Everyone in the Guild, who had been tensed for a conflict between Erza and Laxus, now looked at Ren. The air was thick. Laxus had posed a direct question to the guild's other resident monster.
Although the Fairy Tail Guild didn't have a clear hierarchy, S-Class Mages were essentially the leadership. When the Master was absent, all matters would be decided by them. Laxus, Erza, Mystogan, and now Ren, were the pillars.
If Ren, the man who had just defeated a Wizard Saint, accepted Laxus's invitation, then Laxus's dream of a "stronger" guild would be one step closer to a terrifying reality. They would truly be close to being kicked out of their own ho.
Ren, who had been sitting calmly, finally finished his drink. He set the mug down with a quiet thud.
He shook his head and said, "I won't join you in creating so 'so-called' strongest Guild in history. I'm not interested in such things."
Laxus's eyes narrowed. "Not interested? In strength?"
"No. I'm not interested in your definition of strength," Ren clarified, his voice still calm. "And you ntioned 'playing house'. Isn't playing house good? Isn't it fun?"
He gestured to the chaotic construction site, to Natsu and Gray who were already starting to bicker again. "I, for one, really enjoy 'playing house' with these people."
"As for the 'weaklings' you ntioned?" Ren's gaze hardened, losing its earlier laziness. "I don't think everyone in this Guild is weak. They work with their own abilities. They don't steal or rob. They live honorably, and they protect their friends. That is strength."
"Ren..."
Lucy, Levy, and even Mira, who was standing at the temporary bar, felt their hearts warm. Everyone in the Guild was deeply moved by Ren's words. He had, in one simple speech, defended every single one of them.
"For , as long as I live happily every day, and ideally," he added with a slight, private smile, "have S-Class Quests to do, I'm content."
"Even if the Guild is 'incredibly strong', like you want... if I'm not happy, what's the point?"
Ren knew what Laxus was thinking; even without knowing the plot, he understood. The mindset was painfully familiar.
This was like the role-playing gas he used to play in his old life. When creating a Guild, so pay-to-win magnates would want to build the "strongest" Guild. With limited Guild slots, they would kick out those with lower combat power, those who couldn't contribute to the "end-ga," in favor of those with higher stats.
Gas were actually very simple; you could get stronger just by spending money.
But Ren... Ren had been a pauper before he transmigrated. He naturally wouldn't spend money. He was a free-to-play player.
He could only join an ordinary Guild and play gas with other ordinary players like him, and he was still very happy. Of course, being defeated by the pay-to-win whales also made him very angry.
Laxus was a whale. He had been born with imnse power. He didn't understand the joy of the grind. Ren, on the other hand, lived for it. His S-Class Quests were his "gacha pulls," his way of grinding to get strong on his own terms.
Laxus's fervent gaze dimd, his expression turning from recruitnt to a familiar, cold disappointnt. He looked at Ren as if he was a lost cause.
"I misjudged you, Ren. I actually thought you would be soone like . Soone who understands what real power is."
He stood up, his coat flaring. "Fine. Stay with your trash. But if I inherit the Guild, all you weaklings will disappear! And anyone who dares to defy will also be kicked out! Then I'll create the strongest Guild in history, one that surpasses all others! Hahahahaha!!"
Laxus spread his arms and, with a final, arrogant laugh, dissolved into a bolt of lightning and left.
Clap... clap...
Ren clapped his hands, the sound startlingly loud in the sudden silence.
"Alright, everyone, the show's over. Go about your own business," he said, picking up his mug. "Don't take his words to heart. He's just a kid throwing a tantrum."
Erza, who was still trembling with anger, took a deep breath. "Ren is right. Everyone doesn't need to worry about what that guy Laxus said. This is our guild. All of us."
With Ren and Erza speaking up, the oppressive atmosphere in the Guild eased slightly. But there was still so concern, as Laxus's status as the Master's grandson was undeniable.
"Inherit... How could that be?" Lucy whispered, walking over to Mira's bar. "I... I know I'm new, but... even though I consider myself a first-tier Mage, second only to the S-Class Mages, I sohow felt that Laxus was referring to as 'weak'." Her words made her annoyed.
Mira sighed and said, "That's just how he is, Lucy. And... that's not necessarily true. Laxus is actually the Master's grandson, so if the Master retires, it wouldn't be surprising if Laxus beca the next Master."
"Eh—?!"
"That Laxus... is the Master's grandson?! That's super surprising!" Lucy couldn't imagine that the short, kindly old man would have such an arrogant and haughty grandson.
"Is he... his biological grandson?"
"He is!"
"How... how could this be... I don't like him at all," Lucy said, her voice dropping. "How can soone who doesn't even consider his Guildmates, who calls them trash, beco the Master?"
"That... that will depend on the Master's decision," Mira said, her own voice full of a quiet worry. "Regarding the choice for the next Master, the Master hasn't said a single word."
"The Master is old," Mira continued, looking out at the half-built guild hall. "Logically, he should have retired long ago. And..." she paused, "I'm very aware of the Master's physical condition. I'm the one who gives him his dicine on ti every day. His heart isn't as strong as it used to be."
"Normally, the Master should have arranged for his successor long ago, but he has never ntioned it."
Evening.
A crescent moon hung in the sky, illuminating the entire town of Magnolia.
Makarov sat on one of the new, high-beams of the guild's skeleton, admiring the moon in the sky. He was drinking a large flagon of beer, feeling utterly content. There was nothing more joyful in life than this—rebuilding his ho, surrounded by his children.
"Retire... ah..."
Makarov also recalled what his good friend, Yajima, had said earlier in the day at the Council.
He had actually wanted to shield the Guild's children from the wind and rain for a while longer, but the children's growth rate... it had exceeded his expectations. Unknowingly, they had all beco Mages capable of standing on their own.
"The Guild has also been refreshed," he mused, taking a drink. "It's ti for the Master to change too, I suppose."
His thoughts imdiately went to the candidates.
"Laxus... that guy has serious psychological issues," he sighed. He had heard from Mira about what happened in the Guild during the day. Laxus had wanted to invite Ren to build the "strongest Guild" or sothing, but Ren, thankfully, had refused. Laxus's obsession with "strength" was twisting him, just as it had twisted his own son, Ivan.
"Gildarts... no!" he grumbled. Gildarts himself was indeed the best candidate in terms of pure power and heart. But he had the personality of a wanderer. He had been roaming outside since he was young, spending many tis more ti outside the Guild than inside it. If he were made to stay obediently in the Guild as Master, he would definitely run away in a week.
"Mystogan... that guy is completely bad at communication. No one in the Guild has ever even seen his face. He lacks the trust and prestige among the Guild mbers, even if he is imnsely powerful."
"Erza... Erza is indeed a good candidate. She has the heart, the strength, and the leadership... but she's still too young, too rigid."
"Then," Makarov said, his gaze landing on the construction site below, "there's only one person left."
Ren.
Among all the S-Class Mages, Ren was the latest to join the Guild, having only joined a year ago.
Logically speaking, joining for such a short ti and becoming Master would be quite unsuitable. Becoming a Guild Master also required seniority, respect earned over ti.
But... Ren was qualified in all other aspects: his character, his personality (when he wasn't the 'Tyrant'), his prestige, and his strength.
This young man, at such a young age, could already defeat Jose, who was one of the Ten Wizard Saints. At this young man's rate of progress, it wouldn't be long before Makarov himself wouldn't be a match for him.
He had never seen such a monstrously talented young man.
'Such talent,' Makarov thought, 'could only be rivaled by that monster, God Serena, who is ranked first among the Ten Wizard Saints.'
The only drawbacks were his youth and his short tenure.
But... were those really major issues? He had defended the "weak" mbers against Laxus. He had devised the plan to save the guild's honor. He had won the war for them.
"I should find so ti to have a good talk with this kid," Makarov decided, finishing his beer.
Over the next few days, Ren continued to work at the construction site. This allowed him to exercise and help build the Guild, making his days quite relaxed. He was saving his magic, waiting.
"Ren!!"
Just then, a happy voice rang out. Ren, who was hamring a large nail, looked up and saw Mira waving at him, looking very, very happy. She quickly ran towards him, her white hair bouncing.
"Ren, I have good news! Guess what it is?" she chid, her blue eyes sparkling.
Ren put the hamr down and smiled his usual, lazy smile. "Good news? Then I guess you've finally decided you want to marry ."
Mira's face imdiately flushed a bright, charming red. "What nonsense are you talking about?! It's... it's not that!"
She fumbled with a piece of paper in her hand, her professional composure completely gone. "Look! It's an 'S' Class Quest!"
[Akarin Note:
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