"Laxus?"
"Hey! You heartless bastard, how dare you show your face here?"
"After what you did, don't expect us to forgive you so easily. Get out!"
The moment they recognized Laxus, the guild members immediately put away their smiles and accused him with full vigilance.
Even though Fairy Law had ultimately shown them Laxus had no killing intent, his previous actions were unforgivable. Without Chase, who knows how things would have ended!
Laxus seemed to have matured overnight. Facing the disgust and even insults from the comrades he had once despised, not only did he not fly into a rage, he didn't even talk back. He just kept a straight face and walked silently forward.
Natsu noticed the dimness deep in his eyes. His throat moved, but he forcibly suppressed the urge to run over.
From Chase the night before, he had learned Laxus's fate in advance. He also understood this was the best option for both the guild and Laxus himself.
For a moment, he stood frozen, unsure whether to threaten him, call out a challenge, try to stop him, or all of the above...
Under the hostile gazes of his comrades, Laxus reached the counter.
He glanced first at the calm-faced Chase, then looked around, and finally focused on Mira. "Where's the old man?"
Hearing this, the guild members grew even more agitated. They angrily exclaimed that he still had the nerve to ask for the master and firmly opposed.
Some of the hot-headed ones even started brewing magic in their hands, ready to subdue this "dangerous element" at any moment.
Erza raised her hand with a serious expression, suppressing the restlessness. The Laxus before her no longer had the ferocity in his eyes. It was safe to let him see the master alone.
And some things simply had to be resolved.
Mira, usually so gentle, didn't give him a kind look. She said coldly, "On the second floor."
She shared Erza's judgment.
Hearing this, Laxus said nothing more. He silently headed upstairs.
Just as he was about to step onto the stairs, Chase suddenly called out, "Hey, deadbeat blond. That was a good fight yesterday. Let's do it again sometime!"
Startled, Laxus raised his right hand in a simple acknowledgment. The corners of his tight lips slightly curled upward where no one could see.
Works for me, damn card addict...
Without pausing, he disappeared around the corner of the stairs.
Amid the dissatisfaction and pointing, Gajeel, also wrapped in bandages, came down from the second floor.
He had been reporting to Makarov on the location of Raven Tail — the dark guild founded by Laxus's biological father, Ivan.
As atonement to Fairy Tail and repayment for Makarov's Recognizing his talent, he had proactively infiltrated the dangerous Raven Tail, acting as a double agent, secretly gathering intelligence and monitoring Ivan's every move!
"Gajeel, guess what." Once a Phantom Lord comrade, Juvia looked out for him. She excitedly said, "We get to be in the magical parade tonight too!"
"Of course, Juvia will be with Gray-sama, so I can't team up with you!" She immediately emphasized.
"I'm not interested in that kind of thing." Gajeel waved his hand and found a corner to sit in.
Unlike Juvia, who had only fought as a Phantom Lord member, Gajeel had smashed the Fairy Tail guild to pieces and tried to attack Levy and the others. He had committed grave sins.
This "sin" made him feel unworthy of representing the guild in a performance.
Moreover, he had done many bad things in Phantom Lord. Appearing in public like this might bring negative attention to Fairy Tail!
"Didn't you like 'Graffiti Riot'? Even though it was super terrible." Natsu tilted his head, confused.
Under the influence of the fusion, he understood Gajeel's heart better than anyone. He knew this annoying iron block desperately wanted to blend into the guild and become everyone's comrade.
"Terrible?! Then don't listen, you bastard!" Gajeel was annoyed.
"Who wants to listen? I'll be far away from you, you piece of scrap!"
"I said I'm not participating, fire dragon bastard! You wanna fight?!"
"Bring it on!"
THUD!
The two, thoroughly incompatible, immediately went at it.
"Always fighting. Such childish little brats." Gray shook his head in disdain.
"Where do you get the confidence to say that?" Lucy covered her face, speechless. The complaint was late but came.
Even Erza, who had previously been wary of Gajeel, looked on with resignation. The other members also seemed relaxed. No longer as guarded as before.
Besides Gajeel shielding Levy from Laxus's lightning with his own body, his actions during the civil war had also shown everyone his determination to protect the guild.
From this point on, they formally accepted Gajeel as a comrade.
In that sense, Gajeel really ought to thank Laxus...
"Enough fighting. How about this, Gajeel — do me a favor."
Chase stood up, put his arm around Gajeel's shoulder, and said gently, "Forget your crappy 'Graffiti.' Play background music for me instead!"
"I told you, I'm not interested in the parade!"
Gajeel, in the heat of arguing, turned and snapped, "And who the hell are you? Why should I accompany you?!"
"Oh?" Chase smiled faintly.
The whole room went silent.
Everyone, including the defiant Natsu, silently marveled: Today's Iron Dragon is brave.
"Huh?! Ch-Ch-Chase?! W-Wait, I meant—" Gajeel's face changed dramatically.
Just as he was about to make an excuse, he suddenly noticed that all his comrades in his field of vision were standing upside down on the ceiling!
BOOM!
Chase's Dragon Uppercut sent Gajeel flipping 180 degrees. After drawing a beautiful arc in the air, he crashed heavily into the far guild wall.
Flying sand and rolling stones filled the air with dust.
"Since you've decided to be a member of Fairy Tail, drop that kind of boring baggage. No one in this guild cares about reputation."
Chase walked slowly up to Gajeel, lying in the rubble in a voluptuous pose. Hands on his hips, he leaned down slightly and smiled. "So, can you do me this favor now?"
Gajeel's mouth twitched. He was frozen for several seconds.
After an internal struggle, he finally stopped persisting in his original thoughts. His face slightly red, he slowly turned his head away, avoiding Eye contact.
"Don't expect me to be able to keep up with your damn rhythm!"
Truly the Iron Dragon. Still stubborn even after agreeing.
"Don't worry. Just play according to the sheet music I give you."
Chase nodded, very satisfied. With a mysterious expression, he said, "This new song one even Natsu and the others haven't heard not just anyone can play it. Look forward to it!"
***
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