Routine Meeting

Natsu thought for a moment.

"Taurus is that cow, right? It doesn't seem all that strong."

"That's only because I'm not strong enough yet!"

"Once my Magic Power increases, they'll grow stronger too!!"

Happy suddenly noticed another key hanging from Lucy's waist.

"Hey, Lucy, you've got a silver key on your waist too. What constellation is that?"

Lucy looked down and found that there really was another key.

"I almost forgot. This is Canis Minor, which I bought from a shop in Harujion Port. I nearly forgot about it."

"Perfect. I'll show you how a Celestial Spirit Mage makes a contract."

Lucy then looked ahead solemnly, holding the key to Canis Minor in her hand.

"I am one who connects the path to the Spirit World. I command you to answer my summons, pass through the gate, and open! Gate of Canis Minor: Nikora!"

A magic circle opened, and a white, unidentified creature the size of a small animal trembled as it walked out.

Natsu and Ye Yang were both completely dumbfounded when they saw it.

Natsu asked doubtfully, "Did... the summoning fail?"

Lucy hurriedly explained.

"It didn't fail! That's just what Canis Minor looks like!"

Natsu looked disappointed.

"I thought someone really amazing would appear."

Lucy then ignored Natsu and began communicating with Canis Minor, asking things like when it was free.

Ye Yang found it terribly boring and prepared to leave.

Lucy asked, "Are you leaving?"

"Yeah. I still need to rush to the next place to collect rent."

Lucy looked outside at the pitch-black sky. "You're collecting rent... this late...?"

She then looked at Natsu, who was still in her room.

"Ye Yang has already left, so why aren't you leaving?!"

"Hehe, of course we have something to do."

Lucy asked in confusion, "Huh? What could you possibly have to do?"

"Of course, we're here to team up with you!"

...The next day...

At the Fairy Tail guild's quest board.

Levy of the Chariot Engine Squad looked over the quest board but could not find the Quest Slip she had seen earlier.

"Has someone already taken the Elba Mansion quest?"

Mirajane checked the registration sheet in her hands.

"Yes, Natsu took it last night."

Levy looked disappointed. "How could this happen? I finally made up my mind to take it. The reward was 200,000J. I shouldn't have hesitated."

Makarov said, "Levy, it was the right choice not to take that quest, because this morning, the commission fee rose from 200,000J to 2,000,000J."

"What!! 2,000,000J?! That's almost as much as a Subjugation Quest!"

"Why? It's just a book. How did the reward suddenly increase tenfold?!"

"Sigh... what a great quest that was~"

With no other choice, Levy left dejectedly.

Seeing Ye Yang lying there like a corpse, Makarov immediately got angry.

"You brat, you're hiding here slacking off again. Your limbs are about to atrophy from lying around!"

Ye Yang lazily turned over.

"It's impossible for me to do quests. It's impossible this year. Staying in the guild is better. The people here speak so nicely, and they're all so good-looking. I love it here too much."

(▼皿▼#) "This brat."

Mirajane came over and said, "Alright, stop making the guild master angry. Since you have nothing to do right now, come out with me and buy a few things."

Ye Yang was then dragged out by Mirajane.

As everyone in the guild watched the two leave, they began whispering among themselves.

Macao said, "When do you think those two will get together?"

Wakaba said, "Who knows? It's obvious to everyone that Mirajane likes Ye Yang. There's no way that kid doesn't see it."

Macao said, "But Mirajane really has changed a lot. She went from being a little delinquent to such a graceful beauty."

"That brat has it good."

Makarov said, "Who knows what that brat is thinking? When Er Gou and San Mao come back someday, just ask them indirectly."

"Speaking of those two, they should be back soon if we count the days."

Macao said, "Haha, no rush. Come on, come on, drink up."

Suddenly, someone said.

"Erza actually seems pretty well matched with Ye Yang too."

Hearing Erza's name, Macao jerked in surprise and nearly spilled his drink.

A few days later.

Lucy stood before the quest board, looking for a job suitable for her.

"Find a lost Magic Bracelet."

"Remove the Curse from a cursed staff."

"Use divination magic to predict romance."

"Drive the Demon out of a Volcano."

"There really are all kinds of requests."

After finishing a quest with Natsu, Lucy wanted to see whether there was any quest she could do herself. She had been in this guild for nearly a week and had not earned a single coin. Although Ye Yang had waived next month's rent, if she still had no income, she would be living on air.

Mirajane came out at that moment.

"The guild master hasn't been around lately. If you want to take any quest, just tell me."

Lucy looked toward the bar. Makarov usually sat there, but she really had not seen him today.

"What has the guild master gone off to do?" Lucy asked.

"There's a regular meeting to attend, so he isn't here."

"A regular meeting?" Lucy looked somewhat confused.

Ye Yang spoke up at that moment. "It's just a bunch of old men and old ladies having a party, drinking, and bragging. Nothing interesting."

"The Old Man wanted me to go with him. That'll never happen in this lifetime."

Mirajane lightly tapped Ye Yang on the head with her clipboard.

"Don't lead the newcomer astray."

"Still, communication between guilds is indeed very important. It can prevent certain accidents from happening."

"Accidents?"

Natsu suddenly appeared behind Lucy.

"Dark Guild guys might show up."

"Eek!!"

Lucy jumped in fright at the sudden words.

Happy said, "Scaredy-cat Lucy, or Scarecy for short."

"Don't just give people nicknames, you stupid cat!"

Natsu said with a grin, "There really are dark guys. They're a group of people who ignore the law and use magic however they want."

Lucy complained speechlessly, "You'll get recruited by them sooner or later."

Although Lucy had only done one quest with Natsu, ever since she met him, Natsu had basically been on a path of destruction. First Harujion Port, then the Elba Mansion house.

"Alright, Lucy, hurry up and pick a quest."

Lucy asked in confusion, "What does the quest I pick have to do with you?"

"Aren't we a team?"

"Our team has already been disbanded!"

Natsu asked in confusion, "Huh? Why?"

Lucy said resentfully, "Anyone with blonde hair can be your partner, isn't that what you said?"

Natsu replied with a cheerful grin, "We chose you as our partner, Lucy, of course because you're a good person."

Looking at Natsu's sincere expression, Lucy felt a little troubled too.