The Magic Merchant in Fairy Tail

Whoosh!

A white figure streaked across the snowy expanse, moving with a mix of skill and exuberance. It was Kira, thoroughly engrossed in his solo skiing adventure.

His sled carved long grooves into the untouched snow, each turn creating graceful arcs. While his movements weren't the fluid displays of a professional skier, they were steady and efficient—just enough to keep him upright.

"I've gotten so much better!" he cheered to himself, his voice carried off by the cold mountain breeze.

Kira had spent his previous life in a place where snow was rare. When he arrived in this world, the sight of heavy snowfall blanketing everything in pristine white had left him awestruck. Even after 20 years, the charm of snow hadn't worn off. He took every chance to bask in the winter wonderland.

The annual traditions at Fairy Tail, like snowball fights, snowman-building contests, and ice-sculpting competitions, were among his favorites. The latter event, however, had been discontinued due to Gray's habit of using magic to cheat, leaving everyone else unwilling to compete. In its place, skiing and skating competitions became the new winter staples.

Kira wasn't particularly athletic. While his magic was formidable, his physical abilities were merely average, meaning he'd never placed well in these competitions. But he wasn't one to settle for mediocrity. Fueled by determination, Kira had been secretly training for years.

"This time, I'll show them all. Those fools in the guild won't know what hit them at the next competition!"

With the wind caressing his face and the snow crunching beneath his sled, Kira felt invigorated. The endless white expanse stretched out before him, and for a moment, he let go of his mission and simply enjoyed the thrill of the ride.

Stopping to rest, Kira perched on a rocky outcrop and stared at the vast snow-covered peaks. He leaned back, hands behind his head, and let his imagination wander.

"This place is amazing. What if I built a villa here?" he mused aloud. "No, wait—a castle! A grand one, right in the middle of this snowy paradise! I could use magic to keep it warm, and the view would be incredible!"

His fantasy grew more elaborate with each passing moment. "I could add a library…maybe a huge fireplace… And if the guild's airship ever flies by, they'll all be so jealous!"

His daydreaming was interrupted when movement in the distance caught his eye. A shadow swayed against the stark white backdrop, growing clearer as it approached—a pack of snow wolves.

"Wolves?" Kira muttered, standing to get a better look. "In a place like this? What could they possibly be eating?"

His curiosity piqued, Kira slipped on his ski boots and stealthily followed them. Floating just above the snow to avoid detection, he trailed the pack at a safe distance.

The wolves were large, their fur almost blending perfectly with the snow, except for faint streaks of gray on their paws. Something about them seemed unusual.

"There are about thirty of them," Kira observed, peering through a telescope he'd brought along. "No pups, no elderly wolves, and no clear leader. That's strange. Packs usually have a balance of ages and follow an alpha."

He noted how the wolves moved in near-perfect unison, like soldiers under orders. "This isn't normal behavior. Someone—or something—is controlling them."

As he floated closer, he noticed faint scratches and small wounds on some of the wolves. "They've been fighting recently. But who—or what—were they fighting?"

The pack's coordinated march led them to a hidden cave nestled at the base of a snow-covered mountain. Its entrance was partially obscured by piled snow, and the surrounding rock bore markings that Kira recognized as the work of magic.

"This definitely isn't natural," he muttered, running a hand over the carved stone.

He hesitated for only a moment before stepping inside. The narrow passage was dimly lit by occasional cracks in the rock overhead, and the temperature noticeably rose the farther he went. Lampstands, clearly meant for torches, lined the walls, though they were caked with dust and long unused.

"Looks like this place hasn't seen much action in years," Kira mused, brushing off some of the dust with his gloved hand. "Was this built by someone seeking shelter? Or maybe as a shrine?"

His mind began to piece together theories. "A hidden tribe, perhaps? They could've carved this place to protect something—or worship something. But why abandon it? And how did these wolves end up here?"

Ten minutes of walking brought him to the end of the passage, where it opened into a spacious cavern. The sight that greeted him left him awestruck.

The cavern was massive, its walls lined with glowing magic crystals that emitted a soft blue light. Thousands of tiny holes in the ceiling refracted sunlight into the space, creating an ethereal glow. Ice crystals along the walls acted as mirrors, bouncing the light throughout the cavern and giving it a mesmerizing brilliance.

"Wow…" Kira whispered, spinning slowly to take it all in. "This place must've cost a fortune to build. Just the crystals alone could bankrupt the Kingdom of Fiore!"

He ran a hand along the nearest crystal, marveling at its craftsmanship. "Whoever made this must've been a genius. The design isn't just decorative—it's functional. They're using these crystals to store and emit light, like a magical self-sustaining power system!"

Excited by his discovery, Kira began to run laps around the cavern, laughing to himself. "This place is amazing! If I claim it, I could turn it into a private workshop—or even my own fortress!"

His giddy excitement momentarily overshadowed the reason he'd come here. But as he calmed down, he noticed something odd.

"Wait a second…" he muttered, scanning the cavern. "Where did the wolves go?"

The open space had several exits, each leading into different tunnels. Kira knelt to inspect the ground but found no clear tracks to follow.

"Should've brought Natsu. His nose would've been handy right about now," he grumbled.

After a moment's deliberation, he picked the middle tunnel and began his descent.

The tunnel narrowed the farther he went, and the faint glow of crystals gave way to complete darkness. Kira lit a small magic lamp he'd crafted, its warm light guiding his way.

"This place just keeps getting more interesting," he muttered, his breath visible in the frigid air.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed from deeper within the tunnel, sending a chill down his spine.

Kira tightened his grip on the lamp, his free hand instinctively reaching for his sword. "Well, I did ask for adventure…"

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