In the center of Fairy Tail's guild hall in Magnolia—
A pink-haired boy with a white, scale-patterned scarf was currently engaged in a very "friendly exchange" with Gray.
Though judging by their bruised faces…
"Friendly" might not be the right word.
"I mean seriously," Lyon said with his arms crossed, "don't you two ever get tired of fighting all day? You're like a pair of overgrown kids."
The pink-haired boy was Natsu Dragneel.
Rumor had it he was raised by a fire dragon. Makarov had brought him back during one of his trips.
As for his personality—
Let's just say he loved fighting.
Especially with Gray.
If they didn't fight a few times a day, something felt off.
"Hey, Lyon, you wanna go too?!" Natsu shouted.
"You're calling me out? You've got the same eyes as me, idiot," Lyon shot back. "Unlike you, I don't have time for pointless brawls."
"Heh, sounds like you're scared!"
Even while punching Gray, Natsu still found time to provoke Lyon.
"Yeah, no thanks," Lyon scoffed, refusing to take the bait.
"Go, Natsu! Go, Gray!"
"Settle it once and for all!"
The guild members cheered, fully enjoying the chaos.
"Sigh… it's already been half a year," Macao said, taking a swig of his drink. "Arlen still hasn't come back. Whatever mission he took must be serious."
"And the Master won't say a word," Wakaba added, puffing his pipe. "Keeps calling it a confidential mission."
"Yeah… ever since Arlen left, Ultear and Erza barely come by anymore," Macao continued. "They're either training—or on their way to train. Even Ur's the same."
What they didn't know was—
The very person they were talking about…
Was already walking through Magnolia.
Just a few hundred meters away.
"Oh? Arlen!"
As he passed a dessert shop, a bearded man waved at him with a wide grin.
"Long time no see! Been on some dangerous mission or something?"
"Good to see you too, Uncle Chazum," Arlen replied with a polite nod. "How's business?"
"Pretty good, thanks to you all," the man laughed. "Oh, right—if you see Erza, tell her we've got a new cake. I saved one just for her."
"I'll let her know."
With a small bow, Arlen continued on his way.
"Man… that kid's got presence," the shop owner muttered, watching him leave.
Pushing open the guild doors, Arlen stepped inside.
"I'm back."
The entire guild froze—
Then exploded.
"Arlen?!"
"You're finally back!"
"Half a year, you idiot! I thought you pulled a Gildarts on us!"
"Welcome home!"
"The Master's in the basement library!"
Even Gray and Natsu stopped fighting.
"Who's that?" Natsu asked, nudging Gray.
"That's Fairy Tail's poster boy," Gray said proudly. "One of the strongest in the guild."
"…Strongest?"
Natsu's eyes lit up.
Flames ignited around his fists.
"Then I've gotta fight him!"
"Yeah, good luck with that," Gray smirked. "Try not to get destroyed by Erza and Ultear afterward."
"Shut up, Gray!"
Fueled by provocation, Natsu charged straight toward Arlen.
"You new here?" Arlen asked calmly as Natsu blocked his path. "Need something?"
"I'm Natsu! Natsu Dragneel!"
He grinned.
"I heard you're one of the strongest! So I'm gonna beat you!"
"Take this—Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
He launched forward—
Flaming punch aimed straight at Arlen.
"…That escalated quickly."
Arlen blinked.
They had just met.
No conversation.
Straight to combat?
Still—
He didn't move.
He simply—
Stepped forward.
BOOM.
A terrifying gravity slammed down.
Natsu was instantly crushed to the ground—
Face-first.
Knocked out on the spot.
"OOHHHH—KO!!"
"Damn, Natsu's got guts!"
"He's challenged Erza, Ultear, and Kagura too!"
"Yeah—and got wrecked every time!"
The guild erupted in laughter.
"…Oops."
Arlen scratched his cheek.
"Used a bit too much magic."
Meanwhile—
"You idiot," Gray muttered, grabbing Natsu by the leg.
And then—
Dragged him away like a sack of potatoes.
Arlen's eye twitched.
"…Is that really necessary?"
"And where are your clothes?!"
"Forget those two," Lyon said, walking over with Macao and Wakaba. "What kind of mission takes half a year?"
"Yeah, what happened?"
"Where've you been?"
"Alright, alright—one at a time," Arlen said, already feeling a headache coming on. "Let me report to the Master first."
"Oh, and where are Ultear and the others?"
"They're training in the eastern forest most of the time," Lyon answered. "Only come back for missions."
"Yeah," Macao added, "and Laxus keeps coming back looking for you. Wants a fight."
Arlen nodded, piecing everything together.
"I'll catch up with you later."
In the basement library—
"Master, I'm back."
"Arlen!"
Makarov immediately stood up, looking him over carefully.
"Good. You're safe."
"You had us worried sick," Rob added, patting his shoulder. "Makarov even faked a mission report to keep the others from panicking."
"…Thank you."
Arlen smiled faintly, warmth filling his chest.
"…Honestly, I don't know if you're lucky or unlucky," Makarov sighed. "Running into Irene Belserion of all people…"
Arlen paused.
Then smiled slightly.
"…I'd say lucky."
After all—
Not every encounter with a monster…
Ends with a story worth remembering.
—------------------------------
Pat reon Advance Chapters: patreon.com/FicWarden