Fairy Tail: Strongest Creature

The Harvest Festival concluded smoothly. After the magic parade, all the guild members gathered for a banquet. The friction from Fairy Tail's civil war was washed away—one more round of drinks, and those who were beating each other senseless just the day before now toasted each other as brothers.

The entire first floor of the guild erupted into a lively, cheerful atmosphere.

Up on the second floor, Gajeel stood alone, watching the festivities below. He couldn't fathom how these people who were practically at each other's throats could now sit side by side, laughing, drinking, and talking like nothing had happened. They didn't seem to hold grudges at all.

He'd never witnessed anything like this in his old guild, Phantom Lord. Yet, despite his confusion, he didn't find it unpleasant. He actually wanted to join them but didn't know how—especially since he once played a role in destroying Fairy Tail's old building.

"Gajeel!" a voice called. It was Master Makarov, who was taking off his clownish festival costume not far behind him.

Gajeel turned around to see Makarov.

"It's a shame you didn't join the magic parade. Why stand here alone? Come down to the banquet."

"That's…not really my scene."

"Really?" Makarov sighed. "The Harvest Festival ended beautifully, but from tomorrow on, we'll be helping repair the town. Tsk, that brat Su Yan sure likes to go overboard—the Cardia Cathedral took quite a beating. Hmph, these rascals never let me rest!"

Makarov had already talked to Su Yan about his "dragon transformation," learning it was a special ability akin to his other powers, not traditional magic. But in Makarov's view, it hardly made a difference: the boy was still a "mysterious brat" with immense power who kept plenty of secrets. Even so, Makarov trusted him—having personally watched Su Yan grow up in Fairy Tail. And, well, having a dragon in one's guild was a story to brag about at the next guild masters' conference.

"Master," Gajeel said, taking out a slip of paper. "I found the location of your son, Ivan—Raven Tail's master."

Makarov took the note, his expression turning grave.

"Well done. Sorry for making you tackle such a dangerous job."

Gajeel shrugged. "My cover as a double agent isn't blown yet, and he's aiming to seize Laxus's magic crystal. Now we know where his base is. I won't let him run wild."

"Good," Makarov said. Then, as if switching topics, he gently shoved Gajeel toward the stairs. "Enough gloom. Join the celebration. Drink with everyone. Don't stand up here all alone."

"Wai—"

"Go on now. No matter what happened in the past, you're part of Fairy Tail now. And a banquet is the best place for getting closer."

With that, Makarov guided Gajeel down to the bustling celebration below. The mood was so joyful, people barely blinked at Gajeel's presence; he slipped in more easily than he'd expected.

A week passed after the Harvest Festival.

Magnolia streets returned to normal, most repairs finished. Because Cardia Cathedral was badly damaged, professional construction crews took it on, and Makarov insisted Fairy Tail pay for it—even though the guild's funds had dried up from building the new guild hall. So Su Yan advanced the cost for now.

Su Yan didn't mind. Over the past few years, his missions—mostly cross-country S-class work—had earned him a hefty sum. With Makarov's network, Fairy Tail had plenty of requests from beyond Fiore. Su Yan was well-known across the continent. He had saved up far more than enough money to cover the repairs.

But not everyone was at peace:

"I can't accept it! Why was Laxus the only one kicked out of the guild?!" Natsu demanded. "He was our comrade, no matter what happened. Even if we fight, we're still friends! I haven't even given him a proper beating, and he just runs away?!"

Makarov, standing aside, said nothing—his eyes flickered with sadness.

Erza stepped in, "Natsu, the Master's the one who's suffering most. Stop."

"But—"

Su Yan cut in, "That's enough, Natsu. If you're so fired up, fight me instead."

Natsu clenched his fists. "Fine! I will!" Flames engulfed his hand, and he swung at Su Yan's face. But Su Yan's cheek instantly hardened with Armament-like Haki.

Crack—!

"Gaaah!" Natsu crumpled, clutching his throbbing fist.

Su Yan calmly tapped Natsu on the head with his palm.

Boom!

"Gwaaah!" Natsu hit the floor face-first.

"KO!" someone muttered.

Ever since learning Su Yan could transform into an azure dragon, Natsu had been borderline obsessed—he viewed Su Yan as a real dragon to test his Dragon Slayer Magic on. This left Su Yan exasperated, wondering when he'd find time to thrash Natsu hard enough to make him back off, at least for a while.