Clover Town, Guild Meeting Building.
Currently, all guilds masters or their representatives are gathered here to welcome the Fourth Master of Fairy Tail.
It has become a tradition in Guild Master Alliance in Fiore to hold a banquet to welcome a new master that would replace an old one.
They would give their speech and have their oath taking.
And right now, Natsu was standing on the stage, preparing to start his speech as every guild masters remained silent to listen to his words.
Natsu stared at the audience.
Despite feeling calm, he was really nervous right now. If he messed up his speech he was sure that Fairy Tail would be laughingstock for years to come.
He can't allow that. He will never allow anything that tarnishes the name of his guild.
He took a deep breath.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Natsu scanned the audience, "Fairy Tail has declined, I'm not going to sugarcoat that. Our S-class mages are gone, our strongest members as well, even our master, a Wizard Saint, did not managed to return. I was not expecting to be chosen to inherit the position left behind by master Makarov, and I don't even know if I can actually do as good a job as him."
That was the truth.
Even though the first master promised to teach him everything about being a master, he still feel like they should've chosen someone like Macao, whom he finds to be the most suitable.
They can even form a search party to search for Laxus who was probably still out wandering the world.
There are many candidates more suitable than him, but why was he the one chosen? He can't understand why.
"That was not in the speech Laki gave him," Alzack whispered to Bisca and Macao as they stood at the backstage, watching Natsu.
"Oh shit." Macao grunted.
"Just believe in him guys," Bisca rolled her eyes, "Natsu won't mess up this important event."
On the stage, Natsu continued his speech.
"Fairy Tail was the strongest under master Makarov," stated Natsu, "We have a Wizard Saint, and the highest amount of S-class Mages than any other Guilds in Fiore. I don't know if I can make Fairy Tail as great as it used to be."
Most mage guild doesn't even have an S-class, while others who have mostly have just about one or two of them.
Fairy Tail has five of them, and even after Laxus' banishment and Mystogan staying in Edolas, Fairy Tail still has three of them.
And that's just the official S-class mages who have passed the trials and was registered as an S-class mage in the council.
Natsu, Gajeel, Gray, Freed, Juvia, even Elfman are someone who has strength that would beat most S-class mages.
Obviously, Natsu himself has gotten far stronger than the him before, and is confident that he could actually be more than a match for Laxus now without any help from Gajeel.
And Laxus was a Saint Candidate before it was revoked by the council due to his behavior.
If Natsu was on Dragon Force he'd wipe the floor with anyone he knows.
"But I'm not here to talk about the past," said Natsu, "I am here to talk about the future. We do not look back, but ahead. Up the road that we must take to a place better than the one we lost in the Tenrou Incident. Indeed, Fairy Tail was strongest guild in Fiore, and we shall be again as we work to recover from what he have lost in that incident."
Natsu raised his right hand, "I, Natsu Dragneel, hereby solemnly pledge that my being shall serve under my guild, and my fate shall be tied to my guild members. I shall be a paragon of virtue, serving as an example for mages to follow. Let the world serve as a witness to this oath."
With a bow, a round of applause resounded throughout the hall as Natsu exited the stage.
...…
...
…
After Natsu's speech, the banquet proceeds as planned.
Natsu did not dare try to spike the drinks, else he might have an angry mob of guild masters angrily chasing him for the stunt.
He turned to the side and saw Macao flirting with some female staffs, with Alzack and Bisca dancing on the dance floor.
"An impressive speech, I must say, master Dragneel."
Natsu turned to the voice, and saw a charming young woman a year or two younger than him, giving him a smile.
"Um," Natsu blinked, "You are?"
The woman giggled, "Oh my, where's my manners. My name is Minerva Orland, S-class mage of Sabertooth guild and serves as an escort to our guild master."
"Uh-huh," Natsu nodded, crossing his arms, "So? Why'd you want to talk to me?"
Minerva narrowed her eyes, observing him carefully, "I just wanted to see the strength of the new master of the previously strongest guild, and I must say, it is quite a surprise. I have no impression of you to be this strong."
Natsu raised a brow, "You can tell just from a glance?"
"It is a skill I developed due to …reasons."
Natsu felt like there's a story there, but since they weren't close yet and they barely even knew each other, he didn't pry.
Contrary to popular belief, he does not stick his nose into somebody else's business.
"Ara, what's this, already charming a little lady are we, master Natsu."
Natsu turned his head to face the one who said those, and was met with Master Bob, the master of the guild Blue Pegasus.
A bald old man wearing a purple spaghetti-strap shirt accessorized by a gold and fuchsia hoop necklace, and a vertical-striped pink and purple shorts. He also completes his look with red lipstick and blush on each cheek and a pair of small white wings on the back.
"Master Bob," Natsu gave a light nod to the man, "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"So formal," Bob smiled, "I can't believe you'd actually be the one to inherit Macky's will, Natsu dear."
Natsu smiled wryly, "I can't believe it either."
"Though, I guess I shouldn't be surprised." Bob stared at Natsu, "Macky always spoke highly of you despite your rather destructive nature, and Erza is always going on about how you'd surpass her one day."
"Erza did?" Natsu looked at him surprised, "Huh, never knew she think so highly of me."
"You'd be surprised." Bob chuckled, before turning towards Minerva, "This lady is?"
"Minerva Orland," said Natsu, "Said she's an escort to Sabertooth's master."
Bob narrowed his eyes, "Orland? Sabertooth? I see. You must be that man's daughter then?"
Minerva simply nodded, "I am."
"You poor girl," Bob sighed, "I can't imagine what you've been through having a father like him."
Minerva turned her head away, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"I see." Bob stared at the woman.
He had heard rumors about how the master of Sabertooth abused his members for them to grow strong and remain as such.
They have a very bad reputation amongst the guild circle and their master was even feared, hated, and scorned by other guild masters due to this approach.
Bob cannot imagine how much this girl has to endure under the hands of such a bastard father.
However, other guilds cannot interfere into another guild's internal affairs unless personally asked by the council, so Bob did not pursue it any further.
Bob turned towards Natsu, "You should go and interact with other guild masters, deary. It will help you stabilizing your position and not be influenced too much by the council. It helps having other guilds back you up. I advice that you should talk first to Goldmine of Quatro Cerberus, he and Macky go way back."
With that, Master Bob gave a nod as he left to mingle with other masters.
"Well, I guess I should be taking my leave as well." Minerva smiled as she bid Natsu a farewell before disappearing into the crowds.
Natsu sighed, before standing up straight and raised his hand to catch a glass of wine from a tray held by a staff that passed by in front of him before he went and decided to follow Bob's advice.
Talk with Master Goldmine.
...…
...
…
"How is he Minerva?"
Minerva stared at the tall and muscular middle aged man who stood at the corner of the hall.
"He's stronger than I anticipated, father." Replied Minerva. "His escorts though…they weren't worth mentioning."
Jiemma Orland, the father of Minerva and master of the militaristic-like guild, Sabertooth.
He firmly believes that Sabertooth is the strongest guild in Fiore and wishes it to remain that way. He has no sympathy for weaklings and will not hesitate to remove them.
Jiemma's obsession with power far overcomes his affection for his daughter, Minerva, answering to her inability to continue with her training with extreme cruelty.
As someone who hates weakness, he used to verbally and physically abuse her whenever she cried, begged for forgiveness or followed other behaviors he labelled as "weak", going as far as beating her or forcing her to strip and find her way back home after leaving her in a forest.
"Hmph." Jiemma coldly snorted, "They really have fallen so low. But it is worth celebrating. Now, the biggest obstacle in our path is gone. No one can stop Sabertooth from being the strongest."
"Indeed father."
Jiemma observed the hall for a few moments before turning around and walked towards the exit, "Let's go. Nothing interests me here anymore."
Minerva nodded, and silently followed after her father.