Chapter 19: Chaos is Normal
The guild hall was louder than usual—if that was even possible. The morning brawl between Natsu and Gray had escalated into something resembling a tavern-wide war. Tables were flipped, chairs used as weapons, and mugs flew through the air like arrows.
Lucy sat at the bar, head in her hands. "I joined a madhouse…"
Mira giggled from behind the counter, sliding Lucy a glass of juice. "You'll get used to it. This is actually pretty tame compared to some days."
Lucy groaned. "Tame?! A guy just got thrown into the chandelier!"
Sure enough, Macao was dangling upside down, shouting, "I'm fine! I've got it under control!" before the chandelier snapped and he crashed to the floor.
"See?" Mira teased sweetly. "No one's hurt."
Lucy slammed her forehead against the counter. What did I sign up for…
Makarov's Speech
Suddenly, a booming voice cut through the chaos.
"QUIET, YOU BRATS!"
Everyone froze as Makarov stood atop a table, his tiny frame somehow radiating enough magic pressure to silence the room.
Lucy blinked. H-he's so small… but terrifying?!
Makarov puffed on his pipe and spread his arms. "You're Fairy Tail wizards! That means you represent this guild's pride, honor, and—"
CRASH!
Natsu and Gray, still locked in a headlock, slammed into the same table Makarov was standing on. It snapped in two, sending the master tumbling onto the floor.
The guild went silent.
Lucy's eyes bulged. "T-They killed him?!"
But Makarov popped back up, red-faced and roaring, "YOU IDIOTS!" His fist grew ten times its size as he hammered both Natsu and Gray into the ground.
"Lesson one, newbie," Cana slurred from her barrel. "Don't interrupt Master's speeches."
Lucy squeaked. "Noted…"
Mira's Teasing
Once order was somewhat restored, Mira leaned against the counter with a mischievous smile. "So, Lucy… have you picked anyone special in the guild yet?"
Lucy nearly choked on her juice. "W-what do you mean?!"
Mira's eyes twinkled. "Oh, you know. Someone strong, cool, dependable… maybe with snow-white guild marks?"
Lucy turned beet red, glancing nervously toward Menma, who sat quietly in the corner reading a mission flyer. His snow-white emblem caught the light, almost glowing.
"N-no! It's not like that!" Lucy stammered, waving her hands wildly.
Mira giggled behind her hand. "Relax, I'm just teasing."
Happy fluttered down onto Lucy's head. "Don't worry, Mira does this to everyone. Aye, sir!"
Lucy buried her face in her hands. "This guild is going to be the death of me…"
More Chaos
Cana suddenly stood on a table, slamming down her empty barrel. "Alright! Drinking contest! Who dares challenge me?!"
The guild erupted into cheers. A dozen mages jumped forward, mugs in hand.
Lucy whispered to Mira, "She's… she's already drunk, right?"
Mira nodded sweetly. "She's always drunk."
Meanwhile, Natsu, still recovering from Makarov's punch, stood up and pointed at Gray. "Round two, stripper!"
Gray, still somehow shirtless, cracked his knuckles. "Bring it, flame brain!"
Lucy groaned, slumping onto the bar. "They're at it again?!"
Menma calmly raised a hand, and one of his glowing chains lashed out, catching a chair midair before it could hit Lucy. He set it neatly down beside her without looking up from the flyer.
Lucy blinked at him. "…Thanks."
Menma finally glanced at her, crimson eyes softening just slightly. "…You'll get used to it."
Lucy wasn't sure if that comforted her or terrified her.