The Magic Parade
The magic parade circled the city and concluded without a hitch.
This year, there was sothing new—Magic Net Live. Jenny Realight's livestream peaked at over 100,000 viewers, turning it into a true online spectacle! Now, even those who couldn't make it to Magnolia could join in on the lively festivities online.
...
[Ah, it's over.]
[Fairy Tail really is such a lively guild. Maybe I should leave Quatro Cerberus and join Fairy Tail instead?]
[You better watch out—the Guild Master of Quatro Cerberus is probably watching this too!]
[@GuildMasterGoldmine]
[What a fun festival! Too bad I couldn't be there in person.]
[Too bad we didn't see Nate perform!]
[Wasn't Grimoire Heart going to co teach Fairy Tail a lesson at the Harvest Festival?]
[The forum posts are still up!]
[Dark guilds are a joke!]
Jenny read the endless stream of comnts with a smile. "Well, that's it for today's stream, everyone. Bye-bye, see you next ti!"
...
Fairy Tail Guild Building, Rooftop
Nate sat at the edge of the roof, closing Jenny's livestream with a smirk. So, Grimoire Heart had backed down. Were they really that intimidated?
From Hades's perspective, he could see why: Fairy Tail with a super magic app that enabled 'Fairy Law' for every mber—anyone would think twice about challenging that.
He opened the friend search on his Magic Net and sent a friend request to "Precht," leaving a ssage: "Second Master, co back and visit soti."
Suddenly, he heard Mavis's voice from behind him.
"Thanks for all your hard work today, Fourth Master~"
Nate jumped slightly and turned to see Mavis floating beside him. "Geez, First Master, you nearly scared to death!"
"I am a ghost, you know~" she replied with a sweet smile.
Cute—alright, forgiven!
"Did you enjoy the day, First Master?"
The little founder had been around for nearly a week, though most mbers didn't know. Only Makarov and Erza were aware. Mavis, like a true spirit, observed everything quietly—because she was, indeed, a ghost.
"I had a wonderful ti! The Third Master has turned Fairy Tail into such a joyful guild. Keep up the good work, Fourth Master, okay?"
"Alright, I'll do my best," Nate replied, resigning himself to being called the Fourth Master. Mavis's little ahoge swayed back and forth like a puppy's tail.
Stop wagging—are you a little dog? Nate thought, amused.
"But the Second Master's actions make sad," Mavis said, her ahoge going still. "I don't understand why he's fallen into darkness..."
Probably due to his obsession with Zeref's dark magic, Nate thought. "Why not ask him directly?" he suggested. "His Magic Net userna is 'Precht.'"
Mavis's eyes brightened. "Good idea, Fourth Master! Thanks!" She then noticed the parade floats returning to the guild and quickly disappeared, leaving him with a cheerful, "Goodnight, Fourth Master."
"Goodnight," Nate replied, chuckling. He wondered where Mavis had been staying these past few days. In a park sowhere? That would be sad. Then again, as a ghost, she wouldn't need much.
Watching the parade floats make their way back, Nate hopped down and headed to his apartnt. With Grimoire Heart out of the picture, his guard duty was over.
...
After 10 p.m., Lucy's Apartnt
Lucy returned ho, tired after a full day of festivities. She unlocked the door, switched on the magic crystal lamp, and gasped in surprise.
"Ah! A ghost!"
"No, wait—Nate?! And my novel!"
Her emotions whirled as she saw Nate sitting at her desk, reading her novel. She dashed over, snatching it from him, her cheeks flushed.
"Reading my novel without permission?" she snapped, embarrassed. "How much did you see?"
"Oh, I just reached the part where the heroine 'Iris' starts dating the hero, and during their kiss, he reaches up and..." Nate grinned. "Nicely done, Author-san. No one could write a scene like that without personal experience."
"Stop teasing !" Lucy protested, her face turning red. "Sneaking into my apartnt and reading my book in the dark—unbelievable!"
"Didn't you break into my place last ti?" Nate countered. "We're even."
"Not even close! And you peeked at my book!"
"How about this, then? I'll write sothing for you—where the heroine is saddled with the hero's massive debt and has to... you know, work it off."
"Shut up, you jerk!" Lucy yelled, swatting him with her book. Nate laughed, catching her wrist, then produced a golden key.
"Relax—I ca to give you this," he said with a grin.
Lucy's eyes sparkled as she accepted the key, her annoyance fading. With a shy smile, she muttered, "Fine, I'll forgive you this ti. But no more peeking!"
"The key's yours," he replied, patting his knee. "Now, for repaynt. Sit here, let hold you, let kiss you."
"No way!" she replied, cheeks burning. Showing up at her place this late, he was clearly up to sothing.
"Don't you want to repay your debt?" he teased.
"... Fine! But I'm taking a bath first—I'm all sweaty!"
"Let's go together, then!" he said, pulling her toward the bathroom.
"Wait, what? Who said we're bathing together?" she protested, but he wouldn't listen.
"Don't be shy," he teased. "It's not like we haven't seen each other. This ti, you can see too—we'll be even."
"I don't want to see—who wants to see you!"
...
Later, in the Bathroom
The tub in her apartnt was small, and Lucy had to sit with her legs tucked up. She sank low, her whole body hidden except for the top of her head. Her heart raced, mortified by the situation. This was her first ti bathing with a guy.
"Still shy?" Nate asked, lounging against the tub's edge.
Of course, she was! Frustrated, she stole a glance through her fingers. He had a good physique, with defined abs... She felt an odd urge to touch them...
"One million," she muttered.
"Huh?"
"For this bath," she said, "one million!"
"You know robbing a bank is illegal, right?" he teased.
"Fine, fifty thousand..." she sighed, and he burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" she snapped, feeling foolish being the only embarrassed one. She lowered her hands, deciding to be bold. If he wasn't flustered, why should she be?
Catching her staring, Nate smirked. "Wanna feel?"
"Wha—can I?" she asked, startled.
"Little fox," he teased, dodging her splash. "You're the flirt here."
"You're the big flirt!" she retorted, splashing him back.
"Nothing wrong with a man liking what he likes," he replied, pulling her close until she stumbled into his arms. Her hands found his abs for support.
"Well, feel free," he said playfully. "No charge for . Now it's my turn."
"Ah! Nate, you big jerk! Pervert!" she cried, laughing, and the two continued playfully splashing each other in the bath.
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