"Sharp as always, Lucy. You always manage to catch the important part of whatever anyone says. If you ever get tired of being a Mage, Fiore's intelligence division would love to have you."
After teasing the endlessly curious Lucy a little, Kabe finally answered her question.
"It's Laxus. He's the Lightning Dragon Slayer, and also the Guild Master's grandson. He's just so focused on his own ambitions he's rarely around the guild, which is why you've never met him."
"Laxus? The Thunder God? I had no idea he was the Guild Master's grandson."
Lucy had certainly heard Laxus's name before, but since he rarely showed up in any of the magazines, she didn't actually know much about him. Learning now that there was this kind of connection between him and the Guild Master left her more than a little surprised.
"Wait, hold on, that doesn't add up. If Laxus is the Guild Master's grandson, then why does the Guild Master keep going on about handing the guild down to you, Kabe, instead of to him?"
"Ha, isn't that obvious? Because I'm stronger than him, and not by just a little bit either."
Kabe grinned smugly, holding up his thumb and forefinger with barely a sliver of space between them, an obviously provocative little gesture, just to needle Lucy further. In front of him, Laxus was nothing more than small fry.
"Hmph. I can't just let that slide."
Everyone turned to find Laxus himself standing there.
"Kabe. Fight me right now. Let's show everyone who's really the strongest man in this guild."
Hearing this, the smile on Kabe's face froze.
Dammit, why is it every time I talk trash behind someone's back, they're always right there? Guess my luck's just clashing with me today.
Muttering that under his breath, he finally looked up with feigned surprise and spotted Laxus leaning against the second floor railing.
"Oh hey, Laxus, you're back. Been a while. Come on down, let's have a proper drink, us two brothers."
Laxus's expression stayed sour despite the warm greeting.
"Hmph. Quit changing the subject. I'm challenging you right now."
"What are you even talking about? Don't bring up fighting and killing in front of a rookie. Come on, drinks are on me today. Order whatever you want."
Under Kabe's stream of playing dumb and cracking jokes, Laxus reluctantly came down the stairs, and Kabe promptly hooked an arm around his neck and hauled him into the seat beside him. He called for drinks, and once the two of them had clinked glasses and downed one together, Kabe asked casually.
"Laxus, weren't you off training with the Thunder God Tribe? Come back because it paid off?"
Laxus didn't answer right away. He poured himself another cup, downed it in one go, and only then spoke, his tone rather complicated.
"Compared to a monster like you, what would even count as the training paying off? Just ordinary special training, that's all. Coming back this time is just a quick breather, because I'm getting ready to take on a Ten Year Quest."
Learning that Erza and Mira had successfully completed a Ten Year Quest had left Laxus in a sour mood for quite a while. Gildarts and Kabe were one thing, he could live with that, but being surpassed by Erza and Mira too was something he simply couldn't accept. That was why he'd made up his mind to complete a Ten Year Quest on his own and prove himself all over again.
Kabe caught the resentment in his words, shook his head with a wry laugh, and refilled his cup.
"You're as stubborn about being the best as ever. Strength wise, aside from the Guild Master, Gildarts, and me, you're already the strongest one in the guild."
The corner of Laxus's mouth twitched, not the least bit comforted by that.
"Someday, I'm going to surpass all three of you!"
"Mm hm, go for it. I still believe in your potential."
Kabe didn't bother arguing with him, just went along with it, smiling easily. After that, the two of them didn't dwell on the subject any longer, and between rounds of clinking cups, a few bottles quickly disappeared down their throats. In between, Laxus exchanged a brief introduction with Lucy and traded stories of recent quests with Ultear.
As the conversation went on, Laxus suddenly changed the subject, cup held near his lips, eyes shifting evasively.
"I heard Natsu and Gray are doing a photo shoot in dresses. About when's that coming out?"
Lucy: "???"
Ultear: ...
Kabe paused, set down his cup, and turned a knowing, teasing look on Laxus, who was clearly trying to hide behind another sip.
"Heh heh, there's the real you, Laxus. All that talk about resting up and taking on a Ten Year Quest, and really you just heard about this and rushed back specifically to catch the show."
"Pfft! Cough, cough—"
Unable to hold it in, Laxus spat out a mouthful of his drink, wiping his mouth in a hurry, face flushing red as he tried to save face.
"Don't talk nonsense, you bastard! I've got zero interest in that garbage!"
Watching Laxus scramble to cover for himself, Kabe exchanged a look with Ultear and Lucy, and the three of them burst out laughing all at once.