"By the way, Grandpa," Noah asked, "have the Kingdom Army and the Council given you any updates on the situation? Did they find the Black Magic Cult's base?"
"Not yet," Makarov replied, stroking his beard. "But it shouldn't be long. You should get the results within the next two days."
"I hope it's soon," Noah muttered, taking a sip from the glass of milk beside him.
Just then, the guild doors slammed open with a crash. A streak of lightning shot straight toward Noah as a loud voice roared:
"Noah, accept my challenge!"
The lightning surged in from Noah's right rear side.
Erza instinctively moved to a defensive stance, her eyes sharp.
"Enemy attack?" she blurted out.
Makarov chuckled to himself, impressed.
"What a quick reaction… as expected of her."
The bolt of lightning veered suddenly, shifting from Noah's right rear to his left. But Noah moved as if he had predicted it all along. He swung his fist backward, and his knuckles connected squarely with a face before its owner could even lift his arm.
There was a pause in midair, then the attacker crashed heavily to the floor.
Around them, guild members began to shout.
"Laxus, again? How many times has it been now?"
"Pretty much every time Noah comes back from a mission. Laxus always charges in to challenge him."
"Yeah, but he's never won even once!"
"Noah's seriously amazing!"
Only then did Erza, Simon, and Kagura realize the attacker wasn't an enemy, but another Fairy Tail wizard Laxus.
Flat on the ground, Laxus groaned. After a moment, he pulled himself up, dusted off his coat, and glared at Noah.
"Tch. I still couldn't beat you. You've gotten stronger again, haven't you?"
Noah met his eyes calmly.
"Your strength has improved since last time. But I've grown stronger too."
He paused, then added with a faint smile,
"That's why I can still defeat you so easily."
"You bastard!" Laxus growled, face tightening with irritation.
At that moment, the guild's communication lacrima lit up. Makarov tapped it, listened briefly, and then nodded.
"This is Fairy Tail… yes, he's here… understood. I'll let him know."
He hung up and turned to Noah.
"The news you've been waiting for has arrived. They've located the cult's base and are preparing to move. They've requested your participation. The rendezvous is at Hargeon Port."
Noah stood at once.
"Then I'll head out."
"Be careful," Makarov warned.
"I understand, Grandpa," Noah replied with a nod.
As he walked past Laxus, he stopped for a moment and looked at him.
"Do you want to come with me?"
Laxus looked puzzled.
"Where exactly are you going?"
"To fight the Black Magic Cult," Noah replied plainly.
Laxus's eyes widened in realization.
"So that's why there's been so much talk about you lately! Fine, I'm coming too!"
Makarov frowned, worry creasing his face.
"Will it be dangerous to take Laxus with you?"
Noah smiled.
"No need to worry, Grandpa. I have the strength to guarantee Laxus's safety and besides, Laxus isn't weak himself. He just can't beat me… quietly."
"You bastard, I heard that!" Laxus snapped, furious.
Makarov sighed, but after thinking it over, he realized Noah was right. With Noah's overwhelming power and Laxus's own strength, the two of them together would be fine. His concern was just a matter of habit. Finally, he nodded.
"Alright… but make sure you stay safe, and protect yourself."
"Got it, Grandpa. Let's go."
Noah then turned to Erza, Simon, and Kagura.
"For now, stay with Grandpa and choose the magic you want to learn. I'll be dealing with the Black Magic Cult that attacked your village last time."
Erza and the others looked worried.
"Isn't that too dangerous?"
Noah grinned.
"Think about it last time, so many of them came at me all at once, and I was fine. Not to mention, this time I won't be alone."
He handed Erza a small stack of cards and a key.
"I'll be leaving now. Here are your luggage cards, and this is the key to my house. Grandpa knows where it is he'll take you there. Once you're inside, each of you can pick a room on the second floor. I'll be using the first and third floors."
With that, Noah gave them a reassuring look before leaving the guild with Laxus at his side. The two of them set out quickly for Hargeon Port.
When they arrived, the harbor was bustling. Dozens of ships lined the docks, with Kingdom Army soldiers and Magic Council officers loading supplies and boarding vessels in preparation.
Noah led Laxus straight to the commander in charge. The man's face brightened the moment he recognized him.
"You must be Mr. Noah! Thank you truly! You've saved so many people from tragedy already. We can't thank you enough."
"You're welcome," Noah replied modestly. "I just did what I had to do. By the way, how many of their bases have you uncovered?"
"Your Excellency," the commander answered gravely, "we've discovered seven strongholds. All of them are located on small islands off the coast. They've been capturing people and forcing them to build what they call the R-System… to resurrect the black wizard Zeref, their so-called god.
Seven islands, seven towers it's an enormous operation."
"Seven towers?" Noah frowned. "Isn't there supposed to be eight? Are you certain there isn't one more?"
He remembered vaguely there should have been eight towers. That last one was key to events yet to come.
"Seven towers," the commander repeated firmly. "We've searched the seas thoroughly and found no others. The captured cult members we interrogated also swore there were no more strongholds."
Noah nodded silently. Pressing further would only sound like he was doubting their work. If there was indeed another tower, he would simply have to find it himself in the future.
The commander's eyes drifted to the tall, blond young man standing beside Noah.
"And this is…?"
Noah smirked.
"He's Laxus. He's also a member of our guild. He came with me to fight the Black Magic Cult."
The person in charge thought for a moment, then his eyes lit with recognition.
"Laxus… oh, that's right. You must be Master Makarov's grandson."
At those words, Laxus's face darkened with irritation. He turned away quickly and muttered to Noah,
"I'll be over there first."
Without waiting for a reply, he strode off.
Noah gave a small apologetic smile to the commander.
"Sorry about that. He's been in a bad mood lately. I apologize."
"No, no, it's quite alright," the man said hurriedly. Then, hesitating, he asked, "Does Master Makarov know about this?"
"Of course," Noah replied calmly. "Our guild master personally approved Laxus coming here. I'll take responsibility for him. You don't need to worry."
The commander exhaled in relief.
"Then I'm reassured. I still have matters to attend to. Later, you can board that ship over there someone will be waiting to receive you."
"Understood. Please take care of your duties," Noah said with a nod.
Once the commander left, Noah looked around and soon spotted Laxus standing off in the corner, his expression still clouded. Noah walked over.
"Why?" he asked quietly. "Did the commander say something that upset you?"
"…No," Laxus muttered.
"Or maybe it bothers you when people bring up the fact you're the master's grandson?" Noah said gently.
Laxus's frown deepened, annoyance flickering in his eyes. But Noah didn't push him further. Instead, he smiled and said,
"This is our first mission together, isn't it? Let's just focus on working as a team and finishing the job."
Laxus blinked, then his expression softened. His lips curled into a faint grin, and he gave a firm nod.