Erza Scarlet

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"Hey, Kitaro, aren't you taking on any missions? Why don't we team up?" Lucy asked eagerly. She figured teaming up with Kitaro, who was even stronger than Natsu, would ensure higher-paying missions. Plus, he seemed way more reliable.

"Sorry, I'm focused on studying for now. I don't really need the money," Kitaro replied casually. If he'd initially crossed over into the Fairy Tail world, he wouldn't have minded the adventurer's lifestyle. But now, as someone akin to a guild leader in another world, his perspective had shifted.

In the One Piece world, he had done deals worth billions. Taking on missions that only paid hundreds of thousands—or even a million for S-class jobs—didn't interest him in the slightest.

Lucy pouted, clearly disappointed. "Guess I'll have to stick to jobs I can do on my own."

"If you find something interesting, let me know. Since the Master's not here right now, I can help," Mira chimed in as she approached them.

Lucy blinked, noticing for the first time that the Guild Master's usual spot was empty. "Huh? You're right! Where is he?"

"He's attending the regular Guild Masters' meeting," Mira explained. "It's a gathering where they report to each other and discuss guild matters. It's separate from the Council, so it might be a bit confusing. Reedus, can I borrow your light pen?"

"Here." Reedus handed over a pen that allowed drawings in midair.

"You and Kitaro just joined, so it's understandable you don't know about the structure of the magic world," Mira said while sketching an organizational chart in the air.

"The most powerful figures are the Ten Wizard Saints, who work with the government and oversee the magic world's order."

"They're responsible for judging rogue wizards, among other things. Below them are the Guild Masters, who communicate the Council's decisions, mediate between guilds, and manage us. It's a tough job."

"I had no idea guilds were this connected," Lucy admitted, a little surprised.

"Guild cooperation is crucial. If it's neglected…" Mira started, but Natsu suddenly popped up behind Lucy, speaking in a creepy voice.

"The dark guilds will come for youuu!"

"Ahhhhhh!" Lucy screamed, spinning around in terror.

Natsu burst into laughter. "You're so jumpy! That was hilarious!"

Lucy clutched her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. "Stop scaring me!"

"Lucy the scaredy-cat," Happy teased, raising his paw. "Or should we call her Scaredy-Lucy?"

"Stop making up dumb nicknames!"

Mira chuckled. "But Natsu's not wrong. There are dark guilds. They're not part of the official guild network and operate outside the law, making them very dangerous."

"True!" Happy chimed in.

Lucy frowned. "Why do I feel like this is going to be my problem one day?"

"Anyway, just pick a job already," Natsu said.

"It was random last time, so it's your turn to choose!"

"Like heck I'm teaming up with you again!" Lucy snapped.

"Why not?"

"Why? Because last time, you only wanted a blonde girl for that creepy Duke's maid job!" Lucy huffed, still fuming about the disaster of a mission.

"Oh, that's fair," Natsu said with zero shame. "But we picked you because you're a good person!"

His honest, cheerful tone made Lucy falter.

Not far away, Gray spoke up. "Lucy, no need to force yourself to team up with them. I hear you've been making a name for yourself lately. You must have a ton of invites by now."

"Lucy, how about you form a team of love with me? Just the two of us tonight," Loke added, stepping forward with a smooth grin.

"Absolutely not!" Lucy retorted immediately. Once upon a time, she might've swooned over Loke, a celebrity wizard. But his playboy antics had crushed that fantasy.

"I heard you took down two South Wolf mercenaries and a woman built like a gorilla. That's impressive," Loke continued.

Lucy rolled her eyes. "That was all Natsu." How had the rumors twisted this into her doing?

"Wait, so it was you, fire freak?" Gray growled.

"Got a problem with that, ice block?"

"Gray, your clothes," Mira pointed out gently.

Gray looked down and panicked. "Ahhh! Not again!"

"You're hopeless," Natsu muttered before they started brawling.

Meanwhile, Loke sidled up to Lucy, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Lucy, you're so dazzling that even through sunglasses, your beauty blinds me. If I looked at you directly, I'd probably go blind."

"Then go blind already," she deadpanned.

Suddenly, Loke froze, his gaze locking on the set of celestial keys hanging from her waist. He stepped back in horror. "Wha—?! You're… a Celestial Wizard?!"

"She's got keys for bulls and crabs and stuff!" Happy chimed in.

"Why does fate hate me so much?!" Loke exclaimed before bolting out of the room.

Lucy frowned, baffled. "What just happened? I didn't even do anything."

"Loke has a thing about Celestial Wizards," Mira explained vaguely.

"Seriously?" Lucy sighed. "What a weirdo."

But before she could think too much about it, Loke came running back in, looking terrified.

"Bad news! Erza's back!!!"

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