Lucy sighed heavily the moment Chase mentioned the topic.
Since she hadn't completed the "destroy the books" part of the commission, she and Natsu ended up empty-handed no reward, not even a single coin.
"Yeah, that's right!" Lucy said with an exaggerated nod. "Even though we didn't get paid, and I ran into this weirdo chanting 'Lullaby' on the way back… I did read a phenomenal novel and got a Golden Zodiac Key! So, I guess it was still a great mission!"
Her frustration faded as quickly as it came, replaced by a big, bright grin. Clearly, just acquiring that key made it all worth it.
Chase, however, frowned slightly at her words. "You met someone suspicious chanting 'Lullaby'?" he asked, his tone turning serious. "That's what happens when you team up with Nazhabi."
"Right?!" Lucy exclaimed, throwing up both hands. "I knew I wasn't the only one thinking that!"
Chase folded his arms, thoughtful. The Lullaby a cursed flute that harvests human souls when played wasn't just folklore. Its roots traced back to the demonic tome from Jellal's infamous collection. If that thing was truly surfacing…
Seeing Chase's thoughtful expression, Lucy blinked and suddenly remembered her manners. "Oh by the way! I mean, thank you for the advice, Mr. Chase!"
"There's no need to be so formal," Chase said, waving his hand casually. "We're all guildmates. I'm just a few years older. Just call me 'brother,' like Natsu and Gray do."
Lucy froze. The shift in tone caught her completely off guard. After a beat, she laughed awkwardly and gave a big, respectful nod.
"O-okay! Brother Chase it is!"
But in her mind, she whispered: Although… I'm pretty sure Gray and Natsu just call me 'Lucy'…
As if trying to change the subject, she quickly added, "By the way, Brother Chase really is super strong! You even defeated those colossal monsters from ancient times! That's just unreal!"
Chase gave a small, amused smile. "Sounds like you're itching for that kind of battle, too. Just like Natsu and the others. Maybe I should take you along next time I get a commission like that."
Lucy's expression instantly froze.
"NOPE! Definitely not looking forward to it!!" she shouted, frantically waving her hands.
Seeing how serious Chase looked no trace of a joke in his voice Lucy immediately straightened up and waved her hands frantically.
"Brother Chase! Please don't drag me into something like that!"
Fighting against a monster that could flatten an entire island just by stomping once? No way. No amount of lives could possibly be enough to survive that.
And just then as if summoned by chaos itself Natsu popped up from behind, still radiating steam from his usual post-brawl scuffle.
"Sounds awesome! Hey Lucy, let's take on an S-rank mission next time!" he grinned with gleaming eyes.
Lucy nearly choked. "What is wrong with you?! Were you not listening to a word I just said?!"
Natsu pointed at her proudly. "I heard you loud and clear. You said I should take you with me!"
"I SAID NOTHING OF THE SORT! I ONLY HEARD THE LAST THREE WORDS: 'TAKE ME' ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!"
Lucy groaned, facepalming hard. There was no winning with this flame-brained lunatic. She let out a long, tired sigh, bracing herself to launch into another argument…
But before she could say another word, a cold, disdainful voice echoed from the second floor of the guild hall.
"Tch. I swear the old man's going senile… letting weak trash like that into the guild."
The air instantly chilled.
Everyone looked up.
Leaning on the wooden railing above them was a tall man in a sweater jacket, short blond hair slicked back, and a lightning-charged sneer dancing at the edge of his lips. His eyes scanned the room like a predator, looking down on everyone with scorn.
The moment he appeared, the entire rowdy guild hall fell into an eerie silence. Even the toughest hotheads from before suddenly quieted, their expressions tense.
Lucy glanced up nervously. "Laxus…?"
She didn't need an introduction. The oppressive pressure he exuded said it all.
Chase took a calm step forward and gently moved to stand between Lucy and Laxus's line of sight.
"I see you're here today, Laxus."
His voice was level, neutral, but his gaze was firm unflinching.
The sparks of tension in the air had just begun to fly.
Lucy couldn't help but gulp. The man on the second floor radiated a completely different kind of danger an overwhelming pressure that set him apart from anyone else she'd met in the guild so far.
"He's an S-Class wizard too," Happy whispered as he fluttered down beside her. "Same as Chase. And remember that terrifying Erza lady you met yesterday? He's one of the top contenders for strongest in the entire guild."
"The strongest... candidate?!" Lucy's eyes widened in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Laxus locked eyes with Chase. The corner of his mouth curled upward not in friendliness, but in challenge.
"So you're finally back," Laxus said. "I came all the way here just to handle a commission. Figured I'd see for myself what all the noise was about."
"Oh really?" Chase smiled casually. "You doing recyclables now? I guess trash does attract trash."
Laxus's eyes darkened instantly.
"What did you say?!"
"You called Lucy trash just because she's a newbie. But you've got the same blond hair as her, don't you? That makes you trash too, right?"
Chase didn't budge an inch under Laxus's killing aura. His tone was calm, almost too calm.
He knew the kind of person Laxus would eventually become the dependable, loyal powerhouse who'd fight to protect the guild. But right now, in this stage of rebellion and arrogance... the guy seriously needed someone to smack some sense into him.
Behind Chase, Lucy stared wide-eyed. Wait... why do I feel insulted too?
Laxus let out a cold laugh.
"You haven't changed at all, Chase. Still the same smug bastard who gets under my skin."
He straightened, throwing his arms wide open like a conquering king.
"People talk. Some say you're the strongest wizard in Fairy Tail. Others say it's me. But there's only one truth "
His voice thundered across the guild.
" the title of strongest belongs to me, Laxus Dreyar!"
BOOM!
A pulse of lightning surged through the air as sparks crackled from Laxus's body, rattling furniture and shaking glasses on the tables.
The moment Laxus's declaration rang out, thunder cracked overhead and lightning lit up the entire guild.
A terrifying surge of magical pressure exploded like a volcano, crashing over the guild members like a tidal wave. Even hardened fighters like Natsu and Gray found it hard to breathe.
"Chase!" Laxus shouted, sparks leaping from his shoulders. "Let's settle this once and for all! We never finished our fight last time!"
Electricity danced across the ceiling as Laxus raised one hand and hooked his finger at Chase, daring him to come forward.
"You in that much of a hurry to get knocked down?" Chase replied smoothly, a faint grin tugging at his lips. A card shimmered between his fingers, spinning with quiet menace.
Then
BOOM!
An explosion of magic burst from Chase's body, slamming into Laxus's aura like a meteor collision. The shockwave howled through the guild, blasting tables and chairs into the air.
The air itself twisted between them. Sparks and shadow collided, filling the room with blinding flashes and black lightning.
The Dark Magician Girl snapped to his side, staff in hand, a glowing magic circle spinning beneath her feet. Her expression turned serious as she readied herself, silent but loyal.
As a card summoned by Chase's soul and magic, she was bound to him heart and will. If a storm was coming, she would weather it at his side.
"W-Wait… this is really happening?" someone stammered.
"S-Class versus S-Class… inside the guild?!"
Even the most seasoned Fairy Tail members began to panic. This wasn't just a brawl. This was a clash between monsters. The sheer pressure flooding the room was enough to freeze lesser wizards in place.
They'd seen fights. Big ones.
But this?
This felt like a battle that could tear the guild apart.
"Well, that's enough."
A calm but commanding voice cut through the chaos like a blade.
Although Lucy was visibly trembling with fear understandably, given that this S-Class confrontation had erupted over her she still gathered what little courage she had and stepped forward, determined to stop them. She didn't know what she could do against two monsters like Chase and Laxus, but at the very least, she wanted to take responsibility. Even if it wasn't really her fault, it had all started with that one comment.
But just as she took a step into the brewing storm of clashing magic, a gentle hand caught her wrist and yanked her back.
Startled, Lucy turned and looked up only to meet Mira's face.
Or rather... something far more terrifying.
Before Lucy could even ask what was going on, the air suddenly trembled again. A new magic pressure flooded the guild, heavier and darker than anything before. A massive wave of power erupted without warning, engulfing the hall in an ominous purple glow. The magic circle that appeared above the floor spun with malevolent grace, lined with infernal runes and drenched in demonic power.
The breathless stillness shattered as Kana and the others looked up and instantly froze.
Their eyes widened in horror. Cold sweat dripped down their temples. Expressions of disbelief swept across their faces one by one.
That form… That pressure…
It wasn't the sweet, gentle Mira they knew.
It was her.
The demon Mirajane the Satan Soul.
Her long silver hair billowed like a pale flame. Her burgundy dress rippled with energy, and her eyes were no longer soft and warm. They were cold, resolute, with a faint red glow that hinted at the power she now held completely in check. Her voice, when it came, was neither loud nor sharp. Yet it cut straight through the raging magical chaos with chilling finality.
"Laxus," she said evenly, her eyes narrowing. "This is a guild. Would you please behave yourself?"
Laxus's defiant smirk faltered. His eyes widened slightly. That voice those eyes this oppressive, overwhelming aura…
That old, familiar fear surged back from the depths of memory.
For a long moment, no one moved.
Then, Laxus exhaled sharply, clicked his tongue in annoyance, and dispelled the lightning swirling around him. The tension in the air lifted as the pressure receded, leaving behind only the stunned silence of a guild that had narrowly avoided catastrophe.
"…Tch," he muttered. "Fine."
He crossed his arms and looked away, refusing to meet Mira's gaze again.
But Mira wasn't done.
"Chase," she said, turning her head toward him. "You too."
Chase merely shrugged, his fingers flicking gently as the glowing card dissolved into flickering motes of light and vanished into the air. Beside him, the Black Magician Girl, who had already begun channeling her next spell, lowered her wand with a pout and allowed her spell circle to fade.
"Since there are people who love getting in the way," Laxus scoffed from above, his voice sharp and biting, "we'll stop here today, Chase. But mark my words someday, I'll show you who truly stands at the top of Fairy Tail."
With that, he gave a wicked grin, his body surging with crackling electricity. In a flash of thunder, he vanished, leaving behind only the lingering arcs of lightning dancing along the railing of the second-floor corridor.
Chase calmly raised his gaze, watching the last spark fade.
"I'll look forward to it, Laxus."
His voice was soft, almost indifferent, but resolute.
Truthfully, he had no desire to settle things now. The coming "Thunder Palace" incident would be a defining moment for Laxus a crucible that would finally temper his arrogance and turn him into the reliable man the guild would come to depend on.
Chase had no intention of rushing that transformation.
No, this brief confrontation had only one purpose: standing up for Lucy.
She might be new, but she was their guildmate and in Fairy Tail, that meant everything.
Behind him, Lucy stood frozen, eyes wide, lips parted, and not a single word able to leave her mouth. She had just witnessed something unimaginable.
The always-smiling, warm, gentle Mira…
That same Mira had transformed into something so terrifying, so powerful, that the air itself had seemed to tremble in fear. Her aura had eclipsed even Laxus's storm. It was beautiful in its majesty, yet undeniably overwhelming.
Lucy trembled and whispered, almost inaudibly.
"…Sister Mira… is scary…"
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