**Chapter 18: Gildarts**
Kaito stroked his chin. "An event? Is there a sale on online shopping or something? Maybe discounted missions?" The moment he heard the word "event," images of 618 and Double Eleven sales flashed through his mind. If there really was a discount, maybe he should take on some jobs. Or perhaps he could convince the Guild Master to raise prices first and then offer discounts like those merchants.
Makarov saw Kaito's eyes darting around and knew the brat was up to no good again. He helplessly patted his own forehead and said, "Stinky brat, what exactly is going on inside that head of yours?"
"Who's coming back?"
"You'll find out when the time comes."
Kaito looked at Makarov with disdain. "Tch~! Who cares? It has nothing to do with me anyway. I'm going for a walk!"
Since he wasn't taking any missions, he might as well rest. Although his dream seemed to be getting farther away, he believed he would achieve it one day.
Kaito wandered around the Fairy Tail guild at random. Everyone's hearts tightened again because whenever Kaito started strolling around like this, his bad habit would resurface. Whether it was useful or not, if he set his eyes on something—even a blade of grass—he would take it.
Suddenly, "Ding ding ding!" The church bells in Magnolia Town began ringing urgently.
The entire Fairy Tail guild fell silent.
"That way of ringing the bells?!"
"Gildarts! Gildarts is back!"
"Ohhh! Gildarts!"...
Almost everyone in the guild became excited. Kaito was stunned. Although he had been in the Fairy Tail world for nearly a year and many memories had started to blur, the name Gildarts quickly came back to him. Not only from memory, but he had also heard the name occasionally around the guild. Gildarts was Fairy Tail's current only S-Class Mage.
He was the guild's biggest symbol, a monstrous mage whose core magic was the super magic known as Crushing. His strength was ridiculously overwhelming.
At the same time, the entire town of Magnolia fell into chaos.
"Gildarts!"
"Gildarts is back!!"
[Magnolia Town has entered Gildarts Mode! All citizens, please move to designated safe positions immediately! I repeat!]
[Magnolia Town has entered Gildarts Mode! All citizens, please move to designated safe positions immediately!]
Suddenly, the city began to shake slightly. The streets cracked open and started shifting. In no time at all, a straight path leading directly to the Fairy Tail guild appeared.
Kaito was truly speechless at the sight. Did it have to be this exaggerated? He had seen it in the anime, but seeing it with his own eyes gave a completely different feeling.
Almost everyone in the guild gathered at the entrance.
Makarov sneaked over to Kaito's side and whispered, "Stinky brat, aren't you curious who's coming back?"
"Isn't it just Gildarts? How many times has this happened already?"
Every time Makarov felt that the current strength of Fairy Tail was lacking, that there was only one S-Class Mage, and that the Guild Master was incompetent and could only rely on others to carry the guild, he would get so angry he jumped around.
Makarov had always taught every guild member the same lesson: there is always someone stronger, and one must learn humility and caution. Only with that mindset could they continue to improve and increase their chances of survival in dangerous situations.
Everyone in the guild had been taught well. Even the troublemakers like Natsu, Gray, and Mirajane now understood this.
The only one who made him choke was Kaito. This brat was practically a monster. He had entered the guild with overwhelming strength, and after a year his power had only grown more ridiculous. Now no one in the guild could defeat him. Even as one of the Ten Wizard Saints, Makarov had zero confidence in beating this stinky kid.
Kaito's magic power far exceeded normal light magic, so when Makarov submitted the guild member data to the Magic Council, he had listed Kaito's magic type as: Super Magic — Holy Light.
Makarov desperately hoped someone would come and teach this brat a lesson. The only person who could possibly do it was Gildarts. With Gildarts' strength, he should be able to handle the kid and knock down that arrogant attitude. However, Gildarts had taken a ten-year mission and had been gone for a whole year. Only recently had they received news that he was finally returning.
A short while later.
"He's here!!"
A sturdy man who looked around forty, with orange swept-back hair and light stubble on his chin and jaw, walked in. He looked extremely manly and wore a dark green cloak, giving off a powerful presence.
"Welcome back, Gildarts!"
"Gildarts! Welcome back!!"...
Many people in the guild had bright smiles on their faces as they looked at Gildarts with admiration. He was the idol of an entire generation.
Gildarts immediately broke into a smile and greeted everyone, "Ohhh! Long time no see, everyone! Looks like there are quite a few new faces!"