Chapter 285: The Third Day
Lucy Heartfilia understood immediately why Yukino Agria was wandering the streets at night, dragging her luggage behind her like a lost child.
The symbolism was too painful to ignore; she had been kicked out. Sabertooth, the strongest guild in Fiore, had discarded her like trash.
"Come with me!"
Lucy stood up from the park bench, her eyes burning with a sudden determination. She grabbed Yukino's wrist, her grip firm yet gentle.
"Miss Lucy, what are you doing?!"
Yukino looked at Lucy in surprise, her silver hair swaying as she was pulled along. Panic flickered in her eyes. She didn't know what Lucy intended to do, but the warmth radiating from the blonde Mage's hand was undeniable.
"Just follow me. You can't stay out here."
Soon, Lucy pulled Yukino through the bustling streets of Crocus and into a lively tavern.
The moment the doors swung open, a wave of noise and heat washed over them. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meat, frothy ale, and the sweet aroma of victory. The members of Fairy Tail were in the midst of a raucous celebration. They were drinking and cheering, marking their historic sweep of the top two spots in yesterday's chariot event.
Laughter echoed off the wooden beams. Cana was chugging from a barrel, while Macao and Wakaba were already red-faced and singing off-key.
Of course, even if they had lost, they would still celebrate. That was the Fairy Tail way. After all, the losers were good fodder for teasing over drinks.
"Hah! Look at Natsu!" Gray laughed, slamming a mug down. "All that fire and you still got motion sick!"
"Shut up, Droopy-Eyes!" Natsu roared back, though he looked deflated.
Today, Natsu and Gajeel, who were so confident yesterday, ended up with only 2 points and 1 point respectively in the competition portion due to their severe motion sickness. They were currently sulking in the corner while the rest of the guild poked fun at them.
"Everyone!" Lucy shouted, her voice cutting through the din.
The guild fell silent, dozens of pairs of eyes turning toward the entrance.
"What is it, Lucy?" Erza asked, pausing mid-bite of her strawberry cake.
"Everyone, I want to recommend someone to join the guild."
"Miss Lucy?"
Hearing Lucy's words, Yukino couldn't help but be shocked. She froze, her breath hitching in her throat. She already knew what Lucy was going to say, but she couldn't believe it. Me? Join them? After I lost?
"It's her. I want to recommend her to join our guild."
Lucy pushed Yukino forward gently, presenting her to the room.
"Eh? Isn't this Miss..."
Makarov Dreyar, who was sitting on the bar counter with a mug half his size, squinted his eyes. He felt Yukino looked a bit familiar.
"Isn't she that girl from Sabertooth?" someone whispered.
"That's right! It's her! She was very impressive in the competition today! The Celestial Spirit Mage!"
"Why are you letting someone from Sabertooth join Fairy Tail?" a member asked, confused. "Aren't they our rivals?"
Lucy's expression darkened. The festive atmosphere in the room seemed to cool instantly as she spoke.
"She has been expelled from Sabertooth..."
Then, Lucy told them everything. She recounted Yukino's situation—the cruel judgment of Master Jiemma, the public humiliation, the demand to strip naked in front of the entire guild to atone for her 'sin' of losing, and finally, the agonizing act of personally erasing her own guild emblem.
As Lucy spoke, the silence in the tavern deepened. It wasn't a peaceful silence; it was the calm before a storm.
Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone in the guild changed. The joy vanished, replaced by a dark, simmering rage.
"Sabertooth actually did that?!" Gray stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the floor.
"Just because she lost a match, they kicked a guild member out?!" Lisanna covered her mouth in horror.
"That's way too much!!"
"Does that even count as a guild?!"
"That's not a guild," Macao spat. "That's an army. A heartless army."
Everyone in the guild spoke up for Yukino. Their voices were filled with righteous indignation. They didn't care about guild politics or rivalries; they cared about how a person was treated.
Looking at the Fairy Tail members who were getting genuinely angry on her behalf, Yukino felt a lump form in her throat.
She had been in Sabertooth for a year. She had fought for them, bled for them. Yet when she was expelled, not a single person pleaded for her. Not Sting, not Rogue. No one spoke up for her. She had left in silence, alone.
But these people... these strangers from Fairy Tail, who had nothing to do with her, were furious over her plight.
"Ugh..."
Yukino bit her lip, but she couldn't stop the tears. They spilled over, hot and fast. This was the first time she had felt the warmth of a guild. This was what a family was supposed to feel like.
"Crying?!" Natsu blinked, noticing the tears.
"Why is she crying?!" Happy panicked, flying around her head.
Seeing Yukino's tears streaming down, the guild members panicked a bit, their anger momentarily forgotten in favor of concern.
"S-sorry... I... I've never been so valued before..."
Yukino kept wiping her tears with her hands, her shoulders shaking with sobs. But the more she wiped, the more they flowed. It was a release of all the fear and shame she had bottled up since the match ended.
Mira walked over gracefully, her expression soft and maternal. She came to Yukino's side and handed her a tissue.
"It's okay to cry," Mira whispered gently. "Let it all out."
"Thank you..." Yukino sniffled, accepting the kindness she felt she didn't deserve.
Makarov clenched his small fist, his magical aura flaring briefly. He said angrily, "I didn't expect Sabertooth to be such a guild. In competitions, there are wins and losses. That is the nature of battle! The children even bet their lives for the honor of the guild, yet they were expelled nonetheless. Sabertooth has gone too far."
He hopped off the counter and walked towards Yukino, looking up at her with serious eyes.
Then Makarov comforted Yukino, his voice softening. "Child, if you are homeless, then settle down here at Fairy Tail for now. If you want to join Fairy Tail, our doors are always open to you."
Yukino's eyes widened. "This... I, someone who was expelled from Sabertooth, how could I be qualified to join Fairy Tail..."
She looked around the room. If it were the old Fairy Tail from seven years ago, she might have accepted easily. But the current Fairy Tail was no longer that last-place guild. Having taken first place for two consecutive days and sweeping the top two spots, even Yukino knew that Fairy Tail was now the returning king. They were powerful, radiant, and definitely the strongest contender for the Grand Magic Games championship.
For her, a failure who was just expelled from Sabertooth, to join Fairy Tail immediately—wouldn't that be belittling Fairy Tail? Wouldn't she just drag them down too?
Makarov waved his hand dismissively. "That kind of thing doesn't matter at all. We won't pay attention to that. Let others think whatever they want. We don't choose family based on power or reputation."
"That's right! Let them think whatever they want!!" Romeo shouted.
"Sabertooth actually expelled such a cute Miss; they really are blind!" Wakaba chimed in, trying to lighten the mood.
"Now our guild has another beautiful female Mage! It's a win for us!"
Everyone in the guild welcomed Yukino with open arms and bright smiles.
Seeing the attitude of the Fairy Tail members, Yukino's tears flowed uncontrollably again. She covered her face, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of light surrounding her.
"Crying again?!"
"Why?!"
"N-no... I just... I just..." Yukino sobbed, unable to articulate the gratitude swelling in her chest.
"Those bastards..."
A low growl cut through the room. Natsu stood up, his fists clenched so tight that smoke began to rise from his skin. The temperature in the tavern spiked.
"Those guys who don't treasure their comrades—if I run into them, I'll definitely give them a piece of my mind!! No, I want to give them a piece of my mind right now!!"
Natsu shouted to Yukino, fire erupting from his elbows. He was furious after hearing about her situation. To Natsu, the bond between guildmates was sacred. It was the most important thing in the world. He couldn't believe there was a guild that disregarded its comrades so much; he wanted to go to Sabertooth's lodging right this second and burn it to the ground.
"I'm going to kick their asses!" Natsu turned toward the door, stomping forward.
"Lord Natsu..."
Yukino couldn't help but be moved by his passion.
Suddenly, a hand clamped down on Natsu's shoulder. It wasn't forceful, but it was immovable.
Ren held Natsu down.
"Let go, Ren! I'm gonna toast those tigers!" Natsu struggled.
"Calm down," Ren said, his voice calm but authoritative. "It's late at night. Don't go looking for trouble."
"But they—"
"Even if you make a scene, it won't solve the problem," Ren interrupted, looking Natsu in the eye. "If you go there now and brawl, you'll just get us disqualified. Is that what you want? To throw away everyone's hard work?"
Ren's eyes drifted to Yukino, then back to Natsu. "If you can't stand it, then defeat them fair and square in the competition. Crush them in the arena where the whole world is watching. Show them that their philosophy is trash by proving that our way is stronger."
Ren was also somewhat dissatisfied with Sabertooth's behavior after hearing about Yukino. It left a bad taste in his mouth. But in the end, strictly speaking, that was another guild's business. He wasn't close to Yukino either—this was their first real meeting—so he naturally felt he had no right to stand up for her in a personal vendetta. However, guiding Natsu's rage into a productive direction was his responsibility as a senior member.
Natsu stared at Ren, the flames on his arms slowly dying down. He huffed, crossing his arms. "Fine. But when I face them... they're dead meat."
"Right! That's the spirit!" Makarov cheered. "If they don't treasure their comrades, then we will!"
"Come! Drink! Welcome, Miss Yukino!!"
The cheers erupted again, louder than before.
Yukino wanted to say something more, to explain that she shouldn't impose, but Mira had already placed a glass of warm wine in her hand.
"I know you've just gone through something painful," Mira said with a smile that could melt the coldest ice. "So just drink. Use joy to wash away the pain. It's a very good way."
Yukino looked at the wine, then at the smiling faces around her. Slowly, she lifted the glass.
The sun rose over the capital of Crocus, heralding the arrival of the next stage of the tournament. The excitement in the air was palpable, buzzing through the streets like electricity.
[Grand Magic Games Day 3 Competition Mode]
The massive lacrima screens floating above the Domus Flau flickered to life, broadcasting the event to the entire kingdom.
[The Grand Magic Games has finally reached the third day of the Middle Stage. Currently sweeping first and second place is the Fairy Tail Guild. It must be said, this is a minor miracle considering their absence for seven years!]
Chapati Lola's voice boomed through the stadium speakers.
"Yes, the members of Fairy Tail have all performed very well. Their spirit is commendable," Yajima, the former council member, nodded and said, adjusting his hat.
[Today's guest is Mr. Lahar from the Magic Council.]
The camera panned to a stern-looking man with glasses and long dark hair. He sat stiffly, looking as if he would rather be anywhere else.
Lahar nodded and said, "Please treat me well."
[Mr. Lahar is the Captain of the Custody Enforcement Unit, right?] Chapati asked.
"Yes," Lahar replied, pushing up his glasses. His eyes scanned the arena with a hawk-like intensity. "I will not tolerate any foul play in the tournament. The law must be upheld, even in a game."
In the audience, Mest Gryder sat quietly, disguised in casual clothes. He had been forced to come by Lahar to watch the proceedings. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
He felt quite a bit of guilt toward Fairy Tail. As a Council Member who had infiltrated them under the name Doranbolt, he had grown attached. Yet, he hadn't saved anyone from Fairy Tail when Acnologia attacked Tenrou Island. Because of him and his mission, a little girl like Wendy had been dragged into danger.
Knowing that everyone from Fairy Tail was safe and sound after their seven-year slumber, the guilt in his heart was relieved quite a bit, but he still felt indebted to them. He watched the Fairy Tail team in the arena, silently cheering for them.
[The competition event for the third day is Pandemonium!]
The announcement echoed through the stadium.
[The number of participants is one person per guild!! Now, each guild please select your representative.]
In the Fairy Tail waiting room, the team looked at each other.
"Pandemonium? Sounds chaotic," Gray noted.
"I'll go!" Erza Scarlet stepped forward, her armor clanking. Her eyes were sharp, focused. She sensed that this event would require endurance and combat skill—her specialties.
"Good luck, Erza!" Lucy cheered for Erza, pumping her fist.
"Let me go! I want to crush Sabertooth!"
Natsu clamored to go out, jumping up and down. Smoke puffed from his nostrils. "It was already the third day, and I haven't had a proper fight yet! I need to punch something!"
"Denied," Erza said simply, walking toward the entrance. "Sit down and watch, Natsu."