"Let's head back to Fairy Tail~"
Evan looked at Irene and Erza and asked casually.
"Sure~"
At his words, Irene and Erza exchanged glances and nodded lightly in agreement.
"Let's go!"
As soon as Erza and Irene spoke, a shining magic circle formed under the feet of Evan, Irene, Erza, and Gajeel, who was now basically treated as a weapon.
Buzz!
The next moment, with a rumbling sound, Evan, Irene, Erza, and Gajeel vanished from the wide open road in an instant!
Magnolia Town – Fairy Tail Guild
With a loud boom, Evan, Erza, and Gajeel reappeared in front of the historic Fairy Tail guild building located in Magnolia Town.
As for Irene, she had altered Evan's teleportation magic and returned to the Scarlet Enchantress Magic Item Shop, continuing to observe those Phantom Lord mages she had banished to another world, currently being endlessly hunted, killed, and revived by magical beasts.
"So this is Fairy Tail? The guild that boasts Makarov, Evan, and Ur as three of the Ten Wizard Saints… With dozens of S-Class mages, known by many as the number one mage guild in all of Fiore, perhaps even on the entire continent of Ishgar…"
Gajeel stared at the imposing guild building, the ancient doors etched with the words FAIRY TAIL, steeped in over a century of history. A feeling of awe welled up within him. As a mage of Fiore, he was more than familiar with the name of Fairy Tail.
Even as a member of Phantom Lord, despite his indifference to guild matters and his habit of surviving off iron, Gajeel knew how Fairy Tail's sheer presence stole countless jobs, forcing many mages in other guilds into hardship. He knew just how powerful Fairy Tail was. That was why he'd once wanted to challenge Erza…
"Whew… a guild full of legends, huh?"
Thinking this, Gajeel took a deep breath to steady himself.
In the kingdom of Fiore and across the Ishgar continent, Fairy Tail was surrounded by myths and legends, too many to count.
Even ignoring the ancient rumors dating back to the birth of mage guilds a hundred years ago, the present-day Fairy Tail was already a guild of legend.
It was said that the guild housed countless powerful mages, including three officially recognized by the Magic Council as members of the Ten Wizard Saints, and some even whispered that these three weren't even the strongest within Fairy Tail…
Somewhere in this seemingly remote guild in Magnolia, hidden among its members, was a being said to surpass the Ten Wizard Saints themselves, an existence at the peak of the entire Asland continent!
Having witnessed the unstoppable power of Evan, Irene, and Erza firsthand, Gajeel's expectations for Fairy Tail had soared. He imagined a world beyond the doors, a paradise for mages, filled with endless magic and strength.
In his eyes, only such a utopia could produce so many legends.
"We're going in~"
Evan glanced at Gajeel, sensing the excitement bubbling inside him.
After all, what was about to unfold before him was the number one mage guild in the world. Evan couldn't blame him for feeling hyped.
"Then open your eyes wide, Gajeel! This is the number one mage guild in the world!"
Evan bellowed as he forcefully pushed open the ancient wooden doors bearing the FAIRY TAIL name.
What unfolded before Gajeel's eyes was… a brand-new world.
"Th-this is…"
Gajeel widened his eyes in disbelief. This was supposed to be the legendary guild, the strongest in all of Fiore?
Inside the doors stood a white-haired boy exuding powerful magic, Evan's system would rank him around level five or nearly six, far above Gajeel's current level. But that wasn't what Gajeel noticed most.
What he did notice was that this white-haired boy was completely naked, standing on top of a tall table, straddling a Kuroko no Basket basketball, shouting dramatically,
"Why can't anyone understand me?! Only by stripping naked can one achieve true freedom! Can humans really not understand each other?!"
It wasn't just the boy's posture, what came out of his mouth was pure philosophical chaos.
"My eyes! MY EYES! Give me back the fantasy I had about Fairy Tail!"
Unable to bear it, Gajeel covered his eyes.
What had he just witnessed?! A naked freak standing on a table shouting about freedom, using a Kuroko basketball to cover himself?!
This might be a paradise… but clearly not one meant for mages, it was a paradise for perverts!
"Th-this must be a mistake… There's no way the legendary Fairy Tail guild could look like this!"
Muttering to himself, Gajeel slammed the doors shut.
"Huff…"
Leaning against the closed doors, Gajeel panted heavily, drenched in sweat. He still couldn't believe what he had just seen.
Who could know how much psychological damage seeing such a scene could do to a mentally stable young man?!
"Inhale… exhale…"
Standing outside the Fairy Tail gates, Gajeel calmed his breath. His eyes sharpened with determination. Then, with all his strength, he shoved the doors open again.
BOOM!
And what he saw was…
"Still the same~"
Gajeel stared at the scene with a strained smile.
Nothing had changed. Still there, on the high table, stood that same naked white-haired freak.
"Why…"
Gajeel fell to his knees, struggling to comprehend.
"Why did Phantom Lord lose… to a guild of perverts like this?! WHY?!"
For a moment, he questioned everything. Had Phantom Lord really been losing out on jobs because of… these people?
"In you go~"
Evan, watching Gajeel collapse in confusion, smiled and lifted his foot, giving Gajeel a gentle kick in the rear, launching him into the guild.
"Ugh…"
Gajeel felt the kick, but couldn't stop himself due to the momentum. He flew forward, directly into the basketball under the white-haired freak's crotch.
"Ugh…"
Time seemed to freeze. Both Gajeel and the boy stood in stunned silence.
In that moment… Gajeel was well and truly "Gajeel-ed."
It was a scene worthy of being called a masterpiece of the modern era.
"I must paint this! I MUST paint this historic scene!"
At that moment, Reedus Jonah, always sketching in the corner of the guild, was struck by divine inspiration. He turned just in time to witness the birth of greatness!
Reedus's eyes sparkled. He pulled out his sketchpad and began furiously capturing the entire scene with his brush.
Sadly for Gajeel, this black mark on his past was now immortalized, forever to be remembered as part of Fairy Tail's sacred history…
"You damn pervert! Look what you've done! Keep your filthy junk to yourself, damn it!!"
Just as Reedus was putting the finishing touches on his masterpiece, the white-haired boy, veins popping on his forehead, kicked Gajeel off him with a furious shout.
"No, no, no! Of all people, YOU don't get to call ME a pervert! You damn psycho!!"
"Let's be real here, if you had just worn your clothes properly, NONE of this would've happened!!"
Sitting on the ground, Gajeel pointed at the boy, fuming.
"Tch…"
The boy's eye twitched. He jumped down from the table and stood before Gajeel, cracking his knuckles as if ready to teach him a lesson.
"You damn pervert!"
Gajeel wasn't backing down. He got to his feet, eyes burning. He clearly didn't see the white-haired boy as a threat, no way he'd lose to some weirdo.
The two locked eyes, tension rising…
"Gajeel, didn't you want to know why Fairy Tail is the number one mage guild in all of Fiore?"
"Well, try defeating that pervert in front of you, I mean, this outstanding young man. Don't underestimate him just because he's weird."
"That's Lyon, disciple of the Ten Wizard Saint known as 'The Ice-Make Master', Ur!"
Evan grinned as he spoke, watching the clash about to unfold between Gajeel and Lyon Vastia.
In fact, the reason Gajeel ended up "Gajeeling" Lyon was entirely part of Evan's plan, to intentionally provoke a conflict between Gajeel and Lyon, so Gajeel could experience the strength of Fairy Tail firsthand.
"This pervert is actually that Ur's disciple?!"
Gajeel's face twitched in disbelief. He had heard of Ur, of course, one of the Ten Wizard Saints of the Ishgar continent. Her name was known throughout the land! But what Gajeel couldn't wrap his head around was… this white-haired pervert in front of him was her student?!
"Oh? What's wrong? Do I not look like Ur's disciple?"
Lyon, annoyed by Gajeel's skeptical look, asked with a frown.
"Not even close!"
Gajeel answered bluntly. In his mind, any student of a Wizard Saint should be serious and dignified. Lyon, by contrast, had nothing to do with "serious."
"That's a pretty direct answer, huh?!"
"Well, regardless of whether you think I look like one or not, too bad, I am Ur's disciple!"
Lyon chuckled after hearing Gajeel's reply. In fact, he didn't mind Gajeel's honesty.
"Lyon, if you can beat this guy, I'll let you run around naked for a whole week. I promise Ultear won't interfere…"
At that moment, Evan's voice drifted into Lyon's ear with a tempting offer.
"Huh?!"
Lyon blinked, then smirked.
"Sorry, newbie. I wasn't planning to go all out on you, but if Evan's setting the terms, then I've got no choice…"
Originally, Lyon had intended to just mess around a bit. If he went all out, it might seem like bullying a newcomer like Gajeel. But with this reward on the table…
"Don't talk like you've already won."
Gajeel's expression darkened. He felt completely underestimated.
"You're new to Fairy Tail, so maybe you don't quite understand us yet~"
Lyon spoke flatly, eyes narrowing as he stared at Gajeel.
"In that case, let's take it to the arena."
Evan, clearly enjoying the spectacle, called out with glee.
"The arena?"
Gajeel blinked, confused.
"Follow me."
Lyon didn't expect Evan to take their fight so seriously, but he didn't object. He just dropped a sentence and started walking toward the arena behind them.
"Ugh…"
Without thinking too hard, Gajeel followed him.
Soon, a massive battle arena appeared in front of them.
"Big bro Kurnugi, I need the arena!"
Lyon called out to Kurnugi, who was currently using the arena platform as a bed.
"Huh?!"
Kurnugi, who had been lying down to rest, sat up immediately, frowning.
"Evan's orders."
Lyon quickly pulled out the ultimate name-drop card.
"Oh! If it's Master Evan's wish, of course, go ahead!"
"Keep it quick…"
The moment he heard it was Evan's idea, Kurnugi didn't dare argue. He leaped off the platform and made room.
"Come on up~"
Lyon hopped onto the ring and gestured at Gajeel with a finger, beckoning him.
"Hmph!"
Without hesitation, Gajeel followed and stepped onto the arena.
"Someone's on the arena!"
"Who is it? So bold!"
"Looks like a new guy!"
"A newbie in the ring? Let's go see!"
As the two stepped onto the stage, the guild members quickly gathered around, all eager to watch the show.
"I think I'm starting to understand why your guild is so strong…"
Looking at the crowd, Gajeel began to understand. Fairy Tail wasn't just strong, they were a bunch of bloodthirsty maniacs. Anyone raised in this kind of environment would naturally become powerful.
"You're Gajeel, right?"
"Come on, hit me with your best shot~"
"Otherwise, you won't get the chance again~"
Standing across from him, Lyon waved Gajeel on. He was genuinely interested in testing himself against Gajeel.
"Huff…"
"Get ready!"
Taking a deep breath, Gajeel's gaze turned sharp. Then, without warning, he dashed forward.
Gajeel never bothered with trash talk, he fought clean and fast.
"Iron Dragon's Sword!"
He started with his go-to move. His arm transformed into a chainsaw, swinging straight for Lyon.
"A Dragon Slayer, huh? Interesting…"
Lyon immediately recognized the type. There were plenty of Dragon Slayers in the guild, and he sparred with Natsu often. He knew their traits well.
"Frozen Floor!"
Raising his hand, Lyon cast his ice magic.
"What?!"
In an instant, ice coated the floor beneath Gajeel's feet. He slipped, his attack missed and swung past Lyon's side.
Meanwhile, Lyon had already formed a pair of ice skates and was gliding across the stage.
"Damn it! Iron Dragon's Club!"
Gajeel switched tactics. His arm morphed into a giant iron club and extended toward Lyon.
ROAR!
But before he could land a hit, an ice tiger suddenly bit into his arm.
"What the?!"
Gajeel froze, unable to tell where the tiger had come from.
"I'm an Ice-Make Mage, I create helpers made of ice~"
"Now then…"
Lyon briefly explained, then unleashed a massive wave of magical power.
"Ice Dragon!"
"Ice Ape!"
"Ice Lion!"
"Ice Bull!"
"Ice Elephant!"
Including the tiger, Lyon had now summoned six ice constructs onto the arena.
"Sorry, but this fight's over…"
Lyon flashed a confident smile at Gajeel.
"You bastard!"
Gajeel tried to move, but only now did he realize that his feet were frozen solid.
"You weren't watching your step. Careless~"
Lyon grinned smugly, enjoying Gajeel's frustration.
"Iron Dragon's.."
Gajeel gritted his teeth. He was no stranger to tough fights. Despite being stuck, he wasn't panicking yet.
Taking a deep breath, he prepared to unleash his Roar attack.
"Now!"
Lyon, predicting this, pulled out a chunk of ice and chucked it right into Gajeel's open mouth.
"So… cold…"
The moment it entered, the ice exploded, freezing Gajeel's mouth shut and sealing the magic inside.
"Finish him!"
Lyon turned to his ice beasts and gave the command.
ROARRRR!!
All the summoned ice creatures howled, then rushed toward Gajeel.
"Oh crap!"
Gajeel's face went pale. These massive constructs surrounded him, and he couldn't move a muscle, mouth frozen, feet frozen, completely helpless.
And so,
BOOM!
Gajeel was mercilessly pounded by a horde of magical ice beasts. It was a brutal beatdown.