When the group returned and stood before the guild's main entrance, they were all dumbstruck.
The new guild was more than three times larger than the original, its white building shimmering under the sunlight.
The Fairy Tail flag fluttered atop the spires.
The main gate was twice as wide as before, with the Fairy Tail emblem carved onto the lintel, its golden patterns glowing brilliantly in the sun.
Natsu was the first to speak, his mouth wide open and his eyes shining.
"Whoa! Is this the new guild? It's huge!"
Gray's magnetic voice rang out as he crossed his arms and gave a cool nod.
"It really is amazing."
Erza agreed, looking around and nodding with satisfaction.
"I didn't expect the new guild to be so luxurious; it's much more grand than the old one."
Lucy thought back to the previous guild, then looked at the current one, and remarked, "I guess it's a blessing in disguise."
Happy let out an "aye," his little wings fluttering.
Riyao leaned against Mirajane like a mollusk. His body was still aching from the aftereffects of his Azure Dragon form, making him too lazy to move, and even his speech was tinged with lethargy.
"I wonder if the suggestion I made last time was implemented."
Mirajane thought for a moment and asked, "You mean your private lounge?"
Riyao shook his head, burying his face in the crook of Mirajane's neck.
"No, the infirmary. You know, the kind with dedicated beds, medicine cabinets, and treatment equipment, where I can sleep in while treating patients."
As they spoke, they entered the guild's main gate, and the first thing they saw was an open-air cafe.
Exquisite tables and chairs were set under white parasols, the aroma of coffee filled the air, and several guild members were sitting there leisurely enjoying afternoon tea.
Next to it was a general store with windows filled with various goods. It looked like they were selling Fairy Tail merchandise inside.
Happy flew over to say hello.
"Max is actually working as a clerk! It's been a long time since we last saw each other."
Max stood behind the counter wearing a standardized clerk uniform. He scratched his cheek and said a bit shyly,
"The Master told me to go and learn how to run this business. He said the guild needs diversified sources of income."
Everyone came over to see what was being sold in the shop.
There were figurines of various members, exquisitely crafted and lifelike. Lucy picked one up to look and said in surprise,
"There's Natsu, shirtless Gray, Erza, Mira, and even Happy! Huh, why isn't Riyao here?"
She searched through the shelves but indeed found no model of Riyao.
Riyao didn't really care; he just shrugged while leaning on Mirajane's back.
"If there isn't one, there isn't one."
Mirajane wasn't having it. She strode forward, slammed both hands on the counter, and glared fiercely at Max.
"Why isn't my darling here!? Max, if you don't give me an explanation today, I'll tear you apart!"
Max was so scared he took two steps back. He let out a forced laugh and quickly begged for mercy, his hands waving like a windmill.
"Big Sis Mira, it's not that there isn't a Riyao model! It's sold out! You know Riyao's reputation in Magnolia—the Kingdom's Number One Healing Mage. It was snatched up as soon as it hit the shelves! The orders I've placed are backlogged until next month!"
Mirajane was finally satisfied. Her lips curled up, and she stood with her hands on her hips, looking proud.
Riyao pulled out a stack of bills and slapped them on the register with grand flair.
"Go, pack up all of Mira's figurines. I'll come back for them later."
Max was overjoyed and hurried to the shelves to get them.
After checking out the shop, the group continued toward the guild hall.
Stepping inside, they saw a spacious and bright hall, many times larger than the original guild hall.
The high ceilings made the entire space feel exceptionally open. A massive crystal chandelier hung in the center, and sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating every corner.
Levy saw the group return and went to meet them, opening her arms.
"Welcome back! Lucy-chan!"
Lucy also opened her arms in response.
"Levy-chan!"
The two shared a hug, and then Levy began introducing the guild's new changes, pointing here and there like a little tour guide.
"There's even a swimming pool behind the guild hall!"
Lucy commented dryly.
"Is that actually useful for anything?"
Riyao, still leaning on Mirajane's back, teased Lucy.
"Spoken like someone who's been single since birth."
Lucy's face turned red. She wanted to argue back but didn't know how.
Levy continued her introduction, getting more excited as she spoke.
"There's a game room in the basement too! Not just cards and board games, but billiards, darts, and various other recreational facilities!"
"And, and! The biggest change is the second floor! Now anyone can go up there, though S-Class Quests still require an S-Class Mage to accompany you."
Riyao sighed, burying his face in Mirajane's shoulder.
"Ugh, that means my naps will be disturbed by this bunch of rowdy idiots from now on. Before, only S-Class could go to the second floor, so it was very quiet."
Levy thought for a moment and clapped her hands.
"Oh right! Regarding Riyao-san, a dedicated infirmary has been added! It's at the very back of the second floor, very quiet."
Riyao revealed a faint smile and looked at Natsu and Gray. That smile was so gentle it made their skin crawl.
"Now that I have a place to nap, you're more than welcome to come for treatment."
Natsu and Gray clung to each other, shivering as they remembered the days when they were used as Riyao's guinea pigs when they were kids.
Back then, every time Riyao developed a new medicine, he would use the two of them to test it. The various strange side effects were still fresh in their memories.
"No way!" Natsu shook his head frantically.
"Spare me, please," Gray said, pressing his hands together in prayer.
Lucy facepalmed and remarked, "Just how much psychological trauma do they have?"
Makarov then popped up from behind the bar, his aged face full of smiles.
"You're back, you bratty kids."
"Let me introduce a new member to you! Juvia!"
Juvia gave Gray and the others a sweet smile, placed her hands over her chest, and gave a slight bow.
"Please take care of me, everyone."
After speaking, she stole a glance at Gray, her face turning red again.
Makarov continued, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness.
"There's one more new member."
Everyone followed Makarov's gaze. In a corner of the hall, a black-haired man leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, looking arrogant and unyielding.
It was none other than Gajeel!
Due to Riyao's interference, everyone's hostility toward him wasn't that deep.
However, Natsu was the type who'd pick a fight with a stray dog on the street. Seeing Gajeel made him explode.
He rushed up to provoke him with a look of pure disdain, poking his finger against Gajeel's chest.
"Huh? The Iron Junkie actually joined the guild? Are you even worthy?"
Seeing Mirajane made Gajeel feel a phantom pain in his body, and seeing Riyao made his head ache slightly.
He silently moved two steps to the side, staying away from those two.
Levy had been quite afraid of Gajeel that night, but after seeing Mirajane give him a beating, she felt somewhat embarrassed for him.
She stole a glance at Gajeel and realized this iron man didn't seem so scary after all.
Just then, the lights dimmed, and the hall fell silent.
Lisanna went on stage to perform a song. Her sweet singing voice echoed through the guild hall like a clear spring flowing through everyone's hearts.
The song calmed their restless hearts. The originally rowdy guild members all quieted down; some closed their eyes to listen, while others swayed gently to the rhythm.
Ur walked up to Gray with a tray and reached out to ruffle his hair, her movements gentle and natural.
Gray was stunned for a moment, then showed a rare, soft expression.
Juvia didn't know who Ur was. Seeing Ur ruffle Gray's hair, she thought another love rival had appeared, and the steam coming off her body nearly scorched through the ceiling.
Natsu also lay quietly on the table, uncharacteristically peaceful.
Lucy watched Lisanna's performance with envy, wondering when she might be able to go on stage and sing a song.
Riyao had his arm around Mirajane's shoulder as they sat on the sofa watching Lisanna sing. Mirajane leaned against his shoulder, and the two quietly enjoyed this rare moment of warmth.
Gajeel changed into a white suit and went on stage holding a guitar, looking the part. But the members below weren't having it and shouted for him to get off.
"Get down from there, Iron Junkie!"
"What do you think you're singing!"
"Stop ruining that guitar!"
Lucy was puzzled by the reaction—it was just a song, right?
But as soon as Gajeel opened his mouth, it was a disaster. His voice was coarse and piercing, like metal scraping glass or a cat scratching a blackboard, leaving several people stunned.
"Shooby Dooby~"
Natsu covered his ears and yelled, "That's horrible! Get Gajeel off the stage!"
Gajeel got annoyed and threw the guitar at him. Natsu caught it and threw it back. The two started fighting, which caused a chain reaction.
Accidentally, Gray's pants were pulled down.
Gray tripped and knocked over Erza's strawberry cake.
Elfman stepped on the fallen strawberry cake and went sliding.
He crashed into Mirajane like a bowling ball.
Mirajane was knocked forward.
Riyao was dragged down with her and fell flat on his back.
Lying on the floor and looking at the ceiling, Riyao thought that the floor of the new guild was quite hard.
The new guild's first all-out brawl had officially begun!
Natsu breathed fire at Gajeel, Gajeel swung an iron rod, Gray smashed people with an ice-made hammer, Elfman showed off his muscles and knocked a crowd away, Cana swung a wine barrel around, and Macao and Wakaba were rolling around together.
The entire guild hall turned into a chaotic mess, with tables and chairs flying and drinks splashing everywhere.
Lucy and Happy hid behind the bar, shivering as they watched the melee. Lucy let out a helpless sigh.
Happy hugged his tail and whispered, "Fairy Tail is still Fairy Tail after all."
Makarov's face was covered in tears.