Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master

"It was actually our fault…" Levy said quietly, guilt written all over her face.

After Rhodes, Mira, and Elfman had left that morning, Levy spotted a job request for a magic classroom, helping teach magic to kids, and was eager to take it. But she hesitated for a moment and someone else beat her to it.

That someone was Gajeel.

Levy, who had already missed out on a few jobs in the past few days, couldn't hold back her frustration and got into a brief argument with Gajeel. But he didn't back down. He took the job and left the guild with his usual swagger.

Technically, he hadn't broken any rules. He had every right to take a job he wanted.

Still, Levy left the guild fuming.

Jet and Droy had seen the whole exchange, and they couldn't stand the way Gajeel strutted around like he owned the place. So they chased after him, determined to teach him a lesson for both Levy's sake and their own lingering grudges.

Levy, worried things would get out of hand, followed them. She was scared, but she didn't want anyone to get hurt.

The situation escalated quickly.

Jet and Droy confronted Gajeel and picked a fight. Levy stayed back, calling out from behind a tree, begging them to stop.

Then, out of nowhere, Laxus appeared.

At first, he just mocked them with his usual snide remarks, but then he suddenly launched an attack right at Gajeel.

Jet and Droy were shocked. While their fight had at least stayed within reason, Laxus wasn't holding back at all. He attacked with full strength, like he meant to seriously injure or even knock Gajeel out of commission.

Gajeel, for his part, never fought back. Not even once.

He just took the hits, whether it was from Jet, Droy, or Laxus. It was clear he had no intention of retaliating.

When Jet and Droy realized how far Laxus was going, they tried to step in and stop him.

That's when it happened.

Laxus, looking furious, turned his rage on Levy and fired a bolt of lightning magic straight at her.

And Gajeel, who just minutes ago had been the one they resented, threw himself in the way of the blast.

If he hadn't shielded her, Levy might have ended up in the infirmary or worse.

The fact that someone like Gajeel, who had once hurt them, was now the one protecting her, while a supposed comrade like Laxus had attacked her without hesitation, left them all shaken.

It changed everything.

Jet and Droy didn't know what to think anymore. Their enemy had shown more heart than their guildmate.

As the Master often said, sometimes fighting is the best way to understand each other.

And now, after this clash, they finally began to understand what was in Gajeel's heart. Beneath that rough, solitary exterior, he was deeply remorseful. He wanted to be part of the guild, truly.

But they still didn't understand what Laxus was thinking.

Maybe Laxus really didn't see people like them, the so-called weak ones, as guildmates at all.

Levy bowed her head, her voice trembling a little.

"If it hadn't been for us… Gajeel never would have crossed paths with Laxus. He wouldn't be hurt right now."

"Don't take all the responsibility on yourself." Mira gently reached out and ruffled Levy's hair.

"In our guild, it's not unusual for people to fight just because they don't like someone. What happened today was just one of those unexpected things."

"Yeah..." Levy looked up into Mira's eyes and nodded softly. Then, with a faint blush, she pushed Mira's hand away. "I'm not a kid anymore."

Even so, it was clear Gajeel really was tough as iron, especially his attitude.

Rhodes paused in thought. "So how did it end? Did Laxus just stop?"

Levy nodded slowly. "He said it was boring... and then left. He looked really angry too."

The one who got beat up didn't say anything and walked off quietly, but the one who did the beating ended up even more furious. It made no sense.

"Laxus has been crossing the line lately," Mira said, her tone turning sharp. "He used to just be distant, but now he's constantly throwing out insults. A while back, he nearly started another fight, and now he's attacking people like Levy."

Rhodes sighed. "The master's already tried to talk to him so many times, but it doesn't seem to be working."

This wasn't a regular scuffle between guildmates. It wasn't sparring or a heated exchange of words. It was a deliberate and harsh attack, like how you'd treat an enemy, not a comrade.

Rhodes wasn't sure how other guilds handled things like this, but here in Fairy Tail, it was serious. He might not be expelled, but some kind of punishment was inevitable.

At the very least, Master Makarov would give him a harsh warning, maybe even lay down some consequences like suspending his missions. That would force Laxus to stay in the guild on probation. A formal apology was another possibility, but knowing Laxus, he'd probably rather quit the guild than say sorry.

"I'm sorry, Levy." Makarov walked over and bowed his head gently. "I won't let this slide. He'll have to face real consequences this time."

"You don't have to apologize, Master." Levy said quietly. Her voice was soft, as always. She had been gentle ever since she was little, even when people mistreated her, she rarely held a grudge.

But Makarov couldn't let it go. Every member of Fairy Tail was like a child to him. Even though Laxus was his grandson, favoritism had no place here.

The next time Laxus returned, Makarov would make sure both Levy and Gajeel got the apology they deserved.

With the issue temporarily set aside, Rhodes and Mira returned to their regular work.

Then, the guild doors flew open with a loud crash.

"Is Laxus back?" Natsu burst into the hall, eyes burning with fire. "Come out and duel me!"

Macao leaned on the counter and smirked. "You again? Have you already forgotten how badly Laxus beat you last year?"

Natsu shouted, "That doesn't count! I was still a kid last year!"

Macao raised an eyebrow. "It was true last year, and somehow not true this year?"

Natsu ignored him, scanning the room before rushing to the counter. "Rhodes, have you seen Laxus?"

Rhodes shook his head. "Nope. I heard he just came back for a quick visit and left. Didn't show up at the guild."

"Darn it! I finally hear he's back and now he's gone again!"

"You've been out training in the countryside all this time. How'd you even hear about him?"

"Aiya! We heard someone mention it while buying fish," Happy chimed in as he fluttered over. "What now, Natsu? Want to go back?"

"No way. We're already here," Natsu said, clenching his fist. "Alright, new plan. Let's go to Lucy's place!"

Just like that, his mood shifted. The frustration was gone, and he turned on his heel with a grin.

Happy flapped his wings excitedly. "Aye! It's been a while since we visited her!"

"Hold it!" Rhodes reached out, trying to stop them. He missed Natsu entirely but managed to catch Happy by the tail.

"Let go!" Happy protested, wriggling in the air. "If we're late, we'll miss Lucy complaining about Natsu again!"

"So you're just going to enjoy her scolding like it's a show." Rhodes held out a folded newspaper. "Take this to her. And try to actually care about how she's doing, alright?"

"Aye!" Happy grabbed the paper and zipped out the door without even checking what was inside.

Rhodes didn't feel like he had to go himself. Despite Natsu's loud and reckless personality, there was something surprisingly sensitive about him.

Maybe it was instinct, or something more human than that.

Whatever the reason, whenever a guildmate was feeling down, even if they didn't say anything, Natsu always picked up on it. He would somehow know just what to do without needing to be told.

In moments like that, Rhodes could only feel a bit ashamed of himself.

He could pick up on Mira's feelings, sure, but as for anyone else? Maybe not as much.