Without You, The Beginning of Magic {Magical AU}

Chapter 17: Established (Part 2)

I motioned for Gengi to hand it to me, "... Tell me what you want..." I closed my eyes as a little boy's voice was heard, "It hurts! It hurts! I want it to stop! Make it stop!" I glared down at him as I shook, "So... Are you its master?" I looked down and froze as it squawked, "Master Hilton! It hurts! It won't work! Master Hilton!" I looked down and hid, "Clara..." I shook as it yelled, "Mama!" I grit my teeth, "Are you fucking kidding me?... Clara's child... This is Clara's child and Hilton was the one... Are you..." I slowly get up, "... Excuse me for a moment..." I handed the bird to Shanks as Gengi followed.

Mihawk grabbed my shoulder, "It is not wise to leave now." I looked down then walked to the side, "Gengi... Five barriers and adjust if need be..." He nodded and surrounded me in five barriers before I gathered mana in my fist and punched the barrier as hard as I could. It went through the five with ease, so he stood in front after another three barriers and caught my hand.

I breathed shakily before continuing to look down, "... Clara... Hilton... Mi-" I stopped and shook, "No... No, that wouldn't be possible..." My head shot up desperately, "Gengi! It's not right?!... There was no way it was planned that far!" He held me to his chest, "... I don't think so, Iri..." I looked down and grit my teeth, "... It better not be..." I looked up as Shanks rubbed my back, "I think we should do this another time." I nuzzled Gengi, "No... There's only five years to prepare..." Gengi led me to my seat, but Uncle Sen sat next to me facing me.

Gengi turned small and nuzzled me in my arms as I took a deep shaky breath. "Let's start at the beginning then..." I took out my books and showed and explained my journey of being an adventurer. Both the joy and heart shattering moments. It took me everything I had not to break down while explaining. I slowly put the book down as I finished, "... Rayleigh can tell you about the one year I was in a coma... Aside from that... As soon as... Teach and his followers were killed... We made our way home..."

I looked up as Shanks gently stroked my hair, "... You've been through a lot, Iri." I nodded, "... For the next three years... I'm going to be a normal girl... Going to school with her brother, friends, and fiance... My fourth year will become more serious and by the fifth year I will be ready... During those years I need people to be watching for anymore overactivity as well as be researching the best materials and crafters to help. I plan on talking with the elves and beast people after graduating... That's my plan so far..."

I smiled softly, "... I want to spend a few years... Being a somewhat of a normal girl in school... I plan on hiring Nojiko to manufacture my armor and mana coated clothes while hiring Nami to take over in the financial departments if she wants... Until then I'll be teaching Nojiko how to manipulate mana and spells into clothing." I looked up, "Actually, my dress that night was enforced with a rebound, auto-clean, and first-aid healing. Same with Nami's, Nojiko's, Mikeal's, and Minori's."

I blushed brightly as Garp began laughing with Shanks. I puffed my cheeks, "What?!" Uncle Sen patted my head as Mihawk and the others looked amused. I looked away, "At least tell me why you're laughing." Shanks smiled, "You're special in your own way Iri. I'm glad to have a daughter like you." I teared up, "... Shuddup..." After discussing a bit more it was time to go back home, but on the way I stopped by Nami and Nojiko's house.

I knocked on the door then saw Bell-mère answer, "Iris! What brings you here? Nojiko's at work and Nami's studying right now." I smiled, "Whenever they can or want to... I wanted to invite the three of you to come to my house and stay for a few days to a week. Or maybe have them over whenever possible... I have a job offer for Nojiko and I want to help Nami with her studies. Oh! Did you ever try out for the knights?" She huffed and ruffled my hair, "I'm too old for that, plus I like it here working in the Shakky's Bar." I nodded softly, "Alright, well... I don't believe you're too old at all, but I'm glad you have somewhere you can enjoy work at."

She waved me off as I got back onto the carriage, "Welcome back and be safe!" I nodded and waved, "You too." I sat back and sighed softly as I looked out the window. I glanced at Shanks as he asked, "Do you need anything?" I looked back out the window before motioning for Gengi to be in my lap. He hopped onto my lap and I began petting him, "... If you know any trusted business people to help me with my shop that'd be cool. I also would like to get a building where the items will be made and stored. They'll be sold through the adventurers guild. I need to stop by the adventurers guild actually, so let's go there really quick." He nodded and told the driver as we then headed there.

He helped me off the carriage before I walked in. I blinked then flushed a bright red as there were posters of our figures on a poster that had 'The Moon Knights' on top and 'Our Heroes!' on the bottom. I sighed at the rowdiness of the place then glared at Shanks as he snickered. I just walked to the desk and sighed as she asked, "Hi! Are you here to put in a request?" I shook my head, "I'm here to meet with the guild master here. Is he available?" She shook her head, "I'm sorry, but even if you're nobility you can't see him without an appointment."

I hummed and smiled, "Even if it's the leader of the Moon Knights?" I showed her my card as the room grew quiet. I blinked as she stood up and bowed, "Thank you very much for saving our border. Thanks to you and your squad, my brother was able to come home from the frontier!" I flushed a bright red, but smiled softly, "I'm glad your brother made it home safely."

I burned brighter as some other adventurers ran up, "Captain Iris-sama! Can I have your autograph?!" I looked up as another smiled, "Thanks a lot kiddo!" Another laughed, "Great job!" I took the poster, "Um... I don't really have one, but I'll do my best, ok?" The boy nodded as I signed my signature at the bottom.

Just a simple Iris in cursive, but I looked as one suggested, "You should add a moon somewhere and make it personal!" I nod as I made a crescent moon to the side and let my name in slightly before making the dot of the I an iris head. I showed it to him, "Is that alright?" He nodded so I stroked his hair, "Well, you're the first one kiddo..." I held my hand over it and applied a little bit of mana and handed it to him. "It's waterproof now, but still be careful." He nodded and ran off, but I took a step back as soon more people wanted it.

I looked at Shanks for help, but glared at him as he was taking a picture. I huffed and looked at the lady, but she wanted one too. I giggled and shook my head as I motioned the people to the table, "Alright..." One by one people came up. I signed my name and applied waterproofing to it before handing it back to him. I looked up as I smiled, "... How may I help you?" He pointed to the back, "Can I see you in action?" I got up, "... Very well." I looked up as people made way for a tall man with pointy ears. He had flowing green hair and piercing auburn eyes. "Ms. Iris... I'm the guild master, Hilvar."

I blinked and looked closer, "... You wouldn't happen to be Meliamne Hilvar. Would you?" He blinked then sighed, "So I was right... My brother had indeed become an adventurer, huh?" I giggled, "Yup! A pretty damn good one too! He rarely misses anything and his bow is always in top shape. He's very caring and..." I smirked, "He's got himself a very~ interesting girlfriend." He chuckled and closed his eyes, "That so?... Well, if you wouldn't mind coming with me for a moment." I looked at Shanks, "Can my fa-" I jerked as he interrupted, "I'm her guardian. She is still underage after all." He nodded and motioned to follow.

I glanced down before heading up with him and waving to the others. We spent the next hour talking to him about my plan and showed him the contract Rayleigh made. After finalizing things I gave him a few samples he could sell at first before it was time to go. I waved bye to the adventurers and apologized for not being able to spar because I had to go.

We were silent on our way back. Guardian, huh? He said I was his daughter, but now I'm just his ward... I got out by myself, "I'm going to be working on stuff in my room for a while. I have a lot to do before the entrance exams and that includes studying, so just come get me for meals and guests please." I then made my way to our library to catch up on everything in the world I missed.