I'm Done Being Human

He had originally wanted the guild mark stamped on his arm, but his arm was far too small. Even if he got it there, the whole thing wouldn't fit, so he could only have it tattooed on the left side of his chest in the end: a gleaming gold Fairy Tail mark.

Riyao touched the mark on his chest, pursed his lips, and muttered under his breath.

"From now on, I'll have to pull down my collar and sell my looks."

At those words, Makarov, who was drinking, sprayed wine all over the table.

As he sat obediently at the bar drinking milk, Gildarts suddenly leaned over and asked curiously what his magic was.

The people around them were drawn over too, all eager to see what kind of magic the child their master had picked up could use.

Riyao reached out and shoved Gildarts's big face away, complaining in disgust.

"Damn old man, your boozy breath is in my face."

He scratched his head and tried to activate the healing magic inside him.

A soft green light soon glowed in his palm, drawing gasps from everyone.

Makarov nodded with satisfaction.

"Very few people awaken healing magic on their own, and not many learn it later in life either. It's quite a rare magic."

The moment the master finished speaking, he suddenly let out a startled cry.

While Makarov was talking, Riyao had quietly placed a hand on his belly, simply wanting to see if he could heal something.

The next second, Makarov's expression changed. He grabbed a roll of toilet paper and raced for the bathroom.

Riyao looked up, his cute little face earnest as he spoke in all seriousness.

"Looks like I cured Grandpa Master's constipation."

In the distance, Makarov was furious, yelling at the top of his lungs as he ran.

"What the hell are you talking about! You lot are spouting nonsense! How could I possibly be constipated! It's complete rubbish!"

Riyao kept the same serious expression and added calmly.

"Grandpa Master must be embarrassed. He is the master, after all. It's not impossible that he'd find it hard to talk about something like that."

He pondered silently: Could the healing magic have made everything in the old man's stomach and intestines lively?

The guild erupted in laughter. Gildarts slapped the bar, laughing so hard he couldn't straighten up.

"Riyao's magic is way too funny, hahaha!"

The bar shook under his slaps, and Riyao, unhappy about being jostled, reached out and pressed a hand against Gildarts's belly.

And so Gildarts also received a bathroom gift package.

Macao and the others laughed even harder, and several female guild members gathered around to play with him.

For Riyao, who was already an adult on the inside but looked like a three-year-old, this treatment was simply wonderful.

After a while, Makarov came out of the bathroom with a dark expression, returned to the bar, and stared resentfully at the little fellow in front of him.

"You little brat, don't use me as a guinea pig, hey!"

Riyao immediately put on an innocent expression, his voice soft.

"I just wanted to see if I could heal something for you, Master."

Seeing him like that, Makarov couldn't really get angry. He stroked his chin and pondered for a moment.

"Riyao, since you have healing magic, how about Grandpa Master finds you a teacher? If you don't use healing magic properly, you could end up hurting someone instead."

Hearing that, a thought immediately popped into Riyao's head: Could human anatomy be very different in these two entirely different worlds?

He nodded his little head and asked, pretending to look bewildered.

"Will you teach me, Grandpa Master?"

Makarov shook his head, lifted him onto his shoulder, and spoke as he walked.

"It's an old friend of mine. She specializes in medical magic. Her name is Porlyusica, but you can just call her Grandma Porlyusica."

So it's her.

Before Riyao could think any further, Makarov added with an odd expression.

"She might have a bit of a temper, and she's a little strange... but all in all, she's very kind."

After traveling deep into the forest on Magnolia's eastern outskirts, Makarov and Riyao, perched on his shoulder, stood before Porlyusica's treehouse.

Porlyusica came out holding a broom, a displeased look on her face.

"You again, you old fool, and you've brought a little nuisance with you. Didn't I tell you I hate humans? Get out!"

Makarov dodged the broom with an embarrassed laugh.

"Haha, well, this kid Riyao awakened healing magic on his own, and I thought you could teach him a thing or two."

Riyao lay on Makarov's shoulder and nodded his little head in agreement.

Seeing the resistance written all over Porlyusica's face, his little eyes darted about. His dramatic nature instantly took over, and he made another startling declaration.

"Since Grandma Porlyusica doesn't like humans, I'm done being human!"

Porlyusica and Makarov froze at the same time, their faces full of shock as they stared blankly at the little fellow who looked three years old.

What kind of outrageous declaration is that? Done being human? Do you think you're Dio? Wait, who's Dio?

Riyao climbed down from Makarov's shoulder, turned around, clasped his little hands behind his back, and looked up at the sky. His childish voice rang out.

"I'm done pretending. I'll come clean: I'm actually a child of a god, sent down to the mortal world to temper myself."

The corners of the two elders' mouths twitched, and Makarov retorted.

"You little brat, you haven't even grown your hair in yet, and you call yourself a child of a god? You're clearly a demon brat!"

He tilted his head up, his big eyes moist and his long lashes trembling gently, and unleashed the ultimate skill of a three-year-old!

Acting cute and spoiled.

His voice was so soft and sweet it could melt.

"Grandma~ I'm very well-behaved, and I learn things really fast. Please teach me~"

Porlyusica's face remained cold. Feigning impatience, she gave Riyao a push, trying to pry him off her leg, but the little fellow held on tight, and she couldn't shake him loose.

One look at the scene and Makarov knew nothing good would come of staying.

He gave Riyao a look, then made himself scarce, turning and darting away in a flash. He vanished into the forest, leaving only a string of guilty laughter behind.

"You old fool! You actually ran off and left the child here!" Porlyusica shouted angrily at the forest, her expression even uglier.

Riyao kept hugging her calf, looking up at her obediently. He neither made a fuss nor caused a commotion, simply staring at her with those clear, innocent eyes, full of patience.

After a long standoff, Porlyusica ultimately couldn't win against the clingy little fellow.

She looked at the green glow of healing magic that had yet to completely fade from his palm and felt the pure, warm magic power coming from him.

Her cold expression finally softened, ever so slightly.

She sighed, put down the broom in her hand, and looked at Riyao helplessly.

"You've worn me down. Starting tomorrow, come here every afternoon. I'll teach you medical knowledge and the proper way to use healing magic. But let me make this clear first: no mischief, no experimenting with magic, and absolutely no making jokes at my expense!"

Riyao's eyes lit up. He immediately let go, stood up straight and proper, and bowed respectfully to Porlyusica, his little face full of a sly yet well-behaved smile.

"Got it! Thank you, Grandma Porlyusica! I'll listen and be good, and I definitely won't cause trouble!"