Fairy Tail Destiny-Chapter 1: Ch : First Encounter

Port City, Hargeon

A young boy stood at the bustling heart of the street, his presence effortlessly drawing attention.

By conventional human standards, he was exceptionally handsome. His long, pale golden hair—neither glaring like the sun nor dull—cascaded naturally, untouched by excessive care. Yet, the most striking feature of his refined face was his eyes: a deep sky-blue, as profound as the heavens themselves.

Draped over his slender frame was a white windbreaker, giving him an air of quiet elegance. Passersby couldn't help but steal glances his way, and among them, more than a few love-struck young women had eyes practically ablaze with admiration.

Yet, the golden-haired boy remained indifferent, filtering out the stares as if they didn't exist. His mind was preoccupied.

(What a hassle... I lost the photo of that guy—Bora, the target of this mission. The one involved in human trafficking.)

Noel scratched his cheek in mild frustration. (If Mira finds out, she'll probably scold me again, sighing as usual.)

A graceful figure with white hair emerged in his thoughts, and before he realized it, a soft smile graced his lips. (Oh well, it's not a big deal—just means I'll have to spend more time. And time... that's the one thing I have plenty of now.)

Chuckling to himself, he glanced up at the sun. (Time flies. It's already noon. I should find something to eat.)

His gaze swept across the street before settling on a classically decorated restaurant.

"This one looks good." He muttered before striding toward it.

Just as he reached for the door handle, it swung open.

A soft body collided into him.

"Ah, sorry! I wasn't paying attention!" A crisp and lively voice filled his ears.

Steadying himself, Noel glanced down at the person who had bumped into him—a cheerful-looking girl with golden hair tied back with a blue ribbon. She wore a blue-striped white top paired with a matching blue skirt, radiating youthful energy.

"It's fine." Noel shrugged, signaling he didn't mind.

The girl lifted her head, locking eyes with him for a brief moment before freezing in place.

Noel narrowed his eyes slightly. "Is there something on my face?" he asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"N-No! Nothing at all!" The girl stammered, snapping out of her daze. Her cheeks flushed red as she realized how impolite she had been for staring.

Hastily apologizing, she turned on her heel and hurried away.

Noel scratched his cheek, pondering, (Should I add 'disguising my appearance before going out' to my list of considerations?)

With that passing thought, he stepped into the restaurant.

Inside, his gaze instinctively drifted toward a corner—not due to the presence of a stunning beauty, but rather a duo with shockingly messy eating habits. A pink-haired boy with a dragon-scale scarf was devouring his meal alongside a blue cat, making a chaotic spectacle.

Noel raised an eyebrow. "Natsu? Happy?"

"Huh?" The duo, in the midst of their food battle, lifted their heads.

"Noel? What are you doing here?" Natsu asked, surprise evident on his face.

"Aye! Good afternoon, Noel!" Happy raised a paw in greeting.

Noel smiled and made his way over, taking the seat across from them. "I'm on a mission—to capture a wizard involved in kidnapping girls. What about you, Natsu?"

"I'm looking for Igneel! Someone said they saw a fire dragon around here... but I kinda forgot that Igneel can't stay in cities." Natsu scratched his pink hair sheepishly.

"Aye, that's right," Happy chimed in.

Noel chuckled knowingly. "Sounds like another prank from some mischievous guild members."

"Well, since we ran into each other, why don't we wait until I finish my mission and then head back to the guild together?" Noel suggested.

"Sure! Sounds great!" Natsu grinned enthusiastically.

"Aye!" Happy added.

(Looks like this mission might be more interesting than I expected.) Noel thought, watching Natsu's boundless energy. His sky-blue eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of intrigue flickering within them.

By the seaside road, Natsu and Happy leaned against the railing, patting their stomachs in satisfaction.

"Ahh, I'm stuffed!" Natsu groaned blissfully.

"Aye!" Happy echoed.

Noel, enjoying the sea breeze, sighed. "Overeating isn't a good habit, Natsu."

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The slightly moist wind brushed against his face, prompting him to close his eyes in comfort.

Natsu waved a hand dismissively. "No worries, I'm a dragon! No matter how much I eat, it's fine. Besides, you ate way more than I did, Noel!"

"I'm not quite the same as you, Natsu."

"Huh? How are you different?" Natsu frowned curiously.

"In many ways... for example—" Noel's voice trailed off, the rest of his words carried away by the wind.

"What? Noel, I didn't hear you." Natsu leaned closer.

Noel merely smiled faintly and shook his head without elaborating.

Before the conversation could continue, Happy pointed toward the harbor. "By the way, did the Salamander say there's going to be a dance party on that ship?"

At the mere mention of a ship, Natsu's face turned an alarming shade of green. "Ugh!"

Happy sighed. "Come on, don't get seasick just from imagining it."

Noel turned his gaze toward the lavish vessel. (Salamander? Wait, isn't that Natsu's nickname? Could someone be impersonating him? Oh, right—Bora uses fire magic, doesn't he?)

Just as he was piecing things together, excited chatter from a group of girls reached his ears.

"Look, look! That's the ship of Lord Salamander! I really want to go!"

"Salamander?"

"You don't know? He just arrived in town! Apparently, he's a famous Fairy Tail wizard!"

Noel's expression darkened. "Happy."

"Aye? What's up, Noel?"

"Tell me everything you and Natsu saw today. In full detail."

His sky-blue eyes locked onto the distant ship, a dangerous glint flickering within them.

Later, inside the ship's cabin, Lucy stood frozen, horror evident on her face. "Who are these people? Doing such heinous things... Is this what Fairy Tail wizards are like?" Her voice trembled as she stared at the unconscious girls on the floor and the men grinning maliciously.

Tears welled in her eyes. "Using magic to deceive and harm people—you're the worst kind of wizards!!!"

Boom!

A deafening explosion rocked the ship as a figure descended through a massive hole in the ceiling.

"Natsu!" Lucy gasped.

But before she could process the relief, Natsu collapsed onto the floor, looking deathly ill. "Ugh, I can't do it after all..."

Lucy's excitement immediately turned to exasperation. "Seriously?! That's so lame!"

Just then, a piercing beam of holy light shot through the air, slicing through the crimson whips meant to ensnare her.

Lucy's breath caught.

Hovering in midair was a golden-haired young man with deep sky-blue eyes, a white coat billowing around him. Behind him, two wings of pure light flapped gently, casting an ethereal glow.

For a moment, he looked like a celestial being descending from the heavens.