Fairy Tail: You said you were just acting, are you serious

Glug glug~

Makarov drank the water in the wooden bucket cup in one gulp, enjoying this leisurely moment with contentment.

The lobby on the first floor has been closed for a long time, and most of the members have gone home, but there are always a few guys who are completely drunk and sleeping soundly on the benches or tables.

Makarov shook his head as he watched those guys snoring and blowing bubbles through their noses.

Tap, tap, tap...

Just then, two dark figures appeared at the entrance of the hall. Makarov glanced at them, gasped, and his heart skipped a beat.

Once he saw who it was, all his strength suddenly felt like it had nowhere to go, and he scratched his head speechlessly.

"You always manage to surprise people, but don't do this so late, it'll scare them to death."

The people who came were Ron, who was carrying a knife, and Kana, who was carrying Richie and had followed Ron back.

Liqi, on the other hand, still sticks out his tongue and grins foolishly all day long.

Ron nodded and finally took off the helmet that made movement difficult.

Ron breathed a sigh of relief and, disregarding his image, rubbed his tense cheek with one hand.

"Phew, maintaining this expression is making my facial muscles twitch."

If it weren't for the mental strength he gained after killing the chicken, he wouldn't have been able to sustain himself for so long.

Kana was stunned. How come this guy named Ron looked like a completely different person after taking off his helmet?

Makarov snorted through his nose; this kid's performance art was a real headache.

Then he revealed a kind smile and asked Kana:

"Child, didn't you just go back? Why are you back again?"

"Um, that..."

Kana lowered her head, unsure of where to begin.

Ron pinched the bridge of his nose and took the initiative to explain:

"President, I think she looks lost. It's dangerous for a girl to be out alone, so I brought her here on my way."

Kana nodded, and said shyly:

"This is my first time in Magnolia, and it's huge."

Makarov showed an "I see" expression and said:

"Alright, you can stay here tonight. It's too dark and dangerous outside."

Kana nodded quickly and said okay.

Seeing that Kana had found a place to stay, Ron turned to leave.

"Wait, you too, stay in the guild."

Ron's eyes widened, and he pointed at himself in confusion, wondering if he had misheard.

"Yes, it's you. And what's with the knife in your hand?"

Seeing that Ron was still holding the blood-stained chicken-killing knife, Makarov asked helplessly.

Ron raised the knife to his chest and pointed to the cracked side blade.

"I chipped the knife while I was killing a chicken. I was going to offer to pay the owner for it, but she said it wasn't necessary and that I could keep it if I wanted."

Ron tilted his head and thought, "I think I made the right hand gestures, right? Maybe I should buy a new knife tomorrow and return it to them?"

Kana was stunned. The more Ron spoke, the more confused she became.

The difference after taking off the helmet was so striking that she didn't know how to react.

Makarov shook his head; he was naturally worried that Ron might encounter danger going back so late.

But more importantly, we shouldn't let him go out and scare people.

Makarov looked at Ron, then thought of Laxus, who was no longer close to him, and couldn't help but sigh.

Why are boys always so troublesome?

Then Ron and Kana, carrying wooden buckets filled with orange juice, followed Makarov to the round table.

Liki, who had been put back on the leash, lay down on the ground and fell asleep while tied to the pillar.

After a brief chat, Ron yawned first.

"President, it's getting a bit boring staying here."

Makarov raised an eyebrow and asked:

"So, what are your thoughts?"

Ron smiled and then found a long-sealed tarot deck near the bar.

"Let's draw the Joker!"

......

Time flies, and after several rounds, some are happy while others are sad.

Makarov sat in a chair, devastated, hugging his legs and questioning the meaning of life.

"Why, why did I lose to a child?"

Basically, in the end, it always ended with Makarov being the loser.

Ron was still looking smug, mocking Makarov from the side.

"The president is still too inexperienced. He should go back and practice more."

Kana watched the playful fight unfold before her, her eyes crinkling into crescents, her smile never fading.

Makarov's fighting spirit was rekindled, and he decided to start a new game, which Ron and Kana agreed to.

Seeing that the atmosphere was good, Ron took the opportunity to ask a question after drawing Kana's hand.

"Kana, you've come here. Have you ever thought about joining Fairy Tail?"

Kana paused for a moment, then fell into deep thought after drawing the card.

"Stay here?"

Makarov perked up upon hearing this and nodded, saying:

"Yeah, now that you've joined Fairy Tail, you don't need to look for a place to live anymore. The Fairy Tail guild provides dormitories for girls, isn't that great?"

Kana threw down two cards and said with her head down:

But I'm not a mage...

"Then go learn magic, and once you become a Fairy Tail mage, you can stay here."

Ron interrupted first, trying to persuade Kana.

"I think tarot cards suit you quite well; you've never lost one."

Makarov agreed with Ron.

"Magic cards, that's a good idea."

Kana hesitated again and whispered:

"But, can I learn magic?"

Ron said:

"You have to believe in yourself; everything comes from your heart."

If you believe, the future you desire will surely come to pass.

Kana was stunned for a moment, then a surge of hope welled up inside her.

Now that her father is here, she will eventually be reunited with him if she lives nearby.

"Okay, then I'll try learning magic."

After saying this, Kana became conflicted again. What if her father never recognized her?

Makarov was delighted to hear this, but then felt powerless when he saw that he only had two cards left.

Kana casually drew a card, leaving only the Joker for Makarov, who became the loser again.

"What a lousy game, let's play again!"

Ron put away the tarot cards and smiled:

"No, I'm tired of it."

Seeing the two of them bickering like family again, Kana's inner turmoil lessened considerably.

A smile returned to her face.

Finally, Kana yawned and lay down on the bench to sleep.

Makarov smiled with relief when he saw her asleep.

"Girls are so innocent and much cuter than you guys."

Makarov looked at Ron and shook his head, saying:

"My first thing would be to keep her away from you, so you don't contaminate her."

Ron smiled and then remained silent.

You haven't seen what she looked like after she grew up and became an alcoholic. If you had, your illusions would have been shattered.

But who knows? After all, I'm now an influencing factor, and the future is uncertain.

"By the way, President, are there any private places?"

Ron glanced around the lobby on the first floor and asked.

"What's wrong?"

Makarov asked, puzzled.

"I recently found a few hidden magic books at home, and I've just learned them. I'd like you to give me your opinion."

"Oh?"

Makarov raised an eyebrow, his confusion deepening.

What kind of magic has this child learned that I need to evaluate?