission with Chiba, I'd totally agree!"

Mira blushed and glared at her.

Lisanna stuck out her tongue and said no more.

"Then let's take this mission!" Chiba had somehow walked to the counter and said to the old man Makarov.

Mira: "..."

"Why are you running so fast?" Mira came up to Chiba angrily.

Chiba scratched his head and said, "Because... Lisanna said you guys were going to prepare for the New Year, so I... umm..."

"I already told you I'd be with you, you idiot!"

Before he could finish speaking, he was grabbed by the collar and dragged out of the guild by an angry girl.

The guild members burst into laughter, and Lisanna couldn't help but rub her forehead, as if letting out a sigh.

"Chiba -nii seems smart, but he's a complete idiot when it comes to relationships..."

On the train.

The man, who had just been beaten up, sat opposite the girl in the black dress with a bruised and swollen face, not daring to utter a single word.

Mira crossed her long, slender legs, gazing at the scenery outside the window, occasionally glancing at the silent boy opposite her with his head down, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"The quest location is in the Feinard Town, south of Magnolia. It's about a 30-minute train ride. Since this is your first quest, I'll come and talk to the client," Mira said calmly.

Chiba nodded emphatically.

Mira chuckled at his awkward expression, then reached out and pinched his cheek, laughing, "Alright, alright? Still making that face? Am I that scary?"

Chiba shuddered as he recalled the sudden punch he received when he was dragged out of the guild, and quickly shook his head. "No, no, absolutely not."

"Hmph... who told you to be as stupid as a donkey..." She crossed her arms again, turning her face away haughtily.

Thirty minutes passed quickly, and they got off at the station in Feinard City, their destination.

Feinard City is a bustling commercial city, even more prosperous than Magnolia. Skyscrapers stand tall, and the word "wealth" is evident everywhere.

The letter of commission stated that the mission location was Sharu's mansion in Feinard City, not too far from the train station.

The two arrived at the mission location on foot.