"Luckily, there are still people who haven't left me."
Thump!
The exhausted Phoenix collapsed, unable to get up. After sleeping for three to five days, Phoenix finally fully recovered.
When Phoenix woke up and again requested to leave, Natsu didn't object this time. It seemed that after nearly twenty miles, Natsu had completely given up hope.
The journey to Fairy Tail was filled with laughter. Natsu was inherently optimistic, thinking that after he became stronger, he could quickly find Igneel. Mavis didn't need to be mentioned; after all, it was her own guild, so it would be strange if she wasn't happy. As for Phoenix, although his heart was constantly troubled by the matters of Igneel, Grandeeney, and Wendy, he didn't want to affect the people around him. Phoenix suppressed his worries, and a brilliant smile returned to his face. From time to time, he would pick up interesting stories he had heard from others or seen before and tell them to Mavis and Natsu, which made the laughter along the way even more frequent.
Ten days later, in Magnolia Town, Phoenix and the other two stood before the Fairy Tail guild hall.
"Natsu, this is Fairy Tail!"
"Woah!! It looks so cool! So the mark on your hand is this? I thought you just got it tattooed on purpose."
"I'm really sorry for not explaining it to you."
At this moment, Phoenix suddenly realized that despite being a part of Fairy Tail, he had never truly cared about it.
"Someone finally realized it, huh? But it's okay, I forgive you. From now on, you'll have to make up for everything you owe."
Mavis had seen through Phoenix's belated realization long ago. However, this period was the best stage for Phoenix's growth, so Mavis never mentioned Fairy Tail and never revealed any desire to return. Now that everything that needed to be done was done, and what needed to be learned was mostly learned, Mavis could speak freely without any reservations.
"Ahaha~ We'll see then!"
Phoenix scratched his head and chuckled foolishly. Phoenix didn't have a true sense of belonging to Fairy Tail, which was understandable, as he had come there initially because of Gildarts but left very quickly, and he still didn't know many people there.
"Phew~ Never mind, I've long understood your personality. Unless you see it with your own eyes and experience it yourself, you'll never integrate so easily."
Shaking her head, Mavis didn't press the issue further. After all, time would prove everything. Mavis believed in Fairy Tail, confident that the infectious nature of this big family would fully embrace Phoenix.
"Um... why is this guild called Fairy Tail?"
Seeing Phoenix and Mavis's conversation come to an end, Natsu pointed at the name 'Fairy Tail' hanging on the second floor, looking puzzled. In Natsu's understanding, he had never seen a fairy before.
"Ah, that..."
At the mention of this, Mavis became spirited, her entire being exuding a unique sacred charm.
"Because the existence of fairies is unknown to humans, no one knows if fairies have tails! It is precisely because of this unknown that there is a desire for exploration, and all sorts of wonderful adventures. Everyone's path of exploration is different, and the future journey of adventure each has its own splendor. To advance on the path you believe in, this is Fairy Tail!!"
"To advance... on the path you believe in..."
Natsu's eyes gradually brightened; he was deeply captivated by this sentence. Even Phoenix's usually calm eyes rippled slightly.
"Phoenix, let's go in quickly!"
Seeing Natsu's eager expression, Phoenix smiled, stepped forward, and at some point, his right hand was already covered by a white orb of light.
Boom!!
The door of Fairy Tail was instantly smashed to smithereens by Phoenix, and Natsu's eyes widened.
This was truly too violent!!
But, I like it!!
Mavis looked at Natsu, who inexplicably showed joy, and sighed for Makarov in her heart.
Good luck, Third. It's rare to find such a promising talent, but unfortunately, he's been completely led astray by Fini.
"Yo, Minna!! I'm back!!"
Amidst flying sawdust, Phoenix stepped into the guild, waved his hand lightly, and greeted very familiarly.
("Hey! Haven't you not even memorized all their names yet?")
Mavis's scornful eyes pierced Phoenix, seemingly understanding. Phoenix returned a smile that said, 'Of course.'
("It's fine, as long as they still remember me.")
(...)
"—!!" n
Everyone in the guild seemed to still be recovering from the shock of the guild door being forcibly destroyed. When Phoenix's voice rang out, their eyes lit up, and then they swarmed towards Phoenix.
"Woah...! Phoenix is back!! Our Phoenix has finally reappeared!"
"Phoenix? It's really Phoenix!"
"It's... it's incredible! Where have you been all these years!!"
"It's been three years!! A whole three years!! Old Man even came back two or three times in between, and you guys have been playing around until now!"
"Yeah! We haven't heard anything about Phoenix for three years. If the Master hadn't repeatedly assured us, we would have thought something happened to you. You really made us worry."
"Quickly tell us honestly, where did you and First go for these three years? Don't tell me you went on a honeymoon with First!"
"Wakaba, watch your mouth."
"Mmhmm~ Let's stop this topic. Just tell me secretly later."
...
Listening to the chaotic words of the crowd, although some were crude, the feeling of care clearly reached his heart. At this moment, Phoenix seemed to vaguely understand why Mavis cared so much about this place.
Phoenix came to this guild on August 6, 774, then left to take a mission the next day, and now it was August 7, 777. It really had been exactly three years.
But after just one meeting, the enthusiasm remained undiminished after three years of return. This emotion, which made his heart burn, made Phoenix's eyes a little moist.
"Indeed! Fairy Tail is truly wonderful!!"
Seeing Phoenix suddenly shed tears, everyone was stunned at first, then burst into good-natured laughter.
"Of course!! Because we are, the Mages of Fairy Tail!!" n
"Cough cough..."
A clear cough sounded, and the lively guild instantly fell silent. Everyone made way, and Makarov's short figure walked over.
"Welcome home! Phoenix, First!"
Phoenix and Mavis exchanged glances, then happily responded:
"I'm home!"
..."...I see. I didn't expect you to encounter so many things during that ten-year mission three years ago. Is this child the one who trained with you at the Fire Dragon's place?"
"Yes. His name is Natsu Dragneel. He's my junior disciple, and I guess, my little brother!"
"Who's your little brother!! Don't take advantage of me!!"
Natsu mercilessly exposed him, but Phoenix gave him a look that said, 'What are you being so tsundere for?' and replied, "Seriously, if you want to refute me, try to surpass me first! Being your older brother is giving you face; I haven't even made you my younger brother yet, and you're already embarrassing me."
"Fire Dragon's—"
"Fire Dragon's Roar!!"
As soon as Phoenix saw Natsu open his mouth, he knew what he was going to do. Without any hesitation, Phoenix preemptively opened his mouth and let out a roar, sending Natsu flying, directly creating a human-shaped hole in the guild wall.
"Honestly! Violence isn't good, Natsu."
"You're the least qualified to say that!!" n
What a perfectly synchronized voice, especially Makarov's, which was the loudest.
"Hahaha, it's just a small matter, don't worry about it."
Phoenix waved his hand and laughed indifferently, which showed everyone how thick-skinned he was.
"Damn Turkey!! Take this, Fire Dragon's Roar!!"
After all, they were both Fire Dragon Slayers. Phoenix's roar only had pure impact on Natsu, and this kind of impact was nothing in the face of a dragon's physique. Just in the short time Phoenix was talking to everyone, Natsu, who had been sent flying outside the guild by Phoenix, simply roared at Phoenix from outside.
"Hoo~"
Taking a deep breath, Phoenix opened his mouth and swallowed all the flames Natsu had attacked him with.
"Ah~ That was delicious. Thanks for the meal, Natsu!"
"Damn it!!"
Natsu rushed from outside in a single stride to Phoenix's front, raising his fist and swinging it at Phoenix.
"Lie down for me! Airquake!"
Boom!!
The imposing Natsu instantly fell flat, and the ground, under the powerful shockwave, caved in by dozens of centimeters.
"Now the world is quiet. Seriously, we've been fighting for two years, when have you ever won against me? Even if you want to be a punching bag, you shouldn't be so proactive!"
"Do you even consider him your younger brother?!" n
Everyone once again complained wildly, always feeling that Phoenix was absolutely merciless when beating Natsu.