The room fell into silence after the emotional exchange.
For a brief moment, the only sound was the faint birds chirping outside and the muffled laughter of Fairy Tail’s rowdy members echoing from the floor below.
The warmth that had filled the office moments ago slowly gave way to an awkward stillness.
“Ahem.”
Master Makarov deliberately cleared his throat, the dry cough cutting through the lingering atmosphere.
He rubbed his beard before placing both elbows on his desk, his sharp blue eyes settling on me.
The old guild master’s usual carefree grin returned, though this time it carried the dignity befitting the leader of Fiore’s strongest guild.
“Enough with the family drama,” he said with a chuckle.
“As touching as it is, we’ve got something more important to discuss.”
He leaned forward slightly.
“So then…” His gaze locked onto mine.
“Luke Valenhart.”
The room suddenly felt much quieter.
“Are you willing to join Fairy Tail?”
The question hung heavily in the air.
I instinctively turned toward Father.
He was leaning comfortably against the couch, arms folded across his chest.
There wasn’t the slightest hint of expectation in his expression.
Instead, he simply smiled a calm, reassuring smile.
He gave a small nod.
It wasn’t the nod of a father ordering his son.
It was the nod of a parent saying,
The choice is yours.
I couldn’t help but smile back.
After everything Father had taught me, after months of grueling training, countless books, bruises, and endless lectures about becoming my own person…
He was entrusting this decision entirely to me.
I slowly nodded in return, silently thanking him.
Then I shifted my gaze back to Master Makarov.
The old man’s expression remained patient as ever, waiting for my answer.
I took a small breath.
“No.”
“…”
“…”
“…I am not.”
Silence.
The words seemed to freeze the room itself.
Father blinked.
Makarov’s cheerful smile stiffened.
For several long seconds, neither of them moved.
“…Eh?”
The confused sound escaped Makarov’s mouth before he could stop himself.
Father nearly slipped off the couch.
“…Huh?”
Downstairs, someone suddenly shouted, ” HEY!
STOP SETTING THE TABLE ON FIRE!”
“IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!”
“THAT’S THE FIFTH ACCIDENT TODAY!”
The distant commotion somehow made the silence inside the office even more awkward.
Makarov stared at me as though he’d just misheard.
“…You… don’t want to join Fairy Tail?”
I calmly shook my head.
“No.”
Father finally found his voice.
“Luke…” he said cautiously.
“Didn’t you tell me all day that you wanted to come here?”
“I did.”
“…You spent the entire carriage ride asking me stories about Fairy Tail.”
“I did.”
“…You even got excited when you saw the guild building.”
“I did.”
“…Then why did you just reject the invitation?”
I folded my arms and answered with complete seriousness.
“Because Master Makarov asked if I wanted to join Fairy Tail.”
“…Yes?”
“I don’t.”
“…”
“I want Fairy Tail to accept me.”
“…”
“…”
Makarov stared blankly before one corner of his mouth slowly twitched upward.
“…That’s…”
His shoulders began to shake.
“…Pfft…”
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
Before long, the Guild Master threw his head back and burst into booming laughter that echoed throughout the office.
“HAHAHAHAHAHA!”
He slapped his desk repeatedly, tears gathering at the corners of his eyes.
“You… you little rascal! Hahaha! I almost thought you were rejecting the guild!”
Even Father let out a helpless sigh before laughing along.
“I knew my son could be stubborn…” he muttered with a grin, “…but I didn’t expect him to play word games with the Guild Master.”
I shrugged innocently.
“I merely answered the question honestly.”
Makarov wiped a tear from his eye while still chuckling.
“So that’s your answer, huh?”
“Yes.”
I met his gaze without hesitation.
“I don’t want to join Fairy Tail because someone invited me.”
I stood up from the couch.
“I want to earn my place here.”
The smile on my face disappeared, replaced by quiet determination.
“I don’t want to rely on Father’s reputation. I don’t want people whispering that I only became a Fairy Tail mage because my father was an S-Class Wizard.”
“If I’m going to wear Fairy Tail’s emblem…”
I placed a hand over my chest.
“…then I want everyone in this guild to believe that I deserve it.”
The laughter faded.
Makarov’s expression softened, his old eyes quietly studying the boy standing before him.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then, ever so slowly…
The Guild Master smiled.
A proud smile.
Makarov stared at me for a long moment before his lips slowly curled into a grin.
The old Guild Master’s shoulders trembled, and then a hearty laugh burst from his chest, echoing throughout the room.
“Gahahaha!”
He wiped the corner of his eye before resting both hands on his hips.
“If that’s the case,” he said, his smile widening, “then let’s do it this way.”
His gaze shifted toward Father.
“Luke will fight one of Fairy Tail’s members as a chance to prove himself. That should satisfy everyone’s curiosity.”
Father didn’t even hesitate.
A proud smile spread across his face as he crossed his arms.
“Sounds great!” he replied confidently.
“Nothing speaks louder than actions.”
I simply nodded.
“I have no objections.”
Although my expression remained calm, my thoughts immediately began racing.
One of Fairy Tail’s members…?
The names I had heard from Father over the years flashed through my mind one after another.
Whoever it is…
I can’t underestimate them.
Just as I was beginning to sink deeper into my thoughts, Makarov’s voice pulled me back to reality.
“It seems everyone agrees,” the old man declared cheerfully.
“Then let’s head to the guild’s training grounds out back!”
With that, he hopped down from the table with surprising agility.
The three of us descended the wooden staircase.
The lively noise of the guild hall grew louder with every step.
The moment Makarov stepped into the hall, however, the atmosphere shifted.
Everyone instinctively turned toward the guild master.
Makarov walked to the center of the guild hall before raising one hand.
The moment Makarov reached the center of the guild hall, he clapped his hands loudly.
CLAP!
CLAP!
“Listen up, you lot!”
The noisy hall immediately quieted.
Every pair of eyes turned toward the Guild Master.
Makarov pointed his thumb toward me.
“This boy here, Luke Valenhart, wants to join Fairy Tail.”
“Another recruit?”
“He looks pretty young.”
“Didn’t he just arrive?”
“But…” Makarov continued with a mischievous grin, “before that happens, I thought we’d make things a little more interesting.”
The guild members tilted their heads in confusion.
“So he’ll be taking a test.”
“…A test?” several voices echoed at once.
The guild fell strangely silent.
One mage blinked in disbelief.
“Since when does Fairy Tail have an entrance exam?”
Another scratched his head.
“I don’t remember taking one.”
“I just got punched by the old man and somehow became a member.”
“Yeah! Same here!”
Laughter spread throughout the hall.
Even I couldn’t help but sweatdrop slightly.
…That sounds exactly like Fairy Tail.
Makarov raised a hand, silencing everyone once more.
“Normally, there isn’t one.”
The crowd nodded.
“But this boy is different.”
His expression became more serious.
“He’s the son of one of Fairy Tail’s former S-Class mages.”
The guild members instinctively looked toward Father.
Recognition quickly appeared on several faces.
Makarov smiled.
“So, to satisfy both my curiosity… and yours…”
He pointed toward the open doors leading outside.
“Luke will fight one of Fairy Tail’s members!”
For a brief second there is silence.
Then…
“OOOOOOHHHHHH!!”
The guild exploded into cheers.
Tables shook.
Mugs were raised into the air.
Now this sounded like Fairy Tail.
“A fight!”
“This is gonna be good!”
“I’ve been bored all day!”
“Go easy on the kid!”
“Nah! Don’t hold back!”
“Let’s see what he’s made of!”
The atmosphere became electric as everyone rushed toward the rear training grounds, eager not to miss the spectacle.
Once everyone had gathered outside, Makarov slowly scanned the crowd.
“Hmm…”
His eyes wandered across dozens of eager faces.
Several guild members immediately volunteered.
“I’ll do it!”
“No, pick me!”
“Come on, old man!”
Makarov ignored every single one of them.
Instead, his gaze settled on a blond kid lazily leaning against a nearby tree, his arms crossed while watching the commotion with interest.
A confident smirk rested on his face as strands of golden hair danced in the afternoon breeze.
Makarov grinned knowingly.
“Laxus.”
My gaze wandered across taking in the sea of faces before finally settling on a boy for a brief moment, I simply stared.
So that’s…
Laxus.
is still the eight years old one, before the burdens of his family name and the pain of betrayal clouded his heart.
the kind-hearted boy whose booming laughter echoed throughout Fairy Tail’s guild hall
His wild, spiky blond hair was already impossible to tame, jutting in every direction no matter how much anyone tried to comb it.
Large amber eyes sparkled with endless curiosity, always searching for the next adventure or someone willing to play.
The entire crowd froze.
“…Huh?”
“You?”
“Seriously?”
Even the atmosphere seemed to pause for a heartbeat.
Then, all at once—
“OOOOOOOOHHHHHH!”
The cheers became even louder than before.
“Laxus! Show him who’s boss!”
“Don’t lose, Laxus!”
“Give the kid a good welcome!”
“Don’t blow him away with one punch!”
Some laughed nervously.
Others looked at me with sympathy.
Father merely folded his arms with a calm smile, seemingly unconcerned by Makarov’s choice.
As for Laxus…
He slowly pushed himself away from the tree and walked toward the center of the training ground with an unhurried confidence.
He stopped several meters away from me, his crimson eyes studying me from head to toe.
“So…” he said, a faint grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“You’re the grandpa’s special guest.”
His eyes narrowed with interest.
“I hope you’re not boring.”
A smile crept onto my own face as I tightened my grip around my staff.
“I was about to say the same thing.”
For a brief moment, neither of us moved.
The wind swept across the training ground, carrying with it the sound of fluttering guild banners.
Then, sensing the tension in the air, the Fairy Tail members instinctively stepped farther back, forming a wide circle around us.
The excitement that had filled the guild only moments ago had transformed into anticipation.
Everyone knew one thing.
The moment this fight began…
No one would be taking their eyes off the training ground.
The moment both of us stepped into the center of the training grounds, an excited silence settled over the Fairy Tail guild.
Every pair of eyes was fixed on the field, anticipation hanging thick in the air.
Even the usual chatter of the guild had faded away, replaced by eager whispers and the occasional bet being exchanged between members.
Standing several meters apart, Laxus and I stared each other down.
His small frame looked almost harmless at first glance, but the faint crackle of golden lightning dancing around his fingertips betrayed the monstrous talent sleeping within the eight-year-old boy.
His eyes burned with determination, completely unlike the carefree smile he usually wore around the guild.
I tightened my grip around my engraved staff and took a slow breath.
He’s still young…
but he’s Makarov’s grandson.
Underestimating him would be the fastest way to lose.
Master Makarov stood between us with his hands behind his back, glancing from one child to the other.
A grin slowly spread across his wrinkled face.
“Heh… both of you ready?”
Laxus rolled his shoulders.
“I’ve been ready.”
I gave a small nod.
“Anytime.”
The old Guild Master raised one arm high into the air.
“…Begin!”
The instant his hand dropped, Makarov vanished from between us with surprising speed.
Without wasting even a heartbeat, I kicked off the ground and leaped backward, putting several meters between us.
“Rune Magic: Enhancement.”
A glowing azure magic circle unfolded beneath my feet before dissolving into streams of runic light that wrapped around my body.
My muscles immediately felt lighter, sharper, stronger.
My senses heightened as mana surged through every vein.
Always buff first.
That single moment of preparation proved to be the right decision.
“Lightning Magic!”
A violent crack echoed across the arena.
Golden lightning exploded from Laxus’ outstretched hand.
“Lightning Bolt!”
Two blazing spears of electricity ripped through the air, leaving scorched trails across the ground as they shot directly toward me.
Fast.
Far faster than most children should ever be capable of.
I twisted my body sideways.
Crack!
The first bolt grazed past my shoulder.
I pushed off the ground and rolled to the opposite side.
BOOM!
The second bolt blasted apart the stone where I had stood only an instant earlier.
The spectators gasped.
Before the smoke could settle, I raised my hand.
Runes spun into existence before me, weaving themselves into a glowing sigil.
A concentrated beam of azure mana shot straight toward Laxus.
Rather than retreating, he charged.
His blond hair fluttered wildly as lightning burst around his legs, propelling him forward with explosive speed.
He’s closing the distance!
In the blink of an eye, he was already in front of me.
Golden lightning wrapped around his right arm until it looked as though his fist had become a living thunderbolt.
“Hah!”
He threw a straight punch.
But I immediately traced another rune into the air.
“Rune Magic: Barrier!”
A translucent circle shield materialized just before the impact.
BOOOM!
The barrier trembled violently under the force of the electrified punch.
Cracks spread across its surface.
He’s stronger than I expected!
But my left hand had already begun tracing another rune while my right maintained the barrier.
“Rune Magic: Bolt.”
A second beam erupted from beside the barrier at an angle Laxus hadn’t anticipated.
“…!”
The spell struck him squarely in the shoulder.
A burst of blue light exploded on impact.
Laxus stumbled backward, boots scraping across the ground as he skidded several meters before finally regaining his balance.
The crowd erupted.
“He landed it!”
“That was a feint!”
Laxus rubbed the smoking spot on his shoulder before letting out a grin.
“…You’re strong.”
I couldn’t help smiling back.
“I can’t say the same about you.”
“…Heh.” A vein twitched on his forehead.
“You’ll regret saying that.”
Lightning suddenly erupted around his entire body.
The pressure in the arena noticeably increased.
Then—He disappeared.
Fast!
A loud crack split the air as Laxus shot toward me even faster than before, the ground breaking beneath every step.
I calmly extended my hand.
“Rune Magic: Bolt.”
One bolt.
Then another after another.
“…Bolt! Bolt! Bolt!”
Blue streaks of mana shot toward him from different angles like a barrage of arrows.
Laxus twisted around the first.
Ducking beneath the second.
He slapped the third aside with a lightning-coated arm.
The fourth exploded directly before him.
A thick cloud of smoke and shattered stone engulfed his figure.
“…Did he get him?” someone whispered.
“No…”
A flash of gold pierced through the dust.
Laxus burst out of the smoke like a bolt of lightning itself.
There wasn’t even enough time to cast another large barrier.
Too close!
Instead of expanding a shield in front of me, I condensed the spell.
“Rune Magic: Barrier.”
The rune compressed into a thin layer of shimmering light around my clenched fist.
A barrier—not for defense…
But reinforcement.
Our fists collided.
BOOOOOM!
A shockwave exploded outward.
Lightning and blue mana crashed together violently, sending dust spiraling into the air.
Neither of us gave ground.
Laxus threw another punch.
I slipped inside his guard and countered.
He answered with a lightning-coated elbow.
I deflected it with my fist before striking toward his ribs.
The exchange became a blur.
Mana and lightning flashed with every collision as the two of us traded blows at close range, neither willing to yield even a single step.
Cheers echoed throughout the guild hall.
“They’re only eight?!”
“No way…”
“They’re monsters!”
I could already tell.
Laxus wasn’t slowing down.
If anything…
He was enjoying himself.
He’s adapting.
Then I saw it.
For only the briefest instant, his guard opened after committing too much weight into his right swing.
Now!
My fingers traced two runes simultaneously.
“Double Rune Magic: Chains!”
Twin magic circles bloomed beneath Laxus.
With a metallic roar, glowing chains erupted from the runes and wrapped tightly around both of his wrists before he could react.
“What—?!”
His arms were pulled apart.
His balance broke.
I stepped forward in one fluid motion, my fist cocked back.
The enhancement rune glowed brighter.
One clean punch…
That was all it would take.
Laxus’ eyes widened.
The spectators held their breath.
Then—
I stopped.
My fist hovered barely an inch from his face.
Silence.
The only sound was the faint crackling of the lightning still dancing around Laxus’ body.
I slowly lowered my hand before turning toward Master Makarov.
A small smile crossed my face.
“I think that’s enough to prove my point… don’t you think, Master?”
For a heartbeat, no one spoke.
Then Makarov burst into laughter.
“Gahahaha! That’s enough!” He raised one arm high.
“The winner is Luke!”
For a brief second, the guild remained silent.
Then the entire hall exploded.
Thunderous applause shook the building.
Cheers, whistles, and laughter erupted from every corner of Fairy Tail.
“That was amazing!”
“What a fight!”
“Did you see those magic?!”
“They’re unbelievable!”
Even the tables rattled from everyone stomping their feet in excitement.
Laxus looked at the chains binding his wrists before letting out a frustrated click of his tongue.
After a moment, however, a grin slowly spread across his face.
“…Next time,” he said confidently, “I’m winning.”
I chuckled as I released the chains with a wave of my hand.
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
He rubbed the back of his neck before extending a fist toward me.
“…Good fight.”
I smiled and bumped my fist against his.
“Good fight.”
The moment our fists met, the guild’s cheers grew even louder, celebrating not just the end of a duel, but the beginning of a rivalry that would one day become legendary.
.
.
.
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<Hey!
New Author here!
i just want to tell anyone who is reading this, thank you for taking a little time for reading my creation, this is just a little hobby for me.
hope you enjoy it and any comment, suggestion and opinion don’t be shy to tell me.
just be kind as much as possible that’s it thank you and i hope you have a nice day!>