"There's a nasty smell in the forest."

Kanna soon wrinkled her nose, her face twisting in disgust.

"Is it the same as those people from the other day?"

Rayne stroked her head soothingly, his voice deceptively calm—yet laced with something dangerous.

"Mmm… just as bad," Kanna murmured, frowning as she tried to compare. But in the end, she couldn't decide.

To her, it was like trying to figure out which rat smelled worse.

Whether it was these people or the ones before, their stench was equally revolting. She couldn't tell the difference.

"I see… Sorry you had to smell something unpleasant."

Rayne pinched Kanna's cheek and offered an apologetic smile.

"Did they make you upset, Rayne? I'll burn them all."

She tilted her head, pressing her face closer to make it easier for him to pinch. Her tone was casual, her expression unchanging—as if she were talking about torching an anthill.

As Rayne's summoned partner and closest companion, Kanna understood his emotions better than anyone else.

Ever since last night, Rayne hadn't been himself. She didn't know how to fix it, so she'd stayed quiet and obedient.

But now that she'd found the ants responsible for his foul mood, she saw no reason to let them live.

"You were worried about me, huh? Guess I've been a little on edge."

Seeing Kanna's concern, Rayne realized just how much his past life's memories were affecting him.

But even knowing that, he didn't try to suppress them.

After all, they were his experiences.

"Excuse me… Are you the mages who took the request?"

A hopeful voice interrupted their conversation.

Rayne and Kanna turned to see a middle-aged woman standing before Laxus.

Her clothes were plain, her hair unkempt, and her weathered face was etched with exhaustion. Bloodshot eyes brimmed with desperate hope as she stared at the young man.

Her hands twitched, as if she wanted to grab him—but she quickly pulled back, afraid of scaring him off.

"If you mean the missing child request… then yeah, we're the ones."

Laxus took an awkward step back, his tone uncharacteristically stiff.

The woman's grief-stricken gaze—mixed with sudden, fragile hope—made his chest tighten.

Though he'd completed over a dozen requests, they'd all been monster-hunting jobs. He'd taken them to prove his strength.

But this kind of request?

He'd heard of them, but he'd never actually dealt with one.

He didn't understand her emotions.

Normally, he'd brush it off with his usual bravado—but under that pleading stare, the words died in his throat.

"Please, Mage-sir! You have to find my child!"

At his confirmation, the woman's eyes lit up. Her voice cracked as she nearly dropped to her knees.

"Ma'am, there's no need for that. We're from a proper guild."

Rayne stepped forward, gently steadying her. His voice was calm, soothing her frayed nerves.

Letting a client kneel? That'd ruin Fairy Tail's reputation in a heartbeat.

And even beyond that—no victim should have to beg.

Beside him, Laxus exhaled in quiet relief.

"Ma'am, can you tell us about your child's appearance? And when and where they went missing?"

Kanna had sensed something off in the forest, but she couldn't be sure it was connected.

According to the request, the first disappearance was nearly a week ago.

The culprits might've already fled.

If they rushed in only to find the wrong people, crushing this woman's hope would be cruel.

So before acting, Rayne wanted details.

"O-Okay!"

Eager to help, the woman steadied herself and began explaining.

By now, the commotion had drawn other villagers.

Though it wasn't their children missing, fear hung thick in the air.

They understood—if it happened once, it could happen again.

But the sight of two teenagers and a little girl made them murmur in doubt.

"Can these kids really handle it?"

"They're from that famous guild, right?"

"But they look younger than my boy…"

"Doesn't matter. We're out of options."

An elderly man pushed through the crowd and bowed slightly to Rayne.

"Mage-sir, may I see your request form and guild mark?"

His demeanor marked him as the village chief.

"Of course. Standard procedure."

Rayne didn't mind.

A gust of wind whistled behind him. Without turning, he caught the request form Laxus had tossed over.

With a flick of his wrist, he unfurled it—simultaneously revealing the Fairy Tail emblem on his hand.

Behind him, Laxus undid his collar, exposing the black guild mark on his chest.

"Very well. Then, Mage-sirs, if you'll follow me—"

The chief nodded, gesturing toward the village hall.

But Rayne cut him off.

"No need. Let's settle this here so we can start immediately."

Walking back and forth would waste time. Better to gather intel now, then head straight for the forest.

If it was a dead end, they'd adjust.

Watching Rayne handle things so efficiently, Laxus clenched his fists.

He'd faltered over something so simple.

The memory of their first meeting flashed in his mind—Rayne's words echoing:

"Strength isn't proven by words."

"…Then we'll skip formalities."

The chief nodded, impressed by Rayne's no-nonsense attitude.

"It started a week ago…"

His voice was grave but concise.

Thankfully, he knew time was precious—this wasn't a speech, just the facts.

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