Little Blondie

Three days flew by. As the green light of the final Healing Magic faded, the last bluish-black traces on Leo's arm vanished completely. His once-pale face had regained a healthy flush, and his eyes were as lively as those of a bird just released from its cage.

He bounced around the study twice, then copied Hisui and waved his fists, his face full of delight.

"I'm all better! I don't feel bad anywhere anymore! Thank you, Riyao!"

Riyao lowered his faintly glowing hand, wiped the sweat from his brow, and grinned.

"Well? Didn't I say you'd be running and jumping in three days?"

King Toma stood nearby, his eyes reddening as he watched his nephew brimming with energy. He stepped forward and clasped Riyao's hand tightly.

"Riyao, words cannot express my gratitude! If it weren't for you, Leo..."

He choked up, unable to continue, then turned and gestured to an attendant.

"Bring in the reward we prepared."

Two attendants entered carrying trays. One was piled with gleaming gold coins and sparkling gems, their brilliance dazzling.

On the other lay an ancient leather-bound magic book. Intricate silver patterns were engraved on its cover, and it gave off faint fluctuations of magic.

"This is a small token of my appreciation."

The king pointed at the gold and gems, then picked up the magic book, his tone earnest.

"Hisui and Arcadios told me you're an exceptionally gifted mage. I imagine you have little interest in treasure and value magical knowledge more. This book contains rare Enchantment Magic. It should be useful to you."

Riyao's gaze had just become glued to the gold and gems when those words made him freeze. The smile fell from his face.

He turned to Hisui and Arcadios, who stood nearby, giving them a look dripping with resentment. So these two had talked too much and ruined his chance at "financial freedom"!

Feeling his gaze, Hisui's emerald-green twin tails swayed gently as she deliberately turned toward the flowers and trees outside the window, pretending to study the courtyard fountain. The bases of her ears, however, quietly reddened.

Arcadios, meanwhile, straightened his back and stared ahead, apparently admiring the old books in the study. In truth, the tips of his ears were growing warm, and he unconsciously tightened his grip on his sword hilt, not daring to meet Riyao's eyes at all.

"Your Majesty..."

Riyao drew out the words, his tone full of grievance.

"Actually, I'm quite interested in treasure too. After all, we still haven't raised enough for the guild's repairs..."

The king blinked, then laughed.

"No matter, no matter! The treasure and the magic book are both yours! As long as Leo could be cured, any price would have been worth it!"

Riyao's eyes lit up. Instantly tossing his resentment aside, he swept up the tray of gold coins with one hand and grabbed the magic book with the other, grinning like a squirrel that had stolen some honey.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! You're so generous!"

He weighed the heavy gold coins, then opened the magic book and glanced inside, his grin nearly reaching his ears.

"Now I can get sweet bread for the guild and improve my magic. It's perfect!"

Enchantment Magic!!! he thought.

After all these years of searching, everything I found was incomplete. And now I've actually got a complete magic book on Enchantment Magic.

Huh? It's complete, but why is it basic? What about transforming into a dragon, enchanting Dragon Force, and all that?

Oh, right. I think Wendy developed the Dragon Force enchantment herself, and Concept Reconstruction was an advanced application Irene only developed later.

Looks like I'll still have to develop it myself. My offensive ability should rise another level. Then my left fist will deal high damage, my right fist will deal high damage, and every punch will be a critical hit with healing. Hmm, I'll call it the Great Mercy and Compassion Fist.

King Toma smiled and patted Riyao on the shoulder.

"If you're in no hurry to return to Magnolia, why not stay in Crocus a few more days? I'll have the royal chefs prepare a full imperial banquet for you—oh, no, a feast of Crocus specialties. I'll make sure you get honeyed berries and roast lamb chops!"

Riyao's eyes instantly shone brighter than the gold coins. He tightened his grip on the tray, but his feet honestly shifted half a step backward.

"Your Majesty, you know me so well! But I can't!"

He suddenly raised his voice and patted his chest with a solemn expression, making the gold coins jingle.

"The guild's sweet bread is still waiting for me to save it! If I delay any longer, those guys at the guild might just tear the roof off and trade it for snacks!"

Leo tugged and shook his sleeve, his little face scrunched up like a bun.

"Riyao, stay one more day! I still want you to show me your new magic!"

"A demonstration? Coming right up!"

Riyao's eyes lit up. He shoved the tray of gold coins into the arms of the attendant beside him, tucked the magic book against his chest, rolled up his sleeves, and struck a pose.

He clenched his left fist, a faint green healing light glimmering at his fingertips, and held his right fist straight, wrapped in flecks of golden magic power, while muttering under his breath.

"Watch closely! This is the ultimate secret art I just developed: the Great Mercy and Compassion Fist! One punch averts disaster, two punches keep all illnesses at bay, and three punches... Hey, hey, hey, don't run!"

Hisui jumped half a step back in fright, her emerald-green twin tails practically standing on end. Arcadios reacted swiftly, grabbing Riyao, who had nearly crashed into a bookshelf. A vein throbbed at his temple.

"Mind the occasion, Sir Riyao."

"Oops, my mistake, my mistake!"

Riyao scratched his head, suddenly remembered they were still exchanging courtesies, and immediately put on a beaming smile and cupped his hands toward the king.

"Your Majesty, I can hardly refuse such generous hospitality, but there's an urgent matter at the guild. Next time I come back, I'll have mastered the Great Mercy and Compassion Fist, and then I'll give you a massage for free! I guarantee your back and legs won't ache, and you'll have the energy to fight dark guilds!"

The king's mouth twitched as he held back his laughter, and he nodded repeatedly.

"Good, good, good. I'll be waiting for that massage."

"Then I'll be off!"

Riyao snatched the tray of gold coins back from the attendant and turned to rush out. After only two steps, he slammed to a halt and looked back to shout at Hisui and Arcadios.

"Hisui! Next time we meet, I'll teach you to make flower crowns with Enchantment Magic! They're pretty and protect against curses! Arcadios! Want a protective layer on your sword? It'll clang in battle without the edge getting damaged!"

Arcadios waved him off, his face dark. "No need."

Hisui covered her mouth and laughed. "Have a safe journey, Mr. Riyao! Remember to bring Guild Master Makarov some sweet bread!"

"Got it!"

Riyao made an OK sign and walked toward the door with the tray and magic book, his steps as light as if he had springs under his feet. Then he suddenly stopped, poked his head back in, and shouted.

"Oh, right, Your Majesty! I forgot to ask! Which shop in the city has the sweetest honeyed berries? Could you give me the address? I'll leave once I've bought some!"

The king could no longer hold back and burst out laughing.

"Have an attendant take you! Pick and buy whatever you like. It's all on me!"

"Long live His Majesty!"

Riyao's eyes shone as he bowed deeply to the king, nearly spilling the gold coins.

"Now I'm really going! I won't delay any longer! Leo, I'll teach you Healing Magic next time! Hisui, I'll bring you berries next time! Arcadios, I'll show you the Great Mercy and Compassion Fist next time!"

"Go on, go on."

Arcadios held his forehead and waved helplessly.

Only then did Riyao dash out after the attendant, his shouts still audible along the way.

"Wait for me! Don't run so fast! The gold coins are going to fall! Hey, is that berry shop far from here? Can we buy some before going to the station?"

In the study, the king watched him leave and chuckled.

"The mages of Fairy Tail really are all different from the rest."

Leo leaned against the window, watching Riyao bounce along with the tray, and couldn't help saying, "Riyao is so much fun! I want to join Fairy Tail someday too!"

Hisui smiled and nodded. "He really is... very special."

The heat had yet to leave the tips of her ears, but a faint smile quietly curved her lips. This eccentric yet dependable blond mage really had made an impression.