Fantasia

Riyao returned to the guild courtyard, the afterglow of the setting sun spilling onto the messy stone slabs.

The injured members huddled together in twos and threes. Some leaned against the wall groaning, some lay on the ground unable to move, and others helped each other bandage their wounds.

With his hands behind his back, Riyao strolled to the center of the courtyard with a smile, his dragon tail swaying leisurely behind him.

He cleared his throat and began speaking with the enthusiasm of a salesman.

"Honey, how would you like to be treated?"

He held up two fingers and waved them in the air.

"We have Fire Package and Lightning Package available, the choice is yours!"

The injured members all looked up and saw the malicious smile on Riyao's face.

They stared wide-eyed in terror, and the next second they scattered like a school of fish startled from a disturbed pond.

The timid members clutched their wounds and shrank back, staring at Riyao in disbelief, their voices trembling.

"You monster! Is that healing? That's electrocution!"

Those who could still move got up and ran, limping into the guild hall, shouting as they ran.

"Run! This kid is getting more and more inhuman! I got shocked by him last time, and my legs are still numb!"

The severely injured members, unable to move, looked at each other, unable to run away or hide, and could only resign themselves to their fate.

One of them mustered up his courage and raised his hand, pleading pitifully.

"I want a lightning package! Could you go easy on me?"

Riyao watched the members scatter and flee, a crooked smile on his face, and the arc of electricity on his dragon horns flickered. His expression was just like a cat staring at a fishpond.

"Go to sleep and get some rest~ Otherwise you won't have the energy to cause trouble at tonight's Fantasia."

He raised his hand, and blue lightning condensed at his fingertips, unleashing dozens of blue bolts of lightning.

Each strike precisely hit an injured member, the current traveling through their body, and their injuries visibly improved.

Then everyone lay down peacefully, smiles on their lips, and drifted into a deep, baby-like sleep.

Erza stood to the side with her arms crossed, watching the scene with a stern face and a slight frown.

"What are you doing? They're still injured."

Riyao hung on Mirajane's back, his hands on her shoulders.

He lazily swung his legs, his dragon tail dangling beside Mirajane, his tone nonchalant.

"These lightning bolts have healing effects, so don't worry. They'll wake up soon, and they'll feel refreshed afterward."

Erza thought for a moment, blinked, hesitated for a second, and then spoke.

"Give me a lightning bolt too, I'm a bit tired lately."

Riyao peeked out from Mirajane's back, raised an eyebrow, and gave a cheerful recommendation.

"Would you like a Flame Set Meal? It's gentler and more suitable for your type of fatigue buildup."

Before Erza could answer, he placed his hand on her shoulder, a blue flame igniting in his palm. The warm flame spread from her shoulder like flowing water, slowly traveling along her meridians.

Erza felt a warmth seep into the depths of her body, and the accumulated aches and fatigue were gradually being relieved.

She stretched her body, twisted her neck, and felt her body gradually become more comfortable as her tense muscles relaxed. She tilted her head slightly.

How long will it burn?

Riyao tilted his head, carefully sensed the condition inside her body, and shook his head.

"Let's see how many hidden injuries you have. You've fought too many battles over the years; you have far more hidden injuries than the average person."

Mirajane reached out and grabbed Riyao's playful tail, stroking it gently along the scales like petting a kitten. Riyao's tail tip curled comfortably, and its whole body went limp.

Mirajane suggested this while stroking the dragon's tail.

"When the Fantasia goes on tonight, release some magic on the residents who come to watch. It'll be a good apology, since the guild really messed things up for Magnolia today."

Riyao nodded, arcs of electricity flashed on its dragon horns, and it grinned.

"My wife is so clever; she killed two birds with one stone."

Erza rolled her eyes, the blue flames on her body still burning slowly, and walked straight into the guild hall to deal with the aftermath.

Mirajane followed them in and began preparing for the parade. Riyao was carried in on her back, and the dragon's tail was still wrapped around Mirajane's wrist, refusing to let go.

In the infirmary, Laxus sat on the hospital bed, and Makarov sat in the chair opposite him. The two looked at each other in silence for a long time.

Two heads peeked out from the windowsill. Riyao and Natsu were perched at the window, like two voyeuristic cats, their eyes darting around.

Riyao took out a handful of sunflower seeds from his pocket, shared some with Natsu, and the two of them watched the show while munching on sunflower seeds.

"Natsu, what do you think Laxus will say to the old man?"

Riyao asked in a low voice, spitting the sunflower seed shells aside.

Natsu cracked sunflower seeds, tilted his head and thought for a long time, then shook his head.

"I don't know. I can't imagine what Laxus would say. He always has a sour face."

Riyao popped another sunflower seed into his mouth, chewed it, and mumbled it indistinctly.

"That's true, but the old man should be able to handle it, after all, they're grandfather and grandson."

Finally, evening arrived, and it was time for the Fantasia.

As night falls, the main street of Magnolia is brightly lit.

Residents flocked to the streets early in the morning to secure good spots, and the laughter of children and the conversations of adults mingled together, immersing the entire city in festive joy.

More than a dozen floats of various designs slowly drove along Magnolia's main street, each decorated with flowers and brightly lit.

Cana stood on the float, the cards in her hand fluttering like butterflies.

She tossed the cards into the air, and they spun, releasing dreamy heart-shaped bubbles. The colorful bubbles floated towards the crowd, and the children chased after them, their laughter echoing throughout the room.

Wakaba took a deep drag on his pipe and exhaled large plumes of pink smoke, which condensed and shaped in the air.

They transformed into comical clowns, some doing somersaults, others throwing balls, making the audience roar with laughter.

Macao waved his hands, and purple flames shot into the sky, intertwining and swirling in the night.

They formed a giant heart shape, with purple flames reflecting on everyone's faces, and the couples smiled at each other.

Bisca, Lucy, and Levy danced on the float to celebrate. Lucy, as expected of the eldest daughter of Gomon family, danced gracefully, and the three of them looked especially beautiful under the lights.

Jet, Troy, Warren, and Max changed into adorable mascot costumes—a rabbit, a bear, a cat, and a dog.

He awkwardly walked alongside the floats and interacted with the residents, making the children both scared and wanting to touch him. Warren's rabbit headgear was even crooked, revealing a pair of helpless eyes.

Elfman stood on the float and shouted, his magic surging as he received the Beast King Soul, his body swelling to a powerful size.

This drew gasps from the audience. He struck various poses with pride, shouting, "That's a real man!"

The enormous bud at the very top slowly opened, its petals unfolding layer by layer like a curtain, revealing the dazzling twin sisters, Mirajane and Lisanna.

The two stood in the center of the petals, waving to the audience.

Mirajane suddenly transformed into an elegant white cat, Lisanna into an adorable little rabbit. The tourists were stunned at first, then burst into even louder cheers.

Gray and Juvia stand together on the float. Gray gathers cold air in his hands, while Juvia manipulates the water flow to match, and water and ice intertwine.

A magnificent ice castle was created, its spires reflecting a rainbow of colors under the lights, sparkling and translucent, prompting visitors to raise their cameras to take pictures.

Erza donned the Ritual Armor, which gleamed under the lights.

With a wave of her hands, dozens of sacrificial swords danced in the air, their light like a woven tapestry. She controlled the flying swords to form blooming flowers, the petals serving as blades, a perfect blend of strength and gentleness, a breathtaking sight.

Natsu walked behind the float, tilting his head back and breathing flames. The orange-red flames formed two large flame characters, "Fairy," in the air, their strokes powerful and vigorous, the firelight illuminating half the sky.

Happy flapped its wings and flew around, acting as a mascot, occasionally shouting "Aye!" to the audience.

Reedus, Nab, Laki, Biggs twirled hand in hand, scattering flower petals with their other hands. The colorful petals danced in the night breeze, like a rain of flowers.

Riyao put her light blue cheongsam back on, stuffed two steamed buns inside, stood on the float, struck a seductive pose, and blew kisses to the tourists.

As he passed through the crowd, he flicked his fingertips, and blue flames, like fireflies, drifted towards the audience, landing on each person with a warm and comforting sensation that soothed them from the inside out, sweeping away fatigue and soreness.

The residents were pleasantly surprised to feel the changes in their bodies and cheered.

"Wow, this feels so good!"

My back doesn't hurt anymore!

"This flame is actually warm!"

Each member displayed their unique talents, performing entertaining acts, turning the entire main road into a grand carnival.

Makarov stood on the float, making comical gestures, sometimes making faces, sometimes doing somersaults, and sometimes turning himself into a giant and then shrinking back down, leaving the tourists amazed and their laughter rising in waves.

Laxus stood in the crowd, his hat pulled low, silently watching the parade pass by, watching familiar faces laughing and joking on the floats, watching the spectators cheer and jump for joy.

His lips involuntarily curled into a smile, and he was just about to turn and leave.

The old man took the lead, raising his hand and making his signature "L" sign.

Seeing the president's action, the other members responded one after another, raising their hands and making an "L" sign in unison. Natsu raised his hand the highest, flames dancing on his fingertips, and every member followed suit.

Laxus pursed her lips, her throat felt like it was blocked by something, and tears welled up uncontrollably, sliding down her cheeks.

He bit his lip hard, trying not to make a sound, but the tears just wouldn't stop.

Amidst the dazzling fireworks, the colorful lights illuminated the Magnolia night sky, and also Laxus's tear-streaked profile.

He glanced one last time at his companions who were raising their hands in an "L" sign, then turned and quietly left Magnolia, his figure gradually disappearing into the glow of the fireworks.

"Click"