Invitation, Destination, Decision

(A huge thank you to 'Yun Qi Qing Gu', 'Ice Moon Shadow', 'Xiao h Zhai', 'Heart Soul Lost', 'Qi Guanxuanqi', '703's Rabbit', 'Long Tiani', 'Our Dream of Anime', 'Sing Zai', 'pokémon', 'You · 丶', 'Panda Ah!', and 'Shadow of Di' for their support!)

(Speaking of which, today seems to be my solar birthday...)

"Mmm... this is good..."

"Elfman, don't eat so fast."

"Mmm... but it's really good."

"Honestly."

"Ugh!"

"Wah! Water! Water!"

Watching Elfman, who was sitting at the same table, choke until his eyes rolled back, and Lisanna's flustered appearance, Noah couldn't help but cover his face.

At daybreak, Noah and the Strauss siblings returned to the nearby village and went back to the inn.

A day had passed, and Wendy had already left the village with Jellal, embarking on a journey to find Grandine and stop the activation of Anima. The Strauss siblings, after three or four days of living in the wilderness, had finally returned to civilization.

However, to Noah's surprise, the Strauss siblings didn't have the money to stay at the inn, or even to eat.

This was actually quite normal.

Before being driven out of their village, the Strauss siblings weren't exactly wealthy. They relied on each other for survival, and the money they had brought from home had long been spent.

That's why, when they heard that the village had issued a request to expel the ghosts in the nearby forest, the Strauss siblings used the Magic Items that distorted vision, which they had originally intended to sell, on Mira, hiding the demon's arm and coming to the village to accept the request in order to earn some living expenses and travel money.

Who knew that after the Strauss siblings were ready and arrived at the village, they found the Village Chief, only to be told that someone had already accepted the request. That's how the scene of the Strauss siblings barging in to steal the job unfolded.

No wonder the Strauss siblings were so persistent about this request, so persistent that they searched for Noah in the forest for three whole days and were unwilling to return.

If they couldn't snatch this request, the Strauss siblings wouldn't even be able to afford a meal, which would be a matter of life and death.

Of course, after learning the origin of the matter, Noah was dumbfounded, but he didn't say anything unnecessary because of it. He simply ordered a table full of dishes, allowing the Strauss siblings, who had been eating wild game in the forest for several days, to have a good meal.

After returning to the village, the Village Chief had someone come to notify Noah that he had acknowledged Noah's completion of their issued request and had paid Noah the full reward of 200,000 J in one lump sum.

Adding to the 1 million J left over from activating the Lake of Rituals last time, Noah didn't carry all of it on him, but it wasn't a problem to treat others to a good meal, and he wouldn't be so stingy as to stand by and watch them suffer for the sake of that little bit of money.

However, if possible, Noah still hoped that Elfman could restrain himself and eat a little more quietly.

Glancing at Mira, who was sitting to the side, still wearing a cloak that completely covered her body, only extending one hand to silently eat, Noah felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Last time, she rushed over like a delinquent girl, threatening to steal my job, but this time she's so well-behaved. It's really unsettling...

Mira continued to eat silently, seemingly not hearing Noah's murmur. Lisanna, who was sitting farther away from Noah, heard a little, secretly observed Mira, and then leaned close to Noah's ear, saying this.

"Actually, ever since she was possessed by a demon... no, ever since she took over the demon's power and awakened her Magic, Mira hasn't smiled again, and she rarely speaks. Last time, she was so impolite only to appear strong in front of outsiders and protect us..."

"Is that so?" Noah smiled slightly, nodded without showing any emotion, but spoke without being as secretive as Lisanna.

"I think a demon wouldn't have such a delicate side. Only humans would change themselves for their families."

Mira's movements paused slightly, then she recovered and continued eating, as if nothing had happened.

Lisanna nodded gratefully to Noah, then turned her gaze to the gluttonous Elfman, her expression immediately becoming angry as she started bickering with Elfman.

The meal was basically all consumed by Elfman's stomach. Amidst the sounds of Elfman's eating, Lisanna's curious inquiries to Noah about various things, Noah's occasional responses, and Mira's silence, the meal quietly ended.

"Now that you've eaten your fill, what are your plans for the future?" Noah took a sip of his drink and looked at the Strauss siblings.

"You don't have any extra money, right? You can't keep going on like this, can you?"

"This..." Lisanna and Elfman looked at each other, and Mira's eyes flickered slightly.

Clearly, the Strauss siblings didn't have any good plans at the moment.

Noah tapped the table rhythmically, his gaze sweeping across the faces of Mira, Elfman, and Lisanna in turn. After a while, the corners of his mouth turned up.

"How about it? Want to come to Fairy Tail?"

"Go to Fairy Tail?"

Not to mention Lisanna and Elfman, even Mira clearly had a moment of heart fluttering.

It must be said that a Mage Guild is really a good place for the Strauss siblings to go.

Mira, Elfman, and Lisanna have no fixed abode, and they have no one to rely on except each other. They must have a stable income to survive.

However, even if the Strauss siblings want to work and earn money, their age is a big problem. Ordinary jobs simply won't consider hiring children, otherwise the Strauss siblings wouldn't be having such a hard time.

But Mage Guilds don't have so many concerns.

As long as you can use Magic and have a certain level of strength, and can complete the corresponding requests, you can get paid. Moreover, the rewards are more than ordinary jobs.

Mira can use Take Over Magic, and she takes over the power of a demon, able to stand against a huge minotaur Magical Beasts. Her strength is evident, and there would be absolutely no problem joining a Mage Guild.

The problem lies with Elfman and Lisanna. They haven't learned Magic yet and are just ordinary children.

"In Fairy Tail, there are also many children your age. They are still learning Magic, so even if you don't know Magic, you can learn it after joining the Guild." Noah spread his hands.

"I myself am a Mage of Fairy Tail. Personally, I think you joining Fairy Tail wouldn't be a big problem. It's a good place to go. Of course, the decision is in your hands. I'm just giving a suggestion."

Elfman and Lisanna hesitated with some difficulty, and finally looked at Mira together, waiting for Mira's decision.

Mira looked at Noah, just in time to meet Noah's smile, and couldn't help but recall the scene in the cave in the forest where Noah gently stroked her disgusting arm. Her heart inexplicably felt a burst of acceleration, and she avoided Noah's gaze.

In this situation, the scene became eerily quiet.

No one knew how long had passed when Mira raised her head and took a deep breath.

"Let's go to Fairy Tail!"

Elfman and Lisanna exchanged a look and said in unison, "Wherever Mira goes, we'll go!"

Mira's heart warmed, and she gave a rare smile.

Seeing this, Noah smiled knowingly, feeling a lot of goodwill towards the Strauss siblings.

Even with such unknown and unbearable painful memories, even with extremely difficult and embarrassing situations, the three siblings still stuck together, relying on each other for life, never giving up on each other, and never for a moment not thinking of each other.

This bond of family will surely accompany them throughout their lives, becoming a good medicine for them to get rid of pain, get rid of difficulties, and get rid of the past.

Noah believed that.