The moment our duel came to an end, the guild hall seemed to return to life as though someone had lifted the lid off a boiling pot.
The members who had gathered to watch gradually dispersed, each returning to their own brand of delightful chaos.
Some challenged each other to arm-wrestling matches while loudly arguing over who had cheated.
Others resumed drinking as if nothing extraordinary had happened, tankards crashing together amidst booming laughter.
A table in the corner had already become the stage for another heated card game, while somewhere near the request board, someone shouted that another fight had broken out over the last slice of meat.
It was loud.
It was disorderly.
It was absolute mayhem.
…Yet somehow, it felt strangely warm.
This wasn’t the polished atmosphere of a noble estate or the quiet discipline of Father’s training yard.
Every corner of Fairy Tail pulsed with life, filled with people who laughed without restraint, argued without malice, and lived exactly as they pleased.
I couldn’t help smiling.
Father placed a hand on my shoulder before gently steering me through the sea of guild members.
“Come on,” he said with a chuckle.
“There’s still one last thing to do.”
Together, we walked toward the long wooden bar at the front of the guild hall.
Standing behind it was the tiny figure of Guild Master Makarov, who had already climbed onto the countertop so he could properly look at me without craning his neck.
The old master folded his arms with a grin that made the wrinkles around his eyes deepen.
“So, kid,” he said.
“Looks like you ‘passed’.”
I nodded respectfully.
“Yes, Master.”
“Then…” He reached beneath the counter and pulled out a peculiar object—a small magical stamp engraved with the unmistakable Fairy Tail emblem.
The runes carved along its frame shimmered faintly as magical energy flowed through it.
“Where do you want your guild mark?”
I had already decided.
“My left shoulder, please.”
“And the color?”
“White.”
Makarov raised an eyebrow before breaking into an amused smile.
“White, huh? That’s a rare choice.”
“It suits me.”
“Hahaha! Fair enough.”
He poured a small amount of magic into the stamp, causing the intricate runes etched across its surface to glow with a soft golden light.
The emblem floating above it briefly materialized before settling back into the stamp itself.
So that’s how it works…
My eyes couldn’t leave the magical tool.
The construction was fascinating.
Unlike ordinary objects enchanted with magic, this one seemed capable of storing a stable magical formula inside its frame.
The magic circle weren’t merely decorative, they were layered, interconnected, almost like miniature magic circles compressed into a handheld device.
‘A reusable magic array…?
No…
more like a magical catalyst.
Interesting…
I can recreate something like this with Rune Magic’
My mind had already begun taking it apart piece by piece, mentally tracing every line engraved into its surface.
Perhaps if I studied enough magical inscriptions…
Perhaps…
I could make something like this myself someday.
A gentle pressure against my shoulder interrupted my thoughts.
The stamp touched my skin.
A pleasant warmth spread across my left shoulder, neither burning nor painful.
It felt almost like sunlight resting against my skin.
When Master Makarov lifted the stamp away, the white Fairy Tail emblem had already settled perfectly upon my shoulder.
It looked as though it had always belonged there.
“There.”
He stepped back with a satisfied nod before crossing his arms proudly.
“From this day onward…”
His voice, though calm, carried through the entire guild hall.
“You’re one of us.”
He smiled, a smile filled not with authority, but genuine affection.
“Welcome to Fairy Tail.”
For a brief moment…
The guild became quiet.
Then—
“OOOOOOOOOH!!”
Cheers exploded throughout the hall.
“Welcome aboard!”
“Another brat joined!”
“Let’s celebrate!”
“Someone buy the kid some juice!”
“Who’s paying?!”
“Not me!”
Laughter erupted once again as mugs slammed onto tables and chairs scraped across the wooden floor.
Someone had already started another drinking contest.
Another pair had somehow begun wrestling again.
So, this is Fairy Tail…
A place where everyone welcomed each other like family.
Just then, someone stopped in front of me.
I looked up.
Standing there with his hands tucked into his pockets was the same blond boy I had fought only moments ago.
Laxus.
He stared at me for several seconds before letting out a quiet huff.
“…You’re stronger than I thought.”
“So are you.”
He clicked his tongue, though there wasn’t any hostility behind it this time.
“You hit pretty hard.”
“You nearly blasted me through the wall.”
A grin slowly spread across his face.
“Guess we’ll have to settle who’s stronger another day.”
“I’d like that.”
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Laxus shrugged as though embarrassed by the silence.
“…Don’t fall behind.”
With those simple words, he turned around and walked away, pretending not to notice the members who were already teasing him.
“Oi, Laxus! Making friends already?”
“Shut up!”
“Hahaha!”
I watched him disappear into the crowd before letting out a quiet chuckle.
He really is different at this age…
Before I could continue watching, Father suddenly rested a hand atop my head.
I looked back.
He wore the same calm smile as always.
“The Guild Master and I have a few things to discuss.”
I hesitated.
“…Should I stay?”
Father immediately waved me off.
“No need.”
He gave me a gentle shove toward the bustling guild hall.
“Go.”
“But—”
“You’ve officially joined Fairy Tail now.”
His smile softened.
“Go make some friends.”
I glanced between Father and Guild Master Makarov.
The two adults exchanged knowing smiles, clearly about to discuss something meant only for grown-ups.
Realizing I would only be in the way, I let out a defeated sigh.
“…Alright.”
Turning back toward the roaring guild hall, I took a slow breath.
Everywhere I looked, people laughed, argued, sparred, ate, and celebrated without a care in the world.
I wasn’t merely visiting Fairy Tail anymore.
I belonged here.
And somehow that simple realization filled my heart with a warmth unlike anything I had ever known.
While I was weaving through the noisy crowd, catching up after Laxus as he effortlessly slipped between the guild members, another conversation was quietly unfolding on the opposite side of the hall.
Away from the constant laughter, the crashing mugs, and the endless chaos that defined Fairy Tail, Father sat at the bar beside Master Makarov.
A pair of untouched snacks rested between them while two large mugs of beer reflected the warm amber light hanging from the ceiling.
At first glance, they looked like two old men enjoying a peaceful afternoon.
But Father casually traced a single rune beneath the counter with his fingertip.
A faint silver light spread across the wooden floor before disappearing completely.
Silence Rune.
The surrounding laughter remained just as loud, yet the space around the two became strangely isolated.
No sound from within the rune could escape, nor could the guild’s uproar intrude upon their conversation.
Father took a slow sip of his beer before letting out a quiet breath.
“The Magic Council approached me again.”
Master Makarov, who had been absentmindedly chewing on a pretzel, paused mid-bite.
His old eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
“…Again?”
Father nodded.
“They want me to join them.”
The Guild Master remained silent for a moment before asking the obvious question.
“And?”
Father didn’t answer immediately.
He simply lifted his mug, took another drink, and set it down with a soft thunk.
“I declined.”
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
“Being born into nobility is already enough of a burden. It’s useful for avoiding political headaches, but adding the Magic Council to my responsibilities?” He shook his head.
“I’d rather spend my remaining years teaching my son than drowning in paperwork.”
Makarov burst into a hearty laugh.
“Gyahahaha!”
Several guild members instinctively turned toward him before quickly returning to their own business.
Even without hearing the conversation, everyone was accustomed to the master’s sudden laughter.
“It really is true,” Makarov said with a grin.
“Age has finally caught up with you.”
Father raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?”
“The infamous Rune Executioner…” Makarov chuckled, amusement dancing in his eyes.
“Never in my life did I imagine you’d solve a problem with words.”
He leaned closer with a mischievous grin.
“I honestly thought you’d march straight into Council Headquarters, carve the building in half with one of your rune blades, then tell them to go to hell.”
Father pinched the bridge of his nose and released a long, exhausted sigh.
“…Master.”
“Hm?”
“I’m old.”
Makarov snorted.
“I have a wife.”
“Hahaha!”
“I have a son.”
“Hahahahaha!”
“And unlike a certain reckless old dwarf, I’d like to keep returning home in one piece.”
That only made Makarov laugh even harder.
The old Guild Master wiped a tear from the corner of his eye before shaking his head.
“I suppose time really does tame monsters.”
He lifted his mug toward Father.
“You’ve earned your retirement.”
His smile softened.
“You fought enough battles for this family.”
“…Thank you.”
For several moments, neither of them spoke.
The cheerful noise of Fairy Tail filled the silence beyond the barrier while both men simply enjoyed their drinks.
Eventually Father broke the silence.
“By the way…” He glanced around the guild hall.
“Where’s Gildarts?”
A knowing grin spread across Makarov’s wrinkled face.
“Still he’s out chasing skirts?” Father shrugged.
“It wouldn’t surprise me.”
“Gyahaha!”
Makarov shook his head.
“You just missed him.”
“He was here?”
“Two days ago.”
Father nodded thoughtfully.
“So he’s still taking requests.”
“The guild would be in trouble otherwise.”
Father took another drink before speaking again.
“It must be rough carrying the title of Fairy Tail’s only active S-Class.”
He smiled faintly.
“Though knowing Gildarts…”
“…He’s probably still destroying half the country wherever he goes.”
Makarov sighed dramatically.
“That part hasn’t changed.”
“Figures.”
“But…” The old master’s smile suddenly became rather smug.
“He’s stopped chasing every pretty woman he sees.”
Father blinked.
“…He what?”
“I know. I’m just as surprised. He actually found someone.”
Father nearly choked on his beer.
“…You’re joking.”
“I’m not. And…”
Makarov leaned closer before lowering his voice, despite the privacy barrier already surrounding them.
“He seems serious this time.”
Father stared at him for a long second.
Then he asked the only question that mattered.
“…Who?”
Makarov chuckled.
“You know her.”
Father frowned, searching through years of memories.
“Someone from the guild?”
Makarov simply smiled into his beer.
“I’m not saying another word.”
“Master.”
“Nope.”
“You’ve already told me this much.”
“And that’s already more than I should’ve.”
The old Guild Master pointed a finger at him.
“And if Gildarts finds out I told you…”
Father couldn’t help but smirk.
“…I’ll pretend I figured it out myself.”
“That somehow sounds even worse.”
The two old friends laughed together.
Their conversation gradually drifted away from politics and old legends, moving instead toward lighter topics.
They reminisced about missions that had nearly killed them, laughed over the reckless antics of former guild members, debated which generation of Fairy Tail mages was the most troublesome, and occasionally exchanged stories about married life.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the guild hall…
“LAXUS!”
The blonde boy glanced over his shoulder.
A smug grin spread across his face the moment he saw me charging after him.
“You’ll never catch me!”
“Oh, I’ll catch you!”
“You’ve been saying that for the last ten minutes!”
He laughed before vaulting cleanly over a table.
I followed immediately behind.
“HEY!”
“MY DRINK!”
“WHO JUST STOLE MY CHAIR?!”
Macao barely managed to pull his mug out of the way before I leaped across the table in pursuit.
Laxus looked back, grinning wider.
“Too slow!”
“Oh, you’re asking for it!”
The guild erupted into another wave of laughter as our chase continued around the hall, completely oblivious to the quiet reunion taking place behind the invisible rune barrier.
For just a little while longer, Fairy Tail was exactly as it should be, a home filled with laughter, old friends, and memories that would never fade.
.
.
.
.
.
<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!>
<Thank you guys for the comment and questions, i try to answer the ones i see, and for the power stone Thank you so much!
hope you enjoy this little hobby of mine.>