Chapter 3: Integrating into the Guild
Mirajane's eyes widened when she heard Dino's words. "You look down on girls?!" What she hated most was boys who underestimated girls. None of these guys could beat her anyway.
Erza turned her attention to Dino as well, her eyes burning with interest. She wanted to fight him, but since he'd just joined the guild, challenging him immediately seemed inappropriate. She'd wait and let Mirajane go first.
Dino quickly waved his hands. "I don't look down on girls. I just don't have good control over my power right now."
Mirajane's expression grew even more dangerous. "You mean you're afraid of hurting me? If you think you can, then try it!"
"Well, that's part of it. The other reason is that I'm afraid of destroying this town." Dino wasn't lying. Magnolia was right near the ocean, making it vulnerable. A single tsunami could wipe it out, and since he'd only recently gained this power, he had no idea how to hold back.
The others stared at him in disbelief. "This kid says the most ridiculous things like it's nothing!"
"Who cares about that! Satan Soul!" Mirajane's body transformed rapidly, taking on her demonic form as she flew toward Dino.
Dino's eyes widened. He raised both palms in front of him, white spherical halos forming around them. The moment Mirajane's fist touched the transparent sphere on Dino's palm, her body was sent flying backward with tremendous force, giving her no chance to resist.
"BOOM!" A massive hole exploded through the guild wall.
"Oh no! I hope she's okay." Just as Dino started worrying about Mirajane, she came flying back through the hole. She looked roughed up, and one of her wings was broken.
"Big sister!"
"Sister Mirajane, are you okay?" Two children rushed to her side, concern written all over their faces.
"I'm sorry! Are you alright? That was completely my fault. I didn't know how to hold back properly."
Mirajane released her transformation. Aside from looking disheveled, she didn't seem seriously injured. "I'm fine! This is nothing. But I didn't expect you to actually be this strong. I was careless this time. Next time I'll win for sure!"
The way she looked at Dino had completely changed. In her eyes, only opponents who could actually fight her deserved respect. Until now, that had only been Erza, but now there was Dino too.
Suddenly, "Next time?! There better not be a next time! How many times do I have to say this?! No fighting with magic inside the guild! NO FIGHTING! Can't you remember anything?!" Makarov's voice thundered through the hall as his hands grew enormous. He grabbed Mirajane with one hand and Dino with the other.
"Hmph!" Even caught in his grip, Mirajane knew she was in trouble, but she'd never admit fault out loud.
"You two are fixing that wall! And don't even think about dinner until it's done!" With that, Makarov tossed both Dino and Mirajane out through the hole in the wall.
Soon bricks and cement were brought up from the guild's basement, and Dino and Mirajane began repairing the damage. Inside, the guild remained as lively as ever, as if a giant hole in the wall was no more unusual than a torn shirt.
"Master? Dino just joined the guild, and you're already making him fix walls? Isn't that a bit much?" Macao said from his seat at the bar.
"What do you know? Precisely because he just arrived, he needs to learn the rules early. This way he'll fit into the guild faster. Besides, right now it's just a hole. Better that than the whole guild getting destroyed."
When the others heard Makarov's words, they thought of Gildarts, another user of incredibly powerful magic. He could accidentally destroy the guild without meaning to. Now they had someone even more dangerous, someone who could accidentally destroy the whole town. "Everyone who uses that kind of magic is a monster!"
"Hey! You're really strong! You actually beat Mirajane! My name's Natsu Dragneel, and we're guildmates now! Let me help!" The pink-haired boy came over to lend a hand.
"Thanks!"
Mirajane bristled immediately at Natsu's words. She'd never admit defeat. "Natsu! Who said I was beaten? I just didn't understand his tricks yet. In a normal fight, I wouldn't get caught like that."
"Big sister, we're here to help too. Hello, my name is Lisanna, and this is my brother Elfman. I know you just got here, but my sister can't help challenging strong opponents when she sees them. I'm really sorry. I hope you can forgive her." Lisanna spoke to Dino with such genuine kindness that it was impossible to refuse.
Dino smiled and nodded, making Lisanna beam happily.
"We're here to help too!" "Me too!"
Nearly all the younger members of the guild came to help, introducing themselves one by one. On his first day, Dino met almost everyone his age. Many names and faces gradually matched up with the fragmented memories in his mind. Watching this scene unfold, Makarov nodded with satisfaction.
With all the children helping, the massive hole was repaired within a few hours. Dino had become familiar with most of the guild's younger members. During dinner, they all sat together, chatting and laughing. It was incredibly lively, and Dino found himself genuinely enjoying the atmosphere.