Just as everyone was still in shock, two familiar figures jogged out from behind the imposing wrought-iron gate to greet them.
"Oh, you're back!"
Mirajane was still as gentle and lovely as ever, covering her mouth and chuckling when she saw the four standing still.
"How is it? Were you surprised by the new guild?"
Lucy followed beside her, hands behind her back, winking playfully. "We were quite amazed by this luxurious guild when we came back."
"Mirajane, Lucy." Erza greeted with a smile.
"Come on, come in and take a look, it's even better inside." Mirajane smiled and waved to everyone.
The four followed Mirajane and Lucy through the carved iron gate, and the first thing that caught their eyes was the spacious areas on both sides.
"This is the outdoor cafe."
Mirajane pointed to several exquisite parasols on the left, under which comfortable wicker tables and chairs were placed, alongside a meticulously maintained small garden where several colorful butterflies danced among the flowers.
"Over there, we even have our guild's self-operated general store. It sells everything." Lucy excitedly added, pointing to a small wooden house on the right.
Ryoma merely glanced at it before retracting his gaze.
'He sure knows how to enjoy himself.' He thought to himself.
This design clearly took into account the daily recreational needs of guild members and even aimed to generate income.
Natsu's attention was clearly not on these things. He sniffed the air vigorously, feeling as if something was missing.
The four followed Mirajane and Lucy into the castle-like main guild building. When they saw the full view of the first-floor hall, they couldn't help but freeze in place.
The entire hall was several times more spacious than before. The bar was longer and more impressive, and the tables and chairs were spread far apart, so it wouldn't feel crowded even if it were full.
"Wow!"
"It's not just these."
Mirajane led them around the bar, pointing to a glass door behind it. "Look, a new swimming pool has been built here."
Through the glass door, they could see a shimmering outdoor pool, thoughtfully equipped with beach chairs and sun umbrellas.
Erza looked around, and a rare hint of surprise appeared on her usually serious face. "This... is very nice."
Ryoma, trailing at the back, observed the luxurious decor, silently calculating in his mind.
'How much money must this have cost? The old man probably used all the funds I extorted from the Council to fulfill the promise he boasted about earlier.'
"And that's not all." Mirajane said with a beaming smile.
"A game room has also been added on the basement level, with a pool table and all sorts of fun things."
"The biggest change is actually on the second floor."
Mirajane's words successfully captured everyone's attention. She raised her hand and pointed upwards.
"From today onwards, anyone can go to the second floor."
As soon as she said this, Natsu, who had initially felt the new guild was a bit unfamiliar, instantly perked up, his eyes practically spitting fire.
"Oh! Really?!"
He broke free from Gray's grasp and shouted excitedly, "Does that mean I can also take S-class Quests?!"
Mirajane looked at his impatient expression, smiled, and wagged her index finger, interrupting his fantasy.
"No, Natsu."
"Although anyone can go up, the rules for S-class quests haven't changed. You must be accompanied by an S-Class Mage to accept one."
Natsu's excited flame instantly extinguished, and he turned completely Gray and dejected, muttering, "What... it's still the same."
Just then, a powerful voice suddenly came from behind them.
"You little rascals, you're finally back."
Everyone turned around to see Makarov standing there with his hands behind his back, a familiar smile on his face.
Ryoma pouted and casually replied, "Old man, if you say that, I'll be sad. I'm clearly so reliable."
Makarov glanced at him, completely ignoring his banter, and instead turned to introduce the girl beside him.
"Come, let me introduce you. This is our new member, Juvia. Isn't she lovely?"
The blue-haired girl immediately bowed to everyone upon hearing this.
"Nice to meet you. Please... please take care of me."
"Heh, hahaha." Gray couldn't help but chuckle a few times as he looked at her, then said, "You really joined."
Juvia immediately looked up, and nodded vigorously, a slight blush appearing on her face.
"Yes, Gray-sama. Juvia will definitely work hard."
"They're totally into each other."
Happy, who knows when, flew next to Gray, covering his mouth and letting out a meaningful, mischievous laugh.
Juvia's cheeks instantly turned crimson upon hearing Happy's words. She nervously wrung her hands in front of her, almost steaming.
"You stinky cat! I'll teach you a lesson!" Gray, enraged, immediately reached out to grab the leaping Happy.
The hall instantly returned to its usual noisy state.
"Alright." Makarov's voice rang out again.
He cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention back.
"Besides Juvia, another newcomer has joined."
He cast his gaze towards a solitary figure sitting in the corner of the bar.
"Hey, aren't you going to say hello to everyone?"
Everyone followed his gaze.
In the shadows of the corner, a black-haired figure sat there, slowly chewing on something, making a "crunch, crunch" sound.
When they saw the person's face, the previously lively atmosphere in the hall instantly dropped to freezing point.
Natsu's smile vanished, replaced by undisguised hostility, and flames ignited on his fists.
Gray stopped chasing Happy, instinctively assuming the starting stance for Ice-Make, with cold air swirling around him.
"Gajeel!"
"You... why are you here?!"
Even Erza now wore a stern and puzzled expression, speaking in a serious tone, "Master, we can understand Juvia's situation, but this guy... he was the mastermind behind the attack on the guild."
Makarov, however, just sighed calmly, "Guiding young people who have gone astray back to the right path in life, that is also the mission of us old veterans."
His gaze swept over Natsu, Gray, and Erza. "I believe his true nature isn't bad."
Erza ultimately chose to trust Makarov's judgment.
"I understand. I choose to abide by Master's judgment."
Her words caused the intensity around Natsu and Gray to subside slightly, but their hostility did not dissipate.
Erza then added, "However, until I confirm he has truly reformed, I will temporarily keep an eye on him."
This was the greatest concession she could make.
Ryoma hadn't spoken a word from beginning to end, merely watching quietly. He, of course, knew that Gajeel would become a reliable partner for the guild in the future and would change significantly.
But that was for the future. For now, Gajeel was a wild wolf that had just been brought in, still untamed. Verbal sermons were useless against a wild wolf. It was best to make him understand who the hunter was.
Under everyone's astonished gaze, Ryoma slowly walked out of the crowd and headed straight towards where Gajeel was sitting.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on him.
Natsu wanted to call out to him but was stopped by Erza's look.
Ryoma walked slowly, step by step. The hall was so quiet that only his footsteps could be heard.
Gajeel stopped chewing. He looked up, his face adorned with metal studs, showing a hint of rebellious defiance.
Ryoma stopped in front of him, silent. An invisible yet mountain-heavy pressure suddenly descended.
This pressure came and went quickly, in just an instant, so fast that most people in the hall barely noticed it, only feeling as if the air had momentarily stagnated.
But for Gajeel, who was completely locked onto by this pressure, it was a completely different experience.
In that split second, all the hairs on his body stood on end, his body stiffened uncontrollably, even breathing became difficult, and his heart skipped a beat.
When the pressure receded, Gajeel gasped for air, and fine cold sweat had already appeared on his forehead.
It was then that Ryoma slowly leaned down and spoke softly, in a volume only they two could hear, "If I ever catch you doing evil again, or harming a guildmate..."
His voice was light but carried a bone-chilling coldness.
"I hope you know the consequences."
After speaking, Ryoma didn't look at him again. He straightened up, turned, and walked away.