The Bad Girl

Magnolia, Fairy Tail Guild.

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the enormous windows, filling the air with the aroma of ale and the din of laughter.

Lu Chongwei sat in the most prominent spot at the bar, cradling his signature cup of hot milk with a contented look.

Ever since becoming an S-Class Mage, his life had gotten more and more comfortable. Although the missions were harder, the pay had multiplied several times over, enough for him to leisurely while away his time at the guild.

Bang!

A loud crash shattered the peace.

The guild doors flew open, and a scarlet figure swept inside like a whirlwind.

"Old man! Where's the old man?!"

Natsu was carrying a huge egg in his arms. It was nearly half his height, its surface covered in strange blue patterns that looked like an ancient totem.

He barreled through the guild, knocking over two tables before skidding to a stop in front of Makarov, his face flushed and his eyes shining with excitement.

"Look! It's a Dragon Egg! I found a Dragon Egg!"

Natsu plunked the egg down on the bar, making the milk in Lu Chongwei's hand slosh.

"This is a clue Igneel left behind! Once it hatches, we'll definitely find Igneel!"

Natsu grabbed Makarov by the collar and shook him wildly.

"Old man, use your magic to hatch it! Hurry, hurry!"

Makarov was shaken like a rattle before he rolled his eyes and broke free of Natsu's grasp.

"Idiot!"

Makarov leaped up and flicked Natsu on the forehead.

"It's an egg! It's a living being! You can't use magic to force a life to mature!"

The old guild master clasped his hands behind his back and said earnestly:

"Life must be born of love. Only when you pour love into it will it respond to your hopes."

"Love?"

Natsu tilted his head, looking utterly bewildered, as though he'd just heard some profound philosophy.

"That's right. Love."

A cool, authoritative voice rang out.

Erza, dressed in Silver Armor, approached, her crimson hair falling over her shoulders. She folded her arms and stared sternly at the egg, as if inspecting a soldier about to head into battle.

"Natsu, since you found it, you have to take responsibility for it."

Erza nodded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"Hatching it will take your own effort, not magic. That's not only about respecting life—it's also a test of your resolve."

Natsu nodded as if he understood. He hadn't really followed, but if Erza said it, it had to be right.

Just then.

"Tch. What a pointless lecture."

A challenging scoff came from the second floor.

The next instant, a figure slid down the banister and landed lightly on the floor.

The guild fell a little quieter.

Lu Chongwei turned his head and raised an eyebrow.

It was Mirajane.

But she was no longer the timid girl from a year ago, the one who wore plain long dresses and would hide behind people and cry at the slightest provocation.

She had changed beyond recognition.

Her silver-white hair was tied up in a high ponytail, revealing a smooth, full forehead and delicate features.

She wore a tight, dark-red crop top that exposed a generous expanse of pale, smooth skin and showed off her newly developed curves.

Her bottoms were a pair of hot pants, so short they left her long, straight legs on full display, brimming with youthful energy.

A skull necklace hung around her neck, and a studded belt was wrapped around her wrist. Her whole appearance radiated a strong bad-girl vibe.

Ever since Lu Chongwei had helped her overcome her inner turmoil on that mission and learn to control Satan Soul, Mirajane's personality had rebounded like a spring and she had fully let loose.

Now she was known throughout the guild as "The Demon," and was also one of its most troublesome "big sisters."

Mirajane planted her hands on her hips and shot Erza a disdainful look.

"I mean, this is a guild, not a barracks for knights."

Mirajane whistled, her tone dripping with mockery.

"Don't you get tired of saying 'responsibility' and 'resolve' all day? You stiff, armored woman."

"What did you say?!"

A vein bulged on Erza's forehead.

She turned around, her gaze as sharp as a blade as she glared at Mirajane.

"Mirajane, watch your words. I'm teaching Natsu the right values."

"Huh? Values?"

Mirajane let out an exaggerated laugh and walked over to Erza.

They were about the same height, and their auras clashed like blades.

Mirajane thrust out her chest and stood her ground.

"I think you're just jealous that Natsu has an egg to hatch, while all you can do is sleep with your cold swords."

"Who's jealous?!"

Erza's hand instantly went to her sword hilt, and a fierce wave of magic power burst from her.

"Wanna fight, bad girl?"

"Bring it on! I'm not scared of you, stick woman!"

Mirajane's arm transformed in an instant, black scales spreading over it as vicious claws emerged. A sinister, violent aura swept through the guild.

Bang!

Their foreheads slammed together, and sparks seemed to crackle where their eyes met.

The guild members were used to this by now. They retreated with their drinks, skillfully clearing space for the fight.

"Here they go again..."

"How many times is that today?"

"With those two around, it's only a matter of time before we have to replace the roof."

Lu Chongwei sighed and silently raised his milk, trying to shrink into the shadows beneath the bar.

All he wanted was to enjoy a quiet afternoon tea. He didn't want to get dragged into a war between the two women.

But Murphy's law had it that the more you dreaded something, the more likely it was to happen.

"Lu Chongwei!"

Two voices rang out at the same time.

Lu Chongwei stiffened. Before he could run, a hand grabbed each of his shoulders from either side.

"Settle this for us!"

Mirajane leaned in on Lu Chongwei's left, her pretty but menacing face almost pressed against his nose.

"Isn't someone who's always scowling and has no femininity at all just awful?"

"Lu Chongwei!"

Erza leaned in on his right, her sharp gaze brimming with an unquestionable authority.

"Isn't a bad girl who dresses so revealingly, behaves so rudely, and has no sense of discipline a disgrace to the guild?"

Caught between them, Lu Chongwei faced a demon's whisper on his left and a knight's judgment on his right.

The magic power of two S-Class candidates surged around him, making the milk in his hand ripple wildly.

"Uh..."

A bead of cold sweat slid down Lu Chongwei's forehead.

This was a question that could get him killed.

Whichever one he sided with, he'd offend the other.

"Well..."

Lu Chongwei gave an awkward laugh, trying to smooth things over.

"We're all comrades, so we should get along... Besides, Natsu's egg is still over there..."

"Cut the excuses!"

Mirajane grabbed Lu Chongwei by the collar and pulled him toward her.

"You have to make it clear today! Whose side are you on?"

"Exactly."

Erza grabbed Lu Chongwei's arm too and pulled him back.

"Lu Chongwei, as an S-Class Mage, you should be able to tell right from wrong. Tell her who's right!"

Lu Chongwei felt like a rag doll, being yanked back and forth by two violent women.

He glanced around.

Makarov was pretending to be dead as he drank. Wakaba and Macao were watching the show, while Natsu stared blankly at the egg.

No one was going to save him.

Lu Chongwei wailed inwardly.

God, if I've done something wrong, let the law punish me—not these two women!

He looked at the two faces so close to his own, different in style but equally beautiful and equally dangerous.

Lu Chongwei silently closed his eyes.

He wasn't going to get to enjoy his milk in peace today.