By the time the conversation with Master Makarov ended, it was already late at night, with a bright moon and sparse stars.
By the riverside, inside the small rented room.
"Ahhh, I'm so curious! Besides Juvia, who else is going to join?!"
The true owner of the room, Natsu, lay by the coffee table, his cheeks puffed into round balls. "The master's so mean, saying 'you'll find out then'!"
"I want to know NOW!"
Across from him, the room's second owner, Happy, used the fireplace to maintain his claws while saying, "Natsu, are you talking about that perverted rain woman? Jupiter is Phantom Lord's magic condensation cannon, you know~"
Watching their complete lack of boundaries, the room's plastic owner, Lucy, couldn't help but complained, "Whether it's 'Jupiter' or 'perverted rain woman' that's way too offensive for a cute girl!"
"And also this is MY home. Why did YOU two follow me here?!"
"Damn cat!! Get your stinky paws off me!!"
As her speech quickened, the fiercely glaring girl's spit flew everywhere.
Just then, the bathroom door, left slightly ajar, was slowly pushed open.
Erza shook her slightly damp crimson long hair. Even wrapped in a towel, it couldn't hide her perfect figure and tight skin.
Looking completely relaxed, she walked over slowly and waved to the card game addict quietly sipping tea on the couch. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Chase."
"No problem. Just about one pot of tea's worth." Chase put down his teacup and stood up.
The Three Crows of the dark guild had bounties at the Magic Council. Makarov had already used that amount to cover the property damage caused by the battle.
But Chase's house was completely beyond saving. It was still a pile of rubble and needed to be rebuilt.
With nowhere else to go, Lucy's place across the river had naturally become the perfect free shelter.
"I can understand Chase... but why is Erza who lives in the girls' dorm here too..." Lucy felt like she was about to break.
It was a good thing that these guys didn't treat her as an outsider, sure — but wasn't this going too far?!
If she had a choice, she would still like to have at least a little bit of a boundary...
"Well... I just feel more relaxed at Lucy's place."
Erza seemed to sense that her behavior wasn't very polite. She said apologetically, "Sorry, Lucy. Am I causing you trouble?"
The sudden seriousness instead made Lucy a bit embarrassed. "I-It's fine. I'm used to it anyway."
The moment she said it, she immediately regretted it. A little figure in her brain kept jumping around: Ahhh! Why! Why couldn't she just refuse Erza cleanly?!
At the same time, a kind little Lucy appeared: They're comrades. Erza has helped us a lot too. It would be too rude to just kick her out!
In the end, soft-hearted Lucy gave up struggling and plopped down on the couch with a heavy sigh.
"Don't worry, Lucy. I'm not freeloading. I'll cover your rent for this month and next." Chase turned back at the bathroom door.
"I can help a bit with the utilities too," Erza added.
"Really? That's great!"
Lucy's worried face instantly lit up. Her beautiful big eyes sparkled with the unmistakable luster of a broke poor person.
"Then Chase, feel free to stay as long as you want I mean, stay for a month!"
"And Erza, this bathroom is open to you anytime~!"
Happy watched her money-grubbing behavior and curled his tongue in a small mutter. "Natsu, I've witnessed the ugly face of humanity."
"Lucy's always been like that," Natsu nodded firmly.
Lucy's mouth twitched. "...Hey, hey! I heard that, you two!"
In the end, Erza who had said she was going back to the girls' dorm ended up staying the night.
Her reason: she didn't feel comfortable leaving Lucy alone with two and a half males.
Natsu and Happy had wanted to take the chance to play an exciting game of King's Game, but everyone was exhausted from the day's events, so that plan fell through.
Moonlight fell on the silent street, bringing a bit of peace and comfort to the slightly cramped little room.
As the girls, Erza and Lucy naturally slept on the bed, while Chase, Natsu, and Happy slept on the floor.
Listening to Natsu's snoring beside him, Chase rested his head on Happy, closed his eyes slightly, and sank into the card space.
After taking down Jellal, there had been Ultear's matter, the Council's investigation, and then Makarov's conversation.
Only now did he finally have time to get to know his new partner.
At this moment, the card space was also in late night, with scattered stars.
There wasn't actually a day-night cycle here. The simulated weather was only synchronized with reality to give the card monsters a relatively regular life.
After greeting the card monsters, who had sensed his presence, Chase turned into a dark gold streak of light and arrived at a newly opened area.
This was a space filled with light and darkness.
Just standing outside, one could feel the sharp fighting spirit radiating from the swirling chaotic light.
Similar to Lucy's Celestial Spirit magic, whenever he obtained a new card monster, Chase needed to establish a contract with it.
But this contract didn't have many mandatory clauses. It was just a slightly more formal "hello."
After all, Chase was the absolute master of the deck provided he had enough power, like with Slifer the Sky Dragon.
And the two new cards that had dropped from Jellal were matching bundled cards.
They were the monster card "Chaos Soldier" and the magic card "Chaos Ritual"!
Chaos Soldier: An 8-star monster card, born from the chaotic force field woven by light and darkness. Possessing strong attack and defense power, he is the legendary strongest warrior.
Chaos Ritual: A ritual card used to special summon Chaos Soldier. From the background story, if Dark Magician of Chaos is the apex of the magical abyss, then without a doubt, Chaos Soldier is the supreme strongest in the warrior domain!
In the past, Chase might have had to expend great effort to enter the space where Chaos Soldier resides.
But now contracting an 8-star monster was no longer difficult for him, with his Ten Wizard Saints-level magic power.
The moment he stepped through the chaotic barrier, a strong aura of killing and warfare hit him.
What came into view was a plain battlefield, set against a chaotic background, filled with inserted swords, knives, spears, and halberds.
On the only hill at the center of the plain, a majestic warrior in black-gold armor, holding a sword and shield, slowly opened his eyes.
Bathed in chaotic light, Chaos Soldier looked at Chase and slowly spoke:
"Summoned by contract are you my Master?"
Lucy's room.
After tossing and turning several times, Lucy finally couldn't take it anymore. She lifted a corner of the blanket and sat straight up.
"No good! I can't sleep at all!"
Her eyes slightly bloodshot, she was kept awake by Natsu's snoring.
"Natsu... just like always. If you don't soothe him a bit, he won't quiet down."
Sensing the commotion, Erza opened her eyes as well.
After giving Lucy a "leave it to me" look, she got up, walked over, and with practiced ease, grabbed Natsu by his scarf, lifted him up, and delivered a muffled punch to his stomach.
POOF!
Natsu collapsed peacefully. A little white soul figure popped out of his mouth.
Erza casually pushed the soul figure back in, dusted off her hands, and returned to bed.
Lucy watched, stunned. "A-As expected of Erza..."
"Lucy, if you still can't sleep, just say so. I'm very good at soothing people to sleep!" Erza said confidently, clenching her fist.
"No, no, no need!" Lucy's sleepiness was completely gone. She shook her head like a rattle-drum.
If that kind of soothing method was used on me I would definitely die!!
"Even without using armor to cover myself... I can now be this honest with my comrades..."
Erza gently pulled Lucy into her embrace and sighed with relief.
Lucy's face turned bright red.
The next day, the morning sunlight dispelled the night.
Fairy Tail construction site.
Workers continued dismantling the scaffolding that hadn't been finished yesterday. At the same time, the decoration team arrived. The sounds of various command and heavy machinery operation rose and fell.
"Good morning, Mira-nee~"
At the temporary counter, Lucy greeted Mira full of energy.
Judging by her appearance, she must have slept very well in Erza's gentle haven last night.
More importantly she no longer had to worry about not being able to pay rent!
In contrast, Happy, floating in the air, looked weak. "Aye~ So strange. That sore back and aching waist feeling from Galuna Island is back..."
"Damn it! I couldn't even beat Erza in my dream. My stomach still hurts. I'll definitely get revenge!" Natsu looked unhappy.
Hearing this, Lucy gave an awkward but polite smile. Hadn't it occurred to you that you actually got hit?
"Oh? I can't pretend I didn't hear that."
Erza, wearing her everyday armor, walked over from behind, hands on her hips. "Are you challenging me, Natsu?"
"Aye~ I was just kidding!" Natsu instantly turned into Happy Number Two.
"Heh. How pathetic." Gray also appeared.
"Gray. Get along with Natsu."
"Yes, Lady Erza!"
Chase, who had come with the group, quietly sat to the side and enjoyed the breakfast Mira had carefully prepared.
Seeing this, Natsu immediately ran over and said he wanted some too, like a little kid.
Mira smiled and agreed. She brought out a cake that hadn't sold yesterday, briefly heated it up, and handed it to him.
Looking at the dark cuisine sizzling with flames, Lucy stepped back, instinctively moving away.
She, who also hadn't eaten breakfast, joined Erza in ordering what looked like normal milk and bread. Happy, as always, had his raw fish slices.
"And you, Gray?" Mira looked at Gray.
"I'm fine. I found a lunchbox on the way here. It looked a bit strange, but it tasted okay." Gray patted his stomach.
He hadn't taken many jobs lately, and the ones he had taken had all resulted in compensation. His wallet was also a bit tight. He had to make do.
"Not very particular, are you~" Mira glanced at a pile
of materials not far away, a knowing smile on her lips.
"Speaking of which, Mira, you got a pool table so soon."
Still completely in the dark, Gray instead turned his attention to the pool table next to the bar area.
"That's right. It's a sample sent by the merchant. As a little spoiler, the new guild hall's basement will be converted into an entertainment area," Mira explained.
"I see. Sounds pretty good."
Gray nodded, walked slowly to the pool table, picked up the cue, and weighed it in his hand.
"Gray plays pool?" Lucy took a sip of milk, a bit surprised.
"Yes. He's an expert at it. His skill is even a bit better than Wakaba's."
Mira raised a finger to her cheek. "Oh, and I remember Natsu being pretty good too."
"Pfft! That Natsu — who can't even ride bumper cars properly — is good too?!"
Lucy was completely shocked. The milk in her mouth sprayed everywhere.
Chase, sitting next to her, took the hit perfectly — 100% damage taken.
"Ah? Sorry, sorry, Chase! I didn't mean to!" Lucy quickly waved her hands in apology.
"It's fine."
Chase took the little bear handkerchief Mira handed him and quietly wiped his face.
If it were Natsu or Gray, he'd have to summon his Attack Position fist and have a little chat with them about manners!
"Pool? Ahahaha! I'm fired up!"
Natsu dropped his plate and ran over excitedly. "You bastard ice cube! Do you dare compete with me?!"
"A challenge from someone I've already beaten? No problem. I accept." Gray's lips curled slightly.
"Bastard! Last time, I wasn't familiar with the rules!" Natsu argued.
With that, he snatched the cue from Gray, went to the serving area, bent low, one hand holding the cue and the other resting on the table as a bridge, completely focused on the white ball at the tip of the cue.
His extremely professional move left Lucy stunned. Was he actually good?
"Ooooh! Watch this — Fire Dragon's Clearance!"
Natsu answered Lucy's unspoken question with his actions.
CRASH! A loud sound. Debris flew everywhere. Smoke swirled.
A visible crack split the brand new pool table down the middle, spreading all the way to the crack at the end. Looking across, the entire table surface was covered in pool ball fragments.
"Tch. Only six!" Natsu scratched his head, unsatisfied.
"Aye~ That's still really good, Natsu. You beat Gray's record!" Happy commented.
"Hey, look closely. I only had five, okay?"
Gray pointed at the relatively intact white ball, looking completely serious. "This one isn't completely broken!"
Such an anti-human way of playing left Lucy's eyes practically popping out of her head. "Is that really how you're supposed to play?!"
"Interesting. I never noticed pool could be played this way." Chase stood up and stretched.
"A competition to see who can break more balls... okay, I'll give it a try too!"
Erza was also eager. "Re-equip! Billiard Gal!"
"There's no such way to play! That's obviously something those two made up themselves! Don't take it so seriously!"
Watching Chase and Erza, now changed, slowly walk over, Lucy felt as if she had awakened the Observation Haki to foresee the future. She held her forehead and sighed heavily.
Rest in peace, poor Mr. Pool Table...
CRASH!!
***
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