Mavis Vermillion Academy of Excellence

Chapter 1

Mavis Vermillion Academy of Excellence. The best school in Magnolia, and one of the top boarding schools in Fiore. Priding itself in the perfection of its campus, teachers, students and uniforms, MVAE is a classic, internationally accredited boarding school where students are treated as individuals. The school considers itself the idyllic place for students to grow and develop. The curriculum is specifically designed to allow students to achieve their optimal potential while maintaining their individuality. Etiquette is praised highly at MVAE and as such, part of their student curriculum is dedicated to refining their courtesy, civility, elegance and class. The students are…

Levy sighed happily. The pamphlet for MVAE was so beautiful, showing rolling green lawns and Victorian buildings. She looked up from the pamphlet, up to the real deal in front of her. Students milled around her, many doing the same thing as she was; saying goodbye to their parents and heading in to explore the grounds. She was happy that my luggage had been dropped off the day before, now she didn't have to be weighed down.

She turned back to her mother. She was already tearing up. Levy grasped her hands and said, "Everything's going to be alright. I'll call you every weekend, and we'll always keep up to date on the internet." Her reassuring didn't seem to help, just reminded the mother that she was leaving. They'd never been separated for more than a day.

"Oh Levy," she hiccoughed, "I don't know what I'll do without you. Who will I take to the movies? Eat out with?" After her father left a few years ago, she had become such a recluse. The only friends she had were Levy and their cat.

Levy smiled apologetically. "I have to do this. Maybe you can talk with that girl at work you've been friendly with? She might want to go to the movies with you." Her mother hiccoughed again and nodded. They shared a final hug. It would be over two months until they could see each other again.

Levy steeled herself and turned to the school again. Nearly everyone was in casual dress so there was no way of knowing who would be in my dorm. I was in the biggest one, Fairy Tail. All the dorms were named after mythical creatures, the other two being Mermaid Heel and Lamia Scale. Apparently the founder had a thing for the fantastical. She walked through the school's main high gates. A few students were standing near the entrance in their uniforms, one from each dorm. Levy headed to the girl that had the insignia for her dorm. The girl had long fiery red hair and a cool demeanour.

She smiled at Levy when she approached. "Fairy Tail dorm?" she asked politely. Levy nodded. "I'm Erza. I'm the current student council president, and a member of this dorm. Do you need a pamphlet or directions?" She was very eloquent. A perfect role model.

Levy declined her offers. "No, I have studied the pamphlet I had enough to already know at least the outside of the school layout. Have you lived in Fairy Tail long?"

Erza nodded. "I've grown up here at Mavis Vermillion Academy. Master Makarov took me in when I was a small girl in the town's orphanage."

Levy looked at her, surprised. "So the school took you in? That's amazing!"

Erza smiled again. "Yes, Master Makarov decided many years ago that he would bring the orphans here. Since then, the town's orphanage has actually closed; there was no need anymore. This is why Fairy Tail has the largest population. We are all there."

"Do they pay your tuition?"

"Yes, though we still have to show that we are a worthy investment. Though to date, I haven't seen anyone that didn't work their hardest to prove themselves." Her grin widened. "We all see Master Makarov as our father, we want to make him proud."

Levy spoke for a while more before heading further into the school. The information left her mind reeling. What kind of a school is this? What kind of a guy is this Master Makarov?! She knew he was the headmaster overseeing Fairy Tail dorm, but this was a bit crazy. How many students had he adopted in his time here…?

Levy waltzed around the school, taking in all the sights. She had passed the oval as she walked into the school, as well as the area dedicated to physical fitness. This area included a swimming pool, gym and ball courts. The main building and its connected sub building loomed over the school on the top of a hill. Beside it sat the large main hall, the location for many balls and events. In the far corner, on the opposite end of the grounds to the fitness area, was the student commons. It included a large open air plaza, the cafeteria, a small function room and the three dorms. Fairy Tail was certainly bigger, almost twice the size of the other two dorms. It also looked slightly haphazard, with many extensions having been added. There was a good chance that it had been the same size as the other two dorms, but they kept having to make it bigger to fit the incoming orphaned students. Levy wondered if that meant roughly half the students would be like that. She drifted off while staring at the dorm. She must've ended up with a lost look on her face because she was soon approached by a busty blonde.

A hand waved in front of her face, knocking her out of her stupor. "Hellllooo! Anybody in there?" Levy jumped slightly and looked at the girl. She was very attractive; shoulder length blonde hair much like her own, large breasts (very unlike her own) and a very short skirt. The girl grinned. "Hey, are you new here today?" Levy nodded her assent. "Which dorm?" Fairy Tail. "That's awesome! Me too! I only came in last year. I'm Lucy. Are you a paying, scholarship or adopted student?"

Levy tilted her head. "Adopted? As in, the orphaned students?"

Lucy nodded. "Yup, those. We generally just call them adopted, because they treat the Master like their dad. It's easier. So I guess you're not one of them? I'm paying, myself."

"I'm a scholarship student. You must come from a pretty rich family, to be able to pay in.

Lucy laughed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah, don't remind me. I wish I was just here on a scholarship. I tried to change to that this year but my father wouldn't hear of it."

"Why do you want to be scholarship?"

"I just hate living off my dad, you know? I'd much prefer to be able to attend here, with no ties. Be able to call this place my family." Her eyes darkened a little.

Levy tried to lighten the mood a little. "So, uh, are there any cute boys in the dorm?" It was the best she could think of at the time. Though, she wasn't entirely uninterested in the subject.

Lucy's attitude skyrocketed back to happy. "Oh yeah, we have plenty of crazy hot guys. It depends on your preference. We have cute, sexy, cool, brooding…"

"Brooding? That doesn't sound all that attractive." Levy wrinkled her nose.

Lucy tutted. "Don't knock it till you try it. Many girls love that type, wanna be the girl to change 'em, you know?"

"I suppose…"

"Have you been inside the dorm yet?" Levy shook her head and Lucy's eyes brightened even more. She looped arms with the other blonde. "Well, allow me to give you the grand tour."

Levy smiled. To think she'd be able to make a friend so easily. The day was going pretty well so far. They walked arm-in-arm down the side of hill to the dorm. The front doors were massive, and true to size, very heavy. Levy knew she would get a workout each day just trying to get in and out of the dorms. Inside on the first floor was the Fairy Commons; a check-in desk, a large sitting area with an impressive multimedia setup, a bank of computers up the far end and in the corner a door that led to a small kitchen and dining area. A few other doors on this floor led to some bathrooms, the communal laundry, a cleaning and linen cupboard, and the dorm mother's bedroom.

Lucy first led her to the two people standing beside the check-in book; a beautiful lady with long silver hair, and a very short, very old man. Lucy introduced them as Mirajane the dorm mother and Master Makarov. Levy shook their hands very shyly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both…" Levy muttered quietly.

Makarov grinned. "New blood huh? Welcome to the family!" It seems Lucy and Erza weren't joking about the family vibe.

Mirajane smiled gently, saying sweetly, "It's lovely to meet you too. Just call me Mira. I used to be an adopted student here at this dorm. Master Makarov is allowing me to stay whilst my two siblings finish."

Makarov laughed. "Nonsense Mira, you know you can stay as long as you want. Elfman and Lisanna too. I'm sure I can find jobs for them too!"

"Master, you're too kind," replied Mira, looking sad. "We could never impose on you more than we already are."

"You're my children, you'll never be imposing."

"Oh Master…" Mira wiped away a tear.

Lucy turned to Levy. "They're always like this, don't worry." Levy certainly wasn't worried, just… confused.

The next group they met was a collection of students relaxing on the couches on the first floor landing. A guy with bright pink hair, arm wrestling with another who was only wearing shorts. Two more people, one with blue hair in that fell into tight curls watching the arm wrestling couple intently, and a man with long black hair and multiple piercings, sat here as well off to the side.

The boy with piercings intrigued her. His eyes were a piercing red, angrily staring off into the distance. He had so many piercings; through his eyebrows, ears, nostrils and lip. His tanned skin showed off his large muscles, as well as multiple scars on his forearms. He wore all black. Everything about him screamed 'BAD NEWS' but Levy couldn't look away. She finally got what Lucy meant by girls liking the brooding type.

Lucy happily pushed her forward, presenting her like a prize. "Everyone, this is Levy. Levy, meet Natsu, Gray, Juvia and Gajeel."

The wrestlers didn't look up, too busy having a staring contest between themselves. Gajeel didn't even budge, just continues staring out the window as if nobody was there. Juvia looked at her and squinted, as if assessing her. "Another rival perhaps…?" she muttered away, her stare becoming more intense by the second.

All in all, a great welcome.

Levy laid back on her bare bed, staring at the ceiling. She had left Lucy and the others before to look around the dorms a while longer and check out her room. Surprisingly enough, she had been given the room beside Lucy's. And apparently, beside Gajeel's as well. Of the three floors in Fairy Tail dorm, she was placed on the only co-ed floor, between her first friend and the guy she found to be crazy attractive (for reasons unknown currently).

She heard a knock at the door. Lucy bounded in a moment later, without waiting for an answer. Levy reminded herself that the doors don't lock automatically. She also mentally remarked on how Lucy's breasts preceded her into the room. She pretended the smile on her face was from seeing Lucy, not from that mental image.

Lucy sat down in the chair at her still-bare desk and looked around at all the boxes on the floor. "Ah, memories," she sighed. "I left most of my gear here over the holidays so I only really have to unpack my clothes and my laptop."

"Lucky you," Levy remarked jokingly.

"Want me to help you? The Gray and Natsu went to the gym to see who could pedal fastest." She shook her head. "The rivalry never stops."

"What about the other two? Juvia and…" Levy didn't finish the sentence. She wanted to avoid blushing, thinking about that guy.

Lucy, despite never getting an answer, began unpacking the closest box. "Gajeel left soon after you to lie down in his room. Juvia has a massive crush on Gray, so she likely followed after them. Oh," she looked up from her work. "Before I forget. It's probably best, for the sake of your, well, everything, to not even consider Gray. Juvia will tear you apart." The look on her face told Levy that this was a very serious statement.

She laughed nervously. "I'll definitely keep that in mind. I don't think he's my type though. Too slender."

Lucy nodded assent. "That's the spirit. Just imagine him as a non-sexual entity. It's definitely for the best."

We laughed and got to work on the boxes. After Levy finished the first box, she decided to risk asking about him. "What… what about the others? Do they have any obsessed girls after them? Like, Natsu and… Gajeel…" She almost stuttered on his name, blushing.

Lucy looked down at her on the floor, assessing her. A grin spread on her face. She was caught. "Gajeel, huh?" Levy stared at the ground, trying to burn a hole in it. "As far as I'm aware, nobody will try to kill you if you go after him."

She looked up at her new friend. "Do you think… he'd be interested?"

Lucy tilted her head, looking her up and down. "Hmm… I don't know. To be honest, I've never seen him with anyone, and I've never asked. We aren't really close at all." Levy looked back down at the ground. "Buuut, I think you could do with looking a bit more rebellious. I mean, most people like others who look like them, right? Well, I guess, maybe not you."

Levy wrinkled her nose at her. "I've never really seen his type as attractive before, I don't know why I like him." She shrugged. She really had no idea. "But I suppose I could change my look a little. I don't mind, I don't exactly have a style at the moment anyway."

Lucy's eyes gleamed. "A makeover?!"

She rolled her eyes. "Maybe not that far. I have hardly any money, so I won't be able to do anything drastic."

Lucy lifted an eyebrow. "I think you forget that I'm filthy rich."

Levy waved her hands around, shocked. "Nononono! I can't have you pay for something like this, no way."

Lucy stood up. "No, I've decided. We're going shopping." She started making for the door.

"Lucy, no!"

She whipped around, hands on her hips. "You've dangled a makeover in front of my eyes. There's no going back now. This is probably even more for my enjoyment now than it is for yours. Beside, I'll never turn down an opportunity to spend my father's money. God knows he could use a bit less of it."

Levy grimaced. "But-"

"No buts. We're going."

She hung her shoulders in defeat. "Can we at least put a limit on the spendings? Like $100?"

Lucy laughed. "Oh hell no! How about this: in exchange for using my money, you have to do anything I tell you. No complaints on what I choose."

Levy contemplated this for a while. What if she wants to shave Levy's head? Or something crazy like dye it blue?! Surely not. With a nervous heart, she finally agreed to the terms. Maybe she shouldn't have, once she saw the evil genius glint in Lucy's eyes.

Alright, that's it for chapter one! Hopefully the next one should be out very soon.