In the backstage lounge, Jude brought Lucy to meet Marco.
"Marco, this is Lucy, my daughter. You've already met earlier, right?" Jude's words carried some awkwardness.
He had never brought Lucy to meet Marco before, yet she had come on her own.
Now, he was about to ask Marco to take her as an apprentice and even let her join Fairy Tail.
The sudden change in attitude made his face burn with embarrassment—he wished he could vanish into the ground.
"Yes, we've met. You always said Lucy was my fan, and now we've finally gotten the chance to meet," Marco replied, winking playfully at the young girl.
At Marco's words, Jude could only force a dry laugh.
There was no denying it—he had handled this poorly.
Earlier, he had repeatedly claimed his daughter was Marco's fan, even getting signed books and such, only to drop the matter entirely afterward.
If Marco hadn't found it the least bit strange, Jude wouldn't have believed it.
"Did you have fun today, Lucy?" Marco ignored Jude and smiled as he asked Lucy.
"Yes! I have so much fun!" Lucy nodded enthusiastically.
"Marco-san and Mirajane-san performance was amazing! It was my first time hearing music like that—my emotions kept changing with the melody. Mirajane-san singing was so beautiful, even better than the recordings!" Lucy earnestly shared her thoughts on the concert, not forgetting to praise Mirajane who was watching nearby.
The sight of Marco and Mirajane performing together on stage had been incredibly harmonious.
"Thank you, Lucy. You can just call me Mira—no need to be so formal," Mirajane said with a bright smile, her impression of the girl improving.
Lucy's compliments were sincere, her big eyes filled with admiration.
"Okay, Mira... does that mean we're friends now?" Lucy asked softly, her gaze was hopeful as if afraid of her rejection.
"...Of course. We're friends," Mirajane replied gently after a brief pause.
She couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Lucy.
Despite her wealthy upbringing, the girl seemed to have lived a rather lonely life, like a caged bird with no friends to speak of.
It was true—she had no friends. For more chapters visıt novęlfire.net
Stuck at home every day, surrounded by family-owned hills, the only people she interacted with were the household staff.
None of them could truly be her friends.
If she had to name one, perhaps Aqua was the closest thing she had to a friend.
Though Aqua often scolded her for summoning her at inappropriate times, she never left Lucy's side when she needed companionship.
After her mother's passing, Aqua had become Lucy's emotional anchor, helping her endure those difficult days.
That Celestial Spirit was her only friend.
Now that she could make new friends, Lucy was naturally very happy.
If not for the inappropriate time and place, she would have summoned Aquarius to share her joy.
"Marco, I'd like Lucy to become your apprentice and learn Celestial Spirit Magic. Then, let her join the Fairy Tail guild as one of your members, just like Hisui. Would you be willing to take her as your disciple?"
After a brief moment of awkwardness, Jude didn't forget why he had brought Lucy here.
He took the initiative to make the request to Marco.
"Hisui?" Mira was puzzled.
Why would Jude mention Hisui?
"Hisui is the child of one of my friends, about the same age as Lucy. She also learned Celestial Spirit Magic from Lucy's mother."
Mira's question made Jude quickly realize his slip.
He hurriedly explained, covering up the issue of Hisui's identity.
Jude naturally understood the need to conceal Hisui's identity—after all, being the sole princess of the royal family was a rather special status.
Mira nodded, though her expression slightly odd.
These two girls both used Celestial Spirit Magic and were both wealthy young ladies.
Lucy and Hisui's backgrounds were indeed quite similar.
Now, with both apprenticing under Marco, the resemblance grew even stronger.
"Hisui?" Lucy looked utterly confused.
She didn't remember who Hisui was—they weren't close, and she hadn't seen her since she could remember.
Layla had never taken Lucy along when she went to the capital on business.
So Lucy found it strange—how had her mother taught someone else Celestial Spirit Magic?
But before Lucy could dwell on it, Marco spoke up.
"Of course, I have no problem taking Lucy as my apprentice. What about you, Lucy? Are you willing? Willing to learn Celestial Spirit Magic from me?"
Marco's words made everyone turn to Lucy, waiting for her answer.
After a brief pause, Lucy immediately responded, her excitement bubbling up as her cheeks flushed.
"Good. From now on, you're my second apprentice. The Hisui your father just mentioned is my first apprentice—your senpai. You'll meet her when we return to Fairy Tail. I hope you two can progress together."
Looking at Lucy, Marco spoke with the authority of a master.
At the same time, Marco's [Saint System] displayed the words 'Successfully Accepted Apprentice.'
Lucy had gained the system's recognition—this young girl was also a child with a spirit of dedication and righteousness, a kind soul willing to strive to save others.
Marco sighed inwardly.
He had ended up taking two female apprentices first—his students was becoming overwhelmingly female-dominated.
Anyone unaware might think he only accepted female apprentice.
"Understood, Marco-san! I look forward to meeting my senpai!"
Lucy nodded earnestly, her eyes shining with anticipation.
She couldn't wait to start her life at Fairy Tail.
"You should call him 'Master' now, Lucy."
Hearing Lucy's response, Jude reminded her from the side.
"Ah, yes... Master Marco." Lucy froze for a moment, then somewhat awkwardly changed her form of address.
The title felt strange to say.
Although Marco no longer looked like a child, Lucy knew he was only about two years older than her.
Calling him "san/nii" seemed more fitting.
"You don't have to call me 'Master.' That makes me sound old. 'Brother' is fine too."
Marco said with a smile, vaguely recalling that when he met Lucy from the future two years ago, the girl hadn't called him "Master" either.
So perhaps this was how it was meant to be?
He couldn't be certain about this point.
It involved future events he didn't want to alter, yet he also didn't know if he'd already changed them.
All he could do was try to stay consistent.
"Then... can I call you Marco-nii?" Lucy asked softly.
This form of address indeed felt more comfortable, avoiding the awkwardness of forcibly treating a peer as an elder.
But the respect in her heart wouldn't diminish!
"Of course. It's just a title." Marco nodded with a smile, supporting Lucy's choice.
This made him feel the future might not have changed too much because of him.
"Wouldn't that be disrespectful?" Jude frowned and interjected.
He felt this wasn't appropriate—a master was a master.
What was this "brother" business?