After reading the names of the two rewards he received, Jin blinked a few times to make sure he hadn’t misread the notifications. Before he could read their descriptions in his inventory, however, he heard Jellal’s puzzled voice.

“Do you know what a heart-bound dakimakura is, Jin?”

“Uh… well, a dakimakura is basically just a big pillow. Not sure what heart-bound would mean in that context, though. Just pull it out and look at it.”

“Alright.”

A few quick taps later, a pillow as tall as Jellal himself materialized in his hands. The side facing them was pure white, so he turned it around. Upon seeing the other side, he froze with flushed cheeks.

Meanwhile, Jin’s eyes widened briefly, but then he guffawed uncontrollably. Although more realistic than what he remembered, the character on the pillow couldn’t be anybody but Erza in a nightdress since she looked so much like Irene. Watching as Jellal hastily stuffed the pillow back into his own chat group inventory, Jin leaned against the nearest tree unable to hold back his laughter.

“Oh, god! HAHAHA! I can’t! Ugh, can’t breathe! Phew~ Haha. That’s hilarious!” Jin wheezed out in between gasps of laughter.

“Never speak of this.”

Still chuckling a little, Jin smirked and said, “No problem.”

‘So long as I never drink again,’ Jin added as an afterthought in his mind.

“*Ahem*. The other item I got is a round peach,” Jellal said in an attempt to change the subject. “It says here that it originally came from an apple tree that had a droplet of flat peach juices fall on it when it was a sapling. Extends life span by approximately 5 years, according to the explanation. Ever heard of it?”

“Oh. That doesn’t sound too bad. Flat peach is actually a legendary fruit from some old myths. Not sure how useful that round peach will be, though, considering you’ve already got that cell regeneration quirk. Might be a bit redundant.”

“Ah, yes. I haven’t had much of a chance to test out the quirk, though my physical and magical energy reserves have been steadily increasing ever since I received it.”

Raising a brow, Jin said, “Sounds super helpful. If it works the way I think it does, it might even give you regeneration or increased health and longevity. I’d also recommend doing more physical training. You’ll probably get a lot more out of it if it works how I think it works.”

“I’ll try that, but it seems more complicated and harder to figure out than the power you got.”

Jin shrugged in response at the debatable comment. Without knowledge from the stories he watched and read in the past, he didn’t think he could have figured out as much about his geass as he had so far.

“Anyway, what did you get from your tickets?”

“Not sure what the things are, actually. Let me check.”

Upon reading the descriptions of his rewards, Jin’s face went full deadpan.

[Low-Hanging Fruit - A strange and phallic-looking fruit that grew in an inner world garden of a rather eccentric deity-level cultivator with strange hobbies. So long as you can overcome its unappetizing appearance, the fruit will permanently increase virility and disease resistance by a small amount. Eating ten of these will maximize the benefits. After that, they just taste good, but nobody eats them after obtaining the full benefits… except said cultivator.]

[Shut Up and Take My Money - An unorthodox skill that causes a target to be incapable of speaking or writing for an equivalent amount of time to how much money you throw at them after stating “Shut Up and Take My Money”. This skill operates on the level of a world law and cannot be resisted. The maximum time the skill can last is sixty-nine days.]

Facepalming and dragging his hand down his face, Jin wondered if the interdimensional chat group app was sentient and messing with him. Certainly, he could find a use for the gag skill so long as it didn’t cost him a lot of money, but the fruit? Out of morbid curiosity, he pulled it out of the inventory even after seeing the censored image on the item box.

Both Jin and Jellal stared at the fruit with dead eyes.

“Looks like a dick…”

“It indeed looks like a dick…”

Despite the pure red coloration, neither of them could deny that the main section of the fruit looked like a scrotum while the stem looked like a small but weirdly-shaped phallus.

“I don’t mention the dakimakura. You don’t mention this. Deal?”

“Deal.”

* * *

With their rewards figured out, Jin and Jellal returned to the group and resumed magic training. The ladies there wondered why the two marched back from their bathroom break with stoic faces as though they had just faced a great trial by fire, but the ladies chose to ignore it. It was probably just boys being boys.

Anyway, later during the training, they found a handful of magic types that Jin picked up more easily than the rest.

“Weapon enchantment, barrier, and gravity magic seem to be the most suitable, then,” Jellal commented with interest.

“Certainly an unusual combination you don’t see everyday. It doesn’t seem like there’s anything he absolutely can’t learn, either,” Irene agreed with a small nod and a well-hidden glint of anticipation in her eyes that nobody noticed.

“Good for you, Jin! You’re off to a great start! I’m sure you’ll figure it all out easily!” Meredy encouraged with a wide smile and a thumbs-up.

Ultear nodded without adding anything.

“Thanks for the help,” Jin grumbled despite laying flat on the ground and panting from exhaustion.

“Since we only have a few days until you have to leave, is there one you want to focus on?” Jellal asked.

Jin’s brows furrowed as he contemplated his options.

Amidst his silence, Irene asked, “What do you mean he has to leave? Isn’t he with your group?”

“Erm… not exactly…” Jellal muttered nervously.

“I’ll explain it to you later, Irene,” Jin tiredly said, covering for his buddy.

“Fine.”

“Anyway, teach me a little about all of them tomorrow, then focus more on barrier magic after. I think that will be most useful for me in the short term,” Jin said.

“We’ll do that, then,” Jellal replied with a nod of understanding. When considering Jin’s upcoming missions with their fellow chat group members, he also thought it to be the best option given his circumstances. Gravity magic would be good, too, but it took longer to practice to the point of usefulness against strong opponents compared to barrier magic.

Around noon the next day, Jin suddenly got an idea. While the others ate lunch, he approached Irene and asked, “Is it alright if I use my eye power on you again? It should only show all the memories from the last time I used it on you until now, but it should give more time for me to learn magic from you since we can talk while it is activated. If you don’t want to, I understand. Just figured I’d ask.”

Irene thoughtfully stared at him for a few seconds, which made him worry he might have offended her.

“No good?”

“So, you’re saying it will show from the time we were in the tent until now?”

“Yes.”

“And it will never show us that part again?”

“Yes.”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“...Do it a few days from now, and we can treat it as a review of everything you learn over the next few days.”

“Works for me.”

After that conversation, the days quickly passed. Jin experienced one of the hardest crash courses in a subject since his basic training in his past life. For the most part, Irene and Jellal carried out a majority of the teaching, though Meredy and Ultear also told him about the principles behind most of the magic they could use aside from their trump cards or spells with particularly negative drawbacks.

Every night, Meredy sneaked into Jin’s section of the tent using the excuse of making sure she was ready to help him in case Irene suddenly changed her mind about them and attacked. Jin didn’t particularly mind aside from occasionally waking up to her rolling around somewhere nearby… or on top of him.

Early on the fifth day, Ultear woke up a little earlier than normal and found it weird that she heard the breathing of two people from the section of the tent Jin was using. Unable to contain her curiosity, she peeked inside and saw Meredy sleeping with her head on Jin’s stomach. Butterflies fluttered in Ultear’s belly at the sight. Shaking her head, she shut down the vague feeling of jealousy and left the tent.

“I don’t deserve a relationship. I’ll just make sure Jellal and Meredy are happy,” she quietly mumbled to herself.

Eventually, on the second to last day, Jin and Irene followed through on using his geass to extend his learning time. He also approached Jellal about using the geass, but after explaining the potential risks involved, Jellal decided against trying it since he didn’t trust himself to not lose himself in his past. Instead, Jin simply spent what felt like several weeks inside his geass with Irene. He simply paused the memories after letting them play through once, and then he reviewed everything with Irene multiple times until he basically memorized it all. Unfortunately, neither of them could use any supernatural powers within the geass, so it remained just theory. Aside from learning, Jin and Irene occasionally took breaks with casual conversations interspersed.

“I’m thankful that you’re taking the time to teach me all this, but don’t you have things to attend to in Alvarez as well?”

Irene sighed and answered, “Nothing I can’t put off for now. This time spent with your group has been a lot like a relaxing vacation for me. It’s been… surprisingly enjoyable. It reminds me of some of the better days when I was a child.”

“Not like you can’t experience good days now or in the future,” Jin commented while reminiscing about his current family in his new life. Ignoring any of the issues any other family might have, it was a good family, and he didn’t take the opportunity to be a part of it for granted.

Irene smiled and said, “I suppose you’re right.”

The two fell silent for a while.

“Hey, Jin.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m glad I met you.”

“Thanks… Not sure I’m glad I met you, though,” Jin replied with a smirk as he tested the waters of jesting with the woman.

“So uncouth,” she grumbled, gently punching his shoulder.

“Heh. Well, honestly, it’s been fun getting to know you, too.”

“...I see… So, you’re leaving soon, right?”

“Yes.”

“Where are you going?”

“Home. I guess you could say it’s in an alternate dimension, and I can’t stay here any longer after tomorrow.”

“Alternate dimension? Will you be able to come back?”

Hearing the uncharacteristic hint of anxiousness in her tone, Jin raised an eyebrow and assured her, “I’m sure I can come back at some point. Don’t know when the opportunity will arise, though.”

“Come visit Alakitasia when you do, then. I’ll treat you and give you a place to stay.”

“Hmm. I’d rather not be around Zeref, but I guess I don’t mind visiting for a bit.”

“Pft. You don’t need to be scared of him with me around.”

Jin glanced at her as if to ask, ‘Are you sure about that?’, which got a small laugh out of her.

After that, she started teaching him again until she ran out of things to teach regarding barrier, gravity, and weapon enchantment magic. When he wasn't looking, she bit her lips while trying to come up with more explanations to give him so that they could stay here longer. Unfortunately, she couldn’t come up with anything aside from useless fluff that might even hinder his learning progress, so she reluctantly told him they could leave.

During the final few hours of his visit to the world of Fairy Tail, the group observed while Jin practiced what they had taught him, though he spent enough time within his geass space to put his own spin on it.

Pressing his hands together as though in prayer, he chanted, “Barrier Magic: Prism Guard.”

Instantly, a thick hexagonal barrier flashed into existence around him, covering every possible angle. Its size could probably cover half of a basketball court. Even attacks from below would hit the barrier. The others cast some basic spells at it, but it held strong. When they cast some slightly stronger spells, cracks spread on the surface.

“Next spell,” Irene said.

Firmly separating and then clapping his hands together, Jin stated, “Barrier Magic: Prism Blast.”

The entirety of his barrier shattered, then exploded outward. The others easily defended against the glass-like shards that flew outward in every direction with magic shields of their own. The terrain, on the other hand, wasn’t so lucky. The shards shredded it to pieces, even cutting down a few trees due to the uncountable number of barrier shrapnel. Irene easily returned the desiccated landscape to its former pristine state afterwards, however.

“Can you use that blade spell yet?” Jellal asked.

“Only one for now. Two are too hard to control.”

“Alright. Try it on me,” He replied, pulling out a magic sword made of earth.

“Barrier Magic: Prism Blade.”

A sword that looked like a cross between Eastern and Western blades appeared in the air in front of Jin. Under his mental guidance, it floated into his grasp, and he pointed it at Jellal.

“En Garde?”

“Uh… sure?”

The two engaged in a spar. To the others’ surprise, Jin easily kept up against Jellal’s sword arts.

“Didn’t Jin say his home was a mostly peaceful place or something during lunch yesterday?” Ultear asked.

“Mhm,” Meredy responded, her eyes not leaving Jin’s smooth yet deadly sword combat. It reminded her a little of Gray and Juvia’s magic back when she fought them, but she couldn’t figure out why.

Meanwhile, Irene glanced at the two ladies, particularly Meredy. She briefly smiled, but then ignored them and watched the spar again.

By the end, Jin stabbed his barrier blade into the ground. Sweat dripped from every pore on his body and stained his clothes. Ragged breaths showed how tired he was. In contrast, Jellal calmly dissolved his earth sword back into the ground. He looked about as tired as a person who just got up from a chair. In other words, he wasn’t tired at all.

“Phew. Nobody back home has been able to tire me out like this. It’s been fun,” Jin said.

“Indeed. I’m surprised you’re able to keep up with me to that extent. Give it a few weeks, and you might even be able to make me sweat a little.”

“Heh. Shove off, dirtbag.”

Jellal smiled at the lighthearted taunt, but then moved on and asked, “How is the Barrier Make coming?”

“Eh. Not bad, but not good either. It’s not at a point where I can use it as freely as I want.”

“Gotcha. Well, keep it up. You’re doing well.”

“It’s not amazing, but you’ve made a lot of progress very quickly,” Irene said, approaching from the side.

Despite the woman’s calm face, Jin couldn’t take it as anything aside from praise after getting to know her. He chuckled and nodded.

“So, you’re heading home, soon?” Meredy asked.

Checking his phone, Jin nodded and answered, “I’ve got an hour or two left.”

“Oh…”

“Don’t be sad. I’ll come back to visit at some point.”

Meredy nodded, but didn’t respond other than that.

Ending the training there, Jin cleaned up before eating a final meal with the ragtag group of misfits. Even Irene’s followers joined despite having kept their distance with the group up until now. When his timer showed that he only had a few minutes remaining, he prepared to say temporary farewells.

Patting his legs, Jin said, “Welp, time to leave. It’s been real, it’s been fun, but it ain’t been real fun.”

The others gave him blank judging stares.

“It’s a joke guys,” Jin said, chuckling awkwardly. “For real, though, I’m glad I got to meet all of you here. Well, I didn’t really meet you two, uh…”

“I’m Juliet Sun! Nice to meetcha!”

“Heine Lunasea.”

“Right. Didn’t really talk to you two, but I guess I’ll include you.”

“Hey! So mean!” Juliet pouted.

Irene giggled at her subordinate, but then stood up, removed her witch hat, and walked over to Jin.

“Don’t forget to visit me next time you come here.”

“No problem.”

Then, she moved too fast for him to react. The next second, he felt soft lips pressing against his cheek. Eyes wide, he turned his head and looked at her. In return, she sent him a teasing smile, then walked away without saying anything.

“Ah!” Meredy exclaimed. The rest of the group all gaped at the sight as well.

Not wanting to be outdone, Meredy also walked up and kissed him on the opposite cheek. She also smiled confidently afterward since Jin didn’t know how to react. Off to the side, Ultear’s brows wrinkled, but she sighed and shook her head.

Still stunned, Jin slowly touched his cheek, but then smiled and said, “Didn’t see that coming.”

Jellal shook off his surprise and inquired, “I forgot to ask, but are you interested in being a formal member of Crime Sorcière?”

“Are you sure? My past doesn’t quite line up with your guys’ mission statements and whatnot.”

‘Well, for the most part, at least.’

“We can make an exception this time.”

“Alright, then. I don’t see why not. I’ll join some adventures when I get a chance.”

“Perfect.”

With that, Jellal pressed on Jin’s right shoulder and engraved Crime Sorcière’s guild symbol. He could easily show or hide it by injecting a bit of magic into it, so hiding it back home wouldn’t become an issue.

“Welcome to the guild and all that fun stuff. We’ll throw a welcome party or something next time.”

“Sounds good. Guess that’s that, then. ‘Til next time.”

Everyone else said their goodbyes in response, even Irene’s squad members who he didn’t know well. Jin didn’t bother waiting for the last few minutes to pass and chose the option to return home. The cylindrical lights appeared and took him home.

After he vanished from before their eyes, Jellal focused on Irene, who happened to be gazing at the spot where Jin had been standing with curiosity, and said, “You put a tracking spell on him just now.”

“I did. Can’t let him come back without coming to visit me.”

With that, she paid them no more heed than a dead dog on the side of the road and left with her squad.

“Well, as long as she doesn’t do anything bad…”