Fairy Tail: Saint Seiya Magic Unleashed

Chapter 34: True Companions

"Tch… this Cloth is way too flashy."

At the crack of dawn, Moen's biological clock kicked in and woke him up as usual.

He quietly slipped out alone to do his morning training routine—and also to try out the new Saint Cloth he'd just received.

The armor was primarily white, with intricate purple patterns etched along its surface. Twin flowing ribbons extended from the back of the shoulder guards, fluttering with every movement.

Yes, it was a bit over-the-top in style…

But the configuration? Top-tier.

Seriously, this doesn't feel like a Bronze Cloth at all…

Moen focused for a moment, sensing the enhancement effects granted by the armor.

It was about on par with his Equuleus (Little Horse) Bronze Cloth—both still in their most basic forms.

Right now, it offered improvements in physical capability, magic efficiency, and, of course, the defensive protection granted by the armor itself.

Unlocking any of the Cloth's deeper functions, though?

As expected… I'd need to establish a stronger link with the constellation it represents.

Having experienced that exhilarating sensation of resonating with the stars—of feeling a distant constellation pulse in sync with his being—Moen now knew:

He was still just scratching the surface.

There's a long way to go…

"The journey ahead is long and winding...

But I shall seek knowledge, above and below!"

He whispered to himself dramatically, pumping himself up before heading back to the old village.

Upon opening the dormitory door, he saw Jellal was already awake.

Grandpa Makarov, on the other hand, was still deep in dreamland—snoring away with a wobbling snot bubble inflating and deflating in rhythm with his breathing.

"Morning, Jellal."

Moen greeted him with a smile.

Jellal looked at Moen—sweaty, refreshed, clearly just back from a training session—and blinked in surprise.

"Good morning… Moen.

Do you always wake up this early?"

"Have you ever seen Magnolia at four in the morning?"

Moen asked, face solemn.

"Huh?"

Jellal blinked, clearly confused.

"I've seen every 4AM in Magnolia,"

Moen repeated, barely holding back a grin.

"…"

Jellal was speechless.

He kinda got the message—it was Moen's way of saying he worked hard. Really hard.

After teasing Jellal a little, Moen turned his attention elsewhere.

He walked over to Grandpa Makarov's bedside, picked up a small stick, and with a satisfying pop, poked through the snot bubble that had been growing on the old man's nose.

"Oww!"

Makarov jolted awake immediately, glaring blearily at Moen who still held the stick like a criminal caught in the act.

"You little brat!

I was having the best dream!

I was this close! Just a little more and—argh!! You ruined it!!"

Makarov, seething with rage, suddenly bounced up from the bed.

In an instant, his body expanded like a balloon, rapidly swelling until he nearly touched the ceiling—transforming from a small grandpa into a towering giant deity!

By that time, Moen was already gone in a flash, bolting out of the dorm like a streak of light.

Operation "Evacuate and Escape"—fully successful.

Left behind was only a dumbfounded Jellal, standing stiffly as he watched the whole scene unfold.

"G-Good morning, Master Makarov…"

Jellal gulped nervously and greeted him.

The towering, angry version of Makarov was terrifying beyond belief—this was the kind of pressure only the Guild Master of Fairy Tail could emit!

Seeing the shocked look on Jellal's face, Makarov shrunk back down, returning to his usual gentle, short grandpa form.

"Ahem, ahem. Morning, Jellal,"

"Come, let's see if that little girl is awake. Once she's up, we'll head out."

Makarov cleared his throat, brushing off the momentary awkwardness as he dressed swiftly.

Then he clasped his hands behind his back and headed out of the room like nothing happened.

Jellal hurried after him.

By the time the two of them reached Wendy's room, Moen was already waiting there with a smug grin on his face.

"You brat…"

Makarov glared at Moen, but didn't follow through.

Moen responded cheerfully with an exaggerated apology.

"Won't happen again, I promise! Next time I'll let you finish your dream."

Moen tried hard to keep a straight face, but he didn't dare imagine what kind of dream Grandpa Makarov had been enjoying… Probably something very not safe for kids.

Makarov chuckled and shook his head, deciding not to hold a grudge.

Creak—

The door creaked open.

A small figure stepped out, rubbing her eyes with both hands, still half-asleep.

"Bump!"

Wendy accidentally walked straight into Moen's chest.

Blinking in confusion, she looked up—then her face lit up with joy.

"Big brother! You're back?!"

The second she saw it was Moen, she perked up instantly.

Her big, sparkly eyes glimmered with surprise and happiness.

"Now take a look—guess who else is here?"

Moen stepped aside, revealing Jellal.

Despite being older than Moen by a year, Jellal was actually a bit shorter.

"Jellal!"

Wendy beamed and looked over to Grandpa Robynru, who had gently woken her and promised her a "surprise" this morning.

Well, it really was a surprise!

"Go with them, Wendy.

Head to that Fairy Tail."

Robynru gave her a kind smile.

He spoke softly, releasing her from any reason to stay—no matter that he had fabricated an entire "guild" for her sake.

"B-But… what about the members of Cat's Haven…?"

Wendy hesitated.

After just one day, she had already made friends with the "guild members" of Yōbyō no Yado—Cat's Haven.

Everyone had been so warm and kind.

Leaving them behind made her heart ache.

"Come with me."

Seeing her indecision, Robynru turned and led the group to the edge of the village.

There, lined up in neat rows, were all the members of "Cat's Haven."

Men, women, children, elderly—every single one stood behind Robynru, smiling warmly.

"Cat's Haven"—that was the name Robynru came up with on the fly.

After all, even the "members" had been cobbled together in haste, so naming it was the least of his worries.

"He created an entire guild just for one girl…"

Moen couldn't help but feel moved.

Is he really going to reveal everything now…?

"Wendy, go.

Go with them.

With them, you'll find what you truly seek—those who'll stay by your side.

Real companions."

Standing before his fabricated guild, Robynru's voice was warm, gentle.

He waved softly as he spoke.

Behind him, the "members" smiled and waved goodbye with equal warmth—though none of them vanished.

"If you ever want to come back,

Cat's Haven will always be here waiting for you."

He said it with a grandfatherly smile.

But both Moen and Makarov were silently stunned.

He's serious… He actually intends to keep this whole fake guild running… just for her?