Covering their face with one hand, Gray let out a sly grin where no one could see. "Imagine Natsu's face when he gets back and finds out we've already tackled an S-class mission. It's gonna be priceless."
Well said, Gray! That's the spirit! Let's fight for those three spots, everyone!
Hearing Gray's words, the faces of those nearby lit up with mischief. This rowdy bunch, always eager for a spectacle, knew they were in for a show in a few days.
"Huh? Hahaha!" one roared.
"I can already picture Natsu's reaction," another chimed in.
"It's the perfect chance to rub it in his face!"
Gray burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Alright, count me in! If we run into any tough enemies, just leave 'em to me!"
Mission accomplished—Gray was hyped, and Kira was even more thrilled. This is gonna be good.
With Gray so pumped, surely the others would… Wait, huh? Where'd everyone go? Where's the cheering? The enthusiasm? Why'd they all bail?
Kira sidled up to Cana, who was nursing a drink, and gave her a nudge. "Hey, Cana, why don't you come along? I could show you that new card set. I guarantee you'll want to buy them once you see what they can do."
"Nah," Cana muttered, "I'm worried I'd come back too broke to even afford a drink."
"Really? That's a shame. I thought you'd want to see how you stack up against an S-class mission."
"…"
Kira moved on to Loke, giving him a pat on the shoulder. "What about you, Loke? You in?"
"Nope. Got a date tomorrow," Loke shot back without hesitation.
Kira mentally rolled their eyes. Player. He's gonna burn out one day.
"What about Levy?"
"Hey! Back off! Levy's with our team!" one of her hangers-on snapped.
Levy, looking thoughtful, said softly, "I'll pass. An S-class mission is still a bit much for me right now."
"Elf… huh? Wait, why'd I even think of asking Elfman?" Kira muttered, confused.
Kira went around asking others, but one by one, they either had plans or felt they weren't up to the task. Everyone turned it down, despite how excited they'd seemed earlier. Kira had been sure these battle-hungry guildmates would've been scrapping over the three spots.
Ugh, what a letdown!
"You guys," Kira said, exasperated, "don't you have any ambition? And you call yourselves Fairy Tail members?"
They shook their head, disappointed. I'm offering to carry you all to glory, and you still won't come? How're you gonna get stronger like this?
"Fine, Gray, it's just you and me then."
"When do we leave?" Gray asked.
"Tomorrow!"
---
The next morning, in the coastal city of Hargeon.
By the shoreline stood a striking young man with fiery red hair and sapphire-blue eyes that sparkled with charm. His white-and-gold-trimmed mage robe was understated yet luxurious. This was Kira, the renowned genius wizard of the magical world, known as the "Sage."
Kira spread out a map, comparing it carefully with the coastline. According to the mission details, setting sail from here would get them to Galuna Island in about half a day. But…
Turning around, Kira stared at the three people behind them. "Why are you two here? Didn't you say you weren't coming?"
Behind Kira stood Gray, wearing a white coat and a small backpack, looking eager; Cana, dressed in her usual revealing outfit, a card pouch slung at her waist, reeking of alcohol and still sipping from a bottle; and Loke.
"I get why Cana's here," Kira said, "but Loke, didn't you have a date? You sure it's okay to ditch your lady?"
Gray glanced at Loke, curious. "Yeah, and didn't you swear off anything to do with Celestial Spirit mages after one dumped you?"
Loke shrugged. "I thought it over last night. A shot at an S-class mission doesn't come around often. Dates? I can do those anytime."
He's probably worried about the Golden Keys, Kira thought, reading Loke's real intentions but choosing not to call him out.
"Fair enough," Kira said with a knowing nod. "Spoken like a true playboy."
"Hey, I'm not a playboy," Loke protested. "I'm just… emotionally versatile."
Kira turned to Cana with a grin. "And you, Cana-san~ I knew you couldn't resist checking out the power of those new cards, huh?"
Cana's face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and irritation. "Don't give me that look! I just wanted to see what an S-class mission's like, that's all!"
Gray smirked at Loke and Cana. "Admit it, you two are just like me. You saw a chance to join an S-class mission and jumped at it. Now Natsu's gonna be the only one left out!"
"Hahaha… yeah, exactly!" Loke laughed.
Oh, Gray, you sweet summer child, Kira thought. You really think these two are here for the same petty reason as you, breaking guild rules for a flex?
"Yep, that's it," Loke said, sharing a grin with Gray. "Natsu's gonna lose it when he hears."
"Hahaha!" they both roared.
"You two are so immature," Cana said, shaking her head.
"Totally," Kira added, nodding sagely. "When are you gonna grow up like me? But… you're not wrong. Natsu's gonna be fuming, and there's nothing he can do about it."
"Hahaha!" +1
The three of them cackled together until—WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!—Cana smacked each of them with a fist. "Enough laughing! Let's move, or I'm leaving."
Ouch… Cana's punches hit harder now. She's really grown, Kira thought, rubbing their head.
"Alright, alright, let's go," Kira said, regaining composure. "I didn't expect you two to show up, but I was planning to bring three people anyway."
Stepping to the shore, Kira raised a hand and shouted, "Word Spirit Creation: Sailboat!"
A surge of magic erupted, forming a dazzling 5-meter-wide magic circle on the water's surface. Above it, pixel-like blocks materialized, slowly assembling into the shape of a sailboat before splashing down onto the sea.
"Whoa! That's so cool!" Gray and Loke exclaimed.
"No matter how many times I see it, your magic is so handy," Gray added.
"Right?" Kira grinned. "With this ability, I can whip up anything in a snap."
Loke's face suddenly flushed with excitement, as if he'd thought of something scandalous. "Wait a sec… you could—?! Man, you're pure evil!"
Kira blinked, confused. "Huh?"
"Talk about creation magic," Loke said. "Yours blows Gray's out of the water."
"Obviously!" Kira beamed.