~
"There's another new member," Makarov said.
"It's me," came a reply from the other side.
Everyone turned around. Except for Ifrit, who had known already, everyone's expressions changed!
"What?!"
"How could it be him?!" Lucy cried out.
"You bastard!"
Natsu and Gray moved in perfect sync, taking fighting stances.
With his tough-guy style, unruly expression, and "fashionable" facial piercings everywhere, this person was none other than the Iron Dragon, Gajeel.
"Guild Master, what's going on?!" Erza immediately said angrily. "Juvia is one thing, but this guy destroyed our guild!"
"It's fine. I invited Gajeel back myself," Makarov said with a smile. "Gajeel is actually a good kid. He was just led astray by some adults with misguided beliefs, which led him to do some wrong things. Since the Magic Council has released him, it means his past crimes weren't too serious. Don't be too harsh on children who aren't truly bad and want to change. Give him a chance."
"But still..." Lucy looked at Levy and said indignantly, "He hurt Levy!"
"I already apologized," Gajeel said with his head lowered.
He actually felt very guilty. But he was a genuine straight-laced guy, not someone with Ifrit's personality, so his stiff apology could not achieve a good result.
"Is that what an apology looks like?!" Gray snapped. "Can't you see Levy is terrified?!"
"I can't take this!" Flames erupted from Natsu's body.
"..." Gajeel did not unleash any magic, as though he wanted to take a beating to make up for it.
"Forget it, Natsu." Seeing that a battle was about to break out, Erza finally spoke. "Since it was the Guild Master's decision... trust the Guild Master."
"But..." Natsu gritted his teeth.
"..." After a few seconds of silence, Gray withdrew his magic as well. "Forget it, Natsu. Our