Chapter 22 : Don’t run around!

"Hahaha! You really gave us quite a scare with that move! But it seems victory is mine..."

*Crack!*

Natsu's arrogant laughter was cut short as Guild Master Makarov stepped on his foot.

"What—!!" Lucy exclaimed, taken aback.

"Ah, new here?" Makarov inquired, his voice firm yet gentle.

"Yes... yes..." Lucy stammered, trembling with fear.

"Hmm..."

Makarov's figure began to shrink rapidly, transforming in the blink of an eye into a diminutive old man standing less than a meter tall.

"Eh-?!" Lucy's surprise was evident as she observed the sudden change in Makarov's stature from towering giant to diminutive elder.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Lucy managed to utter, her voice quivering.

*Clang!*

With a swift gesture, Makarov flicked his finger, sending Natsu tumbling through the air to collide with the guardrail of the second floor.

Thankfully, Natsu managed to grab hold of the railing just in time, pulling himself up shakily to regain his footing.

Brandishing a stack of documents, Makarov addressed the group sternly. "Once again, you've managed to land me in a heap of trouble. Just take a look at the number of complaints flooding in from the council."

"First... Gray."

"Huh?" Gray's expression shifted from confusion to embarrassment as Makarov singled him out. Hadn't he been minding his own business? What did the council have against him now?

"It's bad enough you were caught up with that smuggling ring, but what possessed you to go streaking through the streets? And to top it off, you stole someone's underwear and made a run for it!"

Gray muttered sheepishly, "Well, it's not exactly proper to be naked..."

Elfman interjected, "Then don't go around naked."

Makarov sighed, shaking his head. "Oh Elfman! You really got into a scuffle with your mission partner over a trivial matter."

Scratching his cheek in embarrassment, Elfman explained, "But he said a man's dignity was depends on education..."

Makarov sighed again, moving on with an air of resignation. "Cana Alberona, you were reported to have downed fifteen barrels of wine at a tavern under false pretenses, yet failed to review the parliamentary funds."

"And Loke... you stirred up trouble with Reggie's earnest granddaughter, resulting in financial losses for a certain entertainment company," Makarov concluded, his tone heavy with disappointment.

"Then Natsu... crushed the Devon bandits, but inadvertently caused damage to seven houses, toppled the long-standing bell tower in Julie Village, set ablaze the Phrygia Church, and wreaked havoc upon a section of Lupinas City's streets. The Narina Valley Observatory had to suspend its operations due to structural collapse."

"Alzack, Levy, Krove, Lidas, Warren, Bisca..."

"You guys... We're receiving quite the scolding from the Magic Council..."

The guild hall fell into a hush, with Makarov visibly trembling with anger, while Lucy, a fledgling member, didn't dare to make a peep.

"However....."

"To hell with the Council."

"Hoo~!"

Makarov's hands ignited the documents he held.

"Eh?"

Tossing the burning papers to the ground, Makarov watched as Natsu leaped forward like an eager pup, snatching them in his mouth.

"Listen up, all magical abilities stem from common sense."

"Magic isn't some miraculous power, but rather the flow of energy within us resonating with the natural flow of energy, manifesting tangibly from it."

"Magic is the amalgamation of spiritual power and focus, or rather, the culmination of one's entire being."

"If you concern yourselves with the opinions of others, the path of magic will stagnate."

"Pay no heed to the fools who prattle on. Forge ahead on the path you believe in!"

"That's the way of the mages of Fairy Tail!!"

"Oh oh oh oh oh oh!!!"

The guild members rallied, raising their voices in unison. The somber atmosphere swiftly gave way to cheerfulness, with smiles breaking across everyone's faces.

Kyros, too, wore a smile, reaffirming his love for Fairy Tail.

Before long, the guild returned to its usual hustle and bustle.

Makarov called Kyros over to the guild counter. It had been a year since he last stood there. Considering Kyros's numerous missions outside, there were naturally many reports to catch up on.

"Kyros, you've done well," Makarov praised Kyros after listening to his report.

Simultaneously, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Kyros, this kid, has truly matured, and he's excelled in many aspects.

From the moment he set foot on Tenrou Island, he knew Kyros was special, and now, it's clear that his intuition was right.

Makarov felt a pang of concern for Gildarts. He'd been on a mission for a hundred years. Three years had passed since his last return, and he wasn't sure if he had completed his task.

During Gildarts' absence, Kyros, the kid, had thankfully managed to accomplish numerous difficult missions. Yet, just like Gildarts, he seemed to lack focus in learning.

He resembled a prodigal son, always wandering away from home.

"Kyros, how long do you plan to stay this time?" Makarov inquired, his concern evident.

Mira's ears perked up, clearly interested in Kyros's response.

"This time, I won't leave unless it's absolutely necessary," Kyros declared. With the plot unfolding, he couldn't afford to be absent in case of any unforeseen events. Hence, he intended to remain grounded for the time being.

Mira couldn't help but smile upon hearing Kyros's commitment to staying put.

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