"Again with that?" Kaia protested weakly, her voice nearly swallowed by the sheer weight of the chaos swirling inside Fairy Tail's massive hall.
Natsu, standing in front of her with an irrepressible grin stretching from ear to ear, threw a few quick punches into the air, each blow leaving little sparks trailing from his fists. His excitement was palpable, crackling like dry leaves underfoot. Around them, the guild members gathered, forming an impromptu arena with tables, barrels, and somehow two chickens serving as confused spectators.
"It's tradition!" Natsu declared grandly, fists ablaze with a flickering fire so warm that Kaia instinctively took half a step back.
Happy the blue cat hovered beside him, waving a tiny flag that said 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' in questionable handwriting.
Kaia's mind raced. She had been a member of Fairy Tail for exactly ten minutes, and already she was being challenged to a duel by a human bonfire with the energy of ten toddlers and the grace of a collapsing wardrobe.
Before she could object again, Cana swaggered into the makeshift ring, her barrel of ale balanced easily on one hip, her cheeks flushed from what was probably a breakfast consisting mostly of alcohol.
"Hold up!" Cana said, pointing a finger dramatically at Kaia. "You can't fight him yet! You don't even know what we can do!"
Natsu froze, mid-bounce, blinking as if Cana had spoken a foreign language. "Oh, right!" he said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
Kaia exhaled, relieved she had a temporary reprieve from spontaneous combustion.
"Good idea," Makarov chimed in from the bar counter, where he was sipping a comically large mug of beer. "Let's not incinerate the new girl before she learns how insane we all are."
Kaia muttered, "Bit late for that," under her breath.
Levy, the small blue-haired girl who had been quietly observing, stepped forward first. Her smile was warm, a calm oasis amid the surrounding madness.
"I use Solid Script Magic," she explained, adjusting her glasses with a shy gesture. "I can write words in the air, and they become real. Like if I write 'fire,' it'll burst into flames. Or 'iron,' and it becomes hard enough to block attacks."
To demonstrate, Levy twirled her finger, and glowing letters materialized midair, spelling out "WIND" before a small breeze tousled Kaia's hair playfully.
Kaia laughed, genuinely impressed. "That's amazing and practical! You could write 'cake' and summon dessert anytime."
Levy giggled. "It doesn't work on food... yet."
"Shame," Kaia said with mock disappointment, brushing imaginary crumbs off her jacket.
Next, Elfman, the massive silver-haired boy, shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other. His large hands fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, and when he finally spoke, his voice was surprisingly soft.
"I... I use Take Over magic," he said, his cheeks coloring slightly. "Beast Soul. I can transform parts of my body into those of powerful monsters I've defeated."
He flexed his arm hesitantly, and before Kaia's eyes, it morphed into the hulking claw of a giant beast, furred and razor-tipped.
Kaia's jaw dropped. "Okay, that's... horrifyingly awesome."
Elfman immediately turned a darker shade of red and hurriedly transformed his arm back, muttering something about not wanting to scare her.
"Trust me," Kaia said, grinning, "after today, it'll take a lot more than a giant murder-claw to scare me."
The next voice cut through the air with sharp, precise clarity.
"I use Requip magic," Erza declared, stepping forward, her crimson hair gleaming like a warrior's banner in the sunlight. Her posture was immaculate, her gaze steady. "I can summon different weapons and armor at will, changing forms mid-battle."
Without hesitation, she demonstrated, her body flashing in a brilliant light before reappearing in a different armor set this one lighter, more flexible, and adorned with gleaming silver trim.
Kaia blinked. "That's...wow. Wardrobe changes and battle advantages? That's every fashion disaster's dream."
Erza nodded gravely. "Fashion is important on the battlefield."
"Right," Kaia agreed solemnly, though a giggle almost escaped.
Mirajane, who had been lounging casually against a pillar, gave a slow, feline stretch before offering her explanation.
"I also use Take Over magic," she said, her voice airy and sweet, which somehow made it all the more unnerving. "But mine's called Satan Soul. I...take on the form and powers of demons."
To punctuate her point, Mirajane's body flickered, and for half a second, Kaia caught a glimpse of dark wings, curling horns, and an aura so powerful it raised the hairs on her arms.
"Demons," Kaia repeated weakly. "Cool. No pressure."
Gray spoke up lazily from where he leaned against a half-broken table. "I use Ice-Make magic. I can create weapons, shields, whatever. Usually while losing my clothes, apparently."
Kaia gave him a pointed look. "You noticed that?"
"Working on it," he said with a smirk, adjusting his inside-out shirt.
Natsu, too impatient to wait his turn any longer, bounced forward, flames dancing from his fingertips.
"I'm a Dragon Slayer!" he announced proudly. "Fire Dragon Slayer Magic! I eat fire. I breathe fire. I punch things with fire!"
Kaia took a very deliberate step backward. "Noted."
"And I," Happy chirped from overhead, striking a pose mid-air, "am good at being awesome!"
Everyone collectively ignored that.
Cana swirled the ale in her barrel and winked at Kaia. "I use Card Magic. Basically, I can summon stuff using magical playing cards. Great for fights and poker."
Kaia pressed a hand over her heart dramatically. "Finally, someone who respects the fine art of gambling."
A round of laughter echoed through the hall, easing the heavy energy Kaia hadn't realized she was carrying.
After all the introductions, the guild members began shouting over each other, suggesting fights, bets, and challenges, their enthusiasm crackling in the air like fireworks about to ignite.
Natsu, not missing a beat, reignited his flames with an eager cry. "NOW can we fight?!"
Kaia, feeling significantly less terrified now that she understood these people were insane in a charming way, cracked her knuckles and smiled wickedly.
"Alright, Salamander," she said, using the nickname she'd overheard earlier, "bring it on. But don't cry when I roast you."
Natsu lit up literally and charged forward.
Before the first blow could land, however, Makarov materialized between them, raising one hand authoritatively.
"Hold it!" the guild master barked. "Training battles outside! I just finished paying for the last repairs!"
There was a collective groan from the crowd, followed by a mad dash for the door.