*Magnolia Town*
"It's been a whole year since I've been here, but the streets haven't changed a bit," Su Yan murmured, a smile spreading across his face as he took in the familiar surroundings.
After spending seven years in this world, Su Yan had come to think of Magnolia as his hometown. The time away had only deepened his affection for it, and he found himself flooded with nostalgia.
Just then, a passerby caught sight of Su Yan and froze, his eyes widening in alarm. He turned quickly, shouting, "Oh no! Su Yan is back!!"
"What?! Su Yan is back?!"
"Run for it! Su Yan's returned!"
The panic spread quickly as people began to scatter, fleeing down the streets.
Suddenly, a siren blared throughout Magnolia.
**[Om~~~! Ding Ding Ding!]**
**[Attention all Magnolia Town residents! Su Yan has returned! Su Yan has returned!]**
People on the streets moved like they were running from a natural disaster, scrambling at the sound of Su Yan's arrival.
Su Yan's smile faded abruptly.
Lucy looked around, bewildered. "What…what's going on? Why is everyone running?"
"Aye!" Happy chimed in. "I heard that Su Yan used his magic to knock out the entire town when he first joined the guild, so now the whole town is terrified of him."
"The *entire town*?" Lucy's jaw dropped in disbelief. She couldn't help but think of Su Yan as a bit of a monster.
Su Yan huffed. "That was ages ago! They still remember that? These people are really holding a grudge."
After a short while, they reached the entrance of the Fairy Tail guild.
"Wow… it's huge," Lucy marveled, staring up at the guild's impressive structure.
"Welcome to Fairy Tail!" Happy said to her cheerfully.
Just then, the guild's doors flew open with a loud bang as Natsu burst through.
"I'm back!" Natsu shouted.
"I heard the commotion outside, and I knew it—Su Yan is back!" someone in the guild called out.
"It's been over a year since you left this time!"
"Welcome back!"
Guild members crowded around to greet Su Yan, a mix of excitement and admiration in their faces.
As an S-Class mage, Su Yan was not only powerful but well-liked in the guild.
Natsu, feeling overlooked, grumbled, "Hey! You guys! Didn't you see me too?!"
Gray smirked and taunted, "Oh, Natsu, I didn't even see you there, you're so small."
Enraged, Natsu shouted back, "Gray, you b*****d! You want a fight?"
"Bring it on, you b*****d!" Gray fired back, equally ready to throw down. Though he was an ice mage, his temper flared hot, especially around Natsu.
"Let's go!"
The two rushed at each other, launching into a brawl.
Lucy sighed as she watched them. "Are they really fighting already?"
Happy waved dismissively. "Let them be. They're always like this."
Su Yan made his way to Mira. "Mira, I'm back."
"Hmph! So you finally remember to come back, huh? I was starting to think you'd run off and married someone!" Mira pouted, clearly not pleased with his year-long absence.
Su Yan gave a sheepish smile. "No way! I was just out there completing missions!"
"Don't try that with me. I know for a fact that your mission ended ages ago," Mira replied, unimpressed. As she handled logistics for the guild, Mira was well aware of the status of every mission, including Su Yan's. Although his tasks were SS-Class level and difficult, he completed them with ease.
While Mira had waited for his return, Su Yan kept in touch through communication crystals and continued to take on more missions instead of returning to the guild. Mira's annoyance was understandable.
Su Yan scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed. He couldn't exactly tell her he was staying away to protect the guild and everyone in it.
"Hmph! Since you just got back, I'll let it slide this time," Mira said, softening as she saw Su Yan's remorseful expression.
Su Yan grinned, his spirits lifted. While he was close with many guild members, his bond with Mira and Erza was something special.
As Su Yan and Mira talked, the scuffle between Natsu and Gray escalated until, somehow, the entire guild was caught up in the brawl.
"Enough of this!" someone shouted, fed up.
"I'm getting mad!" another yelled.
"Oh, bring it on!!" came another cry.
"A bunch of annoying idiots…"
The fight had reached a fever pitch, and some mages looked ready to start casting spells.
Natsu, ever eager for a challenge, yelled, "Come at me with everything you've got!"
Just then, a commanding voice cut through the chaos.
"Enough! What do you all think you're doing, you idiots?!"
A huge figure appeared in the guild's entryway.
"Whoa, he's massive!" Lucy gasped, looking up in shock.
The guild members quickly stopped their brawling.
"Oh, you're here, Master," Mira said, unfazed.
"Master?!" Lucy's eyes widened even further, taking in the imposing figure of the Fairy Tail guild's leader.
Su Yan stepped forward. "Master, I'm back."
The guild leader gave him a scrutinizing look. "Oh? So the troublesome brat finally decided to come back."