NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Rebirth in Hargeon
Chapter 1: Rebirth in Hargeon
Kael's POV
When I woke up, the world around me didn't just look different—it felt different. The air was crisper, the colors sharper, and the noise of the bustling town filled my ears like an overactive speaker system.
I sat up on the cobblestone street, my head throbbing. "Where am I?" I muttered. Around me, a medieval-style town bustled with life: merchants shouting about goods, mages showing off magic tricks, and the distant sound of the ocean. This definitely wasn't Brooklyn.
Before I could process my new surroundings, a soft chime echoed in my head, and a glowing blue screen appeared out of nowhere.
---
[Welcome to the Fairy Tail World!]
System Initializing...
Main Quest Activated: Join the Fairy Tail Guild.
Rewards: Beginner's Magic Kit, 1,000 System Points, and Unlock: Arcane Magic Skill Tree.
---
I blinked. "Okay… so either I'm dead, or I just got isekai'd into a shonen anime. Cool, I guess?"
The system didn't reply—of course it didn't. But it did flash a map in front of me with a quest marker pointing toward a nearby town called Hargeon. Shrugging, I stood up and dusted off my tattered clothes.
"Guess I've got nothing to lose. Let's see what this world's got for me."
---
Lucy's POV
Hargeon was everything I'd imagined it would be: lively, colorful, and full of potential. If I wanted to join a guild, this seemed like the perfect place to start.
As I wandered the market, my celestial keys jingled softly at my hip. I stopped at a vendor and smiled. "Excuse me, do you know where the magic shop is?"
"Just two blocks over, miss," the vendor replied with a grin.
"Thank you!" I said, adjusting my satchel and heading down the cobblestone street.
---
Kael's POV
I arrived in Hargeon just in time to spot her: blonde hair, confident stride, celestial keys hanging from her belt. She stood out like a beacon among the ordinary townsfolk. My system chimed again.
---
[Observe Activated: Lucy Heartfilia]
**- Celestial Spirit Mage
Aspiring Guild Member
Current Status: Curious**
---
"So, this is Lucy," I muttered. My eyes narrowed as I followed her, keeping to the shadows. I didn't have much of a plan, but she was tied to Fairy Tail, and that was enough for now.
Before I could move closer, the crowd stirred. A man in a gaudy purple cloak had taken the stage, surrounded by swooning women. He claimed to be "Salamander of Fairy Tail," but something about him felt wrong.
It wasn't just his smug attitude—it was the faint aura of charm magic radiating from him. I frowned. This guy was manipulating the crowd.
Lucy, ever curious, approached the stage with caution, her brows furrowed. I debated stepping in but decided to observe for now. The real fireworks were about to begin.
---
Natsu's Entrance
"Oi! You're not Salamander!"
A loud, brash voice cut through the commotion, and the crowd parted to reveal a pink-haired boy with a scarf and a flying blue cat. I couldn't help but smirk. The infamous Natsu Dragneel in the flesh.
"Who are you?" Lucy asked, clearly confused by the boy's sudden appearance.
"Natsu," he said, grinning widely. "And this is Happy!"
"Aye!" the cat chimed in.
What followed was pure chaos. Natsu called out the fake Salamander, who panicked and fled with Lucy reluctantly tagging along. The system chimed again, drawing my attention back to the screen.
---
[Main Quest Update: Observe Fairy Tail Members in Action.]
Optional Quest: Save Lucy from the Rogue Mage's Plot.]
Reward: Beginner Combat Spell: Arcane Bolt.
---
I sighed, cracking my knuckles. "Guess it's time to get involved."
---
Trouble on the Water
By the time I reached the docks, Lucy was already in trouble. The fake Salamander had lured her onto his ship, and his charm magic was stronger now, sapping her strength as he gloated about selling her to a noble.
"Let me go!" she shouted, struggling against invisible chains.
The system pinged again.
---
[New Skill Unlocked: Arcane Bolt.]
---
I opened my tome, glowing runes floating into the air as the spell activated. With a flick of my wrist, a glowing bolt of energy shot toward Salamander, striking his hand and forcing him to drop Lucy's celestial keys.
Before I could follow up, flames erupted from the side of the ship.
"FIRE DRAGON ROAR!"
Natsu's attack tore through the hull, sending the rogue mages scattering. Lucy was swept up by Happy, who carried her to safety. Meanwhile, Natsu grinned like a maniac, unleashing more destruction.
I stayed back, letting Natsu handle the heavy lifting. My system had already rewarded me for completing the quest, and I wasn't eager to draw attention to myself just yet.
As Salamander and his crew fled, I turned and disappeared into the shadows.
"Fairy Tail," I muttered. "This is going to be interesting."
---
End of Chapter 1