"Seriously, why did you have to drag me along? I'm busy too, you know!"
Gray had one hand in his pocket and the other scratching his spiky hair, grumbling unhappily. Somehow, he had lost his shirt again.
But Gray did not know that Aibo had already seen through his tough talk.
Tch, whatever. The town isn't completely safe either. I'd better protect this little brat.
Oh? What a surprise. Such a young tsundere. What an unlucky kid.
Aibo lowered his head "timidly," looking "careful" and pitiful.
"Y-Yes, sorry, Brother Gray. I'm causing you trouble..."
Aibo was only six years old in this life, still a tiny child with a two-head-tall body, while Gray and Cana already looked like big ten-year-old kids.
So he felt absolutely no psychological burden calling him "Brother."
As for dignity? What was that? Could he eat it?
"Gray!!"
"Huh? No, I-I never said I wouldn't help!"
Gray looked reluctant, but inside, he was delighted.
Hehe, this kid called me big brother? That actually feels pretty good~
Aibo felt pleased. The corners of his lips lifted as he looked up with a "sweet" smile.
"Thank you, Brother and Sister. You're both such nice people~"
An angel!? x2
Cana and Gray were caught off guard by the cuteness, faint blushes rising on their faces.
Aibo understood. These past few days, even he had occasionally been captivated by the pink-haired little human child in the mirror.
Aibo knew very well just how adorable he was.
He could not let this innate power go to waste!
"Sister Cana, is everyone in the guild a mage? Do they all know really powerful magic?"
"Of course! Our Fairy Tail is the strongest mage guild in the Fiore Kingdom!"
"Ahem, that's right. I traveled all the way from Isban on the distant northern continent just to join such a powerful guild. I'm very strong!"
Aibo's eyes sparkled.
"Really?! Then what kind of magic do you two know?"
Receiving the "admiring" gaze of his little brother, Gray felt as refreshed as drinking ice water in summer.
He immediately raised a hand, and a huge, beautiful snowflake appeared in it. He puffed out his chest and said,
"I'm an Ice-Make Mage. This is magic that gives shape to ice. I can make all kinds of things from ice. It's the strongest magic!"
Cana also pulled out several cards, unwilling to be outdone.
"I study Card Magic. Once you master it deeply enough, you can become an all-purpose mage. You can light fires, make ice, summon lightning, make rain, and even tell fortunes or divine the future!"
"Wow! That's amazing~"
Aibo gave them all the emotional validation they could want, blinking his big eyes.
"Brother, Sister, can I learn your magic too? Can you teach me?"
"Hehe, Ice-Make Magic is very hard to learn~ But since you called me big brother, it's not like I can't give you some pointers if you want to learn."
"That's easy. There are lots of magic books in the guild library. I taught myself Card Magic by reading them too."
"I see~"
Aibo fell into thought. It sounded as though magical knowledge was not tightly controlled in this world? Or was Fairy Tail simply an exception?
Then learning other kinds of magic later should not be too difficult.
Aibo continued chatting with the two older children. Neither of them was particularly guarded, so he easily drew out plenty of information.
His understanding of this world, this country, this town, and this guild gradually became more concrete, and he formed a fairly clear plan for his next goals—
First, he needed to gain a foothold in this world. Aibo needed a stable source of income.
Mages could earn money by completing all kinds of commissions, but that work felt a little like being a day laborer—far too unstable. At best, it would make a decent side gig.
Then came learning magic, training, and becoming stronger. No matter what world one was in, personal strength was the foundation.
Since this was a world of mages, he would start with a modest goal: becoming the strongest mage in this country.
Mm, he also needed to study his cheat ability. Aibo was not some stubborn fool; if he had a shortcut, naturally he should make good use of it.
In Aibo's eyes, a cheat ability was merely an extraordinary talent. The world would never lack geniuses, so why could that genius not be him?
Lastly... he needed to find some fun in life. Pretending to be a child was pretty interesting, but there had to be something to look forward to in life...
Right, he also needed to avenge the old village chief who had adopted him. Once he had the ability, he would find the Oblique Angle Cult and slaughter every last one of them.
1. Make money 2. Become stronger 3. Do research 4. Have fun 5. Get revenge
Aibo quickly set his first career plan for this other world.
When he thought seriously, the noise in his mind grew quieter, and even time seemed to pass a little faster.
The three little brats wandered around Magnolia a few times and soon finished buying everything they needed.
On the way back, Cana, who had been secretly observing him for half the day, finally finished beating around the bush. Holding Aibo's little hand, she casually asked,
"Um, little Aibo... Sister wants to ask... what is your relationship with Gildarts? Why did you come back with him?"
Gray also turned his gaze toward him. He was quite interested in the guild's strongest mage.
Aibo came back to himself and blinked.
"Uncle Gildarts saved my life. A few days ago, a group of bad people rushed into the village and killed a lot of people. Uncle Gildarts arrived in time and saved me."
"Bad people!? Then... your parents?"
"I've never met my parents. I lived with Grandpa since I was little, but Grandpa was also killed by those bad people..."
"Ah! I'm sorry!"
Cana waved her hands in panic, and her gaze toward Aibo gained a touch more tenderness.
I shouldn't have brought that up!
"It's okay. Uncle Gildarts saved me and took care of all the bad people. I'm very grateful to him. It's just... I can't go back to the village anymore."
"It's all in the past, Aibo. From now on, the guild is your home! We're all your family!"
Cana hugged Aibo tightly. She no longer cared much about his relationship with Gildarts; she had decided to treat Aibo as her own little brother from now on.
"Hmph, and there's me too! Don't worry, little bro. With me looking out for you, no one will ever bully you!"
Gray loyally patted his bare chest. He saw a little of himself in Aibo.
"Really? Thank you~~"
What kind children. Aibo could hear concern and sincerity in both of their thoughts.
Before his memories of transmigrating had awakened, he had lived in a muddled haze. His memories of life in the village had already become somewhat blurry, and he only had some feelings for the old village chief who had adopted him.
But he could not say he was suffering deeply.
Though part of it was his wariness toward this unknown world and unfamiliar surroundings, Aibo still felt somewhat ashamed that he had approached these two children with ulterior motives.
Sigh, filthy adult.
"Everyone in the guild is such a good person. When I first saw Uncle Gildarts, it was like seeing a father! Gray and Cana are like my brother and sister. I like everyone."
Aibo said this with a smiling squint.
An angel! x2
Before you continue