"Erza’s last job was exterminating a rampaging demon," Mirajane explained as Erza carried the massive horn into the guild hall and dropped it onto the floor.
The impact sent a tremor through the entire building.
"That’s just one horn?" Lucy covered her mouth in shock. "How big was the demon itself? It must’ve been almost as large as the guild!"
Rowan felt the sa quiet jolt of awe. He had underestimated S-Class mages. Fighting a demon several stories tall and walking away with trophies like this clearly wasn’t an exceptional feat for Erza. Or perhaps she simply stood at the top even among S-Class.
"I heard a lot of unpleasant rumors on my way back," Erza said sharply, hands on her hips. "People saying Fairy Tail causes trouble wherever it goes. Even if the Master forgives you, I won’t."
Her gaze swept the hall like a blade.
"Cana, is that how you’re supposed to drink? Bisca, if you want to dance, do it outside. Get off the table. Wakaba. Macao."
Every mage she nad stiffened. Not one of them dared talk back.
Even Natsu and Gray, who normally picked fights within minutes of seeing each other, imdiately threw arms over each other’s shoulders and pretended to be lifelong friends.
Lucy stared in disbelief.
"So that’s the Fairy Queen," Rowan thought. The nickna wasn’t exaggeration. Not even close.
He had spent enough ti in the guild to understand how stubborn and unruly most Fairy Tail mages were. Power differences aside, almost none of them bowed to anyone.
Except Erza.
Once she finished her inspection, Erza’s attention landed on two unfamiliar faces.
"You’re new mbers?" she asked, walking over.
Lucy flinched and quickly waved. "I’m Lucy! I just joined. Please take care of !"
"I’m Erza," she said seriously, placing a firm hand on Lucy’s shoulder. "You’re family now. Fairy Tail is your second ho."
Then her eyes lit up.
"Oh, so you’re Lucy. I heard you defeated the Vulcan gorilla with a single finger. Well done."
Lucy froze.
"...What?"
That story had clearly grown a life of its own. She rembered that mission very well, and Natsu had done almost all the fighting.
Before she could recover, Rowan raised a paw.
"I’m Rowan. Lucy and I joined on the sa day."
Erza leaned down, studying him carefully, then nodded.
"Nice to et you. I thought Happy was unique, but it seems he has competition. Your coloring matches Laxus. You might make a good team soday."
"Coloring?" Rowan echoed, montarily confused.
Mirajane laughed softly. "The Master wouldn’t want that."
Laxus rarely stayed in the guild and had a strained relationship with Makarov. If Rowan tead up with him, Fairy Tail would lose its most reliable repair mage.
"Why not?" Erza asked.
When Mirajane explained Rowan’s specialty in restoration magic, Erza’s eyes widened. The next mont, she scooped Rowan up and pulled him into her armored embrace.
"Rowan, team up with !"
Rowan barely had ti to react.
"With you repairing things from behind, I could go all out without holding back. We’ll split the reward fifty-fifty."
"N-no, thank you," Rowan said quickly, wriggling free with considerable effort. "I’m not looking to form a team right now."
The embrace alone had nearly rattled his bones. Being hugged by soone wearing full battle armor was not a pleasant experience, no matter how impressive the person was.
"That’s a sha," Erza said, genuinely disappointed.
She turned back to Mirajane. "Where’s the Master? I have sothing important to report."
"He’s attending a council eting."
Erza frowned, then glanced over her shoulder at Natsu and Gray.
They imdiately stopped glaring at each other and resud their friendly pose.
"Natsu. Gray," she said. "I ran into a problem during my mission. I need help. Will you co with ?"
The guild exploded.
"Erza needs backup?"
"And she’s asking Natsu and Gray?"
"This has never happened before!"
Erza usually handled S-Class jobs alone. She had never asked for assistance.
"Of course!" Natsu and Gray answered at the sa ti, excitent overriding their rivalry.
"Prepare yourselves," Erza said. "We leave tomorrow."
With that, she hoisted the demon horn and left the guild.
The mont she was gone, speculation filled the hall. So whispered about ancient monsters. Others went as far as suggesting dragons.
Rowan and Lucy listened quietly.
Then Mirajane called out to them.
"Lucy. Rowan. I’d like to ask you both for a favor."
...
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