After a rousing speech from Natsu that renewed their vigor, the guild's atmosphere returned to a familiar rowdy air. The only difference is that there were no brawls, but everyone was more talkative. Obviously, they still need more time to adjust to the guild's current state.
The slayer and cat duo were eating in earnest at a slightly larger table, alongside Macao, Wakaba and Romeo. Kinana offered food and drinks that were free of charge, in celebration for the guild's new start and rebuilding.
"You're really full of surprises, Natsu. I didn't think you were the type to make motivational speeches like that." Macao looked at young man with amazement, wondering if something possessed him during that moment.
Natsu gobbled up his meals like a madman, chewing as he responded. "Eh, it just felt right. But you don't need to praise me like that, I just copied gramps' way of lifting our spirits." He noticed that after he said that, everything went silent across the table. Curious, he looked up to see the rest looking at him like some exotic creature.
"Hm? Did I say something wrong?" He glanced at Happy who also stopped eating his fish.
"Yeah, who are you? The Natsu I know wouldn't respond like that." Wakaba remarked, staring at him speechlessly.
"I agree with uncle. Natsu-nii rarely uses logic when speaking." Romeo stated in awe. Anybody would feel a bit demoralized when a six-year-old kid suddenly roasts you innocently.
"Abrupt changes bring bad luck. Who knows what will happen to the world of the living? Fish would possibly go extinct… What a terrifying thought for me!" Happy shuddered while spouting nonsense.
"Bah! He just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. He'll probably return to normal once the day ends." Macao nodded as if he's reached enlightenment. Hearing such a well thought out sentence from him shocked the veteran to his very core.
Natsu's face had tick marks all over. "Oi! I can speak properly, you know! Erza disciplined the heck out of me to learn all that mumbo-jumbo! Eugh, those weren't really great days." His expression morphed into slight fear. Titiania doesn't really mess around, even when they were kids…
The others laughed at his reaction as they simply had fun bantering. It was a relief that they could at least have the courage to accept reality, living in the moment for those who passed away.
Frankly speaking, the celebration is also a method of coping. Replacing such dark feelings with joy may help regulate one's emotions. So, the entire guild went wild for this particular day.
Once evening hit, most of the members excused themselves, either tired or drunk out of their minds as they went home. The only ones left were the people that Natsu knew, as the guild hall was currently in peaceful silence.
Natsu comically had his head on the table, not able to move too much due to food coma. He ate beyond his limit and folded lifelessly. Happy was already sleeping peacefully atop his head.
Macao shook his head at the duo, normally used to their antics. He started to be lost in thought, understanding that things maybe complicated as they are now. But first, he pondered about a problem that the guild will now face.
Surprisingly, he needed the dragon slayer's opinion on the matter. Because this is something that concerns the guild as a whole. A delicate issue that must be handled with care.
The vacant position of Guild Master.
"Natsu." Macao looked at young man with a serious expression.
"Yeah?" Natsu replied while he was still embracing the wooden scent of the table. But he noticed the change of tone in the older man's voice, prompting him to pay close attention to what he wanted to say.
The veteran organized his thoughts for a moment, before continuing. "I'd wager that your words have the most weight in the guild right now. And nobody will say otherwise." He stated.
The pink-haired young man gently picked up Happy from his head, sitting up as he fixed his posture. He had the blue cat on his chest as he gazed at Macao with confusion.
"Where are you going with this, Macao? I don't think I can compare to gramps at all. Heck, even Erza scolds and beats the shit out of us!"
"... That mostly happens to you and Gray."
"Eh? Really?" Natsu's jaw dropped at the realization. He thought each scolding results in inevitable punishments. He was so scared of Erza's physical strength that he assumed it reached to other people! Collateral casualties as one may describe.
The scarlet-haired woman would probably choke him out of annoyance if she heard his thoughts.
Macao's face twitched, almost breaking his serious composure. He rubbed his forehead to calm down, as he looked at the rest who were doing their own things. He called out to them.
"Guys! Huddle around! We need to discuss about how the guild will function from now on." Macao said in a loud voice.
They all stopped their activities, walking towards the table. After everyone arrived, the purple fire mage coughed as he started with a topic that will affect everyone, because it will eventually be brought up.
"Retaining our official status as a guild is the first step. I don't know when will the council knock on our asses, considering we are unfortunately at our weakest right now. You are all aware that they've been not satisfied with our way of doing things for a long time." Macao reminded them.
He took a deep breath and asked the question. "Who do you guys want as the Fourth Guild Master?"
Awkward silence ensued afterwards, as they looked at each other with hesitant expressions. Such a position required wisdom, intelligence, and… strength. The most important trait is the last one, because they need someone who could keep them in check.
Makarov was a Wizard Saint, and even he had a hard time doing that. There were too many promising young monsters within a single guild, making it more complicated than usual. The Battle of Fairy Tail was a prime example.
But now… they obviously wouldn't finish the thought. However, it should be pretty doable at this point of time.
All eyes turned to Natsu, who was startled as he pointed to himself in disbelief. "You're all joking, right? I only like to fight, and becoming S-Class is my goal to finding Igneel! Being Guild Master sounds like a pain." He scratched his annoyance while grumbling.
"You're currently our strongest mage, so that checks out." Max gave his opinion. Although he looked mentally drained, he was already back to his outgoing and talkative personality.
"He's right, you know? It's a talent in itself to make speeches like that. The guild needs motivation for struggling times like this." Warren added.
"There's no pressure, Natsu… But I still think you're the best option among us." Laki adjusted her glasses as she was also agreeing.
Following the first three, the others shared their thoughts. As soon as the last one finished, a collective answer still pointed to one pink-haired dragon slayer. Natsu opened and closed his mouth, wondering if there was a screw loose in their brains.
He was a bit overwhelmed, and he wanted to go along with their wishes. But… this isn't what he wanted. Ever since he joined the guild, he always wanted to prove his amazing magic that he's learned from Igneel.
He has endless pride as being the Son of the Fire Dragon King.
No matter the challenge, whether it would be impossible situations or fellow wizards. He'd always go at them with no fear, eager to face them head-on. That was the way he did things, because it was simply something that he was used to.
Changing what made him… him feels weird. Strength is always the thing that mattered the most to him. Gray was his rival, while he admired and always wanted to beat the guild's S-Classes fair and square. Mirajane was also on that list during one point, but he respected her wishes of toning down her she-devil personality.
So, he'll go with his gut on this one. A choice that he picked just now, something that followed the Crash Mage's presence everytime. To represent the guild as the center of their entire existence. A certain role that all guilds have, as this person would carry, protect and symbolize their core values.
One bearing the title of Ace.
"Sorry guys, I don't want such a boring job of reading gibberish on the daily." His response caused the others to chuckle, most of them also expected this answer. The follow up to that, however…
"I want to be like Gildarts! The role of being Ace is still open, right? If the guild has problems regarding fights…" Natsu smiled in excitement, clenching his free hand as he infused it with his magic.
"I'll make sure to never fall! That's my lifetime promise to you guys!"
The Son of Igneel made his declaration here, which would change his life forever.