In the city of Magnolia, exists a Guilds called Fairy Tail.
"Welcome to Fairy Tail. This will be your home from now on."
At the entrance of the guild, Makarov turned to face the two newcomers with his hands behind his back, a warm smile lighting up his face.
Darius gazed up at the towering Fairy Tail building. Its familiar architectural style and the bustling street in front of it stirred a sense of nostalgia within him.
"So this is Fairy Tail?" he murmured, a mix of wonder and familiarity in his voice.
Beside him, Erza gently ran her fingers along the building's exterior, a quiet awe showing on her face.
"Let's go in and meet your new friends," Makarov said, his smile widening. He pushed open the guild doors, revealing a scene of chaos inside.
SLAP!
"Oooh~ Come on, Gray! Punch him in the face!"
"Hahaha! Wakaba, you're useless. You can't even beat a kid! If Gray takes you down, you'd better just run away."
"Freeze him, Gray! Use your ice magic and finish him off already!"
The guild hall was alive with noise. A young man in a green coat, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, was being chased and beaten by a naked ten-year-old boy.
"Damn it, kid! Don't think I won't fight back. I'm just going easy on you because you're a child!" Wakaba shouted, visibly frustrated.
Gray, his eyes half-lidded in defiance, clenched his right fist into his left palm and growled, "If you keep messing with me, prepare to get wrecked old man!"
"You brat! Fine, let's do this!"
The two squared off, their magical energy crackling in the air.
Makarov, who had just stepped into the hall, frowned deeply. Taking a long breath, he suddenly roared, "You idiots! How many times do I have to tell you not to fight in the guild?!"
In an instant, Makarov's body expanded, towering to the ceiling.
Silence.
The guild hall fell deathly quiet as every eye turned to the now-enormous guild master.
Gray reluctantly dispelled his magic, muttering under his breath. Wakaba sighed in relief, sinking into a chair.
"Welcome back, Master!" someone called out.
"Hey, who are the kids behind you? Are they new?"
Makarov returned to his normal size, his expression stern but welcoming. "Yes, these are Darius and Erza, our newest members. Treat them well, and don't bully them."
Macao and Wakaba exchanged glances, eyeing the two newcomers curiously.
Darius, meanwhile, surveyed the lively guild hall, muttering, "This isn't quite what I imagined…" He had always thought Gray's fondness for fighting stemmed from Natsu's influence, but it seemed Gray was already a natural troublemaker.
As he scanned the room, his gaze fell on Cana, seated nearby and sipping from a drink.
Gray approached, his curiosity piqued. "Master, are these two related?"
"No," Makarov replied curtly.
Darius, taller at 12 years old, looked down at Gray with a teasing smirk. "What are you staring at, droopy eyes? Exhibitionist!"
"You—!" Gray snapped, his temper flaring.
Unfazed, Darius thought to himself that proving his strength was practically a rite of passage for new guild members. If he had to fight someone, it might as well be Gray. Besides, he wouldn't mind asserting himself as a leader among the younger guildmates.
"I'm going to fight you!" Gray declared, his teeth clenched.
The guild erupted with excitement.
"Another fight? Awesome!" Wakaba cheered. "This time, it's the new kid against Gray!"
"These newcomers are fiery, aren't they?" Macao chuckled.
Makarov didn't intervene. He knew Gray stood no chance against Darius, whose unique skills had even impressed him. And the guild could use someone like Darius—a big brother figure for the younger members.
"Be careful," Erza said unexpectedly, glancing at Darius.
Her concern surprised him, considering she was usually withdrawn at this stage. Still, he nodded. "Thanks."
Turning back to Gray, he grinned. "Fine. We'll fight. But if you lose, you call me Big Brother. Got it?"
"You bastard…" Gray seethed.
Darius didn't wait for a reply. He waved dismissively as he walked toward the door. "Put some clothes on and meet me outside."
Gray blinked and looked down, realizing he was still undressed. Flushing with embarrassment, he bolted to grab his clothes.
The guild buzzed with chatter as everyone placed bets on the fight.
"Think Gray's got this?"
"That Darius kid looks weak, but you never know."
"Let's see what happens!"
Outside, the stage was set for their showdown.
On the road in front of a small river near the guild entrance, guild members, Makarov, a drunken Cana, and Erza all gathered to watch the upcoming match.
"Gray, don't embarrass yourself too much, boy," Wakaba shouted with a smirk.
Macao, holding a glass of wine, leaned over to Cana, who still looked like a child, and asked, "Cana, who do you think will win?"
"Hiccup~" Cana hiccupped, her glass swaying in her hand as she pointed at Darius. "Hic… He'll win!"
"What? That's impossible! How could a kid like him already know magic?" Macao replied, incredulous.
"Not… magic," Cana slurred, squinting at Darius. "He's just… handsome!"
In the field, Gray overheard the conversation. Seeing Cana doubting him stung his pride.
"Hmph! He's barely my size. There's no way he can beat me—I've been learning magic since I was a kid!" Gray retorted, his confidence intact.
"Are we starting or what?" Darius asked calmly, standing still as Gray kept talking.
"Fine! Let's do this. I'll beat you," Gray snapped.
The crowd watched eagerly, curious to see who would come out on top as the guild's strongest kid.
"ICE MAKE: Gun!" Gray began, preparing his signature ice magic attack.
But before he could finish, Darius vanished.
"What?!" Macao exclaimed, sitting up straight. "How did that kid disappear like that? What just happened?"
Initially expecting a lighthearted duel between children, Macao was now visibly shocked. He hadn't even seen how Darius disappeared—He was too fast.
"Am I imagining things?" Wakaba muttered, his cigarette falling from his mouth.
"I-Is this kid really that strong?" Cana stopped mid-sip, stunned by the display.
Even Makarov, watching quietly, smiled with pride. The guild members' shocked expressions brought him satisfaction. He already knew Darius's abilities were extraordinary for his age, and now everyone else could see it too.
In the field, Gray stood frozen.
"Too slow," a voice suddenly said behind him.
Gray spun around, trying to counterattack, but before he could react—PUNCH!
Darius's fist connected with Gray's back, sending him flying across the ground. He skidded several meters before coming to a halt, his face scratched and stinging.
"Ow! It hurts!" Gray cried, curling up and holding his face in pain.
"Too slow," Darius repeated with a shake of his head, retracting his fist. He couldn't help but notice how much stronger his techniques were in this world compared to where he'd learned them. For him, fighting Gray felt like swatting a fly.
"Damn it! I'm not giving up!" Gray shouted, getting to his feet, his frustration boiling over.
"Come on, Gray!" Wakaba teased. "Don't let the new guy show you up!"
"Haha! Admit it, Gray! This newcomer is way stronger than you!" Macao added with a laugh.
"Don't let him beat you too easily!" another guild member shouted.
The crowd erupted with laughter and cheers, offering no sympathy for Gray's struggle.
"ICE MAKE: Lances!" Gray yelled, unleashing a barrage of ice spears that shot toward Darius at lightning speed.
But Darius simply grinned.
His body suddenly seemed to lose its rigidity, swaying and bending as though it had no bones. He dodged every ice spear with smooth, fluid movements.
"Paper Art," he muttered, moving as if he were seaweed drifting with the current.
"What the…?" Macao gasped, his jaw dropping. "How can a person move like that?!"
"It's unreal!" Wakaba added, equally stunned. "Master, is this kid even human?"
Darius's movements defied everything they thought they knew about the human body. His flexible, almost boneless technique left everyone speechless.
In the crowd, Makarov chuckled softly, clearly pleased.
Back in the field, Gray stared in disbelief. This was unlike anything he'd ever seen.
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Let me know of any changes.