The Tavern

Magnolia, the tavern.

The original members of Fairy Tail all sat in a circle.

Dozens of people were crammed together, their elbows bumping into each other's faces.

After more than a year apart, this group of people got together, and the room was as hot as a steamer.

They are currently discussing who should become the new president.

Natsu was the first to lose his composure. He jumped onto the table, his fists flaming, and shouted loudly.

"I'll be the president!! Haha, I've become incredibly strong through this year of cultivation."

Gajeel leaned back in his chair, picking his teeth, and spat the toothpick onto the floor.

He was the first to object, placing one foot on the table and looking up at Natsu as he shouted.

"Fire Dragon, you idiot! All you know how to do is fight! What kind of guild leader are you? It should be me! I've already become the captain of the Custody Enforcement Unit in the Magic Council!"

The veins on his arms bulged, and his mouth was full of sharp teeth.

A respectable person who has managed people in the Magic Council is far better than a fool who only knows how to set mountains on fire.

Gray took off his shirt, slapped the table, combed his bangs back up, and looked extremely arrogant.

"Huh? You two idiots as guild leaders? The guild is doomed! Get out of the way! I think I should be the leader."

The cold air seeped through his fingers, freezing the drinks on the table into a layer of white ice.

The three of them refused to give in, and a fight broke out the next second.

Natsu threw a Fire Fist at Gajeel's face, Gajeel raised his arm to block it and then retaliated with an elbow strike to Gray.

Gray slid sideways and slammed his palm on the ground, freezing the other two, along with half a table, in the middle of the ice wall.

Bang! Crack!

Wood chips, ice shards, and sparks flew all over the hall.

The others didn't intervene immediately.

Cana hugged the large barrel of wine, tilted her head back, and chugged it down, wiping the foam from the corner of her mouth as she laughed.

Wakaba and Macao squatted in the corner smoking their pipes, watching the young men bicker.

Levy, clutching her book, huddled in a chair against the wall, chuckling to herself.

Lucy covered her head and crawled under the table to hide behind the wooden plank, but a smile played on her lips.

This scene evokes a deep sense of nostalgia.

It's been a year.

We're all struggling in different corners of the mainland, and it's really hard not to hear those familiar insults anymore.

The others were also caught in the crossfire, and they all joined in the long-awaited battle with smiles on their faces.

Tables and chairs flew through the air, plates shattered with a crackling sound, and the dull thuds of fists smashing flesh mixed with shouts shook the rafters, causing dust to fall.

The tavern is just as chaotic as it was a year ago, before the group broke up.

The floorboards were worn into by countless footsteps, and the thick wooden pillars supporting the roof beams creaked.

Natsu inhaled, preparing to unleash his fire; ice surged from Gray's palm; Gajeel's arm completely turned to iron...

With a creak~

The door to the office deep inside the tavern opened.

Erza walked out of the office, her eyes turning fierce, and let out a cold snort.

Everyone froze in place.

Natsu had a huge fire burning inside him, his cheeks puffed out like balloons, unable to swallow or spit it out.

Gray stood on one leg, posing with his hand suspended in mid-air.

Gajeel's raised iron fist stopped three inches in front of Natsu's nose, and cold sweat dripped down his forehead.

Mirajane, Riyao, Laxus, and Mest also came out.

Mirajane wore her signature smile, her hands folded in front of her, looking like a harmless girl next door.

Riyao yawned, put his hands in his pockets, and rested his head on top of Mirajane's.

Laxus walked beside me with his arms crossed, his sheer size making him seem imposing.

Mest, carrying a stack of documents, her face stern, lagged behind.

The ground was covered with a layer of wood chips, several wine glasses were frozen solid, and two unlucky guys were stuck upside down in a crack in the floorboards.

Riyao raised his hand and pressed his temples.

"You guys are still so noisy. If you're really bored, go sweep the streets."

Natsu swallowed the fire in his mouth, and when he heard Riyao speak, he started arguing again.

"That bastard Riyao, he actually lied to me!"

Natsu's forehead veins bulged, and his eyes blazed with fury as he glared at him.

He hasn't forgotten the beating he got a few days ago.

Not only did Riyao transform into some False God Form and give them a good beating, but he also kept the fact that his dragon parents had already hatched from their shells a secret.

Mini Igneel is lying on the table picking its teeth; it's clearly enjoying its meal.

The palm-sized Fire Dragon lay sprawled on the bench, its belly bulging, a wooden stick in its claws picking its teeth, and every now and then it would let out a small, sulfurous burp.

Natsu was completely stunned when he saw Wendy's Grandine, after he understood what had happened.

His eyes were wide open, and his mouth was agape enough to fit a watermelon.

Other people's dragon parents hatched long ago and are now plump and healthy, while my own father is hanging in the backyard of the Riyao Manor, exposed to the wind and rain.

Upon returning, I rushed to the Riyao Manor to pick up Igneel.

As soon as Natsu entered the manor, he pounced on it, pouring his magic into the dragon egg. Igneel's lava dragon fire nearly set all the Parasol Trees in the manor ablaze.

Riyao kicked them out of the manor to prevent the terrifying flames during the fusion from destroying it.

With each kick, the two Fire Dragons, along with their eggs, were sent flying to a desolate ravine outside the city and burned all night.

Mirajane clapped her hands.

"Alright, quiet down. It is now announced that Fairy Tail guild is officially re-established, and the guild leader will be..."

She deliberately kept everyone in suspense, and everyone craned their necks, waiting for her to continue.

Dozens of eyes were fixed on the silver-haired girl's face.

Everyone was craning their necks.

Who exactly is this seventh-generation chairman?

The people below were thinking very quickly.

Riyao? They think it's very reasonable. His reputation, strength, and financial resources are all there. If he really wants to be in charge, there's nothing wrong with it.

His personal savings are bottomless. If he becomes the guild leader, he'll probably swipe his card directly without even looking at the bills when the guild pays compensation.

Erza? She could easily suppress all the guild members without any problem.

Needless to say, the Titania's prestige was immense; the moment she stood in the middle of the hall, Natsu and Gray immediately became obedient.

But she was a real housekeeper; her rules were so strict they could make a person suffer more than being in prison.

Laxus? Is he finally going to get what he wants? He's matured a lot over the years, and there shouldn't be any problem with him becoming the guild leader now.

The Grand Magic Games enemies; at the Tartaros, in order to protect the town, he inhaled all the Magic Barrier Particles into his lungs.

That rebellious guy from back then is now capable of taking on responsibilities.

Mirajane? Having a beautiful president is a good thing. She has both strength and beauty, and she can keep these noisy idiots in check.

Normally she's a gentle shopkeeper, but when she gets angry she transforms into a demon, Satan, capable of ripping off the roof with a single slap.

He has both authority and presence; it's pleasing to see him every time I walk in.

Mest? Electrocuted!

I waited for Mirajane for ages, but there was still no follow-up.

The silver-haired girl stood in front of the table, tilting her head, a smile playing on her lips, stubbornly refusing to utter the last few words.

Lucy finally couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Mira! Tell us quickly, we're all so anxious!"

Mirajane smiled, her eyes crinkling.

"Oh dear, this is an important matter for the guild; this is how you make it feel special."

Everyone's foreheads creased with dismay; they felt Mirajane was becoming increasingly cunning, undoubtedly because of Riyao.

Riyao blinked, wondering why these idiots were staring at him.

He spread his hands, looking completely innocent.

Mirajane stopped keeping everyone in suspense.

She cleared her throat, her smile fading slightly.

"Alright, I'm kidding you guys. The seventh guild master of Fairy Tail is 'Laxus Dreyar'."

Those below had already guessed some of it.

Even after Mirajane pronounced the name, he was still taken aback for a moment.

Seeing their expressions, Riyao kindly explained the situation to them.

He straightened up and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Mirajane's ear.

"After all, this has always been Laxus's dream, and we really can't take away what they want."

To shift blame and shirk responsibility while making it sound so righteous.

Laxus glanced at Riyao, a vein throbbed on his forehead, and his lips twitched.

These bastards, they're all making excuses to avoid it.

Finally, he reluctantly accepted the task.

They may say no, but their actions tell a different story.