December 31st, 783 · Magnolia City
The Fairy Tail Guild's porch was strung with twinkling fairy lights, "Happy New Year" paper cutouts adorned the windows, and a long table, large enough to seat everyone, was laden with delicacies in the center of the hall.
Golden roasted turkeys, fragrant stews, all sorts of desserts, and Makarov's treasured vintage wine.
"Hey! Natsu! Stop sneaking roasts!" Mira chased the cherry-haired boy, whose mouth was glistening with oil, with a ladle. "That's the main course, not served until midnight!"
"What's the big deal?" Natsu chewed as he ran, Happy flew above his head, a piece of meat clutched in his paws. "There's so much anyway!"
Gray leaned against the bar, twirling an ice-sculpted wine glass in his hand: "Idiot Fire Dragon, can't even wait for the New Year's Eve feast."
"What did you say?!" Flames erupted from Natsu's hair. "Wanna fight?"
"Come on!" Gray flung off his jacket. "Perfect for a warm-up!"
"You two—" Erza's voice came from the second floor. "If you dare to fight on New Year's Eve again, I'll use my 'Fairy Armor' to spar with you until next year!"
Natsu and Gray immediately stood at attention: "Sorry!"
Evening · Guild Hall
"Cheers!"
Dozens of glasses clinked in the air, golden liquid sparkling under the lights.
Makarov stood on the bar, holding a beer mug larger than himself: "May Fairy Tail be even more glorious in the new year!"
"Oh—!" Everyone cheered.
Ezreal sat by the window, holding a cup of hot apple juice.
Yuumi curled up on his lap, her little paws tugging at a roasted fish.
"Not joining in the fun with everyone?" Cana walked over, her cheeks slightly flushed from alcohol. She had a rare drink during the New Year's Eve dinner, but this time she didn't binge drink like before.
As an S-class wizard, Cana no longer relied on alcohol to numb herself. Now, besides training, she was waiting for the man who carried her father's name to return.
"It's nice just watching like this." Ezreal chuckled. "Aren't you going to get Levy drunk?"
"She was 'rescued' by Gajeel." Cana pouted. "He said something about 'the little one won't grow tall if she drinks too much,' but he clearly just wants to monopolize the chocolate fountain."
Ezreal raised an eyebrow in surprise, "When did they get so close?"
Cana shrugged, "Gajeel is a fan of Levy's books. There was a signing event where someone caused trouble, and Gajeel happened to be in line. After he dealt with it, Gajeel volunteered to be Levy's bodyguard."
Ezreal nodded, "You know, iron dragon magic would be wasted if he didn't become a bodyguard. He's a human shield!"
Just as he spoke, a "clank" came from Gajeel's direction—the iron dragon had fallen headfirst into the chocolate fountain, only his two legs dangling outside.
Levy stood beside him, at a loss: "Gajeel-kun?!"
"Pfft..." Cana spat out a mouthful of wine. "This scene is worth treasuring for a lifetime!"
Ezreal silently pulled out his magic crystal camera.
Other side of the hall.
"Elfman! A Man should challenge super spicy grilled wings!"
"Sis, sister... this really will kill people..." Elfman scooted his butt to the side.
Mira smiled and pushed a plate of smoking red chicken wings in front of her brother: "Come on, ah~"
Seeing his sister's expectant look, Elfman bit into one with tears in his eyes. Three seconds later, he rushed out of the guild, spitting fire: "A Man needs ice milk—!!"
On the other side, Natsu and Gray were having a "New Year's Eve Eating Contest."
"Twentieth plate!" Natsu held up an empty plate, sauce still clinging to the corner of his mouth.
"Hmph, twenty-one!" The stack of plates in front of Gray was teetering.
"You two..." Erza massaged her forehead. "Marcus! Stop serving them!"
"Too late~" Marcus grinned, pushing a cart of roasted meat. "Place your bets, place your bets! Natsu 1 to 2, Gray 1 to 3!"
Laki grabbed his ear: "You're holding a gambling game during a guild event again?!"
"Ow, ow, ow! This is a special New Year's event!"
"Share half the profits with me!"
Yukino nibbled on her cake, watching the chaotic yet warm scene, and couldn't help but smile.
Libra materialized beside her, elegantly wiping cream from her cheek.
"Thank you." Yukino said softly, "Libra, would you like to try this strawberry cake too?"
The Celestial Spirit shook her head, pointing out the window.
"Hmm?"
"Bang—!"
The first firework bloomed in the night sky, its golden light illuminating the entire hall.
"It's starting!" Happy pounced to the window. "Aye! So beautiful!"
Everyone rushed to the windows.
The New Year's Eve fireworks display hosted by the Magnolia City City Hall officially began. Colorful lights intertwined in the night sky, forming various shapes—the Fairy Tail emblem, fire-breathing dragons, ice castles... "That's my design!" Levy excitedly pointed to the magic circle formed by blue fireworks in the sky. "The proposal I submitted to the Mayor last week was actually adopted!"
Gajeel climbed out of the chocolate pool, exuding a sweet, cloying scent: "Not bad, little one."
"Gray! Look!" Marcus clapped Gray on the shoulder. "Doesn't that look like your ice rose?"
In the night sky, silver-white fireworks indeed bloomed into a giant rose shape.
Gray's face rarely flushed: "...Just a coincidence."
Natsu hung from the window frame: "Wow! That fire dragon is super cool! A million times cooler than Gray's rose!"
"Wanna fight?!"
"Come on!"
Erza pressed them both against the windowsill, one in each hand: "Watch the fireworks properly!"
Ezreal stood behind the crowd, his gaze shifting from the dazzling night sky to the smiling faces of the guild members.
Evil Wolf's voice echoed from the shadows: "Master, do you like this momentary brightness so much? I feel you are very Happy."
"It's precisely because it's fleeting that it's more worth cherishing." Ezreal replied softly, "Why shouldn't I be Happy?"
Yukino had unknowingly come to stand beside him, holding two steaming cups of cocoa: "Here, warm your hands."
"Thank you." Ezreal took the cup, and their gazes returned to the night sky.
The fireworks display reached its climax, countless points of light ascending into the sky, exploding at their highest point into a waterfall of stars.
At the same time, the City Hall's large clock began to chime—
"Ten! Nine! Eight!"
Everyone in the guild counted down together, their voices almost lifting the roof.
"Seven! Six! Five!"
Natsu and Gray had somehow put their arms around each other's shoulders, Happy flying around their heads.
Mira and Elfman exchanged a smile, Yuumi chewing on a roasted fish, nestled in Mira's arms.
Erza sat with Sho, Millianna, and Wally, tears sparkling in their eyes.
Gajeel held Levy up, letting her stand on his shoulders, with Droy and Jet standing behind him.
Marcus and Laki, amidst their bickering, found themselves sitting shoulder to shoulder.
Alzack and Bisca stood shoulder to shoulder by a corner window.
Ikaruga and Yukino sat next to Ezreal, sipping juice... "Four! Three! Two!"
Ezreal looked at Yukino's profile, illuminated by the fireworks, her eyes reflecting a myriad of starlight.
"One! Happy New Year—!!!"
The bells echoed throughout the city, and everyone cheered with joy. Master Makarov jumped onto the bar, raising his glass: "To Fairy Tail! To the New Year!"
"Cheers!"
...The fireworks gradually faded, but the guild's revelry continued.
Natsu and Gray finally lay groaning on the sofa, having eaten too much.
Elfman finally recovered after chugging his tenth glass of milk.
Cana's tarot cards showed "an unexpected encounter in the new year," prompting cheers from everyone.
Even the usually serious Laxus had a few rare drinks, leaning in a corner listening to Warren tell bad jokes.
"Mr. Ezreal." Yukino suddenly spoke, "Please take care of me in the new year."
Ezreal paused, then smiled: "Yes, please take care of me too."
Outside the window, the first snowflake of the new year silently fell.
Inside the guild, laughter and warmth dispelled the chill of the winter night.
The story of Fairy Tail was about to turn a new page.
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