In the end, it was Lucy who reacted the quickest and used the tea on the table as a medium to summon Aquarius, the Celestial Spirit of Water.
Thanks to her desperate move, the disaster of her entire rental home being burned down by Natsu was narrowly avoided.
But Lucy herself didn't escape unscathed
She was severely punished.
Not by Natsu.
But by Aquarius.
Apparently, summoning her without a proper summoning circle and while she was in the middle of a date was reason enough for a full-scale beatdown.
Now, Lucy lay slumped in a bubble-filled bathtub, her body aching all over. Only her eyes peeked out, glazed with exhaustion.
"...It's really not easy being me. I barely made it through the day."
She let out a long sigh, finally feeling the blissful silence of solitude return.
After the impromptu "concert," Chase and the Dark Magician Girl had gone back to their place across the river. Natsu and Happy had been forcibly kicked out.
So at last, it was just her.
Peace. Quiet.
『Blub... blub...』
A strange gurgling noise echoed from beneath the surface.
Lucy blinked.
Then froze.
Suddenly, a pink head emerged from the bubbles right between her chest.
"Princess," Virgo Baluge said calmly. "Do you require my services?"
"NO! Why are you still here?!" Lucy screamed, trying to cover herself with foam as she flailed in the tub.
Baluge stared at her blankly. "As your devoted Celestial Spirit, I cannot allow myself to rest until I have served you fully. Therefore, Princess…"
She pulled out a whip from… somewhere.
"Please punish me thoroughly."
"…So everything you said earlier was just buildup for a masochist routine?!"
Lucy felt the last traces of her strength leave her body. She sank back into the bath, letting the foam consume her.
"I should've known. I really should've known…"
The truth was undeniable now:
Virgo Baluge was a bona fide, textbook masochist.
"…I can feel my normal life slipping further and further away…"
Lucy stared at the expectant maid spirit in front of her, recalling the fiery chaos from just hours ago, and simply gave up. With a groan, she sank into the bubbles, letting them rise past her nose as she exhaled little bursts of despair.
『Blub… blub…』
The Next Morning.
As the first rays of dawn filtered through the sleepy town of Magnolia, Chase set off early toward the Fairy Tail guildhall.
The familiar streets greeted him with the usual "warm" welcomes from his neighbors murmurs of awe, cautious nods, and a wide berth.
He didn't mind. He was used to it.
After all, yesterday Makarov had finalized the schedule for the upcoming Guild Masters' Regular Assembly in Kulobala Town. Chase had agreed to attend with him.
The summit would span two full days, broken into three sessions. The first one was this afternoon, which meant they had to board the earliest train to make it in time.
So here he was, strolling into the guild just as the sun began to rise over the horizon.
If there was ever a time when Fairy Tail was actually quiet, it was this hour before the chaos and brawling of daily life kicked in.
Most of the members were still buried under their blankets, lost in dreams of treasure or meat or, in Natsu and Happy's case, both.
As Chase pushed open the guild's double doors, only a handful of early risers were around.
Veteran members Macao and Wakaba sat at a table with mugs of morning brew and stale bread, arguing enthusiastically over a highly intellectual topic:
"…No, I'm telling you, the girls on East Seventh Avenue have the perkier ones. You just haven't seen them in motion yet."
"You blind old goat! West Market girls got way more bounce per step!"
Apparently, breakfast didn't need flavor when the conversation had that much spice.
Elsewhere, Nab, still dressed like a caveman for reasons no one dared question anymore, was solemnly staring at the mission board probably trying to work up the courage to take a job for the first time this year.
Everything was peaceful…
Too peaceful. And that's when it happened.
BOOM!!!
The guild doors flew open with a thunderous crash.
Everyone turned in unison.
Standing in the morning light, framed dramatically in the doorway, was a figure clad in red armor and an unmistakable aura of power. Erza Scarlet.
This guy Nab looked so natural standing next to the commission board that he practically blended in with it. For a moment, Chase didn't even notice him.
After offering a few casual nods to the other early risers, Chase made his way straight to the bar.
As expected, Mira, dressed in an elegant burgundy dress, was already behind the counter, her long silver hair gently flowing with her movement.
"Good morning, Chase," she greeted warmly, her smile as gentle as always. She slid a breakfast plate across the counter toward him. "I heard you're leaving with the Master for the regular meeting today, so I made this just for you."
On the plate were two steaming fried eggs, freshly baked meat floss bread, and a glass of warm milk, its surface swirling softly in the morning light.
"Thanks." Chase didn't stand on ceremony. He grabbed a nearby chair, rolled up his sleeves, and immediately dug in, biting into the bread like a man who hadn't eaten in days.
"Delicious," he said with his mouth half full.
Mira simply smiled, tilting her head slightly and watching him eat like it was the most natural thing in the world.
From their table nearby, Macao and Wakaba watched this scene with mixed emotions.
"Damn it," Makao muttered, grinding his teeth. "So that's why Mira wouldn't let me have any. She made it for him."
"This rock-hard dry toast in my hand suddenly feels like betrayal," Wakaba groaned, holding his sad little crust of bread like it had personally offended him. "You lucky bastard!"
Back at the bar, Chase wiped his mouth and stretched lazily.
He felt refreshed, full, and ready to face anything even a room full of guild masters.
Well... almost anything.
Because just as he set his cup down, the guild doors slammed open behind him with a loud BANG again.
Mira's expression didn't change, but Chase noticed the faint twitch in her smile as she turned toward the entrance.
A powerful aura swept through the guild like a storm.
She was back.
No matter how bitter they felt inside, Makao and Wakaba weren't foolish enough to grumble aloud.
After all, they valued their lives.
Offending two S-Class monsters one with a demonic transformation and the other who could summon dragons with a card was basically asking to be turned into paste.
Chase, unfazed by the jealous stares drilling into the back of his head, took another sip of hot milk and turned to Mira.
"So... where's the old man? Didn't he say we were leaving first thing in the morning?"
"He said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so he had to put on something nice," Mira replied, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm… I think he should be done by now."
Just as she spoke, the creak of footsteps came from the staircase.
"Yo, Chase! You're early!"
Chase looked up at the familiar voice and nearly sprayed Mira with hot milk.
Makarov stood at the bottom of the stairs in a jet-black three-piece suit, tie tied tight, sleeves ironed smooth, and leather shoes gleaming like polished gems.
The usually carefree old man was now the picture of elegance and professionalism.
For a moment, Chase was stunned.
Is this… the same president who once jumped on a table to peep under Cana's skirt?
It was such a stark contrast from his usual half-naked beer-guzzling self that Chase could hardly believe his eyes.
"All this… for a regular guild meeting?" he asked, deadpan.
Makarov puffed out his chest and smoothed down his lapel.
"Hmph! A president must maintain dignity in front of his peers! You think I'd let those other wrinkly geezers outshine me?"
"So... yes," Chase muttered with a twitch in his eyebrow.
Mira giggled behind her hand.
"Well, how do I look?" Makarov did a small spin, clearly enjoying himself.
"Like a kid going to prom for the first time," Chase said with a sigh as he downed the last of his milk. "Let's go before you decide to add a top hat."
Just then
BOOM!
The guild doors were kicked open with thunderous force.
A storm-like pressure swept in, silencing everything in an instant.
Everyone turned.
She stood there, scarlet hair blowing in the breeze, suitcase in one hand, armor glinting faintly under her cloak.
Erza Scarlet had returned.
To be honest, if it weren't for that unmistakable Mediterranean hairstyle, Chase probably wouldn't have recognized him at first glance.
Makao and Wakaba, who were twitching at the corners of their mouths, clearly felt the same.
Even Nabu usually one with a one-track mind had momentarily torn his gaze away from the request board to glance over in surprise.
"President, that suit really suits you. You look quite dashing," Mira said sweetly, her smile radiant as always.
Makao: How is that a good match?
Wakaba: Handsome? Really? Is this some kind of prank?
Nabu: Huh, do we have a new member?
"Hahaha! Well, of course! I'm attending the Guild Masters' Council today I have to show some class!" Makarov replied proudly, smoothing down his lapels.
Makao: How is he just accepting Mira's compliments like that without shame?
Wakaba: Did he even look in a mirror before leaving the house?
Nabu: Oh… it's the old man. Never mind then.
With that, Nabu turned back to his eternal dilemma choosing a commission that matched his very specific and often pointless criteria.
Chase forced a polite laugh, the corners of his mouth twitching as he replied, "Ahaha… You truly live up to your title, Master."
Makarov nodded solemnly, clearly not picking up on the sarcasm.
And then
BOOM.
The guild doors slammed open with a deafening crack, shaking the very walls.
A gust of cold wind swept through the entrance like a blade, silencing all conversation.
Even Nab turned around again, eyes wide.
There, in the doorway, stood a tall figure cloaked in shadow.
A steel suitcase rested by her armored boots. Her scarlet hair, like flame, swayed in the morning breeze.
With piercing eyes and an unshakable aura
Erza Scarlet had returned to Fairy Tail.
It wasn't that Makarov's outfit was ugly, per se… but seeing him in that crisp, overly polished suit felt like watching Natsu drive a magic vehicle to deliver mail completely out of character and jarringly comical.
Chase's mouth twitched again.
"By the way, Chase," Makarov added, suddenly turning serious, "why don't you put on a suit as well? This regular meeting is different from the others."
"Uh, no thanks. I'm just going along to sit in the corner," Chase declined immediately, waving his hand.
Makarov sighed in disappointment, then gave a cheeky smirk. "That's a shame. Looks like I'll be stealing all the spotlight, then eh, old man?"
He puffed up proudly, adjusting the bright red tie on his chest like a peacock showing off its feathers. His shiny shoes practically sparkled, and to top it off there was a faint fragrance trailing around him, complete with glittering sparkle effects.
Chase's soul nearly left his body.
Oh my god... he actually put on perfume?!
Even Mira, who had been enduring everything with her usual gentle smile, finally broke character a little.
"President," she said softly, trying not to laugh, "it's about time."
"Huh? Right, right!" Makarov snapped back to reality. "Let's go, Chase. If we miss the first train, we'll be late! This regular meeting is too important to be tardy for!"
Still holding his head high with an air of misplaced elegance, Makarov marched toward the door with surprising speed.
Chase sighed, finished the last bite of bread, then stood up and muttered, "I can already tell this is going to be a long day..." and followed after him.
Maka Super Reliable Love also has such a cute childish side...
Looking at the old man's excited and expectant expression, Chase sighed helplessly and stood up to follow.
Soon, the figures of an old man and a young man left the guild and disappeared at the end of Magnolia Street in the early morning.
After they left, Natsu, Happy, Gray, Lucy and others came to the guild one after another.
As more and more people came, the deserted atmosphere became hot again, and there was vitality everywhere.
Suddenly, the guild door was violently pushed open.
Loki, looking panicked, rushed in, and with just one sentence, the noisy scene fell into deathly silence.
"Oh, something terrible has happened! Erza..."
"Erza is back!!!"
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