Arthur Leywin Stark was enjoying a rare moment of genuine peace inside the command center of the Celestial Forge. The immediate crises were resolved: the guild was established, the Council was neutralized, Ur and Ultear were reunited and inducted, and the Tower of Heaven incident was cleanly concluded.
"Sometimes doing nothing could be very blissful…"
Arthur murmured, leaning back in his chair. He had spent years climbing the Tower Dungeon, constantly moving, fighting, and evolving. Slowing things down a little bit was more than just a break; it was a strategic choice to let the environment settle.
His main mission for the Sixth Floor—establishing a powerful, self-sustaining guild—was complete. He could ascend to the next floor, but he preferred to wait until he was fully satisfied with the current floor's narrative progress and resource acquisition.
As he was calmly observing the bustling activity of his guild—Ur organizing potion production, Ultear meticulously managing contracts, and Rimuru overseeing the finances—Arthur felt a subtle, distinct shift in the ambient magic of Magnolia. It was a familiar sensation, a strong signature of Dragon Slayer Magic, but different from Natsu's.
This one had the unmistakable scent of steel and raw, contained aggression.
"Oh, so this time it is the Phantom Lord Arc…"
Arthur realized, a focused seriousness settling over him. This arc was notoriously brutal, culminating in the complete destruction of the Fairy Tail Guild Hall.
More importantly, he deeply disliked the violence inflicted upon Levy McGarden, Jet, and Droy. He would prevent that from happening.
He stood up from his chair, a quiet resolution in his posture, and then, without a sound, he disappeared, using a localized Space Concept to transport himself to the likely point of conflict.
Meanwhile, near the quieter outskirts of Magnolia Town, the trio from Fairy Tail's Shadow Gear team—Levy McGarden, Jet, and Droy—were happily finishing up a low-level procurement mission.
"Did you feel something?"
Levy asked, pausing mid-step. Her sensitive magic senses, honed by years of script reading and research, felt a sudden, heavy pressure, like a distant storm gathering. She felt distinctly like someone powerful was watching them.
"Feel something? No, I don't feel anything, Levy,"
Jet said, casually looking around. He didn't register the subtle, dark magical intent that Levy's mind instinctively picked up on.
"Are you sure we finished our mission correctly?"
Droy asked, nervously checking the bags of magical fertilizer they'd collected. He always worried about making a mistake.
"No, it's not that. Well, maybe it's just wind…"
Levy shrugged, rationalizing the odd sensation away as lingering magical fatigue. She suggested they head back to the guild for the day.
And that was precisely when their path was blocked.
A strange, imposing man suddenly materialized before them, seemingly emerging from the shadows of a nearby alley.
He was a tall, powerfully built individual with long, wild black hair, numerous heavy piercings across his face, and a menacing aura. His clothing was rough, dark leather, and his overall presence screamed hostility and immense power. This was Gajeel Redfox, the Iron Dragon Slayer from the rival Phantom Lord Guild.
Gajeel didn't waste time with words or pleasantries. He was here on direct orders from Jose Porla, the Master of Phantom Lord, to issue a brutal, unforgettable message to Fairy Tail. His entire body radiated the intense, metallic scent of his magic.
"You're from Fairy Tail, ain't ya?"
Gajeel sneered, his eyes burning with predatory malice.
Levy, Jet, and Droy instantly recognized the symbol of the rival guild and tensed up, ready for a conflict they were hopelessly outmatched for.
Just as Gajeel took a deliberate, threatening step forward, intending to initiate his brutal assault on the unarmored mages, a new, far more immense magical presence appeared.
Arthur materialized directly behind Gajeel. The power was quiet, contained, and absolutely heavy. It carried the same conceptual weight that had paralyzed the Magic Council.
Gajeel, the fearsome Iron Dragon Slayer, froze instantly. His innate, draconic senses screamed at him: DANGER. OMEGA-LEVEL THREAT.
Arthur did not speak to Gajeel. He addressed the frozen Fairy Tail mages instead, his voice carrying just enough authority to cut through the tension.
"Don't worry, guys. Looks like your babysitter arrived just in time."
He then casually placed a single, firm hand on Gajeel's armored shoulder.
"You're making a mistake, Gajeel Redfox. This is not the message you should be delivering."
Gajeel found himself entirely unable to move a single muscle, his Iron Dragon Slayer Magic uselessly fizzling against the casual weight of the hand on his shoulder.
He felt like a toddler attempting to push a mountain.
....
Craze: Read up to chapter 500 at [email protected]/phelio