This is the last chapter, wait for the new chapter next Monday.
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Time passed quickly, and while Roy and Lucy were bantering, Natsu had already returned to the guild, supporting Macao as they walked in.
Macao, with his spiky purple hair and stubbly beard, looked like he'd been through a tough fight. He was wrapped in bandages, his face covered in bruises, and he walked with a noticeable limp, showing signs of a hard-won battle.
Seeing him in such a state, the guild members initially showed concern. But soon enough, they started teasing him without restraint.
"What's this, Macao? You got beaten up this badly on a mission against just one B-rank Vulcan? Might be time for you to retire!"
"Yeah, Macao, I bet you got distracted by some pretty lady along the way and lost your touch!"
"Hahaha, that's probably true!"
With Macao bandaged up like a mummy, Wakaba, his usual partner-in-crime, took the lead in mocking him.
Wakaba had been worried sick when he heard Macao was in danger, but now that he saw him alive and kicking, he couldn't help but enjoy poking fun at him.
Maybe that's what true "frenemies" are like!
Hearing the jabs and insults, Macao's face turned red with frustration as he shouted back, "What do you know? I ran into an entire group of Vulcans! I beat nineteen of them, but the twentieth one got me by surprise; otherwise, I'd be fine!"
His friends were momentarily taken aback by his serious expression. Was he really telling the truth?
If Macao had indeed taken down nineteen Vulcans, didn't that mean his strength was close to S-rank? The thought had Wakaba and the others hesitating, but Wakaba quickly decided he couldn't let Macao have the upper hand.
"Yeah, right! I know your level—you're about the same as me. Taking down nineteen Vulcans? I know I couldn't do that, and there's no way you did."
Even though Wakaba suspected he might also be capable of beating that many Vulcans if he really tried, he was too stubborn to let Macao boast. He dismissed Macao's claim, effectively dragging him back down to his own level.
Looking pleased, Wakaba glanced at Macao smugly, thinking he'd cut off his friend's bragging. But he underestimated Macao's resilience.
Flushed and with veins bulging on his forehead, Macao shot back, "Just because you can't do it doesn't mean I can't! I'm way stronger than you!"
Macao then launched into an exaggerated account of his "heroic" battle, claiming he'd taken out a Vulcan in one swift move and avoided another with graceful dodges, leaving the crowd amused by his unbelievable stories. Laughter filled the Fairy Tail guild hall, creating a warm, lively atmosphere.
It seemed Fairy Tail had its own mix of both the "brilliant" and the absurd. Truly, this was a place where all kinds of talents gathered!
The next day, when Roy came to the guild to take on a mission to earn some "Justice Points" and a bit of cash, he found Lucy standing in front of the notice board, frowning in indecision.
"What's the matter, my adorable kouhai? Got yourself in a bit of a dilemma?" Roy approached her, playfully patting her head. "Need any help?"
"Call me 'senpai' first!" Lucy retorted, smacking his hand off her head, puffing up in irritation. "And don't think you can just put your hand on my head because you're taller! What were you thinking just now?"
Lucy's instincts told her Roy was up to something inappropriate, though she hadn't guessed he'd mentally turned her into a human cane.
"Oh, don't sweat the small stuff," Roy grinned, smoothly deflecting her suspicion. "So, what's up? Let your senpai here give you a hand."
Despite Lucy's suspicion, Roy didn't look the least bit embarrassed. He was as carefree as ever, smoothly changing the subject without missing a beat.