"Laxus? He just got his wounds bandaged at the hospital and went to rest," Finn said, remembering Laxus leaving despite Makarov's calls.
Clearly, there was a deep rift between grandfather and grandson. Only time would heal it.
"Quiet, everyone, quiet," Makarov stood on the bar, holding a beer, and shouted.
Everyone looked at him.
Makarov said happily, "You brats, to celebrate Finn passing the S-class mage exam and becoming the youngest S-class mage, I've decided…"
"To have a feast!!!"
"Ooh!! A feast, a feast!!"
This was a mage's celebration, a family celebration.
Jonah, wielding her paintbrush, painted the scene.
"Jonah, your painting is amazing," Finn, holding a glass of milk, peered at Jonah's canvas.
"Oh, Finn, it's nothing special. I just record important events in the guild. These will be wonderful memories later,"
Jonah smiled, continuing to paint.
"That's a great idea. But make me look handsome," Finn put his arm around Jonah.
"Don't worry, you all look handsome!"
"I know, right!" Finn boasted shamelessly.
"Do you get drunk on milk? I'm the most handsome, you know," Gildarts said, adjusting his spiky orange hair and looking at Finn disdainfully.
Magnolia, Fairy Tail guild.
Finn was on the second floor, staring at the S-class mission board.
Time flew by. After becoming an S-class mage, Finn started taking on S-class missions. Erza's strength grew rapidly, so they teamed up for S-class missions to gain experience.
Finn complained about Erza's excessive luggage, but he didn't dare say anything.
Laxus passed the S-class mage exam, making three S-class mages in Fairy Tail. This increased the number of missions.
Many newcomers joined, including Levy McGarden, a bookish girl who immediately immersed herself in the guild's library. Makarov was pleased and scolded the lazy guild members.
Levy's friends, Jet and Droy, also joined, forming Team Shadow Gear.
…
"This one," Finn decided, tearing off a mission request.
It read: "Exterminate the Demon in the Church."
Mission description: At night, villagers near the church hear demonic whispers. Those who hear the whispers go to the church and are killed.
Finn took the request to Makarov on the first floor.
Makarov looked at the request. "This mission might be troublesome."
"Troublesome?"
"Yes, it was recently upgraded to S-class. A mage updated the information – the demon might be Satan."
"Satan? What demon is that?" Finn was puzzled.
"Satan is ancient and possesses immense dark power. Records say it was destroyed. If your target is Satan, it might just be a remnant soul,"
Levy approached, holding a book and glasses.
"Levy, you know a lot," Finn praised her.
"No, I just read it in a book. I'm glad I could help," Levy said shyly.
"I'll bring you a gift when I return," Finn liked her. She was kind and helpful.
Levy smiled.
"Master, where's Erza? I want to ask her if she wants to come," Finn looked around. They were a team.
Makarov thought. "Erza went to the capital to get her custom armor. She'll be gone a while."
"Okay," Finn nodded. Erza used Requip Magic, changing armor to gain different abilities.
Her new armor, the "Purgatory Armor," was crafted by the kingdom's most famous master.
Since Erza was gone, Finn would go alone.
"Master, I'm leaving," Finn said goodbye after registering the mission.
"Be careful. Come back safely," Makarov said.
"Okay, Master!" Finn left the guild.
He went to Magnolia station to catch a train.
He got off at a station near the town.
The town was isolated, deep in the mountains. Finn bought a map to find the location mentioned in the mission request. He found it after crossing a mountain.
It was almost dusk.
He looked at the town. It seemed peaceful.
He checked his map again. The mission location was correct.
"What's going on?" He entered the town.
The client was the mayor. Finn asked a man for directions and went to the mayor's house.
He knocked.
"Coming, coming."
A bald old man opened the door, eyeing Finn.
"Hello, I'm a Fairy Tail mage. I'm here for the mission," Finn said.
"Fairy Tail? A child?" the mayor was surprised.
Finn was used to this. "It's approved by our Master."
"Alright, come in," The mayor just wanted the problem solved.
"Okay." They entered.
"Have some tea," The mayor offered tea.
Finn asked, "The town seems peaceful. What's going on?"
The mayor smiled. "I was going to cancel the mission, but since you're here…"
"The demon is in the church."
Finn nodded.
The mayor continued, "The demon was sealed in the church, protected by the church. But a girl released it."
The mayor was agitated.
"Released? How are you all okay?"
"We don't know. The priest said the demon possessed the girl. She hasn't hurt anyone yet, but we're worried," The mayor was angry.
"If it weren't for that girl…"
"Wait, you believe the priest's word about demonic possession?" Finn interrupted.
The mayor shook his head. "The girl grew a demonic arm! She might become a demon!"
"Where's the girl?" Finn asked.
"She and her siblings were driven out of town. They'll probably be attacked by wild animals," the mayor said, seeming pleased.
Finn stopped him. "You drove out the girl and her siblings?"
"They're the demon's family! They might be demons too," the mayor said angrily.
"Excuse me, but aren't you supposed to be exterminating demons? You're taking on a demon extermination mission, not a child extermination mission."
Finn laughed. "I'm here to exterminate demons, not little girls! You believe a priest's word about demonic possession?"
A demonic arm meant nothing. He'd seen many strange things. Judging someone's life based on a single statement and prejudice was absurd!
"Is this priest a powerful mage? Does he understand magic? Didn't the girl's parents object?"
The mayor took a sip of tea. "They're orphans. They don't have parents."
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