Lu Chongwei Joins Fairy Tail

Gildarts arrived at the bar, plopped himself onto a high stool, and casually grabbed a bottle of liquor to take a swig.

The short old man dressed in a jester's outfit—none other than the Fairy Tail Guild Master, Makarov—was currently squinting his hazy eyes, sizing up Lu Chongwei from head to toe.

"Hic..."

Makarov let out a drunken burp, pointed a finger at Lu Chongwei, and asked with a thick, slurred tongue.

"Gildarts... who is this kid? I haven't seen him around before..."

Lu Chongwei looked at the bleary-eyed little old man before him, and the last shred of expectation in his heart shattered.

This is the Guild Master?

That legendary, incomparably powerful Ten Wizard Saint?

No matter how he looked at it, he just seemed like a weird old man who would pee on the side of the road after having too much to drink!

"The Master seems to be drunk..."

Lu Chongwei couldn't help but mutter under his breath. Although his voice wasn't loud, it was heard clearly in the quiet area around the bar.

As soon as those words left his lips, the previously hazy-eyed Makarov bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Who... who said I'm drunk?!"

Makarov slammed his hand onto the bar, causing the liquor in the glasses to slosh violently.

He widened his eyes, struggling to put on a sober front, but his swaying body betrayed him.

"This old man is not drunk! This level of alcohol... I could drink another barrel! If you don't believe me, watch!"

As he spoke, he raised his glass to pour it into his mouth, but his hand shook, spilling most of it onto his beard.

Lu Chongwei's mouth twitched as he sighed inwardly.

It's over.

Not only are the members of this guild violent, but even the Master is an unreliable drunkard.

Does Fairy Tail really have a future?

Seeing this, Gildarts hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

He reached out to press down on Makarov's glass, his face plastered with a flattering smile.

"Master, your capacity is legendary! But let's hold off on the drinking for a moment; let me introduce someone to you."

Gildarts pointed at Lu Chongwei, his tone carrying a hint of smugness.

"This is the young man I... uh, kidnapped... no, encountered on the road, Lu Chongwei!"

Lu Chongwei keenly caught the word "kidnapped" and felt his forehead darken with lines.

He definitely kidnapped me, didn't he!

That guy definitely let it slip just now!

Although he was frantically complaining in his heart, Lu Chongwei maintained basic politeness on the surface.

After all, he was penniless and had no one to turn to in this strange world; he truly had nowhere else to go but here.

Moreover, even though it was a bit chaotic, he could feel that there was no real malice in their rowdiness.

The atmosphere, while crude, was filled with a vibrant, living energy.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Thinking of this, Lu Chongwei took a deep breath, bowed slightly, and saluted Makarov.

"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Lu Chongwei."

His voice was calm and steady, neither servile nor overbearing, revealing a composure that belied his age.

Upon hearing the name, a flash of sharp light suddenly crossed Makarov's previously murky eyes.

He set down his glass and leaned forward slightly, the drunken haze vanishing in an instant.

As one of the Ten Wizard Saints, his perception far exceeded that of an ordinary person.

Even in his tipsy state, the moment Lu Chongwei approached, he had keenly sensed the hidden magic power within the boy.

It was a terrifying force—scorching, violent, yet perfectly suppressed within his body.

It was like a dormant volcano; it looked calm and peaceful on the surface, but once it erupted, it would be enough to incinerate everything.

This boy... is no simple character!

Makarov's eyes became much clearer in an instant. He stared fixedly at Lu Chongwei, a trace of imperceptible surprise flashing in his gaze.

Gildarts seemed to have anticipated Makarov's reaction; he leaned in close to Makarov's ear and lowered his voice.

"Master, this kid is a monster. I saw him in action on the road, and that destructive power... tsk tsk, he's definitely a seedling with S-Class potential."

Hearing Gildarts' assessment, Makarov's eyes lit up like two lightbulbs.

S-Class potential?!

Heaven knows how desperate he is for people right now!

Although Fairy Tail currently enjoyed a widespread reputation, the number of top-tier combatants capable of holding down the fort was actually quite small.

Aside from himself and Gildarts, the two S-Class mages, the younger generation—while full of promising talent—had yet to fully mature into individuals who could stand on their own.

That kid Laxus, though gifted with extraordinary talent, was too arrogant and too young to shoulder the burden of the guild on his own.

Others like Erza and Mirajane, while possessing great potential, were still far too young.

The future of the guild required fresh blood, especially a monster of a newcomer with such top-tier potential!

This was practically a pie falling from the sky!

The drunkenness in Makarov's heart vanished in an instant, replaced by the ecstatic joy of having struck gold.

He absolutely could not let this promising talent slip away!

"Good! Good! Good!"

Makarov repeated the word three times, his face breaking into a smile that bloomed like a flower.

He leapt off his chair with an agility that made him seem nothing like an old man.

"Quick! Since you're here, you're family!"

Makarov grabbed Lu Chongwei's hand, his enthusiasm so intense it was almost overwhelming.

"Come, come, come! Let's get the guild emblem stamped on! This is the proof of membership; once it's stamped, you're one of us at Fairy Tail. You won't be able to run away even if you—ah, no, I mean, we'll be family forever!"

Lu Chongwei was caught off guard by this sudden display of fervor. Watching Makarov's eager expression, he felt a flicker of wariness.

This old man, why does he look like he's afraid I'll change my mind?

However, since he had already decided to stay, getting the stamp was a necessary procedure.

"Fine."

Lu Chongwei nodded, agreeing helplessly.

"Let's put it on my left shoulder, in red."

"No problem! That spot is the most conspicuous and the most imposing!"

Afraid that he might change his mind, Makarov moved with nimble speed to produce the stamp and the magical ink.

In just a few seconds.

An exquisite, bright red Fairy Tail emblem was clearly imprinted onto the skin of Lu Chongwei's left shoulder.

Looking at the vivid red pattern, Lu Chongwei felt a faint warmth on his skin, as if some kind of contract had been officially sealed at that very moment.

Makarov looked at the emblem and nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly turned to face the entire guild hall.

He took a deep breath, raised his mug, and announced in a loud voice:

"Listen up, you brats!"

All the guild members stopped what they were doing once again, their gazes converging on him.

"From today on, Lu Chongwei officially joins Fairy Tail! He is our new family!"

After a brief silence.

"Wooooooooh!!!"

A deafening cheer suddenly resounded throughout the entire guild.

Whether they had been fighting or drinking just a moment ago, everyone now raised their mugs, their faces beaming with sincere and fervent smiles.

"Welcome to the guild, rookie!"

"We're brothers from here on out!"

"Come on, drink! Let's drink!"

That heartfelt welcome, that unreserved enthusiasm, surged toward Lu Chongwei like a tidal wave.

Makarov, striking while the iron was hot, jumped onto the bar counter and waved his hand grandly.

"To celebrate the arrival of our new member! We're having a banquet tonight! Drinks are on the house!"

"Long live the Master!!!"

The cheers were enough to nearly blow the roof off.

Lu Chongwei stood in the center of the crowd, looking at these unfamiliar yet kind faces, listening to the noisy yet warm cheers.