"Everyone! Starting today, job applications are open again. Although it's just a temporary counter for now, let's all work hard!" Mira announced happily from behind the temporary counter.
"Oh!"
"Work, work!" A wave of enthusiastic responses followed as everyone scrambled toward the request board, carefully scanning for any suitable missions. It had to be said that Mira's popularity and charm were immense.
"What's with that? Usually, they don't work and just wander around, but as soon as Miss Mira says the word, they all run to the request board. It looks like Miss Mira's charm really is something else!" Lucy sat at the counter, her chin resting on her hand, her tone dripping with jealousy.
"Hehe," Mira smiled at Lucy.
Suddenly, Lucy seemed to remember something and looked around before asking, "By the way, where's Chen Fan? I haven't seen him anywhere."
"What is it? Is it because Chen Fan saved you that your heart is starting to belong to him, Lucy?" Mira teased.
"I—I... how could I like that pervert? Don't talk nonsense," Lucy stammered, her face flushing red. Then, as if trying to hide her embarrassment, she looked up and asked, "Oh, and why hasn't Loke come?"
"My, my, Lucy has such a big appetite," Mira said, covering her mouth, her expression suggesting she was seeing Lucy in a new light.
"It's not like that!" Lucy protested loudly, then pulled out her key pouch. "It seems like he helped find my keys, so I wanted to thank him."
"I see. If I see him, I'll pass the message along. Speaking of which, didn't the Celestial Spirits scold you? After all, you did lose the keys."
Hearing Mira's words, Lucy turned her head away awkwardly, her shoulders trembling slightly. "That... it's become so serious that it's more than just being scolded. My butt still hurts just thinking about it."
"My, my," Mira giggled, hand over her mouth.
Behind Lucy, a mist of frost appeared in Gray's hand. "Do you want me to give you an ice pack?" he offered.
"That's blatant sexual harassment," Lucy complained.
At that moment, Happy flew over and said to Lucy, "Lucy, let me see your red butt."
"That is straightforward sexual harassment!"
Whoosh. A ball of fire appeared in Natsu's hand as he looked at Happy with a cruel grin. "If we make her butt sting even more, I wonder what kind of face she'll make?"
"Are you a devil?" Lucy shouted at Natsu.
Thud!
"Ow..." A wooden barrel slammed into the back of Natsu's head, knocking him to the ground.
The group stopped their joking and looked in the direction the barrel had come from. They saw Erza, her face darkened with rage, shouting at Laxus, who was lounging drunkenly in a chair, "Try saying that one more time!"
"I'll take this chance to make it clear: this guild doesn't need weaklings." Laxus turned his head toward the back, looking at Droy and Jet, who were covered in bandages. "Useless. To be looked down upon by trash like Phantom Lord... By the way, what were your names again?"
Droy and Jet lowered their heads awkwardly.
Laxus turned back and continued, "And then there's you, the culprit herself. The little rich girl Celestial Spirit Mage. It was all because of you"
Mira interrupted Laxus, her voice firm. "Laxus, it's all over. There was no 'culprit' to begin with, and the Master didn't blame you for not participating in the battle. That's what he said."
Laxus stood up, crossing his arms over his chest. "That's only natural. That matter had nothing to do with me anyway. Though, if I had been there, things wouldn't have ended so pathetically."
"You...!" Erza had been holding back for a long time.
"Wait just a damn minute, you bastard!" Natsu charged out, flames erupting from his hands. "Wait, Natsu!" Erza called out, reaching a hand toward him.
Zap! Laxus transformed into golden lightning to dodge Natsu's fist. Bzzz... His figure reappeared a short distance away.
"Laxus, fight me! You cold-blooded bastard!"
"Hahaha, a guy who can't even touch me wants to fight? How?" Laxus spread his hands, then continued, "Once I inherit the guild, I'm going to purge all the weaklings and kick out anyone who opposes me..."
Just then, a playful voice rang out.
"Oh? Then... do you want to kick me out too?"
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