Lorne merely glanced at it before retracting his gaze.
'He sure knows how to enjoy himself.'
He thought to himself. This design clearly took into account the daily recreational needs of guild members and even aimed to generate income.
Natsu's attention was clearly not on these things. He sniffed the air vigorously, feeling as if something was missing.
The four followed Mira and Lucy into the castle-like main guild building. When they saw the full view of the first-floor hall, they couldn't help but freeze in place.
The entire hall was several times more spacious than before. The bar was longer and more impressive, and the tables and chairs were spread far apart, so it wouldn't feel crowded even if it were full.
"Wow!"
"It's not just these!" Mirajane led them around the bar, pointing to a glass door behind it. "Look, a new swimming pool has been built here."
Through the glass door, they could see a shimmering outdoor pool, thoughtfully equipped with beach chairs and sun umbrellas.
Erza looked around, and a rare hint of surprise appeared on her usually serious face. "This... is indeed very nice!"
Lorne, trailing at the back, observed the luxurious decor, silently calculating in his mind.
'How much money must this have cost... Old Man Makarov probably used all the funds he extorted from the Council to fulfill the promise he boasted about earlier!'
"And that's not all!" Mirajane said with a beaming smile. "A game room has also been added on the basement level, with a pool table and all sorts of fun things."
"The biggest change is actually on the second floor."
Mirajane's words successfully captured everyone's attention. She raised her hand and pointed upwards.
"From today onwards, anyone can go to the second floor."
As soon as she said this, Natsu, who had initially felt the new guild was a bit unfamiliar, instantly perked up, his eyes practically spitting fire.
"Oh, oh, oh! Really?!" He broke free from Gray's grasp and shouted excitedly, "Does that mean I can also take s-class missions?!"
Mirajane looked at his impatient expression, smiled, and wagged her index finger, directly interrupting his fantasy.
"No, Natsu."
"Although anyone can go up, the rules for s-class missions haven't changed. You must be accompanied by an S-Class Mage to accept one."
Natsu's excited flame instantly extinguished, and he turned completely Gray and dejected, muttering, "What... it's still the same..."
Just then, a powerful voice suddenly came from behind them.
"You little rascals, you're finally back!"
Everyone turned around to see Master Makarov standing there with his hands behind his back, a familiar smile on his face.
Lorne pouted and casually replied, "Old man, if you say that, I'll be sad. I'm clearly so reliable."
Master Makarov glanced at him, completely ignoring his banter, and instead turned to introduce the girl beside him.
"Come, let me introduce you. This is our new member, Juvia. Isn't she lovely!"
The blue-haired, curly-haired girl immediately bowed deeply to everyone upon hearing this.
"Nice to meet you. Please... please take care of me."
"Heh, hahaha." Gray couldn't help but chuckle a few times as he looked at her, then said, "You really joined!"
Juvia heard Gray's voice, immediately looked up, and nodded vigorously, a slight blush appearing on her face.
"Yes, Master Gray! Juvia will definitely work hard!"
"They're totally into each other~!"
A blue cat, who knows when, flew next to Gray, covering its mouth and letting out a meaningful, mischievous laugh.
Juvia's cheeks instantly turned crimson upon hearing Happy's words. She nervously wrung her hands in front of her, almost steaming.
"You stinky cat! I'll teach you a lesson!" Gray, enraged, immediately reached out to grab the leaping Happy.
The hall instantly returned to its usual noisy state.
"Alright, alright." Makarov's voice rang out again. He cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention back.
"Besides Juvia, another newcomer has joined."
The old man said, casting his gaze towards a solitary figure sitting in the corner of the bar.
"Hey, aren't you going to say hello to everyone?"
Everyone followed his gaze.
In the shadows of the corner, a black-haired figure sat there, slowly chewing on something, making a "crunch, crunch" sound.
When they saw the person's face, the previously lively atmosphere in the hall instantly dropped to freezing point.
Natsu's smile vanished, replaced by undisguised hostility, and flames ignited on his fists.
Gray also stopped chasing Happy, instinctively assuming the starting stance for Ice-Make Magic, with cold air swirling around him.
"Gajeel!"
"You... why are you here?!"
Even Erza now wore a stern and puzzled expression, speaking in a serious tone:
"Master, we can understand Juvia's situation, but this guy... he was the mastermind behind the attack on the guild!"
Makarov, however, just sighed calmly.
"Guiding young people who have gone astray back to the right path in life, that is also the mission of us old veterans." His gaze swept over Natsu, Gray, and Erza. "I believe his true nature isn't bad."
Erza ultimately chose to trust the Master's judgment.
"...I understand. I choose to abide by the Master's judgment."
Her words caused the intensity around Natsu and Gray to subside slightly, but their hostility did not dissipate.
Erza then added, "However, until I confirm he has truly reformed, I will temporarily keep an eye on him."
This was the greatest concession she could make.
Lorne hadn't spoken a word from beginning to end, merely watching quietly. He, of course, knew that Gajeel would become a reliable partner for the guild in the future and would change significantly.
But that was for the future. For now, Gajeel was a wild wolf that had just been brought in, still untamed. Verbal sermons were useless against a wild wolf; it was best to make him understand who the hunter was.
Under everyone's astonished gaze, Lorne slowly walked out of the crowd and headed straight towards where Gajeel was sitting.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on him. Natsu wanted to call out to him but was stopped by Erza's look.
He walked slowly, step by step, and the hall was so quiet that only his footsteps could be heard.
Gajeel also stopped chewing. He looked up, his face adorned with metal studs, showing a hint of rebellious defiance.
Lorne stopped in front of him, silent, and an invisible yet mountain-heavy pressure suddenly descended!
This pressure came and went quickly, in just an instant, so fast that most of the others in the hall barely noticed it, only feeling as if the air had momentarily stagnated.
But for Gajeel, who was completely locked onto by this pressure, it was a completely different experience.
In that split second, all the hairs on his body stood on end, his body stiffened uncontrollably, even breathing became difficult, and his heart skipped a beat.
When the pressure receded, Gajeel gasped for air, and fine cold sweat had already beaded on his forehead.
It was then that Lorne slowly leaned down and spoke softly, in a volume only they two could hear:
"If I ever catch you doing evil again, or harming a guildmate..."
His voice was light but carried a bone-chilling coldness.
"I hope you know the consequences."
After speaking, Lorne didn't look at him again, straightened up, turned, and walked away.
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