"Everyone! Starting today, we're reopening mission registrations! Although the counter is still temporary, let's all work hard!" Mira called out from behind the makeshift counter, a bright smile gracing her face.
"Ooh!"
"Work! Work!" The voices reverberated through the room. Instantly, the mages swarmed the mission board, busy choosing suitable tasks.
Lucy, who was sitting at the counter with a sour face, watched the hustle and bustle, resting her chin in her hand. "What's with them? Usually, they're just lazing around, but as soon as Miss Mira says something, everyone gets so fired up. Miss Mira's charm is really something, huh!" Her tone was tinged with a little jealousy.
Mira just let out a small giggle. "Hehe."
Suddenly, Lucy remembered something. She looked around the guild, then asked, "By the way, where is Chen Fan? I haven't seen him."
"What's wrong? Is Lucy starting to fall for him because Chen Fan saved you?" Mira teased, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
"I-I... How could I ever like that pervert! Don't just say things like that!" Lucy's face immediately turned red. To cover her embarrassment, she turned her head and said, "Oh right, why isn't Loke here either?"
"Wow, Lucy's taste is pretty high, huh!" Mira covered her mouth, her expression feigning shock.
"That's not it!" Lucy shouted, pulling out her key pouch. "It's because he seemed to be the one who helped me find my keys, so I wanted to thank him."
"Hmm, if I see him, I'll pass on the message. Speaking of which, didn't the Celestial Spirits scold you for losing your keys?"
Hearing that, Lucy turned her face away, her shoulders trembling slightly. "Scolded... it was more than that. My backside still hurts just thinking about it."
"Oh my," Mira held back her laughter by covering her mouth.
Behind Lucy, a ball of ice appeared in Gray's hand. "Do you want me to help you with a cold compress?"
"That's called veiled sexual harassment!" Lucy yelled.
Happy suddenly flew over. "Lucy, show me your red bottom!"
"That's called blatant sexual harassment!"
"Hmph." A fireball appeared in Natsu's hand. "If her bottom hurts even more, what kind of expression do you think she'll make?" Natsu asked in a cruel tone.
"Are you a demon?!" Lucy screamed at Natsu.
"Bang!"
A wooden staff flew through the air and hit Natsu on the head, sending him sprawling to the floor. Everyone turned their heads and saw Erza with a fierce expression, glaring at a drunken Laxus in his chair. "Say that again!"
"By the way, I wanted to make this clear. This guild doesn't need losers," Laxus said with a cold tone. He turned his head toward Droy and Jet who were wrapped in bandages. "Truly useless, to be looked down on by trash like Phantom Lord. Oh, what were your names again?"
Droy and Jet bowed their heads in shame. Laxus turned his head back to Natsu and the others. "Plus you, the troublemaker, and the Celestial Spirit wizard. This is all because of you..."
"Laxus, that's enough," Mira cut in. "Nothing was wrong from the start, and Master didn't blame you for not joining the fight."
Laxus stood up, crossing his arms over his chest. "Of course, it has nothing to do with me. If I had been there, the result wouldn't have been this pathetic."
"You..." Erza had been holding back her anger for a long time.
"Hold on, you bastard!" Natsu, with a hand full of fire, lunged forward. "Hey, Natsu!" Erza cried, trying to stop him.
"Zzzzt!" Laxus turned into a golden lightning bolt, dodging Natsu's punch. He reappeared a few meters away.
"Laxus, let's fight, you heartless coward!"
"Hehehe, how can I fight a person who can't even catch me?" Laxus spread his hands. "Once I inherit this guild, I will get rid of all the weaklings, and kick out anyone who opposes me..."
Mid-sentence, a relaxed voice was heard. "Oh? So you want to kick me out too?"
Chen Fan walked in, a smile on his face. The crowd automatically parted, making way for him.
"Chen Fan!"
"Chen Fan is back!"
"It's going to get exciting now!" the crowd whispered, as they knew Laxus always lost in front of Chen Fan.
Laxus stopped his speech, squinting his eyes at Chen Fan, then returned to his normal expression. "Oh, who is this? Isn't it our great hero, Hand of God Chen Fan?"
"Wow, don't be like that. You're making me blush," Chen Fan said, covering his face, although there wasn't a hint of embarrassment in his voice.
"Stop acting innocent! I'm going to have a talk with that old man. You're not fit to be the Master. Only I am worthy!" Laxus laughed madly, while Chen Fan just smiled beside him.
"Why? Why aren't you refuting me? Why are you still smiling? Is there something funny about me?" Laxus stopped laughing, his face hardened, and he snapped at Chen Fan.
"What am I supposed to say? Your face is so fierce, as if you're going to eat me. I'm scared to death, how could I dare to speak?" Chen Fan's tone sounded extremely annoying.
"The thing I hate the most is your hypocritical face! Come on, let's see who is the strongest in Fairy Tail, and who is the most worthy to be the Master!" Laxus roared.
"Zzzzt!" Golden lightning enveloped Laxus's body, and a ball of electric light condensed in his hand.
"Stop it! Laxus! Do you want to destroy the guild again?!" Makarov's thundering voice rang out. Everyone turned their heads and saw that Makarov had been at the counter since who knows when.
Hearing Makarov, Laxus knew this wasn't the right time. He hissed 'tch' and pulled back his magic. Feeling unwelcome, he turned into a golden lightning bolt and disappeared. Seeing the show was over, everyone went back to their own business.
"Master, Laxus he..." Erza said from the side.
Makarov stopped her with a wave of his hand. "Don't mind him." Suddenly, Makarov shuddered, feeling a chill at the back of his neck. He turned and saw that Chen Fan was already behind him.
His face was grim, and he twisted his wrist. "Should I thank you for saving my life, Master...?"
"Oh... Mira-chan, Chen Fan is bullying this old man again!" Makarov jumped toward Mira, asking for help.
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