The group fell silent. They all knew Kira's strength—he'd been an S-Class Wizard for ages, stronger than even Erza. In the guild, probably only Master Makarov and Gildarts could take him down without breaking a sweat. Everyone else combined? Not a chance.
But that didn't stop them from itching to try!
To the younger members of the guild, Kira and Erza were like the big brother and big sister of the family. Both were S-Class Wizards, but their styles couldn't be more different.
Erza was strict, both with herself and others. She hated seeing the guild in chaos, and whenever a brawl broke out, they had to keep it hidden from her. If she caught them, they'd get a harsh scolding—and since no one could beat her, they had no choice but to behave.
Kira, on the other hand, was a lot less serious. He loved pulling pranks and messing with people, always managing to justify it with some clever reasoning. They couldn't outfight him or outtalk him, so they just had to put up with it.
Still, Kira and Erza were like the guild's twin pillars. No matter the task, big or small, they handled it flawlessly. In crunch time, they were more reliable than anyone.
Even though Kira rarely showed up at the guild, he never turned down a challenge or a brawl. He'd call it "sparring" or "teaching," then proceed to wipe the floor with them—over and over. Natsu, Gray, and the others had all been "carefully taught" by him, and somehow, they kept coming back for more.
"No need for anyone else! I'm challenging you one-on-one!" Natsu stepped forward, cracking his knuckles, his fiery spirit lighting up the room. The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Not bad, Natsu! Got some guts! Looks like you've gotten a lot stronger lately. Who knows, maybe you'll leave Gray and the others in the dust and pass the S-Class exam this year!" Kira said, smirking.
This guy's getting a bit cocky. Time to hype him up, then teach him a lesson.
Happy leaned over to Lucy and whispered, "Kira's at it again, playing his tricks. Natsu's such a dummy, falling for it every time."
Lucy wasn't entirely sure what Happy meant, but she had a feeling he was right.
She found out soon enough.
"Leave me behind? Oh, I heard that loud and clear!" Gray snapped.
"What, Natsu thinks he's got a shot?" another voice chimed in.
"Kira, explain yourself! What's that supposed to mean, 'Gray and the others'?!" Gray demanded.
"Real men settle things with their fists!" Natsu roared.
With one casual comment, Kira had set the guild's atmosphere ablaze again.
Just then, with a loud BANG, the guild doors swung open. A bold figure with vibrant red hair, gleaming armor, and a flowing skirt strode in, holding a massive beast horn. It was Erza, back from her mission.
Everyone froze, fists mid-swing, as if time itself had stopped. Their expressions were stuck, lips trembling, thoughts racing.
Is that really Erza this time? What's with that huge horn? She didn't see us fighting, right?
Only Kira's thoughts were different: So, that's the forging material you brought back for me?
Erza gently set the beast horn on the ground. Even though she was clearly holding back, the impact still shook the floor with a loud thud.
"Erza, you're back!" someone called out.
"Where's the Master?" another asked.
"Master's at the regular meeting," Mirajane answered.
The regular meeting was a periodic gathering of guild masters from the region, where they exchanged information and updates.
Erza nodded, acknowledging the response. Then her sharp gaze swept over the room, her crimson hair swaying as she turned her head. "Were you all… fighting just now?"
Oh no!
She'd caught them!
"We weren't—"
Before anyone could explain, Natsu charged forward. "Hahaha! The same trick won't work on me twice!"
WHAM!
Natsu's fist sent Erza—who'd been facing away—flying into the wall with a crash.
"WHAT?!?!" the entire guild gasped in unison.
"Heh, Natsu's done for," someone muttered.
"That idiot!" another hissed.
Oblivious to the gravity of his mistake, Natsu laughed triumphantly, reveling in his supposed victory over Kira's illusion magic. "Hahaha! Gotcha! Even if it's Erza, I can see through an illusion and take it down with one punch!"
Wait… take it down? The last time he punched through Mira's illusion, it just passed right through…
Oh no!
"NATSU!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!" Erza's furious voice boomed from behind.
Natsu collapsed on the spot.
"Answer me, Natsu! Are you trying to die?" she demanded.
Natsu scrambled to his feet, dashed to Erza, and dropped to his knees, clinging to her leg with a tearful, heartfelt apology. "I'm so sorry, Erza! Please forgive my stupidity and recklessness! Let me explain—it's all Kira's fault!"
"Oh, I see," Erza said, her voice icy. "So… are you ready to die?"
She's pissed. There's no escaping this one…
WHAM!
Erza's fist sent Natsu flying again, smashing into the wall. He looked like his soul had left his body—though it was probably mostly from fear.
Clearly upset from the sneak attack, Erza launched into her usual lecture.
"Gray, put your clothes on!"
"Cana, have some decency!"
"Bisca, if you're going to dance, do it outside!"
"Wakaba, your cigarette ash is everywhere!"
"Nob, are you still loitering by the job board? Pick a mission already!"
"…And the rest of you!"
One by one, everyone got an earful. Only Kira, Mirajane, and the newbie Lucy escaped the scolding. Kira and Mira knew how to stay on Erza's good side, and Lucy got a pass since she was new.
"I won't say much today, but even when the Master's away, you can't act like this!" Erza declared.
Lucy thought to herself, You've already said plenty…
Kira stepped forward, clapping a hand on Erza's shoulder with a grin. "Alright, Erza, ease up a bit. You don't always have to be so serious. Let them off the hook sometimes. You know, the way they see you now—"
"Hm?" Erza raised an eyebrow.
Gray and the others rushed forward, clamping Kira's mouth shut, tears streaming down their faces. "Please, don't say it!"
Kira's smile was as warm as the sun. "Depends on how you behave."
"We get it," they all groaned.
Lucy watched, speechless, thinking, What a mess…
Then something clicked. She quickly covered her mouth, glancing up to see Kira giving her a strange look.
A chill ran down her spine. Oh no…
Erza, puzzled, watched the scene unfold. "What's wrong with how they see me?"
"Nothing! You're the most perfect person in the guild!" everyone shouted in unison.
Erza smiled, blushing slightly, and said with confident humility, "Perfect? I'm far from that. But I'll accept the compliment."
The guild let out a collective sigh of relief. "Phew… we dodged a bullet."
---