Fairy Tail: The Journey
Chapter 8
Kai walked through the busy streets of Magnolia with a relaxed expression. The warm wind brushed through his crimson hair as people moved around him, unaware of the powerful mage casually strolling through town.
It was the year X780.
Kai was now fifteen years old and had officially become an S-Class Mage earlier that year. He had just returned from his very first S-Class mission, and the journey back had been surprisingly peaceful.
Soon the familiar building of Fairy Tail appeared in front of him.
Kai grinned.
Without hesitation, he kicked the massive guild doors open.
"Yo. Miss me?"
The moment he stepped inside, the entire guild hall exploded with noise.
"KAI IS BACK!!"
"Kai, how was the S-Class mission?!"
"How many mountains did you destroy this time?!"
"Did you fight a dragon?!"
Kai scratched his cheek awkwardly as everyone surrounded him.
Before he could answer, a certain pink-haired dragon slayer charged forward like a missile.
"Kaiiiii! Fight me!"
Natsu ignored everyone and lunged at him.
"Fire Dragon's Iron—"
Kai calmly raised his fist.
BAM.
His punch landed squarely on Natsu's face, instantly sending him flying across the guild hall.
Natsu crashed into a table and collapsed unconscious.
Happy floated nearby and immediately raised his paw like a referee.
"Aya! Natsu one-hit KO! The winner is Kai!"
The blue exceed completely ignored Natsu's motionless body.
"Kai! You promised to bring a tasty fish!"
Happy flew toward him with sparkling eyes and drool dripping from his mouth.
Kai grinned mischievously.
"Of course I did."
He opened his inventory and pulled out a massive fish.
"Dragon Salmon. For everyone."
The enormous five-meter-long fish appeared in the middle of the guild hall.
Happy nearly fainted.
"FISHIIIIIIII!!"
Everyone in the guild froze while staring at the gigantic creature.
"Whoa… I've never seen a fish like that before!"
"Is that a new species?"
"Hey Kai, where did you catch this thing?"
Levy suddenly appeared beside him with sparkling eyes.
"I've never read about a Dragon Salmon in any book!"
Hearing the word dragon, Natsu instantly jumped back to life.
"WHERE IS THE DRAGON?!"
He grabbed Kai by the shoulders with blazing excitement.
"Does he know where Igneel is?!"
Kai sighed and slammed another fist onto Natsu's head.
"Owwww!"
"It's a Dragon Salmon fish, Natsu."
Happy explained while staring lovingly at the giant fish.
"Wooooow… such a big fish."
Gray crossed his arms and scoffed.
"Tsk. Idiot."
A vein popped on Natsu's forehead.
"What did you say, you pervert?!"
Gray immediately threw off his shirt.
"You wanna fight, flame brain?!"
The two started bickering loudly while everyone ignored them.
Kai simply raised his hand.
"I brought another one too."
The guild suddenly went silent.
"So everyone… let's enjoy Dragon Salmon today."
The next moment the guild erupted with cheers.
"WOOOOHOOO! LONG LIVE KAI!"
"KAI IS THE BEST!"
Several guild members quickly dragged the two massive Dragon Salmon toward the kitchen and handed them to the cooks.
Meanwhile, Levy still hadn't given up.
She grabbed Kai's arm and looked at him with watery eyes.
"Kai, where did you find it?"
Kai scratched his head awkwardly.
"Sorry, Levy. It was part of the mission site, so I can't tell you."
He smiled apologetically.
"I even tried to find more, but there weren't any left."
Of course, that was a complete lie.
The fish had actually come from the One Piece world, given as a reward from the system.
Explaining that to Levy would create far too many problems.
"Kaiiiii!"
Suddenly Makarov ran toward him with tears streaming down his face.
Kai felt goosebumps instantly.
He dodged to the side just in time as the old man crashed face-first into the floor where Kai had been standing.
"Hey old man."
Kai calmly hid behind Levy.
"Act your age. You looked disgusting just now."
He pointed at Makarov's face.
"And wipe that snot before coming near me."
Levy sighed in annoyance.
"Kai, why are you using me as a shield?"
Kai casually tossed a book into her hands.
Levy instantly went silent and sat down to read it.
Kai walked toward the bar and sat down on a stool.
A moment later Makarov climbed up beside him while glaring.
"You brat. How could you dodge and let an old man fall on his face?"
Kai took a sip of fruit juice.
"Then stop acting disgusting."
Smack.
Makarov punched him on the head.
"Well? How was the mission?"
Kai shrugged casually.
"Easy job. Zero damage."
Makarov suddenly started crying loudly.
"Waaaaa! You're the only kid in this guild who knows how to control your strength!"
He wiped his tears proudly.
"I'm so proud of you!"
Kai's mouth twitched.
"What about Laxus, Mira, and Erza, you damn geezer?"
Makarov coughed awkwardly.
"Ahem… you kids are all special."
Then he burst into laughter.
"Wahahaha! This old man is proud of all of you!"
Kai leaned back in his chair.
"By the way… where are Mira and Erza?"
He took another sip of his drink while looking around.
"Oh, they went on a mission."
Makarov smiled warmly.
"You know how it is. They want to become the next S-Class mages after you."
He sighed a little.
"They've been working very hard lately."
Kai frowned slightly.
"But they should rest too."
Makarov looked at him meaningfully.
"So I'll leave that part to you, kid."
Kai sighed.
"Well, fine. I was planning to take a break anyway."
Suddenly Makarov remembered something.
"Oh right!"
He snapped his fingers.
"You received a special mission request from the Heartfilia family."
Kai raised an eyebrow.
"An escort mission for Layla Heartfilia and Lucy Heartfilia."
Kai leaned forward slightly.
"Fine. When do I have to go?"
"I'll inform them that you're available," Makarov replied.
"They'll send the exact date afterward."
Kai scratched his head with a troubled expression.
"Just tell them not to do anything extra like last time."
He still remembered when he had saved Lucy's mother after she nearly died opening the Eclipse Gate.
The Heartfilia family had thrown such a massive party that Kai had escaped using Flying Thunder God Magic.
He had no desire to deal with nobles again.
Makarov's mouth twitched.
"You brat… the Heartfilias are one of the richest families in the Fiore Kingdom."
Kai looked unimpressed.
"So what?"
He shrugged casually.
"Even if it's the king, I wouldn't care."
Makarov immediately panicked.
"You idiot! Don't say things like that!"
"You want the whole kingdom hunting you?!"
Kai raised his hands quickly.
"Ahem. Forget I said anything."
At that moment a loud voice came from the kitchen.
"THE FISH IS READY! EVERYONE GATHER FOR A FEAST!"
The guild instantly erupted with cheers.
"WOOOOHOOO!!"
"FOOOOOOD!"
Tables were quickly filled with plates of freshly cooked Dragon Salmon.
Laughter filled the guild hall as everyone began eating and celebrating together.
And once again, the chaotic but warm spirit of Fairy Tail filled the entire building.