"Mira! Cana! Prepare the drinks!"
"Yes, Master!"
"Natsu! Gray! Gajeel! Go get the biggest barbecue grill from the warehouse!"
"Oh!"
"Elfman! The manly barbecue is in your hands!"
"Manly! Mission accomplished!"
"Levy! Lucy! Yukino! Go decorate the hall! Make it the liveliest!"
"Understood!"
"Warren! Wakaba! Macao! Alzack! Go shopping! Bring back all the best ingredients and wine in the city! If you don't have enough money, put it on my tab!"
"Haha! Leave it to us!"
The entire Fairy Tail Guild instantly began to operate at high speed like a precise machine!
Sadness and despair had long been cast to the winds, replaced by the ecstasy of surviving a disaster, the enthusiasm of welcoming a new life, and the unique, never-ending vitality of Fairy Tail!
Tables and chairs were quickly assembled into a huge long table, covered with a white tablecloth.
Ribbons and balloons hung from the ceiling and walls.
A huge barbecue grill was set up in the center, and Elfman had already begun to show off his "manly" grilling skills. Grease dripped onto the charcoal, making an enticing "sizzling" sound, and the rich aroma of meat instantly filled the air.
Mira and Cana flitted between the bar and the long table like butterflies, opening bottle after bottle of chilled ale, fruit wine, and champagne, the foam joyfully spilling over the rims of the glasses.
Levy, Lucy, and Yukino were busy arranging decorations, conjuring shimmering starlight and fluttering petals with magic.
Wendy was gently led aside by Laki and Bisca, who introduced her to the Fairy Tail Guild members, especially the "heroes" who had just returned from the battlefield.
Wendy timidly looked at Cana, Max, Natsu, Levy, Lucy, and Ezreal, her eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of admiration.
Carla, meanwhile, was curiously surrounded by Happy and Yuumi. Although Carla maintained a haughty expression, Happy's persistent flirting seemed to be getting to her.
Juvia followed closely behind Gray, trying to help him move things, but Gray awkwardly stopped her: "You… your injury just healed, sit down and rest."
Juvia immediately nodded happily, found a seat closest to Gray, and watched Gray's busy back with a blissful expression, cupping her face in her hands.
Ezreal was surrounded by everyone and seated in a chair next to the head of the table.
Max sat beside him and handed him a bubbling glass of chilled ale.
"How are you feeling?" Max asked in a low voice, his emerald eyes filled with concern.
Ezreal took the glass, the cool touch invigorating him. He took a small sip, and the mellow aroma of malt and the stimulating fizz spread in his mouth, bringing a real, living sense of pleasure.
"A little tired," he said frankly, his golden pupils reflecting the flickering fire and the boisterous crowd, a warm arc curving his lips, "But… it's good. Very good."
He watched Natsu and Gajeel almost come to blows over the last grilled rib, only to be subdued by a punch from Erza each.
He watched Gray become uncomfortable under Juvia's fervent gaze and proactively picked up his clothes from the floor to put them on.
He watched Lucy and Levy laughingly smear cream on Yukino's face.
He watched Wendy, encouraged by Laki, eat small bites of cake, a satisfied smile on her face.
He watched Carla finally roll her eyes, unable to resist Happy's teasing… It was noisy, boisterous, and even a little chaotic.
But this was Fairy Tail.
This was… home.
"Cheers!" Master Makarov raised his huge wooden mug, his voice booming and overriding all the noise, "To our Ezreal! For his safe return!"
"To Senior EZ! Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Everyone raised their glasses, juice cups, and even barbecue forks, cheering and clinking!
The golden liquid swirled in the cups, reflecting every face beaming with pure joy.
"Cheers!" Ezreal also smiled and raised his glass, clinking it with Max, Cana, Natsu, Lucy, Levy… everyone's glasses.
The crisp clinking sound was like a celebratory symphony.
"To our new Fairy Tail Guild members—Wendy! Carla! And… Juvia! Welcome to the Fairy Tail family!" Makarov shouted again!
"Welcome, Wendy! Welcome, Carla! Welcome, Juvia!"
"Cheers!"
Wendy shyly raised her juice cup, her small face flushed red.
Carla primly touched Happy's offered dried fish cup with her paw.
Juvia excitedly stood up, bowed deeply, then chugged her drink, coughing and drawing good-natured laughter and a slightly helpless but caring look from Gray.
"Finally!" Makarov's voice was filled with immense pride and boldness, "To Fairy Tail! To our indestructible bonds! To… tomorrow!"
"To Fairy Tail!!!"
"To our bonds!!!"
"To tomorrow!!!"
"Cheers—!!!"
A huge wave of sound seemed to burst through the Fairy Tail Guild's roof and soar into the sky!
The banquet officially reached its climax!
Natsu and Gajeel began their predictable "eating contest," devouring the barbecue like a whirlwind.
Elfman grilled meat while flexing his "manly" muscles, drawing a snarky comment from Evergreen and a gentle gaze from Mira.
Gray tried to make ice sculpture decorations with Ice Demon magic, but Juvia's adoring gaze made his hands tremble, and the ice sculpture turned out crooked, eventually being perfectly replaced by a flame rose conjured by Cana's fairy card.
Lucy, Levy, Yukino, and Wendy gathered together. Lucy excitedly told Wendy stories about Celestial Spirits, while Levy took out a magic book to conceive new adventure chapters. Yukino listened quietly, and Wendy's big eyes were filled with longing.
Although Carla complained that Happy was too noisy, Happy still pulled her to join Yuumi's "Winged Tribe" chat group.
Laki and Cana moved through the crowd, refilling drinks and adding food, always with gentle and satisfied smiles on their faces.
Master Makarov was surrounded by a group of old friends, telling adventure stories from their youth, with laughter constantly ringing out.
Ezreal sat in the lively center, watching it all, a warm light flowing in his golden eyes.
He sipped his drink, occasionally responding to the teasing and greetings from his companions.
Max handed him a perfectly grilled, sizzling rib.
"Try it, Elfman's cooking has improved."
Ezreal took a bite; it was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, juicy, and perfectly seasoned.
"Hmm, delicious," he narrowed his eyes in satisfaction.
Cana sat down beside him with a newly opened bottle of wine and refilled his glass.
Ezreal couldn't help but put a hand to his forehead, "I thought you successfully quit drinking."
Cana blinked, "Today is an exception."
"This drink is the interest on the wine money you owe me."
Cana raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile in her eyes.
Ezreal chuckled: "Alright, double the interest."
Natsu, his mouth full of meat, mumbled as he leaned over: "Senior EZ! Next time! Next time we definitely have to have a proper fight!"
"Anytime," Ezreal replied with a smile.
Lucy walked over, pulling Wendy along, who was still holding a small piece of cake.
"Senior EZ…" Wendy said softly, her big eyes full of curiosity and a hint of awe.
"Hmm?" Ezreal looked at her gently.
"Sister Mira said… said you defeated very, very bad people… and saved everyone… Senior EZ is so amazing!" Wendy said, plucking up her courage.
Ezreal smiled and gently ruffled Wendy's blue hair: "It wasn't just my effort; it was everyone's strength. In the future, you'll become very strong too, Wendy."
"Really?" Wendy's eyes lit up.
"Of course," Ezreal nodded affirmatively.
Juvia also bravely walked over and bowed to Ezreal again: "Master Ezreal, Juvia thanks you for defeating Master Jose… Juvia will definitely work hard and not let the Fairy Tail Guild down for taking her in!"
"Welcome, Juvia," Ezreal smiled and nodded, "Fairy Tail will be your new beginning."
Gray watched from not far away, letting out a soft "hmph," but his gaze had softened considerably.
The night deepened, but the Fairy Tail Guild's revelry showed no signs of abating.
Wine bottles emptied and refilled, laughter rising and falling.
Songs began to ring out, first Natsu's off-key shouting, then Lucy and Levy's clear duet, followed by Mira's gentle voice, and finally turning into everyone's grand chorus.
Wendy, encouraged by Laki, also quietly hummed along.
Carla leaned against Wendy's leg, seemingly asleep.
Juvia, blushing, secretly watched Gray nod gently to the rhythm.
Ezreal leaned back in his chair, holding a half-empty glass of wine, his golden pupils reflecting the flickering hearth, his laughing companions, his newly joined family… an unprecedented, warm, sun-drenched sense of languor enveloped him.
The fatigue in his body remained, and the traces of darkness that had eroded his soul might not have completely disappeared.
But at this moment, listening to the clamor in his ears, feeling the warmth of his companions beside him, seeing the light of hope twinkling in the eyes of the new members… This was the meaning of battle, this was the value of protection.
This was… Fairy Tail.
He tilted his head slightly and drained the last drop of wine from his glass.
The cool liquid slid down his throat, bringing a hint of tipsy warmth.
He closed his eyes, a satisfied and peaceful arc curving his lips.
The revelry continued, the banquet far from over.
And the everyday life of Fairy Tail, full of laughter and tears, noisy yet incredibly warm… had just begun.
The moonlight outside the window gently cast its glow, bathing the outline of the Fairy Tail Guild in a silver sheen.
Magnolia's night was quiet and peaceful.
Inside the Fairy Tail Guild, the lights were bright, and laughter flowed like a warm, unending river.
In this land that had experienced darkness and separation, and was finally illuminated by hope and reunion, new bonds were taking root, and new stories were quietly being written.
The Fairy Tail flag fluttered silently in the night breeze.
[Okay, Volume 5 is successfully concluded. I put a lot of effort into writing the action scenes and daily life scenes in this volume, and I am personally quite satisfied.
Most of the Fairy Tail Guild members had their moments to shine, and no one overshadowed anyone else. I tried my best to let the Fairy Tail characters I wrote radiate their own brilliance.
The next new volume will be half daily life and half combat, interspersed, so that everyone can have a better viewing experience.
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I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"