Who Was the Best Big Sister?

A few days later, at the Fairy Tail guild.

Cana sprawled half across the table, shrouded in gloom and looking utterly listless.

"...Say, Gray, don't you think... Erza and Aibo's relationship has gotten a little too close?"

Gray was slumped over the other side of the table, similarly enveloped in a low-pressure aura.

"Has it? I didn't notice. I only know Erza is really strong. I've been wondering whether I really can't beat her..."

"Do you even need to wonder? One punch from her and you're down. Useless little—

Ah! Aaaah! Damn Erza! She's actually holding hands with Aibo! When did they get so close? I'm obviously Aibo's big sister!"

As Cana spoke, she bit down on a handkerchief and glared fiercely at the two "siblings" who had returned to the guild behind Makarov.

"Erza?! This time, I'm definitely going to beat you!"

Gray had barely leaped in front of Erza when he noticed that she was no longer wearing an eyepatch.

"Huh? Erza, your eye is healed? Congratulations... Now duel me again!"

"You're truly stubborn. Fine, I'll take your challenge seriously. Aibo, give me a sword."

Erza was not wearing armor at the moment, but a casual formal dress that made her look like a beautiful noble lady.

A longsword suddenly appeared in Aibo's hand. It had been transported from their home in Little Garden through Requip Magic.

"Here."

Five seconds later, the battle was over. A black-haired hedgehog had been plastered onto the guild wall.

Erza smiled and handed the sword back to Aibo.

"Your magic is really useful. It suits my magic perfectly. You have to teach me next time."

"No problem. With Big Sister Erza's talent, you'll learn it quickly."

The magic Erza had awakened was called [Knight Magic], though Aibo preferred to call it [Sword Manipulation].

It was a magic that used mana to control and enhance weapons. Aibo had learned a little of it, and then...

[Mana Control LV1: 3708/10000], [Knight Magic LV0: 3/1000]

This Knight Magic had actually appeared after the Mana Control skill, which meant it was an enhanced application of mana, specifically tailored for metal weapons.

Aibo guessed that Knight Magic was itself a composite magic. Once it reached LV1, it would most likely become Mana Control experience plus some kind of metal-control skill.

Mana Control itself was an extremely versatile skill. The higher its level, the greater one's control over all magic would become.

And the "Knight Magic" Erza had awakened was at least LV3, which was equivalent to possessing LV3 Mana Control techniques and LV3 metal manipulation.

That was why she could so easily, almost instinctively, use mana to enhance her body. It was practically as if awakening it had also given her LV1 Enhancement Magic.

Combined with Erza's already powerful mana and sharp combat instincts...

Even without systematic magical training, Erza could easily crush Gray through pure stat superiority.

To be honest, Aibo was a little jealous of Erza's talent.

Her mana had been even higher than his own when he had first awakened. Although she had no LV4 skill, one LV3 composite skill was worth several ordinary skills, and it even came with innate combat talent. Her starting stats were more luxurious than his.

It was like heaven had been chasing after her, spoon-feeding her success. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was the protagonist.

"Wow, Gray lost that easily. Looks like Erza will have to carry the next generation of our guild."

"How terrifying. Kids these days are getting stronger and stronger."

Listening to everyone's discussion, Makarov, leaning on his cane, grinned so widely that his mouth nearly reached his ears, his eyes practically swimming with delight.

Wahahahaha! Those old geezers are definitely going to be jealous to death! In a few years, I'll take Erza to the regular meeting and show her off! Hahahahaha!

Today, Aibo had followed Erza and the guild master deep into the eastern forest to meet the guild master's old flame, Porlyusica.

She was an eccentric pink-haired old woman with exceptional potion-making skills, a powerful potion master.

Erza's eye had been healed by her. Although there were still a few imperfections, it no longer affected daily use.

Erza was very grateful to Porlyusica, while Aibo was rather envious of her potion-making techniques.

However, when Aibo asked her to teach him Potioncraft, he was thrown out. Apparently, the old woman disliked humans.

But Aibo would not give up. He had been in this world for so long and had seen all sorts of strange magic, yet he had never encountered healing magic. Whenever he asked, he was told it had been lost.

Legend said that gods once existed in this world, and priests of the divine church all knew Healing Magic. But later, all the gods died, and Healing Magic was lost with them.

As a result, people could now only rely on bandages and doctors for treatment. There was not a trace of magic involved; it was entirely science.

Porlyusica's "Potioncraft" was the most useful healing technique Aibo had learned of so far.

In any case, Aibo had already left a coordinate at Porlyusica's place. He planned to drop in and bother her from time to time, hoping that one day he could learn a new technique.

And after Aibo's guidance, Erza had emerged from her confusion. She no longer hid alone in a corner, curled up on herself. Instead, she had become remarkably poised in the way she carried herself.

Erza was the serious type who put righteous principles into practice, but she was more inclined to be strict with herself and did not force her own standards onto others too much. She had something of a disciplinarian's air.

For example, she had currently caught a certain hedgehog-headed boy off the wall, pulling clothes over his head and occasionally punching him to remind him to wear them. Poor Gray trembled beneath Erza's iron fists, and even his gaze had become clear.

"Little Aibo, come sit with your big sister."

Taking advantage of the moment, Cana lured Aibo to one side. She pouted with a hint of jealousy.

"Aibo, tell me, who is your best big sister? Between me and Erza, who do you like more?"

Wuwuwu, I'm Aibo's real big sister. Only me!

"..."

Aibo broke out in a cold sweat. Girls were really hard to deal with. She could get jealous over this too?

"I like Big Sister Levy more."

Cana: "?"

"Haha! I heard that, I heard it! I like Little Brother Aibo the most too!"

Levy suddenly sprang out from behind Aibo, grabbed him, and pressed her cheek against his.

"No! Not this! Damn Levy, give Aibo back to me!"

Aibo was buried in soft, fragrant warmth as the two girls fought over him. He was happy and miserable at the same time.

"Don't make a fuss, Big Sister Cana. Can I take a look at your guild emblem?"

"Huh?"

Cana's pretty face reddened. Somewhat bashfully, she lifted the hem of her clothes and revealed her slender waist.

"Here, if Aibo wants to look, then look... Eek! Little Aibo, what are you doing?"

Aibo pressed his hand against the guild emblem at Cana's waist, waves of mana rippling from his palm.

When Aibo removed his hand, the black Fairy Tail emblem on Cana's lower abdomen seemed to have gained a faint pink outline, so subtle that it was impossible to notice without looking closely.

"This is the [Aibo's Flying Thunder God Space-Time Flash First Formula Mark] that I came up with after researching writing and Space Magic myself. Of course, you can also call it [Aibo's Mark]."

"?"

Cana froze for a moment, blood rushing to her face as she stammered.

"W-What kind of weird name is that? Does it mean Aibo has left his mark on me?"

"It's actually a spatial coordinate. As long as Big Sister Cana activates it with mana, I can sense your location, and then—whoosh—I can rush right to your side."

Aibo flashed a V-sign, his little fingers waving back and forth.

"Right now, my teleportation limit is close to fifty kilometers. As long as you're within that range, I can sense the fluctuations from the mark on you and come to your side immediately. Pretty impressive, right?"

Even without mana being used to activate it, Aibo could roughly sense nearby marked coordinates. There was no need to mention that, though, and he had no intention of saying it.

Cana touched the mark at her waist. Feeling Aibo's concern, warmth filled her heart, and she could not suppress the smile on her lips.

"I-Is that so? But a big sister would never ask her little brother for help. I should be the one protecting Aibo! Still, since it's Little Aibo's heartfelt gift, this big sister will accept it~"

Levy's eyes lit up when she heard that, and she eagerly asked for one too.

"Aibo! I want one too!"

"Okay, okay, don't rush. Everyone gets one~"