Chapter 12

(Ten thousand thanks to 'Ling Luochuan' for the 100,000 reward! 'Qi Guan Xuan Qi' for the 10,000 reward! And to 'Shen Yue You', 'Bing·Yue Ying', 'Long Tian i', 'Xiao H Zhai', 'Long Jian Can Shang', 'An Hei Long Po Zhan', 'Zai Mei You Ni De Shijie Li Pái Huái', and 'Cheng Ge Qi Wo Ye' for their rewards!)

"Welcome... please come again..."

With a fake smile on his face and fake words on his lips, the middle-aged man from the Council bowed deeply at the door of the inn, his head drenched in sweat. He looked as if he hoped he would never see 'Fairy Tail' again.

Noah, Erza, and Laxus naturally paid no attention to the man's pretense. They knew that the man had been thoroughly frightened by Noah and Laxus. After receiving the three million J reward, they packed their bags and headed towards the station.

However, Erza's expression was somewhat troubled throughout the journey.

"Is it really okay to take a third of the reward?" Her usually stern face was filled with hesitation as she spoke to Noah, who was nonchalant beside her.

"I just came along with you, and I didn't contribute to this mission at all, not even a little. It's unacceptable to take a third of the reward!"

"We're all from the same guild, so saying this is too formal," Noah sighed slightly.

"Since we worked together, it's only natural to split the reward equally. There was no prior agreement that those who contributed more would get a larger share. Wouldn't it be better to accept it with gratitude rather than being troubled by it?"

Seeing Erza's still troubled expression, which contrasted sharply with Laxus, who had accepted his share of the reward as a matter of course from the beginning, Noah shrugged and changed the subject.

"Still, we need to report the 'Phantom Lord' incident to Grandpa."

At this, Erza fell silent, and a cold glint passed through Laxus' eyes.

Because of 'Fairy Tail's' growing strength, Noah, Erza, and Laxus, as members of 'Fairy Tail', knew that the relationship between 'Fairy Tail' and 'Phantom Lord' was becoming increasingly tense. However, they didn't expect it to reach this level.

This time, 'Phantom Lord' directly interfered with 'Fairy Tail's' work, and it was a task assigned by the Council. The intentions behind this were clear to everyone.

If it weren't for Noah's ability to provide the equivalent of dozens of mages' worth of magic power alone, 'Phantom Lord' might not have let 'Fairy Tail' complete the mission so easily.

Although it was just an action by a branch of 'Phantom Lord', it didn't necessarily mean that 'Phantom Lord' was planning to formally confront 'Fairy Tail'. But who knew what might happen in the future?

So, this action by 'Phantom Lord' seemed more like a prelude.

If things continued like this, the relationship between 'Fairy Tail' and 'Phantom Lord' would likely deteriorate further. Once a spark appeared, a full-scale conflict was possible.

To prevent similar incidents in the future and to avoid any conflicts, it was necessary to report this to Makarov.

"Phantom Lord..." Laxus' face darkened.

"Anyone can step on 'Fairy Tail's' head. When did the guild become so weak?"

Erza's steps faltered.

"Weak?" Noah looked straight at Laxus.

"Shouldn't it be the opposite? Isn't it because the guild has become stronger that 'Phantom Lord' is causing trouble?"

"Huh?" Laxus glared at Noah, meeting his gaze.

"Even a branch can come and provoke us. Isn't that a sign of weakness?"

"Is it?" Noah, who had remained calm even when mocked and insulted by Laxus the day before, now faced him head-on, his eyes sharper than Laxus', surprising Erza.

"Do you think a guild with Grandpa would be weak?"

"The president of 'Phantom Lord' is one of the Ten Wizard Saints, and that old man is also one of the Ten Wizard Saints, right?" Laxus stopped walking and looked down at Noah coldly.

"Both are among the Ten Wizard Saints, yet a branch of another guild dares to openly challenge our guild. Isn't that a sign of being looked down upon?"

Noah's eyes narrowed.

The Ten Wizard Saints!

They are the ten most powerful and upright mages, unanimously recognized by the highest arbitration body in the magic world, the Council!

Each of these ten mages possesses unimaginable strength. It is said that a battle between the Ten Wizard Saints would be like the end of the world, with the ground shaking from the collision of their magic power. They are truly monster-level powerhouses!

The Ten Wizard Saints are also ranked!

However, the ranking is not based on individual combat strength. Some of them are not even skilled in combat but have reached the pinnacle in a specific magic field, making them impossible to ignore.

Makarov is one of the Ten Wizard Saints!

The president of 'Phantom Lord' is also one of the Ten Wizard Saints!

Because both guilds have the strongest mages among the Ten Wizard Saints, 'Fairy Tail' and 'Phantom Lord' are considered to be vying for the top guild in the Kingdom of Fiore.

"'Fairy Tail' is getting weaker and weaker, almost becoming a cradle for the weak!" Laxus said with a hint of resentment, his gaze filled with irritation as he looked at Noah.

"And you, with such powerful magic power, are afraid to even learn magic. Are you content with being weak?"

Seeing the deep frustration in Laxus' eyes, Noah lowered his head, fell silent for a moment, and then met Laxus' gaze again.

"I will learn magic!"

Laxus suddenly reached out, grabbed Noah's collar, and shouted in a rage.

"Then hurry up!"

"Laxus!" Erza could no longer ignore the situation and reached out to grab Laxus' arm, which was holding Noah's collar.

"Calm down! Let go of Noah!"

However, Laxus didn't even look at Erza. Seeing Noah's sharp eyes gradually calm down and return to a peaceful state after he grabbed him, a strange anger rose in his heart.

"How long do you plan to be a coward? Do you really want me to look down on you?!"

"What are you so anxious about?" Noah, ignoring his body almost being lifted off the ground, said in a somewhat indifferent tone.

"Learning magic a bit later shouldn't make much of a difference, right?"

"But it's annoying!" Laxus growled.

"Carrying the Dreyar name but having no combat ability, do you know how many people are laughing at you?"

"The Dreyar name?" Noah stared into Laxus' eyes.

"Does this name bring you a lot of pressure?"

Laxus' breathing hitched.

"Clap, clap, clap, clap..."

At that moment, the sound of clapping reached the ears of Noah, Erza, and Laxus.