Chapter 44: Birthday

Mo En’s birthday is always celebrated with great fanfare, thanks to his excellent relationships and his cherished status as the favorite of Fairy Tail.

Early in the morning, after washing up and changing clothes, Mo En hadn’t even stepped out the door when a neatly wrapped box flew toward him.

“Happy birthday.”

Along with the wrapped box came an awkward birthday greeting.

Mo En looked up and saw Laxus’s figure vanish quickly at the doorway, as if fleeing after doing something wrong.

“A shy teenage boy.”

Laxus’s antics made Mo En chuckle; he mentally teased him, then opened Laxus’s gift right away.

Inside was a black “Sound Urn” music player, simpler than Laxus’s usual one—no sharp corners on the sides, its shape resembling the over-ear headphones Mo En remembered.

“It’s the latest model.”

Mo En took out the “Sound Urn,” put it on his ears, and started playing it; immediately, a powerful drumbeat of classical music filled his ears—Laxus’s favorite genre, which he called “rock-style classical music.”

“Sss~”

Mo En winced, yanked off the “Sound Urn”—his artistic taste was probably too low; he simply couldn’t appreciate it.

“Maybe I should compose a Execution Tune someday—put on the Sound Urn during battle and trigger the BGM right away.”

Mo En thought to himself: how could a fight happen without BGM? It just wouldn’t feel right!

Besides, this “Sound Urn” music player seems to have external speaker functionality—that would be perfect.

During battle, just turn on the external speaker, blast out the powerful music, and the enemy gets executed on the spot.

And that Execution Tune… doesn’t it have a bit of a rock-classical vibe too?

Mo En put on the “Sound Urn” headphones, left his home, and headed to the Fairy Tail guild—the place was already decorated; today was a legitimate day for a party.

Sometimes Mo En wondered: they weren’t really celebrating his birthday—they just wanted an excuse to throw a party.

His birthday was merely a convenient reason everyone agreed on, even Master Makarov thought it was perfect.

On his way to the guild, Mo En received many greetings, small gifts, bouquets of flowers, and greeting cards.

Phil, a poor little flower girl in tattered clothes, had specially woven him a flower crown and placed it on his head herself.

Carrying the blessings of Magnolia’s citizens, Mo En arrived at the guild.

As soon as he stepped through the guild door, he saw Master Makarov sitting on the bar counter, holding a mug nearly as large as his head, drinking heartily with loud “tonk tonk tonk” sounds.

“Sss~ Ha!”

After one gulp, Makarov let out a blissful sigh, thoroughly unrestrained—his nose was even slightly red. He was always like this in the guild: approachable and carefree.

“Mo En’s here!”

“Come over quick! Itachi’re the star today!”

Mo En’s arrival immediately drew everyone’s attention; Gildarts laughed loudly and waved him over.

Mo En stepped into the Fairy Tail guild hall, now glowing with magical decorations.

Floating magic crystal orbs illuminated the ceiling, while a shimmering banner above the bar read “Happy Birthday, Mo En” in elaborate frosting.

Erza danced barefoot atop a table, drawing constant cheers—who doesn’t love watching a beautiful girl in revealing attire dance?

Long tables were piled high with three-tiered cream cakes, various dishes, fresh fruits, and honey wine stored in oak barrels.

Banners, delicacies, dancing, cakes and desserts—everything Itachi could want was there.

Mo En sat at the central long table, with Gildarts beside him.

“Mo En! Time flies—Itachi’ve grown another year older!”

Gildarts laughed loudly, slapping Mo En’s shoulder with great enthusiasm; Mo En felt he might be pounded apart.

Mo En had grown up under everyone’s watchful eyes, so everyone in the guild was delighted, faces beaming, constantly cheering and making a riotous scene.

In the corner, even Laxus had a faint smile—he’d already spotted the “Sound Urn” hanging around Mo En’s neck.

Amid the joyful chaos, Natsu and Gray approached, each holding a gift box, shoving and elbowing each other all the way to Mo En.

But before either could speak, Erza shoved them aside.

“Clang!”

Erza placed a large box on the table; she wore a cute pink “party-exclusive” armor set, her hair styled in twin tails—she looked adorable and lively.

“Mo En, this is my gift to Itachi—a set of armor.”

Erza spoke confidently; she’d specially commissioned it from an armor shop, perfectly fitted to Mo En’s measurements—she’d secretly asked Master Makarov for his body data.

“Thank Itachi, Erza—this gift is too precious.”

Looking at the armor box, Mo En was genuinely surprised—had Erza ordered it after seeing him use the “Holy Garb”?

“It’s nothing—I have many armors, but none of them fit Itachi, so I had this one custom-made.”

Erza explained: her existing armors were obviously unsuitable—gender mismatch aside, they didn’t auto-adjust like the “Holy Garb.” To give Mo En armor as a gift, she had no choice but to commission a new one.

After Erza finished giving her gift, Natsu and Gray started shoving again, eager to present theirs right after her.

“Quiet—!”

But before they could settle who went first, Makarov staggered onto the bar counter, beer foam splashing from his swaying mug as he raised it high.

“Let’s all toast to Mo En’s birthday!”

Makarov shouted, setting the mood.

“Cheers!”

Everyone raised their cups in response—adults drank alcohol, children’s cups held juice.

The crowd loudly wished Mo En a happy birthday, then drank heartily; the festive atmosphere made everyone want another round.

“Big Brother Mo En, this is my gift.”

After drinking, everyone lined up to give Mo En presents; Natsu and Gray kept getting pushed ahead—what did they expect, constantly pulling each other’s legs?

Only at the end of the party did Mo En finally receive their gifts—Natsu and Gray, bruised and swollen, had clearly been beaten again by Erza in her “party-exclusive armor.”

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(End of Chapter)