"Erza's last job was exterminating a rampaging demon," Mirajane explained as Erza carried the massive horn into the guild hall and dropped it onto the floor.
The impact sent a tremor through the entire building.
"That's just one horn?" Lucy covered her mouth in shock. "How big was the demon itself? It must've been almost as large as the guild!"
Rowan felt the same quiet jolt of awe. He had underestimated S-Class mages. Fighting a demon several stories tall and walking away with trophies like this clearly wasn't an exceptional feat for Erza. Or perhaps she simply stood at the top even among S-Class.
"I heard a lot of unpleasant rumors on my way back," Erza said sharply, hands on her hips. "People saying Fairy Tail causes trouble wherever it goes. Even if the Master forgives you, I won't."
Her gaze swept the hall like a blade.
"Cana, is that how you're supposed to drink? Bisca, if you want to dance, do it outside. Get off the table. Wakaba. Macao."
Every mage she named stiffened. Not one of them dared talk back.
Even Natsu and Gray, who normally picked fights within minutes of seeing each other, immediately threw arms over each other's shoulders and pretended to be lifelong friends.
Lucy stared in disbelief.
"So that's the Fairy Queen," Rowan thought. The nickname wasn't exaggeration. Not even close.
He had spent enough time in the guild to understand how stubborn and unruly most Fairy Tail mages were. Power differences aside, almost none of them bowed to anyone.
Except Erza.
Once she finished her inspection, Erza's attention landed on two unfamiliar faces.
"You're new members?" she asked, walking over.
Lucy flinched and quickly waved. "I'm Lucy! I just joined. Please take care of me!"
"I'm Erza," she said seriously, placing a firm hand on Lucy's shoulder. "You're family now. Fairy Tail is your second home."
Then her eyes lit up.
"Oh, so you're Lucy. I heard you defeated the Vulcan gorilla with a single finger. Well done."
Lucy froze.
"…What?"
That story had clearly grown a life of its own. She remembered that mission very well, and Natsu had done almost all the fighting.
Before she could recover, Rowan raised a paw.
"I'm Rowan. Lucy and I joined on the same day."
Erza leaned down, studying him carefully, then nodded.
"Nice to meet you. I thought Happy was unique, but it seems he has competition. Your coloring matches Laxus. You might make a good team someday."
"Coloring?" Rowan echoed, momentarily confused.
Mirajane laughed softly. "The Master wouldn't want that."
Laxus rarely stayed in the guild and had a strained relationship with Makarov. If Rowan teamed up with him, Fairy Tail would lose its most reliable repair mage.
"Why not?" Erza asked.
When Mirajane explained Rowan's specialty in restoration magic, Erza's eyes widened. The next moment, she scooped Rowan up and pulled him into her armored embrace.
"Rowan, team up with me!"
Rowan barely had time to react.
"With you repairing things from behind, I could go all out without holding back. We'll split the reward fifty-fifty."
"N-no, thank you," Rowan said quickly, wriggling free with considerable effort. "I'm not looking to form a team right now."
The embrace alone had nearly rattled his bones. Being hugged by someone wearing full battle armor was not a pleasant experience, no matter how impressive the person was.
"That's a shame," Erza said, genuinely disappointed.
She turned back to Mirajane. "Where's the Master? I have something important to report."
"He's attending a council meeting."
Erza frowned, then glanced over her shoulder at Natsu and Gray.
They immediately stopped glaring at each other and resumed their friendly pose.
"Natsu. Gray," she said. "I ran into a problem during my mission. I need help. Will you come with me?"
The guild exploded.
"Erza needs backup?"
"And she's asking Natsu and Gray?"
"This has never happened before!"
Erza usually handled S-Class jobs alone. She had never asked for assistance.
"Of course!" Natsu and Gray answered at the same time, excitement overriding their rivalry.
"Prepare yourselves," Erza said. "We leave tomorrow."
With that, she hoisted the demon horn and left the guild.
The moment she was gone, speculation filled the hall. Some whispered about ancient monsters. Others went as far as suggesting dragons.
Rowan and Lucy listened quietly.
Then Mirajane called out to them.
"Lucy. Rowan. I'd like to ask you both for a favor."
...
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