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

No one spoke. For many, this was the first time seeing a companion expelled. Others were reminded of the day Ivan, Makarov's own son, had been cast out.

No matter who it was, friend, guildmate, even blood family, if you betrayed Fairy Tail, Makarov always stood firm.

After a long silence, Makarov straightened and continued, "Next are Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen."

The three Thunder God Tribe members stood side by side, supporting each other.

"Yes, Master."

"You helped Laxus carry out his plans. As punishment, you will help pay for the damages to the church and city. Additionally, you will join the reconstruction effort."

Makarov had actually planned to cover Laxus's portion himself. But Freed stepped forward.

"We'll pay Laxus's share as well," he said. "We'll earn it together."

Truthfully, they didn't have much money left. They'd spent almost everything on magic lacrima for Laxus's plan. But all three were strong, skilled, and capable of making money quickly, unlike a certain fire-eating demolition expert who regularly destroyed city blocks.

"So it's settled," Makarov nodded, accepting Freed's insistence to take responsibility alongside the others.

But then he took a deep breath and declared something no one expected.

"And one final matter. All of this... happened because I failed to properly guide Laxus. As his grandfather and as the Master of Fairy Tail, I take full responsibility. Therefore, I've decided to resign as Guild Master and leave the guild effective immediately!"

The moment those words left his mouth, chaos broke out in the hall.

"Don't joke around, Master!"

"This wasn't your fault at all!"

"If you leave, what'll happen to the guild?!"

"Exactly! No one blames you for this!"

Makarov raised his hand to silence them, but his expression was resolute. "There's no need to stop me. Laxus is my grandson. As his family, I should've corrected him long ago. I've already packed my things, I'm leaving today!"

Of course, no one was going to just let him walk out. A crowd quickly formed to block his way. Some tugged at the luggage he was trying to sneak away with, and Happy went as far as to throw himself around Makarov's leg, clinging to him like a koala.

"Rhodes! Mira! Say something too!"

"If this is truly the Master's decision," Rhodes said solemnly, "then I have no objections. But…"

He calmly walked over to the front counter, stacked a huge pile of papers, guild forms, job requests, complaints, receipts, contracts, and dropped them all on the floor in front of Makarov with a mighty thud.

The stack was so tall it blocked out the light. Makarov's vision literally went dark.

"If you're going to leave," Rhodes continued with a bright smile, "then you need to properly hand over your duties. These are all the documents you've yet to review. Please finish processing them before you go."

Makarov started to sweat. But he puffed up his chest and declared stubbornly, "Don't think this can stop me! It's just a few papers. I'm responsible, I'll get through them right now and show you!"

Mira smiled sweetly. "That's the spirit, Master. Please make sure to finish everything by the end of today."

"Finish today?! This is like a whole month's worth of work!"

"No, haven't you noticed?" Mira replied. "Rhodes and I usually handle this volume in just half a day."

Makarov froze. Come to think of it… he really hadn't noticed. He'd grown too comfortable being a figurehead. Things hadn't been this chaotic before… was it because the guild hall was recently rebuilt? Or maybe because of the festival?

He scowled. "Fine! I'll do it! Once I finish, I'm leaving in a few days."

But Rhodes wasn't done.

"Some of these are urgent. If they're not addressed in time, there could be serious consequences. You'll have to stick around to handle those too."

Makarov's jaw clenched.

"And if you don't finish today's work, it'll delay tomorrow's. And then the next day. And so on. No rush though, take your time."

Rhodes and Mira stood side by side, flashing innocent smiles that somehow felt more threatening than any glare.

The others joined in gleefully.

"Yeah! Even if you resign, you still have to finish your work!"

"Here's a pen! I'll grab a stool!"

"I'll bring over a table!"

Makarov wanted to die. No, he didn't want to leave anymore. He wanted to escape.

Just then, Freed suddenly stepped forward. With a determined look, he drew his sword and, in one clean motion, sliced off his long green hair, letting it fall in thick clumps around his feet.

"Freed?!" someone gasped.

"Master," Freed said gravely, "please don't add to our guilt."

He bowed low, voice unwavering. "As atonement, I will shave my head next. But if you leave the guild because of what we did… then our sins will never be forgiven."

Bickslow and Evergreen bowed deeply. "Please, don't do anything like this again!"

Makarov let out a long sigh. "Alright… we'll end things here."

A chorus of cheers exploded through the guild. "Ohhh!!!"

Though their Master was old and often lazy, and occasionally caused as much damage to the guild as Natsu did, no one could imagine Fairy Tail without him. If they had a choice, everyone wished Makarov would lead them forever.

"See? This kind of thing is your job after all!" Makarov said grumpily, tossing the pen aside. Slinging his bag over his shoulder, he ran upstairs. "I still have packing to do! Carry on!"

Rhodes and Mira exchanged knowing smiles and began moving the stacked documents back to their usual place.

The guild slowly returned to its usual lively state. Those with injuries received treatment, arguments flared as usual, and a few friendly brawls broke out again.

Even though some members, especially Natsu, still felt sad about Laxus's departure, they had come to accept the situation for now. All they could do was ask the Master if there was any hope of bringing him back someday.

The Thunder God Tribe, still recovering, made their way around the guild, bowing and apologizing to each member.

Most people said it was fine. A few others said, "Once we recover, we'll settle it in a proper fight."

The Thunder Gods nodded, not entirely sure how one was supposed to "fight properly and calmly with all their strength", but in Fairy Tail, that somehow made sense.

From the upper floor, Makarov popped his head out. "Rhodes, come up here for a sec. I need your help with something!"

"Coming." Rhodes headed upstairs, leaving Mira to finish sorting the rest of the paperwork.

Lucy wandered over, eyes wide with admiration. "Wow… so you two really finish all that work in just half a day?"

Mira glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then leaned in close and whispered to Lucy, "We lied to the Master. That's actually a week's worth of paperwork, maybe more. We slipped in some really old stuff too."

Lucy's jaw dropped. "Seriously? And he couldn't tell at all?"

Mira replied matter-of-factly, "He's never looked at any of it before. How would he know?"

"Is he really the guild master?"

Lucy suddenly felt like the guild would keep running just fine even if the Master actually did step down.

Meanwhile, outside Magnolia...

Rhodes stood waiting on the roadside, blocking the path of a lone figure limping forward on crutches.

"Rhodes?"

"Oh, so you finally remember my name this time?"

Laxus paused. The words stung a little. He recalled how many people he had dismissed during his arrogance, saying things like, "Who are you?", "I don't even know your names." And now, here stood one of those people. Waiting for him.

That heavy, shameful past made it difficult to look directly at someone he once brushed off so coldly. Instead, he shifted his gaze and asked quietly, "What do you want?"

Rhodes looked at the bandages on Laxus's arms and legs, then at the crutch supporting him. His emotions were complicated.

"To be honest… I've wanted to punch you for a long time," he said with a crooked smile. "But I didn't expect it to happen like that, and with all of us ganging up on you, at that."

Laxus stayed silent. He didn't flinch. If Rhodes was here to punch him again, so be it. He would take it. 

But Rhodes didn't lift a fist. He wasn't here to fight.

"I'm just here to pass along a message," he said simply. "You left too quickly. The Master didn't get a chance to tell you what he really wanted to say, so he asked me to deliver it."

Laxus turned slightly. "What is it?"

Rhodes dropped his usual teasing tone. His expression turned serious.

"Anyone who leaves Fairy Tail must follow three rules."

Laxus blinked, surprised. He hadn't expected this.

"First," Rhodes said, "you must never speak of anything that could harm Fairy Tail. Not for the rest of your life."

Laxus looked up, startled. There was no trace of sarcasm or jest in Rhodes's eyes.

"Second," Rhodes continued, "you are forbidden from contacting former clients for personal gain."

The hard edge in Laxus's face began to soften. He could feel the old man's hand in these words. They weren't meant to scold him, they were Makarov's way of protecting him, even now.

Rhodes paused, his voice more gentle. "Third… even if you walk a different path, you must live strong. Never throw your life away."

He took a breath, and as he opened his mouth to finish the final line, Laxus beat him to it.

Together, they said:

"And never forget the comrades you once held dear."

Laxus tightened his grip on his crutch and took one step forward. Then another. As he passed Rhodes, he said softly, with sincerity rare for him:

"I remember. Thanks."

...

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