"Yes, yes, as long as we drink it, it has nothing to do with us. Even if the owner comes looking later, that's their problem, not ours!"
Fairy Tail's logic. Flawless.
With their brilliant minds working in perfect chaos, the guild had already reached the highest peak of "IQ reasoning"—which, in their case, meant cracking the bottles open without hesitation.
"Wait—wait a minute!"
Compared to these idiots who let their impulses rule them, Makarov, as guild master, still had enough sense to panic.
If someone really does come looking for repayment, who's the one cleaning up the mess? Me!
He clutched his bald head, imagining the scene: the Magic Council dragging him off in chains, the whole guild laughing as he became the one stuck with the bill.
"One hundred million J…" gulp.
Cold sweat slid down his forehead. "Even if I sold myself, I couldn't pay that back."
The thought hit him like a brick. Could it be… as one of the Ten Saints, I'll have to become a clown on the street? Telling jokes, juggling, dancing for tips just to pay the debt?
Just picturing it nearly killed him. His pride, shattered. His dignity, gone.
"…No. If I'm doomed anyway, then I'll at least drink my fill first!"
Resolve hardened in his eyes. If this was his last supper, then so be it.
"You brats!" Makarov roared, veins popping on his head. "Don't you know the Guildmaster should drink first?!"
With a puff of magic, his body expanded—transforming into a towering giant. He shoved aside anyone blocking the way, snatched two bottles in his enormous hands, and with a mighty twist popped them open.
Glug, glug, glug!
Wine poured into his mouth from both sides, cascading down like twin waterfalls.
"Woooahhh! The Master's dual-wielding!"
Natsu's jaw dropped in awe. "That's amazing! He's drinking left and right at the same time!"
Makarov slammed the bottles down with a thunderous laugh. "Hahahaha! Brats, who do you think I am? When I was mastering the art of drinking, none of you had even grown teeth yet!"
The guild roared in approval.
Aside from Kana, no one in Fairy Tail could possibly rival the old man's drinking technique. For a moment, the atmosphere was blazing—warm, reckless, alive.
"…Idiots."
From the second floor, Laxus leaned on the railing, arms crossed, staring down with his usual scowl. Watching his grandfather show off like some kid made his head ache. So childish.
"Laxus, want a drink?"
Freed, ever the dutiful bodyguard, stood below and casually tossed a bottle up to him.
Without missing a beat, Laxus caught it one-handed, twisted the cork, and took a cool sip.
"…Thanks, Freed."
Even his thank-you sounded like an order, calm and low.
"It is my pleasure."
Freed tried his best to suppress his inner excitement, a rare smile tugging at his face.
"…?"
But when Laxus caught the wine and thanked him, a flicker of something passed through his eyes. He lowered his gaze, staring at the bottle in his hand. His expression grew dark, unreadable, as if something heavy had just crossed his mind.
Boom!
The guild's heavy wooden doors flew open.
Every head turned at once.
Standing in the doorway—Rain and Mira.
"???"
"This is…"
The hall fell silent. The sound of mugs clattering, dice rolling, and drunken shouting all seemed to freeze in the air. Dozens of guild members blinked in confusion, their gazes locked on the pair standing proudly at the entrance.
"…They look familiar, right? But I can't place it…"
"Yeah… it feels like I should know them… Are they guild members? Why can't I remember their names?"
One by one, Fairy Tail mages whispered in puzzlement.
Ten years had passed. Time had changed faces, softened features, matured voices. Rain's presence was sharper, steadier. Mira, who once carried herself with fiery rebellion, now radiated a calm gentleness that no one had seen from her before.
So it was natural—they couldn't recognize them at first glance.
"Rain… no one seems to recognize us," Mira whispered softly, leaning closer to his ear.
Rain's lips curved faintly, his voice low. "It's normal. In that world, ten years have passed. Of course there have been changes."
Mira blinked, then smiled with quiet understanding. "Mm. That makes sense."
But then—
"Th-That… Brother Rain? And… Sister Mira?"
Lisanna's eyes widened as she stared at the two figures in the doorway.
Her voice wavered, caught between hope and disbelief.
"No, no, this can't be real… it's impossible!"
She shook her head, her hands clutching at her chest.
"It's only been a month since you left! How could you have changed this much in such a short time?!"
Her gaze lingered on Rain, her lips trembling.
"Brother Rain… maybe I could believe it for you. But Sister Mira…?"
Lisanna's voice broke, tears pricking at her eyes as she looked at Mira.
"You were never like this… so gentle looking, so calm… That's just not you. The Mira I know...there's no way you could change so much!"
Her words hung in the air, heavy with both love and disbelief.
"..."
As soon as Lisanna's trembling words left her lips, the guild exploded.
"No way...Mira? Gentle?!"
"That's a joke!"
"Mira was the devil of Fairy Tail when we were kids! She'd beat us black and blue for breathing wrong! You expect us to believe she's some elegant lady now?!"
Disbelief echoed from every corner of the guild hall. Suspicion burned in their eyes, louder even than Lisanna's earnest protests.
Rain just smiled. "Sure enough, it was Lisanna who recognized us first."
His gaze drifted toward Elfman, a teasing glint in his eyes. "…Unlike someone else, hehehe."
"W-What's that supposed to mean?!" Elfman shouted, face turning bright red as the guild burst into laughter.
But the laughter cut off when Mira's sweet smile twitched. Her eyes narrowed, a dangerous gleam flashing through them.
"You… are you seeking death?"
Her voice dropped low, syrupy sweet and terrifying all at once.
"Receive… Satan Soul!"
BOOOOM!
Dark wings unfurled with a crack, horns curled from her head, and a tidal wave of magic power exploded out, pressing the entire guild flat to their seats. The floor groaned, mugs rattled on tables, even the air seemed to quake under the pressure.
The gentle lady was gone.
In her place stood the guild's demon queen.
"G-Gulp!"
Macao nearly choked on his drink. "T-That power… it's monstrous!"
"Unbelievable…" Wakaba muttered, his cigarette falling from his lips as sweat beaded down his face.
Gray, breaking into a cold sweat, stared with wide eyes. "How long has it even been…? A year? And she's already this terrifying?!"
The once-rowdy guild went completely silent. Even Natsu, who never backed down from a fight, was frozen stiff, a nervous grin plastered on his face.
No one could deny it anymore.
This wasn't some gentle stranger.
This was Mira.
The Mira of fairy tail.
Kana raised a hand weakly from her seat, her face pale but stubborn. "…C-Can you at least transform back before you finish all the wine? Some of us are trying to drink in peace…"
The silence shattered. A few guild members snorted, others laughed nervously, and Natsu immediately exploded. "Whaaat?! This is awesome! Mira, let's fight right now!!"
"Idiot! She'll kill you in one shot!" Gray barked, dragging him back by the collar.
And through it all, Lisanna's eyes filled with tears.
"…It really is you, Sister Mira."
Despite the crushing aura, she ran forward, throwing herself straight into Mira's arms. The demonic wings folded protectively around her little sister, and Mira's cold, sharp expression finally softened into a trembling smile.
"Lisanna…"
The guild hall roared with emotion, half crying, half cheering, their doubts swept away in an instant.
Their family was whole again.
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