The Magic Merchant in Fairy Tail

Kira's apology to Poole was heartfelt, but to Natsu, it felt like a subtle jab.

Poole, however, was quick to wave it off. "No, no! It's not a problem. Natsu's a very enthusiastic young man. I shouldn't have asked him to take on a mission of this level in the first place!"

What a kind old man... though something about what he said feels strange.

Sure enough, Natsu lowered his head further, his shame growing.

Kira ignored Natsu's frustration, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Uncle Poole, you don't seem to harbor much hostility towards these demons. Aren't they supposed to be your eternal enemies?"

"Eternal enemies?" Poole repeated, his voice tinged with a quiet melancholy. "Hatred that spans a thousand years? The truth is, the long peace has dulled the flames of revenge among the Isisnu clan."

He sighed, taking a sip of his drink. "Even if, as you suggested, our ancestors fell to a demonic scheme, we are not harmed by them now. Obsessing over revenge would do us no good. Preserving our people, maintaining peace—those are the priorities that matter most."

"That's surprisingly open-minded," Kira said with a faint chuckle.

Poole gave a wry smile. "Perhaps. The magic passed down through generations is less a tool of vengeance and more a shield, meant to protect our dwindling clan. It is also a symbol of our honor and legacy. That is why we preserve it."

He paused, a somber note creeping into his voice. "Yet, despite our isolation, tragedy found us. I suppose it was inevitable that someone would covet this power. But still… it is a shame."

Kira observed the old man's expression and decided to press further. "Have you ever thought about revenge?"

Poole hesitated, his gaze falling to his drink. "At one point, yes. But I lack the strength, and I don't even know the man's face. The world is vast—where would I begin to look for him?" He sighed again, weariness evident in his tone. "All I want now is for my brother's daughter to grow up safely. That is enough for me."

He smiled faintly. "Though I do worry about that girl. She's a bit… stubborn. She feels the need to prove herself."

Kira perked up at this. "Winter, right? From what Natsu said, she's a gifted wizard. Hasn't she ever thought about avenging her father?"

"No," Poole replied firmly. "She's a kind and mature child, though I admit she has grown more reserved and stubborn since her father's death. Perhaps it's because of what my brother told her before he passed. Thankfully, she hasn't been blinded by hatred."

Kira opened his mouth to ask more, but at that moment, the tavern door creaked open.

Kira turned to see a young girl entering, her expression cold and her eyes shadowed by sadness. Despite her loneliness, there was an unmistakable kindness in her demeanor.

Following her were Cana, Loki, and a barely conscious Elfman.

"Kira! It's great that you're here!" Cana called out. "Elfman's been poisoned—please, take a look!"

Kira's expression grew serious as he strode over to them. Loki and Cana carefully laid Elfman on the floor, his face pale with a greenish tint.

"Purification!" Kira cast the spell without hesitation, letting the cleansing magic flow over Elfman, Cana, and Loki.

A minute later, the greenish hue on Elfman's face faded, replaced by a faint flush of color. The toxins in Loki and Cana's bodies were similarly dispelled, leaving them visibly relieved.

Kira examined them closely, nodding in satisfaction. "That should do it. But you need to rest—you've been fighting hard against the poison, haven't you?"

Loki and Cana slumped into nearby chairs, exhaustion etched on their faces. Kira turned his attention back to Elfman, who was slowly regaining consciousness.

"So," Kira said, his voice calm but curious, "did you encounter a demon too?"

Cana glanced at Klaue, restrained in the corner, before nodding. "Yeah. Looks like you caught one too, huh?"

"Correction," Kira said with a smug grin, "I captured one." He pointed to Klaue. "This one uses cloud magic and can transform into elements. A tricky opponent, immune to physical attacks. Natsu couldn't lay a finger on her. If I hadn't arrived, poor Happy might not have made it."

He turned back to Cana. "What about your demon? Did it use poison magic?"

Cana recounted the encounter. "He used fog magic—poison fog, acid mist, and some kind of sticky fog that resists wind. It was impossible to get close, let alone land a hit."

"Ah, no wonder you were struggling." Kira frowned thoughtfully. "None of you have the right kind of magic to counter that. I'll modify your cards when we get back."

Cana blinked in surprise. "What? You'll do that for free?"

Her skeptical tone wasn't lost on Kira. "What's with that look? I'm not a total profiteer!"

Cana smirked. "Sure, Kira."

The tension eased with laughter, but it wasn't long before Cana turned the conversation to their unexpected savior. "We were lucky Winter showed up when she did."

At Cana's words, Kira turned his attention to Winter. The girl was busy organizing bottles behind the bar, seemingly indifferent to the conversation.

"Thank you," Kira said sincerely. "My companions are lucky you were there to help."

"It was nothing," Winter replied without looking up. "I just didn't want them wrecking my old home."

Kira grinned. "Still, it's a bit embarrassing, isn't it? Fairy Tail wizards, saved by their client? This will require some extra training when we return."

Cana and Loki groaned, though Loki managed a faint smile.

"Speaking of which," Kira leaned closer to Cana, his voice lowered, "what kind of magic does Winter use?"

Winter overheard and answered before Cana could. "It's receiving magic," she said simply. "The one I used earlier was a water demon."

"Receiving magic? Like Mira's?" Kira asked, intrigued.

"No," Winter corrected. "I can receive any life form with water attributes."

Kira's eyes widened, his curiosity piqued. "Any life form? That's… impressive."

Winter finally met his gaze, her expression unchanging. "It's not just demons. Any creature tied to water can be received. That is my power."

.

.

.

.

.

.

Go to my Patreon Account to read up to 30 Advance Chapters

patreon.com/Izanami_no_Mikoto