Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

The Fiore Kingdom.

A neutral country with a population of 17 million.

It is a world of magic.

Magic is bought and sold there like anything else.

And is deeply ingrained in the people's lives.

There are even some who make a living using magic.

These people are referred to as wizards.

These wizards belong to many different guilds

and accept jobs brought to them.

There are many guilds in this kingdom

and there's a certain wizard guild in a certain town.

A guild from which countless legends were once born.

No, one that will continue to create legends well into the future.

Its name is Fairy Tail.

The port town of Hargeon.

Well, sir?

We've reached Hargeon, Natsu! Get up! Get up!

-Is he all right? -Yes! This always happens to him.

Never again. I'm never riding a train again.

If our information is correct, the Salamander should be in this town.

-Let's go. -Give me a minute first.

Help me!

It left.

"The Fairy Tail."

What?

There's only one magic shop in this entire town?

Yes. This is more of a fishing town than a magic town.

Not even a tenth of the people here can use magic.

So, this shop mostly focuses on selling to traveling wizards.

Did I come all this way for nothing?

Now, now! Don't say that! Take a look!

I do have all the latest goods in stock!

This Colors magic is popular with the girls!

It can change the color of your clothes to match how you feel that day!

-Change, change! Okay! -I already have one.

-And again! -I'm looking for powerful Gatekeys.

Gates, right? That's a rare request.

The White Doggy!

That one is not powerful at all.

That's okay! I've been looking everywhere for it!

-How much? -20,000 Jewel.

-How much again? -I said 20,000 Jewel.

How much is it really, you handsome man?

He only lowered it 1,000 Jewel!

Is that the most my feminine charm is worth?

That's cheap! It makes me mad!

The fact it's such an everyday amount makes it even worse!

-The famous wizard is here! -It's Mr. Salamander!

Salamander?

The wizard who can use magic you can't buy in stores?

Is he in this town?

Man, I wound up riding the train twice.

You're not good when it comes to riding things.

-Not to mention I'm hungry. -And we don't have any money.

Hey, Happy. This Salamander has to be Igneel, right?

Yes! Igneel is the only fire dragon I can think of.

Yes, right?

-Mr. Salamander! -You're so dreamy!

Please burn me!

-Salamander? -Salamander?

-See! Speak of the devil! -Yes

-What a dreamboat! -He's so cool!

Why is my heart beating so fast?

What's gotten into me?

You're too kind.

He looked at me!

Is it because he's a famous wizard? Is that why my heart is throbbing?

-Could it be? Am I? -Igneel! Igneel!

Igneel!

Who are you?

Does the name "Salamander" ring a bell?

Are you gone already?

-How rude! -Yeah! Mr. Salamander's a great wizard!

Apologize right now!

What's with you women?

Now, now. That's enough.

He didn't mean anything by it.

Here's my autograph. Feel free to brag to your friends.

No, thanks.

It wasn't him after all.

Well, I have business at the port. So, I must be off.

Are you leaving already?

I'm having a party on my boat tonight. You're all invited!

Who was that?

He was a real creep.

-Thanks! -What?

And then...

I'm Lucy. It's nice to meet you!

Yes!

Was it Natsu and Happy?

You're really nice!

Okay, just slow down a little. Stuff is flying everywhere...

There goes the 1,000 Jewel my looks saved me.

So, that Salamander guy

was using a Charm spell.

It can attract people to you, even against their will.

It was banned from selling years ago though.

What a creep! Going that far to be popular!

But I broke free of the spell, thanks to you barging in!

-So, this is my thanks! -I see.

Believe it or not, I'm actually a wizard myself!

-Really? -I haven't joined a guild yet though.

Guilds are organizations

where wizards gather to share information and find work.

You can't be considered a full-fledged wizard unless you're in a guild.

There are lots of guilds all over the world.

It's apparently really tough getting into the popular ones!

The one I want to join is filled with amazing wizards!

Oh, my! I want to join it, but I bet it'll be tough!

Sorry! This wizarding talk must sound like nonsense to you, right?

But I'm definitely going to join that guild!

I bet I can find lots of big jobs there!

-Yes? -You talk a lot.

Come to think of it, it sounded like you were looking for someone.

Yes! Igneel!

We're here because we heard a Salamander was coming to this town.

But it was someone else.

Yes, he didn't look like a Salamander at all.

A Salamander is a fire dragon, so we thought he'd be Igneel.

What kind of person looks like a fire dragon?

He's not a person. Igneel is a dragon.

Yes! He's an actual dragon!

-What? -Even in this world of magic,

dragons are very rare creatures that are hardly ever seen.

Why would there be a dragon in the middle of town?

Now, did you just realize that?

Well, I should be going. Enjoy your food.

Thank you! Come again!

-Thank you for the meal! -For the meal!

Stop it! You're embarrassing me!

It's okay! You helped me. So, now we're even!

We weren't trying to help her though...

Yes, I still feel indebted...

I know!

-You can have this! -I don't want!

The wizarding magazine, Sorcerer Weekly.

Goodness. Did Fairy Tail cause trouble again?

"Devon Bandit Clan Wiped Out, Seven Homes Destroyed"?

Talk about going overboard!

Mirajane is the glamour model this time!

How do you get into Fairy Tail anyway?

Is there an interview or something?

The Fairy Tail wizard guild. It's so absolutely cool!

What? Do you want to join Fairy Tail?

Salamander!

I've been looking for you.

I wanted to personally invite you to the party on my boat tonight.

Your Charm spell won't work on me!

Its weakness is awareness!

It doesn't work on people who are aware of it!

I knew from the moment I saw you that you were a wizard.

No matter. Just come to my party.

Yeah, right! Like I'd ever go to some creep's party!

Am I a creep?

Your Charm spell. You'd go that far to be popular?

It's only a formality.

I just want to feel like a celebrity during the party.

For a so-called famous wizard, you really are stupid.

You want to join Fairy Tail, don't you?

Surely you've heard of the "Salamander" in Fairy Tail.

I have!

Are you a member of Fairy Tail?

That's right.

If you want to join, I can put in a good word with our master.

It sounds like it'll be a really nice party!

Wow, talk about a simple personality!

So, can you really get me into Fairy Tail?

Of course. But in return, don't say anything about the Charm spell.

Sure! No problem!