A Lesson in Reason Didn't Work on You

Although he had driven off those annoying flies, Lu Chongwei didn't hurry into the mountains.

He glanced at Lisanna.

The little girl's clothes were thin and tattered, worn through in many places. Her exposed skin was covered in bruises and scrapes. Her lips were cracked, and her face was deathly pale from long-term malnutrition and the fright she'd just endured.

More importantly, the medicine pouch she'd been clutching had been trampled flat during the earlier scuffle. The bottles inside were probably already broken.

"Let's go back to town first."

Lu Chongwei said.

"Huh?" Lisanna froze. "But my sister..."

"Your sister needs medicine, and you need something to eat." Lu Chongwei pointed at the ruined pouch in her arms. "Taking that back won't save her."

Lisanna looked down at the bundle in her arms, still seeping medicine. Her eyes reddened again, and she obediently nodded.

The two of them returned to town.

Though it was already late at night, the town's only general store and pharmacy were still lit because of the commotion earlier.

Lu Chongwei led Lisanna into the general store.

The shopkeeper had been among the crowd watching earlier. When he saw Lu Chongwei enter, he nearly dove beneath the counter in fright.

"Bring out the best salves you have, along with clean bandages and disinfectant."

Lu Chongwei rapped his knuckles on the counter, making a "knock, knock" sound.

"And get some bread, milk, and a few sets of warm clothes for a child."

The shopkeeper cautiously peered out, and was just about to fetch the items when he suddenly noticed Lisanna behind Lu Chongwei.

He froze.

"Th-this... Mage..."

The shopkeeper swallowed, his face twisting with fear and unease.

"I don't mind selling you the supplies... but... if they're for that cursed family..."

"I won't sell them!"

The shopkeeper suddenly shouted, as if trying to work up his courage.

"The mayor said anyone who helps them is an enemy of the whole town! What if that demon gets its strength back and comes to take revenge on us?"

At that, several villagers who hadn't yet left gathered around, chiming in noisily.

"Exactly! Don't sell them anything!"

"Let them starve to death in the mountains!"

"Sir Mage, you can't help the wicked!"

Lisanna stood behind Lu Chongwei, clutching the hem of his clothes as her body trembled uncontrollably.

She looked up at the unrecognizable faces of the uncles and aunties she'd once known. Now they looked like monsters, as if they wanted to devour her.

Tears blurred her vision once more.

Why?

My sister was only trying to save everyone... We haven't done anything wrong...

Watching this, Lu Chongwei felt his anger flare.

He'd thought that if he explained everything clearly, these people would show at least a little compassion.

But he'd been wrong.

Reason couldn't reach people blinded by ignorance and fear.

Some people had been on their knees for so long that they'd lost the courage to stand up and act like human beings. All they could do was turn their blades on those weaker than themselves.

"Phew..."

Lu Chongwei let out a long breath.

"I was going to be civilized and talk this through with you."

Lu Chongwei's voice was soft, but it carried a chilling edge.

"Since you won't listen to reason, I'll try a way you can understand."

Before he'd even finished speaking—

Clang—!!!

A clear, ringing blade cry echoed through the night.

The Ryujin Jakka in Lu Chongwei's hand slid a few inches from its sheath!

Boom!

He hadn't even released its Shikai, but the faintest leak of spiritual pressure, combined with the Zanpakuto's terrifying heat, made the temperature inside the general store soar!

The air around them seemed to ignite, rippling with visible distortions.

The glass bottles on the counter burst one after another, while the wooden shelves began to smoke and stink of burning wood.

"Ah! It's hot!"

"Fire! It's on fire!"

The villagers screamed in terror. They felt like ants tossed into an oven. Sweat soaked their backs in an instant, and even the air they breathed felt like scorching lava.

With one hand on his sword hilt, Lu Chongwei looked down coldly at the shopkeeper, who had collapsed to the floor.

"I'll give you two choices."

"First, bring out the supplies, and I'll pay you what they're worth."

"Second, I'll burn this place to ashes and take them myself."

Lu Chongwei leaned forward slightly, his dark eyes seeming to flicker with real flames.

"Money or your life?"

"M-money! I want the money! I want the money!"

The shopkeeper was scared out of his wits. With snot and tears streaming down his face, he scrambled toward the shelves.

"I'll give you everything! Please, don't kill me!"

The other villagers fled in a panic, clutching their heads. They wished they had two more legs, terrified that one twitch of the dreadful Mage's hand might set the whole town ablaze.

That was the terror absolute power could inspire.

In the face of death, curses and the mayor's orders meant nothing.

Five minutes later.

Lu Chongwei walked out of the general store carrying two large bags of supplies, with Lisanna at his side.

The shopkeeper clutched the pile of gold coins Lu Chongwei had tossed him and huddled in a corner, shivering. He didn't dare look at Lu Chongwei.

"Let's go."

Lu Chongwei placed a bottle of warm milk in Lisanna's hands.

"Drink up and warm yourself."

Lisanna held the bottle, feeling its warmth against her palms. She looked at Lu Chongwei's tall figure and once again found tears slipping down her cheeks.

This time, though, she wasn't crying from fear. She was moved.

The two of them headed back into the mountains.

With the supplies in hand, Lisanna seemed much happier this time. She led Lu Chongwei through the woods, around the cliffs, and finally to a secluded cave.

Before they could get close—

"Who's there?!"

A wary shout came from the cave entrance.

Two figures rushed out of the darkness and blocked the entrance.

On the left was a girl wearing a dark red cloak, her hood pulled low to hide most of her face. A few strands of silvery-white hair were all that could be seen. Her right hand was tucked tightly beneath her cloak, and her body was taut, like a leopard ready to pounce.

On the right stood a sturdy boy who seemed timid and hesitant. He held a thick wooden stick. Though his legs were shaking, he stood resolutely beside the girl.

They were Mirajane and Elfman.

"Stay back!"

Mirajane fixed Lu Chongwei with a fierce glare, her voice hoarse and hostile.

"Who are you? Why are you holding Lisanna? Let her go!"

"Sister! Elfman!"

Lisanna slipped free of Lu Chongwei's hand and ran over.

"Lisanna! Are you all right? Did they hurt you?"

Elfman quickly dropped the stick and pulled his little sister into his arms, checking her over from head to toe.

"I'm fine, big brother."

Lisanna wiped away her tears, then turned and pointed at Lu Chongwei, hurrying to explain.

"This big brother is a good person! He's a Mage from Fairy Tail. He saved me!"

"Look! He even bought us lots of food and medicine!"

Lisanna lifted the bag in her hands, showing it to her siblings like a treasured gift.

"A Mage?"

At the word, Mirajane jolted. The suspicion in her eyes only deepened.

"What's a Mage doing here? Did you come to hunt the 'demon'?"

Mirajane instinctively took a step back and tucked her right hand even farther beneath her cloak.

"Don't be nervous."

Lu Chongwei raised both hands to show he meant no harm.

He wasn't angry at Mirajane's attitude. On the contrary, as he looked at the girl warily guarding her family like a hedgehog, a hint of admiration flickered in his eyes.

"I did accept a mission to hunt a demon."

Lu Chongwei said frankly.

"But I don't think there's a demon here. I see only three children who need help."

Lu Chongwei gently set the remaining bag of supplies on the ground, then backed away a few steps to show he was sincere.

"There's medicine for your injuries, and food, too. Whether you trust me or not, you should treat your wounds first."

"Lisanna said you were hurt. If you don't get treated in time, an infection could be serious."

Mirajane looked at the supplies on the ground, then at Lu Chongwei's calm, open expression, and finally at Lisanna, who was watching her expectantly.

Her stomach chose that moment to rumble in protest.

Elfman swallowed, too.

They hadn't eaten in two days.

Mirajane bit her lip. At last, some of the hostility in her eyes eased.

No matter what, she couldn't let her brother and sister starve.

"...Come in."

Mirajane stepped aside to clear the cave entrance, but remained on guard.

"If you try anything, I... I'll bite off a chunk of you, even if it kills me!"

Lu Chongwei smiled without replying, then carried the supplies into the cave.