"Everyone, I'm back!" Kael called out, pulling behind him a gift cart twice his height as he pushed open the guild doors.
"Hehe, I brought presents for all of you! Aren't you excited?"He grinned as he looked around the guild. The usual noisy chatter suddenly went silent — every member turned toward him, staring in stunned silence.
"Hey, Kael," one of the guild members finally asked hesitantly, breaking the silence. "Is it true? Did you really take down an entire Dark Guild… by yourself?"
Kael scratched his cheek awkwardly and chuckled. "Ah, well… yeah, I might've gotten a little serious this time, haha."
"Whoa, seriously? Kael, that's amazing!""Kael's the best!""YEAH! AWESOME!"Natsu's loud cheer reignited the energy in the room, and the guild instantly burst back into a festive uproar.
Kael laughed, then began handing out gifts one by one.
For Laxus, he had found a thick black fur-lined coat — an exact match to the one from the anime he'd once watched in his old world.Erza received a finely crafted short sword, while Mirajane got a stylish jacket. Kael had initially considered buying her a cherry-red dress, but remembering how fiery and rebellious she still was at this stage, he changed his mind and went with something more fitting.
Reedus got a brand-new set of enchanted art tools, the latest model.For Natsu and Gray, Kael picked out matching combat shirts infused with gravity magic — perfect replacements for weighted training gear.
He'd chosen each present thoughtfully, according to everyone's personality.
"Lisanna, Elfman," Kael said with a smile as he crouched down, handing them each a box. "These are for you — a cute dress for you, Lisanna, and a sharp little suit for you, Elfman. I hope you both like them."
"Thank you, Kael-nii!" Lisanna beamed, holding the dress up against herself before twirling in front of Mirajane. Her eyes sparkled with joy."Th-thanks, Kael," Elfman stammered shyly, hugging his gift close, his eyes bright with excitement.
"Cana, this one's for you," Kael said, pulling out a platinum-colored magic card from his coat. "I stored my Holy Shield spell in it. Keep it with you — it's for protection."
The card gleamed with intricate gold lines and a shield emblem in the center. Cana stared at it for a moment, her heart warming at the thought that someone had gone out of their way for her.
"Thank you… I love it," she said softly, tracing the glowing pattern with her thumb.
"As long as you like it." Kael smiled. "Sorry you didn't get to fight in the last mission. Let's team up next time."
Cana nodded, a small, happy blush on her cheeks. "Yeah. I'd like that."
Before she could say more, a deep voice called from across the hall."Kael, come here a moment," Master Makarov said.
"Oh, the Master's calling me. Sorry, Cana — we'll talk later." Kael smiled apologetically and walked toward the bar.
"Cana…"A pale arm suddenly draped around Cana's shoulders, pulling her close. She turned and found Mirajane smirking mischievously at her.
"What's wrong? You're staring at him like a love-struck maiden. Don't tell me you like Kael~?"
"I—I…" Cana's face instantly turned crimson, unable to get a word out.
"Oh-ho, so you do like Kael," came a calm, teasing voice from behind them.Mirajane turned to see Erza, her tone steady as ever.
"Hmm? Eavesdropping again, Erza?" Mirajane narrowed her eyes."And you're gossiping again, Mira," Erza shot back.
Cana sighed as the two began bickering yet again. She pressed a hand to her chest, glancing toward Kael, who was now standing in front of Makarov with his head bowed.Is this… what it feels like to like someone? she wondered.
Meanwhile, at the bar…
"I'm sorry, Master," Kael said earnestly, bowing his head. "I acted on impulse."
Makarov sighed, then nodded. "As long as you understand that. You've got a fiery heart, Kael — that's not a bad thing. But promise me you'll be more careful next time. I don't want to lose another member of my family, understood?"
Kael's chest tightened at the warmth in those words. "Yes, Master. I'll be careful."
Then Makarov grinned suddenly. "Still, you did a hell of a job. To think you've grown this strong already — well done, Kael! Hahaha!"
Kael couldn't help but laugh, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. "Thank you, Master. Sorry for making you worry."
"Bah, don't mention it. You're one of my kids — of course I'll worry." Makarov chuckled, patting the knitted cap on his head. "By the way, this hat you gave me — it's perfect! Fits like a dream!"
Kael smiled, feeling a deep sense of peace. Here, in this world, he had found friendship… family.Love hadn't come yet — but that was fine. Watching the laughter and chaos around him, he felt content. And he silently vowed to protect this place with everything he had.
Makarov looked up at the boy before him, seeing that unshakable resolve in his eyes, and thought quietly to himself, What a good kid.
"Alright, everyone!" Makarov suddenly shouted, leaping onto the bar with his staff raised. "Let's have a feast — to celebrate Kael's victory over the Dark Guild!"
"YEEEAAAHHH!"The guild erupted with cheers.
Natsu immediately let out a burst of flame for fun — only to be smashed headfirst into the floor by Erza's iron fist.
"IDIOT, NATSU!" Gray muttered from the side, smirking.
A few days later…
Kael woke late, stretching as he strolled down the sunny streets of Magnolia. As he turned the corner, he sighed — there they were again: Natsu and Gray, fists flying, rolling from the ground into the air and back down again. The two never stopped.
He barely even reacted anymore. He just yawned and kept walking toward the guild.
Inside, Makarov sat cross-legged on the bar counter, sipping sake. "Where's Natsu?" he asked casually.
"Outside fighting again," Kael answered with a sleepy shrug. "Still half-asleep, honestly."
"Every morning with those two…" Makarov sighed, taking another sip.
Kael smirked. You're drinking first thing in the morning, and you're lecturing them about discipline? he thought, amused.
"Master, drinking so early isn't good for your health," Kael said aloud, snatching the cup from his hand. "Come on, let me take that."
"Hey! Give that back, you brat!" Makarov hopped up and down, trying to reach it, but Kael just laughed.
Later that afternoon, Natsu and Gray were still arguing under a tree, trading punches. Kael leaned nearby, shaking his head.
Suddenly, a familiar flash of scarlet appeared. Erza stepped forward and, with one hand, pulled the two apart. "Enough already. Kael, are you just going to stand there and watch them?"
Kael chuckled. "Welcome back, Erza. You're as strict as ever. Don't worry, though — consider it training."
"Stay out of it, Erza!" both Natsu and Gray yelled, charging her at once.
Bam! Bam! Bam!Three seconds later, both were facedown in the dirt, unconscious.
"Next time, train properly instead of wasting your energy," Erza huffed, crossing her arms as she walked off. "And Kael, keep an eye on them!"
Kael crouched beside the two groaning idiots, tapping the lumps forming on their heads.Natsu muttered weakly, "Damn it, Erza… next time, I'll beat you for sure…"
Kael sighed, hauled them up by the collars, and dragged them back toward the guild — where everyone burst out laughing at the sight. Natsu's cheeks burned with renewed fury.
The next day, deep in the Eastern Forest…
Bam! Bam! Bam!"Damn it! Someday, I'll beat Erza… Gray… and even Kael!" Natsu shouted, punching at a photo of them tied to a tree.
Suddenly—THUD!An egg fell from the sky, hitting him square on the head.
"OW!" Natsu rubbed his scalp and blinked. Lying in front of him was a large egg covered in mysterious runic patterns. His eyes widened in awe, and a grin spread across his face.
"Whoa… this is awesome!" he said, scooping up the egg and sprinting back toward the guild.