At the guild entrance, the light of a magic array flickered.
Chase, Mira, and Dark Magician Girl landed steadily from the shoulders of Rock Giant Soldier, who was gradually dissolving into specks of light.
"The residents of Magnolia are as enthusiastic as ever. I really can't do anything about those guys."
Chase sighed helplessly and looked at Mira, who was wearing a wine-red dress, smiling. "Mira, you felt it, right? This is the benefit of going on missions with me!"
Mira glanced back at the noisy street behind them, a signature gentle smile on her face.
"Although... it might be just a tad too enthusiastic~"
As Fairy Tail's public face and a beloved weekly magazine cover girl, this was her first time experiencing this kind of treatment unique to Chase.
How should she put it? It was a bit embarrassing, and not something she was particularly accustomed to.
"I'm so unconvinced! Mine and Mira-nee's combined popularity in Magnolia can't even compare to Master's!"
Dark Magician Girl puffed out her cheeks in anger.
Despite her and Mira-nee being right beside him, all the "welcome" they'd heard along the way was directed at Chase.
This was a huge blow to Dark Magician Girl, who had super confidence in her own cuteness.
Under normal circumstances, having just gone through a major battle and reached her physical limit, although she hadn't been outright "defeated," she would still need time to recover in the deck.
But Chase couldn't stand her curiosity about what happened next with the Demon War God. He spent a lot of magic to force her to come along back to Magnolia.
Consider it fulfilling her wish to complete the photoshoot commission together with Mira.
"Maybe it's because Rock Giant Soldier is too tall? The residents didn't notice us standing on its shoulders and subconsciously assumed it was only Chase."
Mira rested her chin on her hand, speaking thoughtfully.
This wasn't tactful comfort, but her most sincere inner thought.
After all, her own popularity in Magnolia was actually pretty high...
The two pretty and cute girls looked at each other, then nodded very firmly: Mm! That must definitely be it!
As they spoke, the guild's newly repaired door was suddenly pushed open—before Chase could even touch it.
Hearing the commotion and knowing Chase was back, his companions rushed out, excitement written all over their faces.
"Oooh! It really is Chase back!"
"Manly! We saw everything in the newspaper! So cool!"
"Chasing away the troublesome tourists and challenging a legendary monster—that's our Chase, alright!"
The only one who could utter such bizarre words was naturally Natsu, charging at the front.
Behind him, Lucy's rant remained as reliable as ever: "No, no, I rather think Mr. Chase is the legendary monster..."
Remembering the bold red headlines and cool illustrations in the newspaper, Lucy couldn't help but imagine herself spreading her arms wide, shielding the war-torn town behind her from the monster, and boldly declaring, "This world shall be protected by me, King Lucy!"
Instantly, the rookie girl was utterly captivated by the cape-clad version of herself.
"Hey Lucy, in that kind of situation, you'd usually be the first one to get punched flying~"
Happy's icy words pierced Lucy like a blade.
"So cruel... not even giving me a chance to dream..."
Lucy petrified on the spot, deeply struck.
Seeing his companions instantly gather around, hearing the excitement and admiration in their voices, Chase couldn't help but blush: "Ahaha! You all found out so quickly?"
"I see. Weekly Sorcerer Magazine really is fast."
Mira noticed the newspaper clutched in Macao's hand.
"Damn! I wish I'd turned down that book commission and grabbed Chase's commission instead!" Natsu yelled indignantly.
Lucy thought to herself: You just want to throw down with the Eighteen Demon Gods, don't you?
Besides, Mr. Chase's commission was S-Class! S-Class!
"To let my big sister face such danger... Waaah! I'm a failed man!" Elfman wailed.
Lucy thought: You sis-con!
"What a shame. Protecting tourists is a job that should be handled by a handsome guy like me." Loki pushed his gleaming glasses up with a finger.
Lucy thought: You just want to date pretty Mira-nee and cute Dark Magician Girl!
Feeling her disdainful gaze, Loki startled. "What?! Lucy, you're here?!"
As soon as he spoke, his previously cool demeanor vanished as He immediately hid far away.
Having committed a grave sin and been exiled from the Celestial Spirit World, he was terrified of being around Celestial Spirit mages.
Lucy blinked, completely bewildered.
"Use that wax-filled head of yours to think for once. Chase took an S-Class commission."
Gray, who was always at odds with Natsu, stepped forward. His black leggings glittered in the sunlight.
His clothes had, yet again, ran away from home.
"Huh? You got a problem, you ice bastard?!"
Natsu shot back irritably, clenching his right fist as it ignited with scorching flames. His defiant gaze swept across everyone.
"A bunch of cowards who piss themselves at the mention of an S-Class commission aren't fit to be my opponents! Hahaha!"
A single stone stirs up waves.
The other guild members' hot tempers immediately flared. Shouting, they rolled up their sleeves and started brawling right at the guild entrance.
Having long since gauged these guys' strength, Chase just smiled, skirted around the crowd, and slowly walked into the guild.
He had important business to handle now: reporting the details of the Demon Ruins Island incident to the Master.
Accompanying him were Mira and Dark Magician Girl, with Lucy cautiously trailing behind.
With most people outside in the chaotic brawl, the guild hall was actually much quieter, with only a few scattered individuals.
"Yo, Chase, you're back?" Cana's voice came from within.
Unlike before, when she'd be drunk out of her mind hugging a barrel of booze, since borrowing the Book of Secret Arts from Chase, she had been studying it. Now holding a quill, she sat there Appears extremely quiet.
But the aura she exuded was indeed much more steady and solid than before.
"Cana. How's it going?" Chase greeted with a smile.
"Pretty damn good. Feels like there's hope this time. Thanks."
Cana put down the quill, crossed her legs and propped them on the table, her face filled with longing. "I heard about the ruins island. You're really something, you know."
Well, that Wen Jing aura was instantly shattered by her wild posture.
"It wasn't just Master! Me and Mira-nee played a super crucial role too!"
Dark Magician Girl playfully flashed a cute peace sign.
That was true—without the time they'd strive, by the time Chase arrived, Sky Drum, having absorbed a lot of sacrifices, would probably have already entered its most perfect, prime state!
"Hahaha, that's true!" Cana quite agreed.
Although Dark Magician Girl was a card monster summoned by Chase through magic, she had discussed many topics about magic with her.
This genius magic girl's breadth of knowledge had truly amazed her, and she had gained many insights beyond conventional wisdom from those conversations.
"Dark Magician Girl seems super amazing too..." rookie Lucy murmured to herself.
Even though she looked like a girl even younger than herself... Yep, Lucy, you really need to work harder to become stronger!
"Oh, Lucy."
Chase overheard Lucy muttering encouragement to herself and turned back to ask her.
"Natsu and Happy took on a commission earlier. If I'm not mistaken, they probably asked you to team up with them. How did it go?"
***
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