Magnolia, Fairy Tail Guild.
When Ezreal and the five others, carrying the exhaustion of surviving a disaster and the immense joy of recovering what was lost, returned to the Fairy Tail Guild hall just as the sun rose, the heavy wooden door seemed to sense the lightness that followed such weight.
The door hinges creaked—
A long, soft sound, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted.
Inside the door, there was no longer the silence of sorrow.
Sunlight streamed through the high stained-glass windows, casting dappled, warm beams that dispelled the lingering gloom.
The air was filled with a scent that mixed pine, ale, freshly baked bread, and… an indescribable, warm essence called "home."
The Guild hall was bustling with activity and lively chatter.
"They're back! They're back!"
"EZ! It's EZ!"
"And everyone else! They all returned safely!"
Cheers erupted like a bursting dam, instantly flooding the entire hall!
The members who had stayed behind had been eagerly waiting, and now they surged towards the entrance like a tide!
Mira's professional, gentle smile bloomed completely, like a blossoming lily, carrying the most sincere joy and a trace of unshed tears, as she was the first to greet them.
"Welcome back! EZ! Welcome back, everyone!" Her voice was slightly choked but filled with a sunny brightness.
"EZ! You rascal!" Macao laughed, patting Ezreal's shoulder with such force that the newly awakened Ezreal stumbled, yet a helpless but warm smile appeared on his face.
"This is great! This is great!" Laki and Bisca hugged each other excitedly, while Alzack wiped away tears nearby, a wide smile on his lips.
Wakaba and Warren raised their glasses, shouting loudly: "Let's have a banquet! We must have a banquet! For EZ's return! For Fairy Tail's victory!"
"Banquet!!!" The deafening cheers almost blew the roof off!
Ezreal was surrounded by this fervent atmosphere. His golden eyes swept over familiar smiling faces, seeing the undisguised concern, joy, and relief in their eyes, and the last trace of coldness from his slumber was completely dispelled.
He gently patted the hands of Cana and Max, who were supporting him, indicating he was fine, then took a deep breath, a warm yet slightly weary smile blooming on his face, like the rising sun.
"Ah… I'm back," his voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying a sense of calm finality and deep belonging, "I made everyone worry."
"It's good that you're back! It's good that you're back!" Master Makarov's short figure squeezed through the crowd. He looked up at Ezreal, tears glistening in his aged eyes, but more than that, there was immense joy of relief, pride, and satisfaction.
He clapped Ezreal's arm firmly, his voice booming, "Children! Today! We drink until we drop! For our hero! For Fairy Tail!"
"Oh—!!!"
The cheers reached their peak once more!
Just then, a small commotion came from the back of the crowd.
"Excuse me! Please excuse me!" A clear, slightly timid voice rang out.
Everyone instinctively parted, forming a path.
A little girl with beautiful long blue hair, wearing a light purple dress, stood shyly behind the crowd.
She was tightly clutching a pure white cat with wings on its back—it was Carla!
The little girl looked about ten years old, with delicate features, but her face showed the tension of a newcomer.
Her large, watery eyes curiously, yet with a hint of unease, surveyed the bustling crowd and unfamiliar surroundings.
Beside her stood a young woman with long aquamarine hair, wearing a dark blue dress—Juvia.
Juvia's face was still a bit pale, but her spirits were much better. She was now looking at the blue-haired little girl with a gentle smile, seemingly comforting her.
Cana, Max, Natsu, Levy, Lucy, and the newly awakened Ezreal all looked at these two unfamiliar faces with curiosity.
Ezreal recognized them, but he was also a bit confused.
Everyone had seen Juvia before they left for the mission, but what was going on with Wendy and Carla? How did these two little ones end up at the Guild?
What had happened at the Guild while they were on their mission?
"Wendy? Carla?" Mira gently stepped forward, took the blue-haired little girl's hand, and led her to the front of everyone. "Master, EZ, everyone, allow me to introduce them. These two arrived at our Guild while you were on your mission."
Mira turned to Ezreal and the others, a warm smile on her face: "This is Wendy Marvell, and her partner Carla. They were sent to our Guild across space by a great Mage named Robinl, using the last of his thought-form power. Mr. Robinl said that Fairy Tail is a trustworthy place."
Wendy shyly lowered her head and whispered, "H-hello everyone… I'm Wendy…"
Carla, meanwhile, sized up the group of people who had just returned from battle, carrying the scent of gunpowder. Her gaze, especially when it fell on Ezreal, held a hint of scrutiny.
"Robinl?" Ezreal raised an eyebrow slightly. He vaguely remembered the name, but at the moment, his body's exhaustion and the joy of returning took precedence. He simply nodded gently at Wendy, "Welcome, Wendy, Carla."
Cana, Max, Natsu, Levy, and Lucy also offered friendly smiles. Though tired, they all welcomed the new members.
"This is Juvia," Mirajane continued, introducing the aquamarine-haired young woman, "Juvia was rescued by Gray. She was originally one of the Four Elements of Phantom Lord, but now, she wishes to join our Fairy Tail."
Juvia immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply to everyone, her face showing gratitude and a faint, almost imperceptible blush: "Everyone! Juvia… Juvia is very grateful to Lord Gray for saving her life! And Juvia is also very grateful that Fairy Tail is willing to take Juvia in! Juvia… Juvia will definitely work hard to become a member of the Guild!"
Gray stood to the side, somewhat uncomfortable being thanked so formally by Juvia. He rubbed his nose and cleared his throat: "Ahem… It's nothing, just happened to be there."
"Welcome, Juvia," Ezreal responded with a smile. He could feel the pure water elemental magic in Juvia, and her sincere desire to integrate into a new environment.
"Welcome, Wendy! Welcome, Carla! Welcome, Juvia!" The Guild once again erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers.
"Alright! Children!" Master Makarov stood up straight, surveying the packed Guild hall, filled with laughter, joy, and new faces. His small stature seemed to hold infinite power, "New members joining! Heroes returning! Double happiness! What reason do we have not to throw a grand welcome banquet?!"
"Banquet! Banquet! Banquet!"
The cheers swept through the entire hall like a tsunami!
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