The Magic Merchant in Fairy Tail

"How's it going, Natsu? Do you smell the demon?"

Faced with three passages branching off from the main chamber, the group turned to Natsu's acute sense of smell.

Natsu sniffed the air at each entrance, pausing at every path before returning. "Smells like demons in all of them," he said with his characteristic grin. "Why don't we split up? We'll cover more ground that way!"

"Splitting up… It's not impossible…" Erza muttered, considering their options.

Before she could give her orders, Natsu grabbed Happy and bolted toward the middle path.

"Natsu! Wait—Damn it, that guy never listens!" Erza growled, clenching her fists.

Kira chuckled. "He's just being himself. If the guild didn't have someone as reckless as him, it'd probably be too quiet!"

Despite her irritation, Erza nodded. "Gray, follow him! I don't trust him not to do something stupid."

Gray sighed but understood the logic. "Got it," he said before dashing after Natsu and Happy into the passage.

"Alright then," Erza said, turning to Kira. "I'll take the left path. That leaves the right to you."

"Leave it to me," Kira replied confidently.

As soon as the others disappeared into their respective paths, Kira turned back to the cavern. The shimmering gemstones embedded in the walls gleamed under the soft glow of magical torches.

"Alright, time to get to work," he said, rubbing his hands together. He pulled out his enchanted backpack and began meticulously prying the gems from the walls.

"One, two… These are some nice pieces…" Kira muttered to himself as he worked. The backpack, enchanted with spatial magic, could hold an endless number of treasures. As the gems tumbled in, Kira's imagination ran wild with thoughts of his growing hoard.

But his progress was interrupted by a voice.

"What are you doing?"

Kira jumped, nearly dropping the emerald he was holding. He spun around to see Winter standing behind him, her head tilted in curiosity.

"Uh… I'm, um… contributing to the guild's emergency fund!" Kira stammered, trying to mask his embarrassment.

Winter frowned, clearly not convinced. "You told me yesterday that all adults have strange hobbies. Is this what you meant?"

"Hobbies? Did I say that?!" Kira scratched his head, confused. This girl's innocent tone was so disarming that he momentarily forgot his discomfort.

Shaking off his unease, Kira asked, "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with the others?"

Winter's demeanor turned serious. "Dealing with these demons is the responsibility of the Isisnew family. I can't just leave it to you. I want to fight too."

Kira crouched to her level, meeting her gaze. "It's dangerous. You haven't inherited the Ice Demon-Exterminating Technique. Without it, you'll be at a disadvantage against these demons. They've lived for decades—centuries, even."

"I've inherited other powers," Winter replied firmly. "Even if I can't do much, I won't be a burden!"

Her conviction made Kira pause. "Is this really your choice, or are you doing this because of your father?"

Winter's expression softened. "It's my choice. But I also promised him I would protect our family's legacy."

Kira nodded, returning to his work. "Maybe your father didn't want you to bear this burden at all," he said without looking at her.

"I know," Winter said quietly. "The Ice Demon-Exterminating Technique can only be passed down willingly. My father gave it away."

Kira froze, turning back to her. "What? He gave it away?"

Winter nodded. "That's a secret only those of us from the clan know. My father didn't lose the magic. He gave it to that man voluntarily."

…..

The snowy plains stretched endlessly as Winter stood beside her father. She was young, barely old enough to understand the world, but she knew something was wrong.

"Father, why is your body like this?" she asked, staring at the black veins creeping across his arms.

Her father sighed, kneeling before her. "Those who hunt demons are eventually devoured by them. That is our family's curse."

"Then why…?"

"Because it's our duty," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "But if I could, I would spare you from this burden. Winter, promise me you'll never take on this power."

Later, Winter overheard her father speaking with a stranger in their home.

"You're sure you want this magic?" her father asked. "It's a dangerous power. It can consume your will."

"I need it to fight stronger demons," the stranger replied. "I'll return it to your daughter when I no longer need it."

Her father shook his head. "No, don't return it to her. Find someone else to pass it on to. Let this cursed power end with me."

The wolves came without warning, their howls echoing across the frozen landscape. Winter's father fought valiantly but fell to the beasts. Before his final breath, the man he had entrusted with the magic arrived, slaying the demons and avenging him.

Standing before her father's grave, Winter made a vow. "I'll show you that I can carry the family's legacy without the Ice Demon-Exterminating Technique. I'll put an end to this curse, once and for all."

Back in the cave, Winter's voice trembled as she finished her story. "The Ice Demon-Exterminating Technique wasn't our glory. It was our curse. My father gave it away to protect me. Now, I'll fight to end the demons who've plagued our family for centuries."

Kira listened in silence, nodding as she spoke. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small packet of snacks and offering it to her.

"I understand your determination," he said with a faint smile. "But I'm scared."

Winter looked at him in confusion. "You're scared?"

"Yes," Kira said. "Scared of what Erza will do to me if I let you get hurt."

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