A New Life in Fairy Tail

”You haven’t noticed that ever since you’ve been able to successfully use your Dragon Slayer magic, your already-improving physique has started to grow even faster? Your magic power has started to strengthen as well. Your Dragon Slayer magic is clearly beginning to take full effect, turning you into a wizard capable of fighting dragons.”

Noah pointed to Laxus’s body, which was much more muscular than before. Only then did Laxus realize just how much stronger his body had become without him even noticing.

Seeing that Laxus had recovered a little strength, Noah let go of him. He took out a potion, opened it, and handed it to Laxus, who downed it in one gulp. He felt a cool sensation travel from his mouth down to his stomach. As the potion took effect, he felt a jolt of energy, and the discomfort from his massive expenditure of stamina and magic lessened considerably.

Noah clapped him on the shoulder. ”Your rate of progress was already good, and with the effect of your Dragon Slayer magic, you’re improving even faster. Your future is promising.”

”But I still feel like I can’t compare to you.” Laxus looked at the small, scorched holes in Noah’s clothes with a sigh.

Noah rolled his eyes. ”Come on. You were born with immense magic power, and you have a Dragon Slayer lacrima inside you. You’re strong in every aspect. If my own talent was any less, how could I possibly keep up with you?”

”This isn’t just ’keeping up.’ You’ve surpassed me, and by a lot.”

”Don’t worry. Use your Dragon Slayer magic more, and you’ll be able to improve quickly too.”

Makarov and Ur, seeing that the battle had ended, walked over. Ur looked at the bruised and battered Laxus and asked Noah, ”Is he alright?”

”He’s fine. It’s mostly superficial injuries, plus he’s just exhausted. He’s taken a potion; after some rest, he’ll be okay. I held back most of the force on that last kick; it was just to send him flying.”

When Noah had helped him up, he had done a quick check. There were no major problems. With his current physique and the potion, he would recover quickly after a good rest.

Makarov breathed a sigh of relief, then asked Noah for his opinion. ”As the examiner, do you think Laxus passed this trial?”

Hearing Makarov’s question, Laxus’s body visibly tensed, and he stood up straight, looking at Noah. The answer to this question was clearly very important to him; it was the entire reason for this grueling fight.

Noah thought for a moment, then answered, ”From my judgment, he passes.”

A look of joy had just appeared on Laxus’s face when Noah continued with a serious expression, ”But I have to tell you something. When you take on S-Class requests, you must be mindful of your own limits. Don’t risk your life just for the sake of Fairy Tail’s reputation. What we in Fairy Tail value most are our comrades, our family, each other—not some so-called reputation. Do the missions you can do, and abandon the ones you can’t. I don’t want to hear one day that you died on a mission.”

Laxus listened and nodded very seriously. Over the past few years, with Noah’s help, his relationship with the other guild members had improved greatly, and he was no longer so hung up on his status as the grandson of a Wizard Saint. With a monster like Noah constantly moving forward beside him, he had to use all his energy just to try and keep up; he didn’t have time to think about such things. With better relationships, he was more well-adjusted and was more able to take Noah’s words to heart.

Seeing that Laxus had understood, Noah smiled. ”As long as you’re aware of that, you’ll be fine. Your lightning magic already gives you great speed. In most situations, you can get away easily. You just have to avoid being stubborn.”

Then, Noah looked at Makarov. ”Now it’s up to you, Gramps, to decide if he can become an S-Class wizard.”

Makarov turned to Ur. ”What is your opinion, Ur?”

”I think Laxus can become an S-Class wizard. His strength and experience are both sufficient,” Ur gave her opinion.

Laxus looked at Makarov with an expectant expression. Makarov hesitated for a long time, and Laxus’s hopeful gaze slowly turned to one of disappointment.

Finally, Makarov made up his mind. ”I approve of you becoming an S-Class wizard,” he said to Laxus.

Laxus’s mood shot up from the depths of despair. He looked at him, unable to believe it. ”Gramps, do you really approve of me becoming an S-Class wizard?”

”Mhm. But just as Noah said, I don’t need you to risk your life on missions. I don’t need you to be the strongest or the most capable. As long as you are healthy and happy, that is enough. Remember to act within your limits.” Makarov spoke to Laxus with a heavy, heartfelt tone.

”I know, Gramps,” Laxus replied seriously.

Seeing that they were done, Noah suggested, ”Then shall we head back?”

They all agreed, and Noah used his teleportation magic to return them to the guild, just in time for lunch.

When the other members saw them return, the guild hall immediately burst into noise.

”How did the exam go?”

”Wow, Laxus is pretty banged up. The fight must have been intense.”

”Wasn’t it Noah versus Laxus? How is it that one of them is so beat up, and the other one doesn’t even look like he’s been in a fight?”

”Noah’s strength really is on another level compared to Laxus.”

Noah clapped his hands, getting everyone’s attention. He then stepped back, letting Makarov stand at the front.

”After our consideration, Laxus has officially become an S-Class wizard!”

The guild instantly erupted in cheers. Everyone was congratulating Laxus, who also had a huge grin on his face, scratching the back of his head and laughing foolishly.

Then, someone threw him into the air. Thinking it looked like fun, everyone else started to join in, tossing him back and forth. Laxus was flying through the air for a long time before they finally let him down.

Makarov, Ur, and Noah sat by the counter, smiling as they watched everyone congratulate Laxus.

The other members of his generation, like Ultear and Erza, watched with a look of longing, also hoping that they could one day become S-Class wizards and receive everyone’s cheers and blessings.

The party went on late into the night before everyone went home. The next morning, an eager Laxus wanted to take an S-Class mission immediately. Noah knocked him out and sent him home, strictly ordering him to make a full recovery before taking on any requests. Laxus could only agree dejectedly.

Once Laxus had recovered, he set out on his first S-Class mission. Noah, meanwhile, continued his own studies and research. He rarely took on requests anymore, and even then, it was only to complete a nearby job while he was out gathering materials for his experiments. With the funds from Jude’s pharmaceutical company, Noah had more time to devote to his research.

~~~

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