Today is probably the happiest day for Jubia. After successfully joining Fairy Tail, not only did she participate in the important Magical Parade as a newcomer, but she also performed hand in hand with Lord Gray.
Hand in hand!
Even Lucy has never held hands with Lord Gray!
Lord Gray's ice froze her water, sculpting a beautiful castle. Ah~ how is this different from an engagement?
Jubia used all her willpower to avoid making a fool of herself during the performance.
To prevent herself from fainting with happiness, Jubia had to divert some attention to watch the performances of others.
Like Erza's Requip Magic and Festival Dance;
Like the Werewolf, Demon, Beast King, and Cute Pet Dance performed together by Rhode, Mira, Elfman, and Warm;
Like the Flame and Starlight Fireworks performed by Natsu and Loki, who slipped in at some point...
Various types of magic made the tourists who came feel that it was worth the trip.
Mystogan, hidden among the crowd, had changed his headscarf and mask. He drew out a magic staff and waved it, adding more splendid illusions to the parade procession.
Simon, Wally, Xiu, and Mirena, who had just escaped the Tower of Paradise a few days ago, were also mingling in the crowd, excitedly watching Erza's performance.
Mirena asked excitedly, "It's rare to come here specially, shall we go and greet Elu?"
Simon smiled and shook his head, "No need, we just parted not long ago, this is good enough."
Xiu nodded, "On such a lively day, we can't let Anee see us."
Wally pressed the brim of his hat coolly, "Seeing us would inevitably remind her of unhappy things... Besides, sometimes silently protecting is the manly way."
When the float carrying Erza completely passed by, Simon forced himself to look away and smiled, "Alright, knowing Erza is so spirited is enough, we should probably continue our journey too."
"Alright! Where shall we go next?"
"I want to see the snow meow! I heard it's white and soft, just like a cat's fur!"
"Then it's decided, let's go west to see the snow! The west is the place for a tough man after all."
"Idiot, to see snow you should go north instead!"
The four with a bit of common sense, yet still far less than ordinary people, squeezed out of the crowd and set out on their own journey.
"Lucy..." a person wearing a cloak, with a hood, and carrying a package, looked at Lucy dancing on the float, then turned around and merged into the crowd.
In the guild's medical room, Laxus watched the fireworks outside through the window. He couldn't remember how long it had been since he last participated in the Magical Parade, even though it was his favorite activity as a child.
Biguslo nervously said, "Laxus, is the President really going to..."
"Ah." Laxus didn't turn around, "People have to take responsibility when they make mistakes, it's my well-deserved punishment."
Ibarglin said, "If that's so, then we should share the same guilt!"
"You are different from me, I have no attachments here." Laxus gently shook his head. He saw a firework in the shape of the guild emblem, that kind of flame must have been made by Natsu, right?
He turned around, showing a gentle smile, "If you want to atone, then protect the guild well for me as well."
The three were stunned. It had been so long since they'd seen Laxus with such an expression.
And yet...
If there are no attachments, why tell them to protect it well?
You're contradicting yourself, Laxus.
Fried displayed a gentle smile, "I understand, Laxus, since you've said so... take care of yourself too."
"Fried!" Biguslo and Ibarglin felt that Fried should be the most unwilling to part.
"This is Laxus' wish, at least say goodbye properly while he's still here."
...
The Magical Parade ended amid a lively atmosphere. Once everyone returned to the guild, a lively banquet was inevitable.
During the banquet, many people took the opportunity to showcase their talents, and if there's one that left the deepest impression, it would be Gajeel's performance.
This guy composed his own music and lyrics for a song titled "Best Friend." He played on a broken guitar, singing and playing on his own.
The lyrics seemed to express gratitude for the President allowing him to join the guild, happiness for becoming friends with everyone, and so on.
But after listening to the entire song, everyone could only remember the mess of words like dong dong dong, sha la la, gaji gaji, shu bi du ba echoing in their ears.
It was truly befitting his name.
('Gajeel' is the sound made when chewing on scrap metal.)
Moreover, this person's guitar playing was awful, and his singing, although emotional, lacked skill.
Generally speaking, even if the singing was a bit off, for such friendship-praising lyrics, one would endure it and offer some encouragement.
But this is Fairy Tail, if it's unpleasant, they just straightforwardly shout it out or even drive him off the stage, throwing rubbish onto the stage.
Gajeel didn't mind either, since the stuff thrown didn't hurt, and if iron products were thrown up, he could have a quick snack on the side.
The commotion continued until the middle of the night when everyone slept where they were.
By noon the next day, Makarov publicly announced the disciplinary decision for Laxus:
"Due to harming companions, inciting internal conflict, and seriously violating the guild's principles, I, as the guild's president, have decided to expel Laxus Dreyar from the guild!"
Although they had anticipated severe punishment for Laxus this time, many had not expected the president would directly expel him.