Magnolia.
The raucous celebration at Fairy Tail's guild hall had reached its climax. Laughter, magic, and music swirled together in a chaotic harmony only this guild could produce.
Natsu and Happy tore up the dance floor with their signature "flame-spin-tackle" routine. Gray, true to form, had already lost most of his clothes and was performing a completely unintended strip show. Bisca twirled through the crowd with a bewitching charm, while the men of the Raijin Tribe struck synchronized, over-the-top poses that no one asked for. Kana was at the center of it all, emptying barrel after barrel of booze like a bottomless pit.
Everywhere Lucy looked, she saw madness and joy.
"So this is a Fairy Tail party," she muttered, watching the mayhem from her quiet corner. "It's even more… eye-catching than I imagined."
She sat with her arms folded over her knees, a little overwhelmed and awkward. It was hard to match the wild rhythm of this place when you were new.
"It's normal to feel that way," said a sweet, cheerful voice beside her. "When things get this crazy, your best bet is just to take personal safety precautions."
Lucy turned her head and instantly smiled.
"Dark Magician Girl!"
The magical girl, dressed in her usual playful outfit, plopped down across from Lucy. She glanced toward the center of the celebration, resting her chin in her palm.
"It's been over a year since we joined the guild, but nothing's changed," she said with a soft sigh. "Everyone's energy is as chaotic and limitless as ever."
"That's… a very accurate description," Lucy said with a small laugh.
Then she blinked, realizing what the Dark Magician Girl had said earlier. "Wait, what did you mean by 'personal safety precautions'?"
Before the answer could come, a loud whoosh cut through the air.
A wooden wine barrel, completely empty and spinning like a missile, flew across the guild hall straight toward them.
Without even standing up, the Dark Magician Girl twirled her wand and casually batted it back like a baseball.
BANG!
A loud crash echoed from the other end of the hall. Someone yelped in pain.
"Nice! That was a perfect home run!" the Dark Magician Girl chirped, flashing a proud scissor-hand pose and grinning from ear to ear.
Lucy sweatdropped.
"...Yeah, I think I get it now."
Just as Lucy finished speaking, inspiration struck. With quick reflexes, she reached up and grabbed Happy out of the air, yanking the flying Exceed down in one swift motion.
She held him in front of her like a shield, her eyes serious.
"This move is called… Star Magic: Happy Shield!"
"Hey! Lucy, what are you doing?!" Happy flailed his tiny paws, utterly baffled.
"Shut up, you dead cat! I haven't even settled the score with you for leaking my gossip to Sister Mira!" Lucy snapped.
Happy tried to wriggle free, eyes darting in search of an escape. "W-Wait, I can explain !"
Bonk!
A flying slipper came sailing through the air and smacked Happy square on the head.
His eyes rolled back, his mouth hung open, and a ghostly white wisp floated from his body as he slumped in Lucy's arms.
"Success!" Lucy shouted, mimicking the Dark Magician Girl's signature pose. "Personal protection, 100% effective!"
The two blonde girls looked at each other, burst into laughter, and exchanged matching victory signs with sparkling eyes. For a moment, they were perfectly in sync two cheerful troublemakers reveling in their small triumph.
"By the way, Lucy," the Dark Magician Girl asked, eyes lighting up, "your super cute spirit is called Plue, right? Can I give it a hug?"
"Of course! Open Gate of the Canis Minor!" Lucy called out, raising her key.
In a flash of silver light, Plue appeared, wagging his tail and doing his usual wobbly shuffle.
"Plue, say hi to the Dark Magician Girl!"
The magical girl squealed with joy and scooped Plue into her arms. "You're even cuter up close!" she giggled as she squeezed him like a plushie.
Lucy giggled too, and her eyes drifted to the pretty wand resting beside the Dark Magician Girl. "By the way, what kind of magic do you use? That wand looks really unique."
"This?" The girl picked it up and twirled it between her fingers. "It's called Black Magic. My master taught it to me."
"Master?" Lucy blinked. "Wait, the Dark Magician Girl has a teacher? And it's called Black Magic? That sounds strong…"
"Yup! My master's knowledge of magic is insanely vast," she said proudly. "But he doesn't like big crowds, so he usually stays hidden."
Then, with a playful wink, she added, "But if you want, I can ask him to introduce you to someone who can help you train. With the master's recommendation, you'll definitely get stronger!"
Lucy's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Really? That would be amazing! Thank you so much!"
While the two blonde girls laughed and chatted near the edge of the party, away from the bar and the chaos at the center, Chase stood with Mira beside him. Makarov sat perched casually on the edge of a table, arms crossed and his expression unusually serious.
"I see… So that's what happened," Makarov muttered, stroking his chin after hearing Chase recount the full truth about the incident on the Island of Demon Ruins.
He had originally thought it was just a high-risk S-Class subjugation mission. But now, after hearing the dark conspiracies behind it, his expression darkened.
"If things were really that deep, then that commission wasn't just S-Class. It should've been classified at the highest level… Maybe even an SS-Class mission."
Mira's eyes narrowed slightly as she listened, her usual smile faintly fading.
"And above that," Makarov added, "there are Ten-Year Quests… and even the legendary Hundred-Year Quests."
The implications were clear. Someone was stirring chaos behind the scenes someone powerful.
Makarov shifted his gaze to Mira. "Mira, compile all relevant information about this incident. Send it to the Magic Council first thing tomorrow. Those old fossils are going to start pestering us for answers the moment we breathe."
"Understood." Mira gave a short nod, her usual grace returning as she took mental notes.
Makarov turned his attention back to Chase. "And as for you, you're coming with me to Kalloba Town tomorrow."
"Kalloba?" Chase raised an eyebrow.
"The regular meeting of the guild masters is being held there," Makarov said with a wide grin. "With this incident getting so much attention, the other guilds are bound to start puffing out their chests. We'll need to humble them a bit and you're the perfect guy to help me do that!"
There was a gleam of pride in the old man's eyes.
"Got it. I'll go with you," Chase answered without hesitation.
He had no interest in showing off, but if his presence could protect the guild's honor and maybe get a free meal while he was at it he didn't mind at all.
Chase's unusually cooperative attitude left both Makarov and Mira slightly stunned.
"…That's not like you," Makarov said, narrowing his eyes. "You usually avoid official gatherings like the plague."
He was already gearing up to strong-arm Chase into going if necessary, so this sudden agreement threw him off.
Chase simply chuckled. "I've got a feeling something interesting's going to happen at this meeting."
He didn't elaborate further, and Makarov could only sigh, sensing there was something mischievous behind that grin.
Later that evening, as expected, the celebratory banquet devolved into a full-on brawl.
Plates flew, tables overturned, and Gray's clothes once again disappeared somewhere in the chaos. But with Makarov present, the damage was quickly reined in. One good yell from the old master, and the room settled like scolded schoolchildren.
Under his watchful glare, the guild members sobered up and returned to normal.
One by one, they began accepting commissions, checking the board, and filing out in small groups to begin their assignments. The hall slowly quieted, leaving behind the echoes of a wild but typical Fairy Tail day.
Meanwhile, Chase took the Dark Magician Girl with him to the Council building to finish some overdue business namely, turning in the leader of the dark guild: Clooney.
Since the fight on the high seas had escalated so quickly, there had been no time to leave Clooney in custody. Instead, Chase had sealed him into a card, a special containment method used by card wizards in emergencies.
Now, with everything finally settled, Chase was able to deliver the sealed Clooney to the proper authorities, bringing closure to the S-Class pirate subjugation mission.
Thanks to the fame he'd earned from the Demon Ruins incident, the Council processed everything without delay.
And with that, the reward for the mission 9.9 million J was smoothly transferred to Chase.
By the time he returned to the guild, the sun had already dipped low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue across Magnolia.
The streets bustled with life. Children laughed in the distance. The familiar silhouette of the Fairy Tail guild stood proudly against the fading light.
Chase glanced up at the sign above the door, then smiled.
Another day, another adventure.
As soon as he stepped through the door, Chase spotted Mira waving at him from across the guild hall.
"You're back, Chase. Some wizards from Black Pheasant's Foot have been waiting for you for a while now."
Chase's smile froze the moment he heard that familiar name.
Seriously? We're already in Magnolia. How are they still haunting me?
"What a cursed fate," he muttered under his breath.
He followed Mira's line of sight and spotted the three unmistakable members of the Black Pheasant's Foot Guild Ina, Bu Ke Le Wen, and Da Sha Niu chatting away with Lucy and Cana at a corner table.
"Oh, it's you guys," Chase said, rubbing his temple as he approached. "Ina, Bu Ke Le Wen, Da Sha Niu… I should've guessed. You really came all the way here just to say thanks? That's a bit over the top for a small favor."
He laughed, assuming they were just being overly sentimental.
But the moment he finished, Lucy and Cana both gave him a look of utter disdain.
And then
Ina, all long legs and curves, shot up from her seat, her cheeks flushed with indignation.
She marched right up to Chase, shoved her hand out with fire in her eyes, and shouted, "Pay back the money!!"
Chase blinked, caught off guard.
Ah. So this was about that.
Back then, they'd agreed to split the damages from the destroyed merchant ship. Chase had helped save the vessel and its passengers, and the maritime guard had safely escorted the survivors back to port. But as part of the rushed negotiation, some fees and losses had been provisionally "covered" by Ina and her team… on Chase's personal tab.
"Ahaha… Right, about that " Chase started, scratching the back of his head.
"We risked our necks! And then you just flew off like some cool lone hero and left us with the bill!"
Behind her, Bu Ke Le Wen sighed, Da Sha Niu crossed her arms, and Lucy muttered, "So this is the real Chase…"
Cana snorted into her mug. "Looks like our resident S-Class wizard's got some debts to settle."
"Well then," Mira said cheerfully, appearing with a ledger out of nowhere, "shall I help you calculate the interest on that 'small favor'?"
Chase groaned as the teasing laughter around the hall grew louder.
"Remind me never to do anyone a favor again."
Ina stared blankly at the hefty pouch of compensation in her hands, unable to process the sudden turn of events.
Her teammates, Bu Ke Le Wen and Da Sha Niu, were already cheering in the background, celebrating the fact that their wallets were no longer hemorrhaging.
But Ina's eyes remained fixed on the girl beside Chase the elegant young woman with long blonde hair, a bright smile, and a pink wand resting in her hand.
She looked like a doll come to life.
No, not a doll… more like a magical girl from a fantasy story.
She blinked again. Something about her… felt strangely familiar.
So cute… so pretty… and the way she stood so naturally close to Chase…
Wait a minute.
She helps Mr. Chase manage his money…?
She travels with him…?
Isn't that basically… a girlfriend?!
The moment the thought took root, Ina's face turned bright red.
『She's that close to him?!』
Her mind was racing as wild assumptions started flooding in.
Meanwhile, the Dark Magician Girl, completely oblivious to the brewing misunderstanding, was politely waving her wand and humming a tune, ready to tuck the gold pouch back into card space if needed.
Chase, meanwhile, was cracking his neck and casually stretching his arms, as if this entire debt collection drama had just been a minor detour.
"Sorry again for the wait," he said with a sheepish grin. "I owe you guys one."
Ina's heart skipped a beat at that smile, her thoughts in complete chaos.
『He's even apologizing so casually… And here I was about to yell at him more… Am I… am I actually soft for this guy?!』
Just then, Cana leaned in with a teasing smirk. "Oh? Ina, you're blushing. Don't tell me you like Chase now?"
"What?! I-I-I'm not!!" Ina jumped like she'd been zapped, then turned on her heel. "Let's go, you two!"
Bu Ke Le Wen and Da Sha Niu gave each other knowing looks, shrugged, and followed behind.
"I'll… I'll come back to challenge you again someday!" Ina stammered one last time, pointing a finger at Chase, though her tone was less angry and more… flustered.
Chase scratched his head.
"Challenge me? Did I miss something?"
Mira chuckled softly beside him. "Fufu, it's not the kind of challenge you're thinking of."
The Dark Magician Girl smiled innocently and tilted her head. "Master, what does she mean?"
Lucy, still eavesdropping in the corner, sighed with a hand on her forehead. "Another one's fallen…"
And thus, another day in Fairy Tail came to a strange and silly end.
The moment Ina and her teammates walked out the guild doors, Mira's warm expression softened back into her usual gentle elegance as if she hadn't just unleashed the quiet fury of a jealous demon queen.
The entire room slowly returned to normal, but Lucy, who had been stealthily observing from her corner with a rice cracker halfway to her mouth, couldn't sit still anymore.
She squinted, thoughtfully staring at the four-person square of tension that had just unfolded: Chase… the Dark Magician Girl… Mira… and the retreating figure of Ina.
The gears in her mind spun wildly.
Let's see…
Ina, clearly flustered and blushing, kept glancing at Chase.
Mira subtly stepped in and delivered a gentle yet unmistakable "leave now" warning.
The Dark Magician Girl was practically glowing as she stuck close to Chase's side, entirely unbothered.
And Chase, well, he was just smiling like nothing had happened.
Lucy's hand trembled as she slowly lowered her cracker.
No doubt about it… this isn't just a normal love triangle… It's a four-way love conflict!
She narrowed her eyes like a seasoned sleuth in a crime drama.
Then she gasped and covered her mouth in faux shock.
"There is… an affair!" she whispered dramatically, pupils shining with gossip-fueled fire.
From nearby, Happy fluttered down and blinked up at her. "Lucy, what are you muttering to yourself?"
She instantly clutched him to her chest like a cat-shaped diary.
"Nothing! Nothing you'd understand!"
Meanwhile, across the hall, Chase was stretching his arms, looking out the guild windows with a peaceful smile, completely unaware of the drama being constructed in Lucy's brain.
Mira glanced sideways at the Dark Magician Girl.
The card spirit gave her a tiny wink, then turned to Chase with a radiant smile.
And Lucy? She was already scribbling in her new notebook:
Case File #001 – The Chase Love PolygonSuspects: Mira, Dark Magician Girl, InaPrime Target: ChaseMotivation: UnknownObjective: Total Guild Domination?
"Ohhh this is getting good," Lucy muttered, her eyes burning with the thrill of mystery.
Fairy Tail may be the strongest guild in Fiore, but it was also clearly the most dramatic.
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