In this situation, as Erza's closest friend and metaphorical brother, how could Kira tolerate these people slandering Erza?
"What nonsense! Erza is obviously the kindest, most generous, and most friendly person in Fairy Tail!"
"Is that person you're talking about really Erza?"
Everyone murmured under their breath, afraid to speak up: "That's only for you! Because she often takes care of your business!"
"That's right!"
Though Kira and Erza were both S-class wizards, the guild had vastly different feelings about them. Erza instilled fear and respect, holding everyone accountable with her strictness. Kira, however, enjoyed stirring chaos, using his status to fuel mischief rather than suppress it. He was a far cry from Erza's rigid discipline.
"What did you say? Are you implying that just because Erza buys magic equipment from me and keeps my business booming, I'm biased toward her? Why would I do such a thing?"
Why are you even saying this? Everyone collectively thought. Didn't you just admit it yourself?
No one dared to respond, but their expressions said it all.
"Erza, do you also think I'm favoring you?" Kira asked behind the group, a sly grin on his face.
Then came a gentle, yet terrifying voice: "No."
!!!!!!!
"ERZA?!!!" ×N
The entire guild erupted in panic.
"Why is Erza here?"
"When did she come back?"
"Wait—did she hear everything we just said?!"
Their faces turned green with fear, sweat pouring down as they scrambled to think of excuses.
"E-E-Erza, y-you...why..." Natsu stammered, his confidence shattering.
Erza rarely lost her temper, but her calm was more chilling than anger. "Natsu! Do you have any problems with me?"
The question was asked so gently that it made everyone's hair stand on end.
Everyone: This is even scarier! She must have heard everything! This is the end!
"No, no, no!" Natsu blurted out, his legs trembling.
Erza smiled softly but pressed again, "Really?"
Natsu was drenched in sweat, barely managing to stutter: "A-absolutely not!"
Satisfied for the moment, Erza shifted her focus. "Well... if you don't have a problem, then... Gray, do you?"
Gray, caught off guard, was even worse off than Natsu. "No! No! Erza is the kindest person in the guild!" he shouted, scrambling to put on his clothes under her piercing gaze.
"Put on your clothes."
"Yes...yes..." Gray complied quickly and slipped into the corner, praying for safety.
"Cana?"
Cana's drink shook in her hand as she hastily agreed. "Gray is right! Erza is the most powerful and reliable!"
"Rocky?"
Rocky tried to disappear into his green coat. "Erza is as warm as the sun—my goddess!"
"Elfman?"
"Erza is a man!"
One by one, each person scrambled to retract their earlier complaints.
Erza nodded, her demeanor as serene as ever. "So, none of you have any issues with me?"
They all shook their heads in unison. "Absolutely not!!!"
"But..." Erza tilted her head, her smile unwavering. "I heard someone say I'm scary. Who said that?"
The room froze.
"Well... since none of you have anything to say, it must be you, the newcomer. Your name is Lucy, right?"
Lucy: "HUH???!!!"
Why is it me? What did I do to deserve this? First, I got dragged into a group fight, and now I'm being singled out by the guild's most intimidating member.
Lucy's heart pounded as Erza's gaze bore into her, wordlessly daring her to deny it. Lucy felt like she was suffocating under the pressure.
"I... I didn't..." she began, trembling.
Before she could explain further, Mira intervened, placing a hand on Erza's shoulder. "Erza, Miss Lucy is just..."
Her words were cut off as her hand passed straight through Erza's body.
"AHHH!!! ERZA IS DEAD!" Natsu and Happy screamed in unison, leaping back in shock.
"What's going on?" Lucy was equally horrified.
Mira, however, quickly understood. "This isn't Erza—it's a magical illusion. No wonder something felt off."
"An illusion?" Natsu's face twisted in confusion. "Does that mean Erza isn't actually here?"
"This illusion is too real!" Gray added.
"I was so scared I broke out in a cold sweat!"
Lucy exhaled in relief. "It was just an illusion. But who could have cast something so powerful and convincing?"
Illusions like this required advanced magical skill. Even Lucy, inexperienced as she was, understood the magnitude of such a feat.
Her eyes instinctively turned toward Kira, who feigned an innocent expression.
Unlike Lucy, Natsu hadn't put the pieces together. He stomped his foot. "Damn it! Who's responsible for this?!"
Natsu was probably the only one clueless about the culprit. Even Happy knew it had to be Kira, the guild's most notorious prankster.
"KIRA, YOU BASTARD!" Gray roared. "IT WAS YOU!"
Cana, Rocky, and Gray were already certain of the answer. They had witnessed Kira's illusion magic firsthand during their recent mission.
Hearing their accusations, Kira grinned and mimicked Happy's tone. "Aye!"
"STOP PLAYING DUMB!"
Kira chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, you got me. Yes, it was me. So? How was it? Pretty realistic, right? Wahahahaha!"
"You bastard!"
"Oh? Do you want to fight me?"
"Oh, oh, oh... You're challenging me now?" Kira's grin widened. "Come on then! Let's see if you've improved at all since last time!"
The guild erupted in chaos once more as Kira's taunts incited another round of challenges. Lucy, standing off to the side, sighed deeply. What have I gotten myself into?
Mira shook her head, amused. "Well, it wouldn't be Fairy Tail without this, now would it?"
Lucy watched as Kira prepared to take on everyone in the guild. Despite the chaos, a small smile crept onto her face. For better or worse, she was starting to feel at home here.
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