"Hi! I'm Cana Alberona. You're Ultear, right? Want to come eat strawberry cake with me over there?"
The one who spoke was a cute little girl with short black hair, wearing a beige dress and a puppy hairpin.
Though she addressed everyone, her gaze lingered on Ultear—and secretly, on Arlen. Her cheeks were flushed red, making her look even more adorable.
"Go on," Ul said with a knowing smile, gently patting Ultear's head. "Ultear, Gray, Lyon—you all go."
Ultear glanced at Arlen.
He nodded.
Only then did she follow Cana toward a corner of the guild hall. Gray and Lyon trailed behind with their hands behind their heads, grinning.
Before leaving, Cana sneakily glanced at Arlen again—then quickly looked away.
Arlen twitched slightly. I don't bite, you know…
Ul chuckled and slung an arm over his shoulder teasingly. "Didn't expect you to be this popular with girls. Even little Cana's already smitten. Though… with that face and that noble aura, I get it. If it were me, I wouldn't stand a chance either."
"…Cut it out," Arlen said, pushing her away. "Look—those guild members are coming for you."
"Hm?"
Ul turned—
And was instantly surrounded by a group of female mages, all chattering excitedly, asking questions non-stop.
"…Hah." Arlen smirked inwardly. Serves you right.
Ul quickly became the center of attention.
And it made sense—
Beautiful, strong, charismatic, a newly crowned Wizard Saint…
She was practically a role model.
—
Everyone blended into the celebration.
Everyone—
except Arlen.
He sat alone at the bar, holding a glass of juice, watching the lively chaos.
Too handsome.
Too noble.
Too… intimidating.
No one dared approach first.
—
"Yo. You're new, right?"
A voice came from behind.
Arlen turned.
A boy with short blond hair, sharp features, and a confident air approached—wearing a striped shirt and black pants.
"I'm Arlen Viviamilio. You're from the guild too?"
"Laxus Dreyar. The Master's grandson. I'm thirteen. You look about the same age."
"…Yeah, same."
Arlen handed him a drink. "Want one?"
"Thanks."
Laxus took it, then immediately asked:
"You strong?"
"…Decent."
Arlen answered after a moment.
Compared to Makarov—
He still had a long way to go.
"…Then let's spar sometime," Laxus said, eyes gleaming with battle intent.
"Sure."
Arlen agreed casually—
Not knowing this decision would come back to haunt him.
—
As the two chatted, others finally gathered the courage to approach.
A man with dark blue hair, stubble, and a long white coat stepped forward with a drink.
"I'm Macao Conbolt. Want a drink?"
"…Alcohol's a no. I'm underage."
"Juice works too. Let's toast—welcome to the guild."
"…Thanks, Macao."
Clink.
Arlen downed the juice in one go.
"Wow, bold! Shame it's not alcohol," Macao laughed.
"MACAO! Don't teach kids to drink!!" Makarov roared from afar.
"Haha, just kidding!"
Another man walked over—pompadour hairstyle, pipe in mouth.
"I'm Wakaba Mine. Welcome to Fairy Tail."
"…Thank you."
Arlen drank another glass.
Wakaba stroked his chin. "…Yeah, should've been alcohol."
"YOU'RE WORSE THAN ME!" Macao snapped. "And stop smoking in front of kids!"
"This is smoke magic, idiot! It's my weapon!"
The two started bickering loudly.
Arlen tried to intervene—
But Laxus stopped him.
"Don't bother. This is normal here."
Then he added:
"I thought a noble like you wouldn't like this kind of place."
Arlen shook his head.
"I'm just a normal person who happens to have some magic. I'm no more 'noble' than anyone here."
—
Silence.
Then—
Laughter.
Makarov, Macao, Wakaba… even Laxus smiled.
"Good answer!" Macao threw an arm around Arlen. "Drink!"
"Cheers."
Glasses clinked.
—
Soon, more guild members gathered.
Chatting.
Laughing.
Telling stories.
Arlen gradually relaxed—laughing freely, sharing stories from Crocus, discussing magic, joking like everyone else.
—
Until—
He took another big gulp.
…and froze.
Sweet—
bitter—
…This isn't juice.
"WHICH IDIOT SPIKED MY DRINK WITH ALCOHOL?!" Arlen roared.
"HAHAHAHA!!"
"Your noble image!!"
The entire guild burst into laughter.
The contrast—
was too perfect.
—
Not long after, slightly drunk, Arlen slumped over the bar, half-asleep.
Yet every time someone spoke to him—
he instinctively grabbed a drink and downed it.
The guild found it—
both hilarious and adorable.
—
Off to the side—
Reedus Jonah picked up his magic pen and sketchboard.
"…This moment deserves to be recorded."
And so—
Fairy Tail gained a new illustration.
One that made Arlen want to bury his face in embarrassment every time he saw it—
…but one the guild absolutely loved.