Chapter 32: The Guild's Second Floor
The Eisenwald incident made headlines across Fiore. With so many Guild Masters involved, covering it up was impossible. The Magic Council decided to use the event as a warning to other Dark Guilds—letting Fairy Tail take the spotlight. Of course, that also meant painting a target on their backs. The guild that stands tallest gets hit first, after all.
As for Guild Master Makarov's collapse? Well, the destroyed train and railway tracks were another story entirely—and Dino's handiwork, naturally. The silver lining? Everything was insured, so the compensation bill wasn't quite as catastrophic as usual. Otherwise, Fairy Tail might've actually gone bankrupt this time.
Dino had tried getting his own insurance policy once. Emphasis on tried. Turns out he was blacklisted by every insurance company in the kingdom. Go figure.
"Volcano Demon subjugation. Reward: 1,000,000 Jewels. Location: Mount Christa—only three days by train. Perfect."
Dino plucked a request flyer from the board and brought it over to Makarov. "Master, I'll take this one."
Makarov raised an eyebrow. "Well, this is rare. You actually want to work? Don't you usually lounge around for a month after every job?"
"I'm broke, old man! I helped crush a Dark Guild and saved a dozen Guild Masters, and what do I get? A repair bill! Being a hero doesn't pay." Dino crossed his arms dramatically. "Money isn't everything, but you can't do anything without it."
"Hmph! You're no hero, brat. Though I'll admit, that saying about money is pretty wise." Makarov snatched the flyer. "Let me see this… Volcano Demon? Absolutely not. Pick another one."
"What? Why not?!"
Makarov folded his arms and closed his eyes. "Do I really need to explain? Tsunamis and earthquakes are bad enough. I don't need a volcanic eruption added to the list of disasters with your name on it. Do you have any idea how much the Council chewed me out at the last meeting? I need a break from the complaints."
"Fine. How about this one—Snow Mountain Beast subjugation. Reward: 1,500,000 Jewels."
"Rejected. I don't want to see an avalanche on the news."
"Then this—Loch Ness Monster elimination. Reward: 2,500,000 Jewels."
Makarov cracked one eye open. "You can't swim."
He'd raised Dino since he was young. He knew the kid avoided island jobs and anything requiring ocean travel like the plague.
"It's fine. I'm not planning to go in the water—"
"Rejected." Makarov didn't even let him finish. His instincts screamed that whatever Dino had planned would cause even more chaos.
SLAM!
Dino slapped the request board. "I give up! You're always complaining I don't take enough jobs, but when I try, you shoot down every single one! Do you want me to leave the guild? The Master of Blue Pegasus said he'd introduce me to the cutest girl in his guild! Other Masters have been making offers too—money, fame, whatever I want!"
A chill ran down Dino's spine. Two distinct waves of killing intent locked onto him. His Observation Haki flared instinctively as he snapped his head toward the sources.
Mirajane stood behind the bar, polishing a glass with the sweetest, most terrifying smile plastered on her face.
Erza sat at a nearby table, methodically sharpening her sword, her scarlet eyes glinting dangerously.
Makarov's grin widened. "What was that you just said, brat?"
Dino waved his hands frantically. "Nothing! Just a joke! Totally kidding! Haha! You know what, I'll just check the second floor for jobs!"
He bolted toward the stairs.
But just as his foot hit the first step, an overwhelming wave of drowsiness crashed over him like a tidal wave. His vision blurred. His limbs grew heavy.
What the—?!
Dino clenched his fists and activated his Devil Fruit power, sending a sharp vibration through his own body. The shockwave jolted his nervous system awake, shaking off the sleep magic instantly.
"This feeling…"
THUD. THUD. THUD.
All around the guild hall, mages collapsed like dominoes—slumping over tables, falling out of chairs, snoring almost immediately. Only Makarov remained barely conscious, struggling to keep his eyes open. Erza gritted her teeth, fighting the magic with sheer willpower.
The guild doors creaked open.
A figure stepped inside—face concealed behind cloth wrappings, body covered in dark, form-fitting clothes and a cloak. Five staves were strapped to his back.
Makarov lifted his head weakly. "Mystogan…"
Dino stretched and grinned at the newcomer. "Long time no see. Your entrance hasn't changed a bit, huh? You know, Mystogan, you should hang out with the guild sometime instead of always working solo. Grab a drink with us."
Though Dino couldn't remember every detail of the original story, he remembered the important players. He knew Mystogan's true identity—Jellal from Edolas, another world. In a sense, they were both outsiders here.
Mystogan gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, then picked up the Volcano Demon request flyer Dino had brought earlier. He held it up for Makarov to see. "I'll take this one."
Makarov groaned. "At least… undo the sleep magic first…"
"Five… four… three… two… one."
Mystogan turned and walked out, counting down as he went.
The moment he finished—
GASP!
Everyone jolted awake simultaneously, snapping upright in their seats.
"Damn it, that feeling again—!"
"Was that Mystogan?!"
"That bastard and his sleep magic!"
Lucy blinked groggily, confused. "Mystogan? Who's that?"
Loki adjusted his sunglasses nearby—then immediately flinched when he realized Lucy was right next to him.
"One of Fairy Tail's S-Class mages," Loki explained quickly.
Lucy's eyes widened. "S-Class? Like Dino and Erza?! But why does he use sleep magic on everyone?"
Gray rubbed the back of his head. "No idea. Guy's weird. He doesn't like anyone seeing his face. Far as I know, only the Master and Dino have ever seen what he looks like."
"That's not entirely true."
A voice cut through the conversation.
"I've seen his face too."
Everyone turned.
"Laxus!"