Axel headed toward the guild hall. The walk was short, and Magnolia looked beautiful as the city slowly woke up—shopkeepers opening their stalls, merchants calling out their first customers of the day. Everything felt fresh and full of possibility.
Despite barely sleeping, he didn't feel tired at all.
"Must be thanks to my new stats," he murmured.
The guild hall was already alive, filled with the smell of coffee… and smoke.
Inside the main hall, Natsu and Laxus were already locked in a heated argument.
"You don't smell like a dragon, fake!" Natsu shouted, a small flame flickering in his clenched fist.
"I'm stronger than you, brat! Electricity always beats fire!" Laxus shot back, sparks crackling around his body.
Axel smirked and walked past them toward the counter, where Makarov sat casually sipping what was very clearly alcohol.
"Good morning, Master Makarov," Axel said brightly. "I'm ready for work."
The old man chuckled at the rookie's enthusiasm, then his expression shifted—still kind, but firm.
"That's not how it works, kid. You're on probation. For now, you can only take low-ranked jobs inside the city."
Axel frowned, but nodded. He respected the Master. Rushing blindly after power wasn't smart. Training mattered. Experience mattered.
Besides, he only needed a few more points before his magic reached a critical stage.
"I understand, Master," he replied, sounding calmer than he felt.
"Good." Makarov tapped the counter. "Check the board. Blue requests only. Simple jobs from Magnolia's residents."
Axel turned to the large mission board.
Up close, the papers were neatly categorized by color:
Black: Rank S — LockedRed: Rank A — High danger, outside the cityGreen: Rank B — Moderate riskBlue: Rank C — Low risk / Support missions (Allowed)
A color-based difficulty system…That was new. Probably an AU variation of Earthland.
He noticed additional colors near the edges of the board, but the guide beside it didn't explain them. Likely the legendary ten- and hundred-year missions.
There were six blue requests available. He skimmed through them:
[WANTED] Mrs. Haru's CatReward: 1,000 JewelsDetails: Cat hiding in the old clock tower.
Urgent Basket DeliveryReward: 800 JewelsDetails: Deliver a heavy supply basket to Mrs. Elen at the top of the hill.
Pest CleaningReward: 1,500 JewelsDetails: Magical pests—Run Bats—have infested the East Port wood depot.
Find the DollReward: 500 JewelsDetails: Baker's daughter dropped her doll into the river; it's stuck on a log.
The Pest Cleaning mission caught his attention.
Run Bats weren't dangerous—but they were magical creatures.
Perfect test subjects.
Good for Shadow Step.Good for Synchronized Body.And possibly good for unlocking a First Magical Combat achievement.
He pulled the paper free and returned to the counter.
"I'll take this one. Pest Cleaning at East Port."
Makarov stamped it with a thud.
"Good choice. East of the bridge—you can't miss it. Run Bats are weak, but fast. If things get rough, ask for help."
"Understood." Axel slipped the mission paper into his vest pocket.
As he left, he felt Mirajane's curious gaze—and Elfman's cautious one.Natsu was too busy trying to put Laxus in a headlock, while Laxus casually electrocuted him in response.
Axel mentally opened his menu as he walked.
[STATUS]
Name: Axel DrakeRace: High HumanAge: 10Level: 1
Strength: 17Agility: 19Vitality: 18Mana: 25Luck: 4
Titles:• Traveler• Peak Human
Skills:• Emperor's Eyes (Lv. 1)• Shadow Step (Lv. 1)• Synchronized Body (Passive)
Inventory:• Protein Bars ×5• Infinite Water Bottle• Throwing Knives ×3• Bandages• Infinite Lighter• Gold Coins ×10
He closed the menu and followed the stone road, the morning sun warming his gray vest.
"Time to put the RPG starter kit to work," he muttered, picking up the pace.
East Port greeted him with the sharp scent of salt and fish. The wood depot was easy to spot—an old, dim warehouse near the docks.
A burly man wearing a straw hat stood by the entrance, rubbing his chin.
"You from Fairy Tail? You're just a kid!"
"I'm the one who took the job." Axel showed him the mission paper. "Where are the bats?"
"Inside. They slipped in through the upper window and started gnawing on the magic-treated wood. Small things, but fast. If they bite you, your whole body tingles for hours."
Axel nodded. Annoying—but manageable.
He stepped inside.
The air was stale and moldy. Up near the ceiling, dozens of small black creatures flitted around—leathery wings, glowing red eyes, erratic movements.
[WARNING: Enemy Detected]Run Bat (Lv. 5) ×40
[NEW ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED]First Combat in EarthlandReward: 5 CP
"Nice," Axel muttered. "Still under 500, though."
Magic would waste Mana and draw attention.Speed and precision were better.
He activated the one skill that cost no Mana.
"Shadow Step."
His body lightened. Time seemed to stretch. He didn't vanish—but his movements blurred, leaving afterimages.
Axel dashed forward, leaping across crates and piles of lumber. With 19 Agility and Shadow Step's fluid motion, he became a living shadow.
He didn't need magic.
He had the Super-Soldier Serum.
He jumped, snatching two low-flying bats midair and crushing them effortlessly. The rest shrieked and dove toward him.
Axel moved within Shadow Step's distorted flow—dodging, weaving, striking. His throwing knives flew with absurd precision, pinning several bats to the walls.
Less than a minute later, silence fell.
The floor was littered with defeated pests.
Axel exhaled calmly. No sweat. Vitality 18 did wonders.
[Run Bats Defeated: 40 / 40][Mission Complete — Pest Cleaning]Reward: 1,500 Jewels
[EPIC ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED]Pest ExterminatorReward: 50 CP
Axel's eyes widened.
"Fifty CP… for bats? The System's generous."
That brought him to 550 CP.
Only 450 CP away from the Boosted Gear.
He stepped outside, smiling at the stunned warehouse owner.
"Mission complete."
The man stared, then cleared his throat and handed him a pouch of Jewels.
"Fast work… Thanks, Fairy Tail mage."
Axel nodded and started back toward the guild.
And then—
[SYSTEM ALERT]LEVEL UPDATED
Congratulations! You have reached Level 5!
Rewards:• +40 CP• +1 Attribute Point per Level (Total: 4)• +1 Skill Point (Total: 4)
Axel stopped mid-street, ignoring a bread vendor's confused stare.
"Four levels at once…?"Right—the Run Bats must've been worth a ton of EXP.
He opened the Status menu.
Attribute Points were vital—especially if he wanted to handle higher-tier magic or wield the Boosted Gear safely.
He invested decisively.
+2 Mana → 27+2 Vitality → 20
[UPDATED STATUS]
Level: 5
Strength: 17Agility: 19Vitality: 20Mana: 27Luck: 4
CP: 590
Only 410 CP to go.
Now, skills.
He poured three points into Shadow Step.
Shadow Step (Lv. 1 → Lv. 4)• Lv. 2: Duration +50%• Lv. 3: Activation cost reduced• Lv. 4: Movement creates confusing afterimages (Passive)
One point remained.
He upgraded Emperor's Eyes.
Emperor's Eyes (Lv. 1 → Lv. 2)• Detects enemy weaknesses and critical strike points
[UPDATED SKILLS]
• Emperor's Eyes (Lv. 2)• Shadow Step (Lv. 4)• Synchronized Body (Passive)
The synergy was obvious.
Mana perception. Predictive vision. Extreme mobility.
Axel closed the menu, feeling power coil beneath his skin—denser Mana, tougher muscles, sharper instincts.
This was working.
And he was just getting started.