"Everyone!! Starting today, work resumes!"
"Even if it's just a temporary reception desk, let's all give it our best!"
Standing behind the makeshift counter, Mirajane flashed a warm, uplifting smile as she made the announcement.
With the Magic Council's decision finally passed, Fairy Tail was once again allowed to operate normally.
"YEAHHHH!!"
"Work! We've got work again!!"
The moment the guild members heard the news, they lost their minds and stormed toward the request board, scrambling to pick their missions.
"What the heck… Usually they're just sitting around drinking all day."
Lucy couldn't help but comment as she watched the chaotic scene. She'd been in the guild for a while now and remembered how the request board used to be jam-packed with jobs—but nobody ever bothered. Day after day, they just came to the guild to drink.
Mirajane laughed. "Hahaha! Well, they haven't worked in ages, so they're all broke!"
She knew everyone in the guild well. They were the kind of people who lived it up the moment they had a bit of cash, only thinking about work once they hit rock bottom. After all this time without any jobs, their savings had long dried up. Living broke wasn't fun for anyone.
"Mirajane, are there any S-Class jobs?"
Kaien rushed over to Mirajane and asked. He had just checked the board himself—everything listed was below S-Class, and he wasn't the least bit interested in those.
Mirajane shook her head. "S-Class jobs might take a few more days to come in. Because of everything that happened, our guild had to hand off all requests to other guilds. We only just got our mission privileges restored. Even if there are S-Class requests out there, it'll take some time."
"But if you're eager to take something, we do have a few high-paying monster extermination jobs."
High-level extermination missions paid nearly as much as S-Class jobs. Completing three of them was about equal to one S-Class mission in rewards.
"Nope! I'll pass. I'll wait a bit longer!"
He was interested in money, sure—but he was even more interested in S-Class missions. No matter how high the bounty, an extermination job still counted as an A-Class mission in the system. That meant just one lottery pull.
So it was better to wait. The last thing he wanted was for an S-Class mission to show up while he was out on an A-Class one, only for Laxus or Mystogan to snatch it up. He'd never forgive himself.
Kaien waved his hand and went to find a seat to drink.
"Why is Kaien so obsessed with S-Class missions? Is it just because they pay more?" Lucy asked curiously.
"Who knows? Maybe he just likes the challenge." Mirajane wasn't sure either, but she could tell Kaien treated S-Class jobs very differently from the rest.
Just as Kaien was sipping his drink, an unexpected figure sat down across from him.
"Let's talk."
The man wore a flashy gold leopard-print jacket, golden hair, and headphones hanging around his neck. His face bore the arrogant look of someone who thought he ruled the world.
It was one of Fairy Tail's S-Class Mages—Laxus.
"Hm?"
Kaien hadn't expected Laxus to approach him. He'd been with Fairy Tail for nearly a year, and though he'd seen Laxus a few times, they'd never exchanged words.
Part of that was because Laxus had his own clique and rarely interacted with the rest of the guild. The other part was Kaien's personal distaste for that smug, condescending attitude. Naturally, he never made an effort to talk.
"What do you want?"
"Kaien, what do you think of the current state of Fairy Tail?"
"Hm… It's great! Master takes good care of me, and everyone in the guild is really united—"
Laxus cut him off. "Wrong! That's not what I meant. I mean this guild is too weak."
"Too weak? But aren't we the strongest Mage Guild in Fiore?"
"We are, technically—but that so-called strength is a lie propped up by just a handful of people. Kaien, look around this guild. Aside from a few S-Class mages, it's filled with nothing but dead weight."
"These people have no real skill, yet they bask in the fame of being part of the strongest guild. How can trash like that be worthy of Fairy Tail?"
"My vision of the strongest guild isn't built on weaklings. I want a guild where every single member is a top-tier powerhouse. That is what deserves to be called the strongest."
"Kaien, join me. Let's work together to reshape this guild. If we team up, we can build not just the strongest guild in Fiore, not just in Ishgar—but the strongest in the world! A guild that surpasses all others in history!"
"As for the weak? They'll all be kicked out."
Suddenly—
Bang!!
Crack!!
The table beside them exploded under the force of a punch, and a furious voice rang out:
"Say that one more time, I dare you!!"
All eyes snapped to the source. It was Erza, fists clenched and glaring daggers at Laxus.
"Laxus! So you're back. Good. That means we can settle this right now—this guild doesn't need people like you."
"Erza?!"
Lucy had never seen Erza this angry before. Sure, Erza could be scary when she got serious, but once you got to know her, it was obvious she was actually very kind and gentle.
Happy gasped, "Laxus is back?!"
Gray scowled. "That bastard—comes back and starts spewing crap right away."
"You know why we were underestimated by Phantom Lord Guild? Because this guild has too much trash in it!!"
"The old man's too soft. He lets any stray dog join the guild without question. That's why we're overrun with weaklings."
"They contribute nothing, and still enjoy the best resources the guild has to offer. Can't even handle basic missions without embarrassing us."
"Tell me—do people like that deserve to be part of Fairy Tail?"
"LAXUS, YOU BASTARD!!"
Natsu couldn't take it anymore and charged straight at him, swinging a punch at his face.
Crackle!
Laxus turned into golden lightning and instantly reappeared behind Natsu.
"Laxus!! I challenge you to a fight, you heartless jerk!!"
"Hahahahaha! You can't even touch me. What makes you think you're qualified to challenge me?"
Ignoring Natsu, Laxus turned back to Kaien.
"Kaien, will you join me in creating the greatest guild the world has ever known—or stay here and keep playing pretend with these weaklings? Tell me your answer."