Rayne turned toward the voice—a boy sitting in the corner, arms crossed, his spiky golden hair standing on end like a hedgehog's. His chin was slightly raised, his eyes sharp with scrutiny.
When Rayne met his gaze, the boy smirked, oozing disdain.
"Hey, newbie! Listen up—this is Fairy Tail, the strongest guild in Fiore!"
"Laxus!"
Makarov's voice boomed, his brow furrowed in warning. But Laxus ignored him, speaking faster now, spurred on by his grandfather's interruption.
"Don't think just because Gramps brought you here, you can coast by. If you're some weakling who'll just cry and hold us back, get lost now!"
Rayne's lips curled slightly, his eyes narrowing.
"...Hey, kid. You know something?"
Though he owed Makarov a debt, that didn't mean Rayne would just take Laxus's insults lying down.
"Only people who lack confidence feel the need to keep yapping about 'strong' and 'weak.'"
Silence fell over the guild.
Makarov, who'd been about to rein in his grandson, froze mid-step, staring at Rayne in surprise. Laxus, too, was caught off guard—no one usually talked back to him.
The onlookers gawked. Rayne had seemed quiet, almost meek. Yet here he was, standing his ground against Laxus despite being smaller and younger. The dynamic had flipped, and it felt… off.
"Whoa~ Rayne's got a point!"
"Laxus was way cuter before he hit puberty."
"Right? He used to call me 'big sister' so sweetly~"
The teasing made Laxus stiffen, his face flushing red. Nothing ruins a tough-guy act faster than childhood embarrassment.
"SHUT UP, YOU IDIOTS!!!" He slammed his hands on the table, glaring at the hecklers before turning his fury back on Rayne—only for Makarov's giant hand to smush him into the wood.
"Enough!" The old man's voice brooked no argument. Laxus clenched his jaw but stayed silent.
With the situation defused, Makarov led Rayne to the guild's counter, his usual playfulness gone.
"Rayne, Fairy Tail has only three rules. Remember them well."
The guild fell silent again as Makarov stood tall, his voice solemn:
First: Never reveal information that could harm Fairy Tail—no matter what.
Second: Never exploit past clients for personal gain.
Third: No matter the path you walk, live strong. Never throw your life away… and never forget the friends who matter.
His words carried weight, his eyes sharp with conviction.
"Can you abide by these, Rayne?"
"I can." Rayne met his gaze firmly.
Makarov smiled. "Good. Now—what color for your guild mark?"
Rayne hesitated. "Black—no, white. Here." He placed his right hand on the counter, recalling the white dragon from his memories.
With a stamp, the emblem bloomed on his skin—a white Fairy Tail insignia.
As Rayne studied it, Makarov spoke again, his voice softer:
"Does a fairy even have a tail? Do fairies exist at all?"
"That mystery is what makes the journey worthwhile."
"I can't give you the answer, Rayne. You'll have to seek it yourself—through adventures, through the bonds you forge. That's what it means to be part of Fairy Tail."
The guild erupted in cheers, drinks raised. Rayne, too young to join, simply watched, murmuring:
"I'll find my own answer."
Later, Makarov escorted Rayne to the guild's male dorms—a standalone building with private rooms (thank gods).
"Sorry about Laxus," Makarov sighed, suddenly looking every bit his age. "I spoiled him."
Rayne shook his head. "You don't need to apologize for him."
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"Let us handle it. It'll keep things… interesting."
Makarov paled. Oh no. This kid's gonna be trouble too, isn't he?
But hey—he'd been a hellion in his youth too. As long as they didn't burn the guild down (again), he'd allow it.
Exhausted but restless, Rayne sat on his bed, eyes closed, mind already turning toward magic.
This was just the beginning.