After Descartes and the other two returned, the guild finally became quiet.
Facing the scene of the guild in a total mess, Descartes did not fly into a rage. Because he knew that no matter how much he scolded these rascals, they would turn around and forget it, and by the next day, they would be right back at it with no change at all. Therefore, he simply and directly gave a punch to everyone who participated in the brawl and then made them restore the guild to its original state.
"I am truly sorry, Master Descartes. We caused such a scene on our very first day..." After learning from Erzi that the source of this brawl was a spat between Natsu and Gray, Anna was suddenly overcome with shame.
"No, no, no... Ms. Anna, you needn't feel so guilty; this isn't the children's fault! It's my fault for not explaining clearly beforehand. Actually, Fairy Tail has always had this bellicose atmosphere. Scuffling between comrades is a common occurrence for us. I imagine Natsu was... somewhat influenced by it."
In fact, Descartes felt more ashamed in his heart than Anna. He knew the personalities of these rascals in the guild better than anyone; with them as role models, it was only a matter of time before children like Natsu were "corrupted." Even if it wasn't today, it would have been tomorrow. By contrast, he was more worried that Anna would think the environment of Fairy Tail was poor because of this incident and take the children away, which would mean the guild losing a group of exceptionally talented wizards...
"There is no need for the Master to explain. Even if Fairy Tail truly has such an atmosphere, it's impossible for the children to be influenced to this extent after only half a day..." At the end of the day, it's still because I haven't taught Natsu and the others well enough." Anna only felt that Descartes was incredibly magnanimous, truly a man fit to be a Master.
Descartes: "..." Not possible to be influenced to this extent in half a day? I'm not so sure about that... But since she put it that way, if he kept taking the blame, the conversation would never end.
Fortunately, Layla walked over at that moment and broke the awkward topic: "Erzi was also very mischievous when she was little. Later, we sent her to the Fairy Academy, and her personality became much better." (Erzi: Huh? Mischievous? Me?)
"Today, we have already processed the enrollment for the new children. I think once they are at school, with more peers and the help of the academy teachers, we won't have to worry about them fighting at every turn!"
Actually, there was one last sentence Layla didn't say out loud—even if the children still fight every day, the public property being damaged then won't belong to the guild, but the academy; and the ones who will have to worry about it won't be us, but the academy teachers!
"Is that really so?" Anna turned to look at Erzi, who was coaxing Wendy to eat dinner, her face showing doubt. She couldn't see a single trace of the "mischief" factor Layla mentioned in her junior.
But how could Descartes and Layla show any weakness? The couple immediately spoke in unison: "That's exactly how it is! Ms. Anna, don't overthink things anymore. Quickly, get ready for dinner!"
Since Weston's era, Fairy Tail had employed specialized chefs. Back then, the guild paid the chefs' salaries, the chefs were responsible for the members' meals, and the guild collected the money, operating much like a normal restaurant. But now, the guild's catering model had changed. Of course, the new model did not completely replace the old one but added another method on top of the original foundation.
The kitchen equipment was open to guild members for free. After paying a fee for ingredients, members could use the kitchen's stock to cook as they pleased and show off their culinary skills. The food produced could be eaten by themselves or sold to comrades; the guild charged no additional fees during the process. Simply put, every member could become a "temporary chef." As for ingredient procurement and pricing, the "Head Chef" was in charge. This model existed to provide a recreational activity for comrades who enjoyed cooking but didn't want it as a formal job.
During dinner, the guild remained bustling. The adults chatted about work, family, and life, while the children focused primarily on the taste of the food. To ensure the children could "bury the hatchet" and get along well in the future, Descartes, Layla, and Anna specifically arranged for all the guild's children to sit at their table.
At the table, Natsu and Gray still looked at each other with distaste. Although separated by the table, they stared each other down fiercely throughout the meal, as if saying, "We settle this after dinner."
Gajeel's expression was none too happy because he had been ignored by Natsu. Clearly, that Fire Dragon's opponent should be me! Why does that ice-using stripping pervert get to jump the line?! (To train the children's Ice-Make magic and cold resistance, the couple Silver and Ur would take Ultear, Gray, and Lyon back to their snowy hometown to stay for a while every year. One year after returning from their hometown, the two boys developed the habit of reflexively stripping their clothes.)
Lyon shared the same sentiment as Gajeel. He had stayed at school for duty after classes today and hadn't returned with Gray and the others, thus missing the previous brawl. After returning to the guild, Lyon found that his annoying fellow disciple had already become another brat's "arch-rival," giving him a sudden sense of "childhood friend losing to the new arrival."
Sting and Rogue kept their heads down and ate the whole time. The two boys keenly sensed that their "Big Brother" was a bit off today, but they couldn't quite put their finger on how. Plus, having just received a punch from Descartes, they didn't dare say a word.
In contrast, the girls were getting along quite well. The newcomer Wendy was only five years old, with a gentle personality and a cute appearance—a soft, sweet little thing. One look made people instinctively want to protect her. Ultear and the other three girls all liked this little sister very much.
After dinner, Anna stayed at the guild for a while to let the five children play, then, led by Layla and Descartes, she arrived at her and the children's new home.
"This is a vacant property belonging to the Lagrange family. It's very close to both the guild and our house. If you don't mind it, Ms. Anna, please stay here with the children for the time being."
"Don't worry about the rent. After all, it's not easy for you to raise five children alone."
Anna stared blankly at the small villa standing before her, silent for a moment. It seemed the Master's family was even wealthier than she had imagined!
"The Master must be joking. How could I mind? I can't thank you enough! I'm just worried the children are too boisterous and might accidentally tear the house down one day..."
"Hahaha... then just put the bill on the children's tab and let them work to pay it back when they grow up!"