Fairy Tail : Red Dragon Emperor

The crimson gauntlet vanished in a swirl of dissipating mana, its overwhelming power receding like a tide.

The berserk sensation faded with it.

"Hah… hah…"

Rayne panted heavily, sweat already beading across his bare torso, glistening under the sunlight.

Double Boost had drained him far more than before—not just physically, but mentally. The curse couldn't erode his will, but the strain was undeniable.

"Guild Master… Is Laxus okay?"

After steadying his breathing, Rayne approached Makarov. He'd held back at the last moment, but controlling amplified strength was still a work in progress.

"Thanks to your restraint, just a few fractures and mana exhaustion. He'll recover."

Makarov shook his head, though his eyes lingered on Rayne with quiet scrutiny.

Back when he'd trained Rayne in the Eastern Forest, he'd known the boy had a wild streak.

But this?

Tearing through spells with brute force?

The kid he'd thought was level-headed fought like a beast.

"What's wrong?"

Under Makarov's stare, Rayne twisted uncomfortably, checking himself for imaginary flaws.

"Rayne."

Kanade's flat voice cut through the tension.

Both turned to see the tiny dragon girl toddling toward them, dragging a greatsword taller than herself. The guild members behind her wore identical "what the hell?" expressions.

"Here."

She thrust the sword at Rayne, tilting her head up with blank eyes—but her wagging tail and tiptoed stance screamed Praise me now.

"Thanks, Kanade."

Rayne smiled warmly, resting the blade against his shoulder before ruffling her hair. She leaned into the touch, still on her toes.

"…Rayne?"

A hesitant voice called out.

Carolyn—and the rest of the guild—stared at him like he'd grown a second head.

"What's up with you all?"

Rayne blinked.

"It's just… You're different in a fight," Carolyn admitted, exhaling in relief when his usual demeanor returned.

Nods all around.

The boy who'd just brawled like a feral dragon bore zero resemblance to the harmless kid they knew.

Then their eyes landed on the greatsword beside him.

Ah.

That explained the weapon choice.

"Well, fighting's just fun, y'know?"

Rayne grinned, bright and unrepentant.

His bloodied left fist. The monstrous sword. His sweat-slicked, battle-marked torso.

The contrast with his boyish face was jarring.

"STOP SAYING THAT WITH A FACE LIKE A PUPPY'S!!"

The guild's collective mental scream nearly materialized.

"Enough. Let's head back."

Makarov stifled his own urge to facepalm.

Laxus needed rest.

So did Rayne.

No point lingering.

"Yeah, yeah! Drinks on the losers!"

Macao hoisted Laxus onto his back, leading the march back to town.

"Hell of a show. Worth the bet money."

"Both those kids are monsters."

"Well, Laxus is the Master's grandson—"

"Nah. Talent's nothing without work. Kid earned it."

"…True."

"Told you Rayne fights like a rabid wolf," Wakaba muttered, smug.

As the first to witness Rayne's combat style, he felt oddly superior.

"Speaking of bets… You all backed Laxus, right?"

Macao's grin was merciless.

"Worth every jewel!" Bigetta declared.

"Tonight's on us!"

"Drinks till dawn!"

The guild roared in approval.

"Rayne."

Makarov fell into step beside him, voice low.

"That artifact… There's a cost, isn't there?"

Doubling—no, exponentially increasing—power?

Nothing that potent came free.

Even Gildarts, walking nearby, glanced over, waiting for the answer.

"There is. But I can handle it."

No hesitation.

The grudges woven into the Boosted Gear were vicious, but Rayne didn't care.

He wasn't arrogant.

Just certain.

The dead had lost. Their whispers meant nothing.

Still, he'd silence them eventually—not out of fear, but annoyance.

Just… not yet.

The "sea" of resentment was beyond his current reach.

"If you're confident."

Makarov exchanged a look with Gildarts before smiling.

His job wasn't to doubt, but to support when needed.

"I'll help too!"

Kanade raised a tiny fist.

Rayne laughed.

"Of course. We're partners, after all."

As the rowdy guild disappeared down the road, a town elder sighed, amused.

"This generation of Fairy Tail… They're going to be loud."

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