The Heartfilia job had left the entire guild buzzing.
One hundred million jewels.
That number was whispered at every table, shouted over drinks, and exaggerated to the point where it sounded more like a fairy tale than an actual job reward. Even now, two days later, guild members still talk about it like Cana was still dramatically retelling the story of how Lucky "stormed the Heartfilia estate, battled ten thousand guards, and won the heart of a noblewoman with his dazzling smile."
Lucky, sitting at the bar with a juice, pinched the bridge of his nose.
"…I healed a sick woman."
Cana ignored him and raised her mug. "And then, with one hand, he was given 100 million, a hundred million! Cheers to Lucky!"
The guild erupted. "CHEERS!"
Lucky sighed. "I should never have shown you guys this check here."
His clones at the corner snickered, but even they weren't helping.
And then—because fate hated him—he made the mistake of opening his mouth.
"…I think I'll use some of that money to buy a bigger place. The apartment's too small."
His current apartment? It was too small.
It wasn't just his space anymore.
It was the clones' headquarters after all. Lucky is not a monster; he still gives some of the clones rights.
But if his clones heard what he was thinking, they would all, without a doubt, scoff at this unreasonable claim.
But the guild, on the other hand, there was... Silence.
Dozens of ears perked. Dozens of eyes gleamed.
Lucky froze. "…What?"
Too late.
"YOU'RE BUYING A HOUSE?!" Natsu shouted, nearly toppling over his chair. His grin split wide. "Ohhh, let me help! I know the PERFECT spot!"
Lucky stared at him. "You might burn the house, right?"
Gray immediately butted in, arms crossed. "Tch, like you know anything about houses, Flame Brain."
"What was that, Droopy Eyes?!"
Gray, shirtless as always, leaned back in his chair, ignoring Natsu. "A house without walls is best. Just freedom. Open air. Nature."
Cana threw a mug at him. "PUT A SHIRT ON FIRST!! And what house is that?"
Erza slammed her hand down, making the counter crack. And with stars in her eyes, "Both of you, SILENCE. Lucky deserves a proper fortress. One with thick walls, a training arena, and at least a hundred people to train, and also add a moat filled with sharks."
The guild sweatdropped.
Wakaba muttered, "…Sharks? In Magnolia?"
Macao added, "How would they get food?"
Erza glared. "They eat intruders."
Everyone took a step back.
Lucky put his juice down very slowly. "…I regret saying anything."
The guild collectively groaned.
————————————————————————
The next day, Lucky found himself outside Magnolia with Natsu leading the way like an overeager child.
"Here!" Natsu announced proudly, pointing to a massive tree on the edge of the forest in Mongolia. "This'll be perfect! A giant treehouse! You can see everything from up here, and if anyone attacks, we just need to BURN the base so they can't climb up!"
Lucky stared at him. "…You want me to live in a wooden house… with you as my neighbor… in the forest… surrounded by highly flammable things."
"Yeah! Why are you asking such a silly question?" Natsu said, grinning ear to ear.
"…No."
"But—"
"No."
"But it's cozy—"
Lucky pointed. "No."
Natsu pouted, muttering under his breath. "It's better than boring stone walls…"
Erza: "Defensive potential is high. But needs structural reinforcement."
Gray snickered. "Nice idea. What next? Suggest a cave?"
Natsu snapped his head. "Actually, yeah! Caves are awesome! They stay warm in winter and cool in summer!"
Lucky walked away.
————————————————————————
Later that afternoon, Gray caught Lucky near the market. "Oi, Lucky. Don't listen to this guy. You don't need a big fancy place. What you need… is FREEDOM."
Lucky raised an eyebrow. "Freedom?"
Gray spread his arms. "Picture it: a wide-open yard, no walls, no roof. Just a bed under the stars. Fresh air, all natural. Trust me, once you try it, you'll never want to go back."
Lucky stared at him, deadpan. "…That's called being homeless, Gray."
Gray smirked. "Nah. It's called style."
"Where do you put your stuff?"
"…Stuff?"
Lucky pinched his nose. "Forget I asked."
Erza, who'd overheard, stomped over, shaking her head. "Absolutely not. A mage of Lucky's level requires protection and security. He should live in a fortified estate. Stone walls, reinforced gates, a barracks for allies, and a training field twice the size of the guild."
The guild members nearby paled.
Wakaba muttered around his pipe. "That's not a house, that's a castle…"
Cana added, "With Erza's taste, he'll end up owning half of Magnolia."
While they were all discussing like this, Lucky stared into the sky with a dead man's eye and with one thought, 'Why did I open my mouth…?'
————————————————————————
Eventually, Lucky gave in and actually hired a realtor. Bad idea.
First stop: a haunted manor on the edge of town."This property comes with natural insulation and, uh, a bit of a… ghost problem," the realtor said nervously.
Natsu's eyes lit up. "Awesome! Free training partners!"
Lucky: "…Next."
Second stop: a glass-walled villa by the river."Look at that view!" Gray said, whistling. "Perfect for swimming year-round."
Erza shook her head. "Weak structure. If enemies attack, it will shatter instantly."
Lucky: "…Next."
Third stop: a tower-shaped house with spiral stairs. Erza's eyes sparkled. "Yes. YES. This is perfect. Strong vantage point, easily defensible, and elegant!"
Natsu was already halfway up the wall, shouting, "RACE YOU TO THE TOP!"
Gray muttered, "Ugliest house I've ever seen."
Lucky sighed. "…Next."
After half a day of chaos, Lucky finally found it: A spacious mansion in the center of Magnolia.
It met all the criteria for Lucky.
Close to the guild.
Large enough for a lot of the clones.
Reinforced with some enchantments.
And most importantly… normal.
He bought it on the spot.
Of course, when the guild found out, they immediately labeled him "Rich Boy Lucky."
Lucky with a simple smile, "low-key low-key."
which made all of them roll their eyes about this clueless guy.
After all, because of the clones and how unique Lucky's magic is, he is even more popular than master Makarov.
————————————————————————
The next day is moving day.
The clones efficiently moved his old and newly purchased stuff in. After all, having space storage is not a joke, but problems still occur.
Natsu tried to "help" but set fire to a couch. Gray broke two door handles. Erza stocked the entire kitchen with strawberry cake and nothing else, as if it were her own kitchen. Cana set up a mini-bar in the living room "for future use," she said seriously. After all, Gildrats doesn't allow her to drink yet.
Lucky considered putting up a "no entry" sign.
But when he sat on the balcony that evening, watching his clones clean and his guildmates bicker and laugh inside his new home, he couldn't help but smile.
"Yeah," he murmured. "This'll do."
————————————————————————
That night, Fairy Tail was alive.
The guild hall was packed to the rafters, every seat taken, every mug filled, and every voice buzzing with speculation. Lamps burned bright, illuminating faces flushed with excitement. Even the air seemed to hum with anticipation. News had spread like wildfire through Magnolia—tonight, Master Makarov was going to announce the names of the new S-Class Wizard candidates.
The clamor was deafening. Mages clinked mugs, threw bets across tables, and argued passionately about who would make the cut.
"It's gotta be ne," Macao insisted, slamming his drink on the table. "No one else has the discipline, the power, the sheer presence."
"Bah," Wakaba countered, puffing his pipe. "I never saw someone as shameless as you, but if you ask me, Laxus has this in the bag. The kid's a powerhouse."
"Are you forgetting Cana?" a younger mage piped up, earning a snort from half the guild. "She's got more destructive potential after all, she is Gildart's daughter!"
"Yeah, but she is still young!" another shouted, making the whole table nod in agreement.
In the middle of it all, Lucky sat back, sipping his fruit juice with the calm of someone entirely detached from the chaos. His clones lingered in the background, cleaning tables, serving drinks, and scribbling bets on chalkboards as though they weren't all part of the same person.
Beside him, Natsu was practically bouncing on his seat, fists clenched tight. "Man, this is it! I can feel it, I'm gonna be named S-Class tonight!"
Gray, sitting across from him and very much shirtless, rolled his eyes. "You? S-Class? You can't even beat me, Flame Brain."
"Oh yeah?! Wanna go right now?!" Natsu shot up, sparks of flame already crackling in his fists.
Gray immediately stood too, ice already forming around his arms. "Bring it, Fire Breath!"
Lucky didn't even look up. "Sit down before Erza comes over and kills you both."
As if summoned, a sharp CLANG echoed through the room as Erza slammed the flat of her sword against the table. Both boys froze mid-swing. Her glare was enough to make them drop back into their seats with synchronized "Hmph!"s, arms crossed like sulking children.
"You two are hopeless," Erza muttered, shaking her head. Then, after a pause, she added, "But… I expect both of you to aim for S-Class eventually."
That alone made both boys straighten in shock, glancing at each other before immediately turning away with another "Hmph!"
At that moment, a booming voice cut through the chaos.
"ATTENTION!"
The guild fell silent. Every eye turned toward the bar counter where Master Makarov stood, puffing out his chest with all the authority of a man half his size. His face was flushed from both ale and the joy of what he was about to announce.
"Tonight," Makarov declared, raising a hand dramatically, "we announce the names of the new S-Class Wizard candidates!"
The room erupted again, louder than before.
"Finally!!"
"This is it!"
"Come on, say it already, old man!"
Makarov raised a hand for silence. "Settle down, you brats! I'll get to it when I'm good and ready."
The guild quieted, though a ripple of laughter broke through the tension. The old man lived for the theatrics.
As he cleared his throat. "As you know, the S-Class Wizard trial is not something to take lightly. To wear the title of S-Class is to carry the pride and power of Fairy Tail itself. Few are chosen, and only one succeeds. But tonight, I have chosen the candidates who will have their chance this year!"
The guild leaned forward as one, eyes wide, breaths held.
"The first two candidates…" Makarov's lips curled into a grin. "Are none other than… Macao and Wakaba!"
The guild exploded.
"WHAT?!"
"Are you kidding me?!"
"ABOUT TIME, YOU OLD DOGS!"
Macao jumped to his feet, fist pumping the air as if he'd already won. "Hah! You hear that, Wakaba?! We're finally getting the recognition we deserve!"
Wakaba, grinning ear to ear, blew a smoke ring shaped like an S. "S-Class, baby. About damn time."
The guild roared with laughter and cheers, mugs raised high. Even Natsu and Gray, though dumbfounded, clapped for the two veterans.
"Those geezers?!" Natsu exclaimed, mouth hanging open. "No way!"
"Guess experience counts for something," Gray said with a shrug, though his grin betrayed amusement.
Makarov raised his hand again, letting the cheers die down before continuing. "Next… a young man who needs no introduction. His power is second to none, and his determination burns as fiercely as his lightning. The second candidate is… Laxus Dreyar!"
This time, the cheers were deafening.
"LAXUS!"
"About time, huh?!"
"He's a monster already!"
Up on the second-floor balcony, Laxus leaned casually against the railing, arms crossed, his usual smug smirk tugging at his lips. "Heh. Took you long enough, Gramps."
Erza's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Gray frowned. Natsu clenched his fists, fire flaring in his eyes. "Tch. Figures…"
Lucky watched from the bar, his mouth twitched 'Damn, he has an intro for himself?'
Finally, Makarov raised both hands for silence once more. The guild hushed, anticipation thick in the air. The old man's eyes twinkled mischievously as he looked around at every eager face.
"And lastly…" His voice dropped, drawing the tension taut. "The final candidate… a boy who has turned this guild upside down. His clones have worked across Fiore, his portals have saved countless lives, and his magic has grown beyond imagination. The third candidate is… Lucky!"
For a heartbeat, silence.
Then the guild exploded like a bomb.
"WHAT?!"
"LUCKY?!"
"HOW?!"
"HELL YEAH!"
The roar of voices shook the very rafters. Cana leaped onto a table, raising her mug. "Of course it's Lucky! Who else?!"
Gray blinked, then laughed bitterly. "Figures. He's already way ahead of me."
Natsu slammed his fists on the table, fire bursting around him. "Lucky, huh?! Fine! I'll beat him and become S-Class next!"
Erza, though calm, couldn't hide the faint spark of surprise in her eyes. "So… he's this strong already."
Lucky himself sat frozen for a moment, his juice halfway to his lips. Slowly, he lowered the glass, his expression calm as ever, but his heart pounded in his chest. All eyes were on him, cheers ringing out, his clones clapping in unison like a chorus line.
Makarov raised his mug high. "These are your new S-Class candidates! Macao! Wakaba! Laxus! And Lucky! Give them your support, everyone!"
The guild's cheer rose to a thunderous crescendo, echoing out into the Magnolia night.
Lucky took a slow sip of his juice, lips curling into a faint smile. "S-Class candidate, huh? …Guess it is time for a promotion."
Makarov continued to talk, "Since there are new guild members, let me tell you the rules for this year..."
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AN: The reason I have done this is to give a valid reason, is Makarov Felt Both Laxus and Lucky had a chance of being promoted to S class, and for them to help Gildarts lower the pressure of being the only S class in the guild.