Everyone in the guild turned their eyes to Kaien.
While Fairy Tail didn't have a strict hierarchy, S-Class Mages were essentially its leadership. Whenever the Master was absent, decisions typically fell to them.
If Kaien accepted Laxus's invitation, it really might mean the rest of them would get kicked out of the guild.
Kaien shook his head and said, "I'm not interested in building your so-called strongest guild. That kind of thing just doesn't appeal to me."
"And playing pretend? What's wrong with that? Isn't it fun? Personally, I love playing pretend."
"As for calling people weak? I don't see anyone in this guild as weak. They work hard, they don't steal, they don't cheat—they live honestly. That's what strength is."
"Kaien…"
The guild members were visibly moved by his words.
"For me, as long as I can live happily each day, and ideally get to take on S-Class missions, I'm perfectly content."
"Even if the guild became the strongest in the world, what's the point if I'm not happy?"
Kaien understood exactly what Laxus was thinking. Even without seeing the full storyline, he could tell.
It was just like those role-playing games he used to play. When forming a guild, some pay-to-win players would try to build the strongest group possible. Since guild slots were limited, they'd just kick out weaker players to make room for stronger ones.
The game itself was simple: just spend money and you'd get stronger.
But Kaien? He'd been broke even before he crossed over. Spending money was never an option.
So he'd always just joined average guilds and played alongside other normal players like himself—and it was still fun.
Of course, getting kicked hurt. That part always sucked.
Laxus stared at Kaien, the fire in his eyes fading. "I was wrong about you, Kaien. I really thought you were someone like me."
"If I inherit the guild, all you weaklings can disappear. And anyone who defies me? I'll kick them out too. Then I'll build a guild that stands above all others. The strongest in history! Hahahahaha!!"
Laughing with arms wide open, Laxus walked off.
Clap clap!
Kaien clapped his hands and said, "Alright everyone, back to your own business. Don't let his words get to you."
Erza added, "Kaien's right. Don't take anything Laxus said to heart."
With both Kaien and Erza speaking up, the heavy mood in the guild began to lift a little. Still, some tension lingered—after all, Laxus wasn't just anyone.
"Inherit the guild… as if."
Lucy, who saw herself as part of the top tier of mages just below the S-Class, had a strong hunch Laxus was talking about her. That made his words sting even more.
Mirajane sighed. "You never know. Technically, Laxus is the Master's grandson. So if Master retires, Laxus becoming the next guild leader wouldn't be that surprising."
"Whaaaaat?!"
"That Laxus… is Master's grandson?! That's just—shocking!"
Lucy couldn't reconcile the image. That small, kind old man and that arrogant, overbearing guy… related?
"He's his biological grandson?"
"Yup, blood-related."
"H-How is that even possible… I don't like him. Anyone who doesn't care about their comrades doesn't deserve to be the Master."
"That'll all depend on Master's decision. He's never said a single word about who the next Master will be."
Master was getting on in years—he definitely should've retired by now. And Mirajane knew better than anyone that he wasn't in great health. She gave him his medicine every day just to help with memory retention.
Logically, he should've chosen a successor long ago… but she had never heard him mention anything about it.
Evening fell.
A crescent moon hung in the sky, bathing Magnolia in pale silver light.
Makarov sat atop one of the guild's support beams, quietly drinking beer under the moonlight, completely at peace. There was nothing more enjoyable in life than this.
"Retirement… huh…"
He recalled what his friend Yajima had said earlier that day. Truth was, he'd always wanted to protect the kids in the guild just a little longer. But their growth had far exceeded his expectations—they were already full-fledged mages capable of standing on their own.
"The guild's already entering a new era. It's time for a new Master."
"Laxus… that kid has serious mental issues."
Mirajane had told him about what happened earlier—Laxus inviting Kaien to build the world's strongest guild, only to be rejected.
"Gildarts… no, he won't do."
Gildarts was honestly the best candidate in terms of ability, but that man had the heart of a wanderer. He'd been out traveling most of his life. He'd spent way more time outside the guild than inside. Asking him to stay put would only make him run.
"Mystogan… not suited for communication at all. Most of the guild doesn't even know what he looks like. He doesn't have their trust or presence."
"Erza… she's an excellent candidate, but still too young."
"So that leaves only one."
Kaien.
Among the S-Class Mages, Kaien was the most recent addition. He'd only joined the guild a year ago.
By most standards, that was far too short a time to even be considered for guild master. Normally, such a role required long-standing seniority.
But in every other aspect—character, temperament, influence, strength—Kaien was flawless.
This kid, still so young, had already reached a level where he could defeat Jose, one of the Ten Wizard Saints. And at the rate his power was growing, it wouldn't be long before Makarov himself couldn't beat him anymore.
He'd never seen anyone with such monstrous talent.
Maybe only Serena, the top-ranked Wizard Saint, could compare.
His only weakness… was youth and inexperience.
But those weren't serious problems.
"I should find time to talk to that kid properly."
Over the next few days, Kaien returned to helping out on the construction site. It kept him physically active and helped rebuild the guild. All in all, life was going pretty smoothly.
"Kaien!!"
A voice called out. Kaien looked up to see Mirajane running toward him, waving excitedly.
"Kaien! I have good news! Wanna guess what it is?"
"Good news? Lemme guess—you're finally ready to marry me?"
Mirajane's face instantly turned red. "W-What are you saying?! That's not it! Look—it's an S-Class mission!"