"Get out of the way."
Laxus glared at the figure blocking the guild entrance, his tone sharp and rude.
If this had been some narrow alley or small door, Noah might have stepped aside as courtesy. But these were the massive double doors of Fairy Tail's guildhall—five people could walk abreast through them. And with Laxus's arrogant expression? Noah's irritation spiked instead.
"You're blocking my way. Move."
"Heh~."
Laxus let out a short, mocking laugh. "Noah, don't think I won't hurt you just because you're still useful to me."
"…Useful to you?" Noah blinked. "This is literally the first conversation we've ever had."
He didn't know what exactly Laxus meant, but the man's mood was awful. Understandable—he had just quarreled with Makarov. And if even the tolerant, warm-hearted guild master had shouted at his own grandson, then Laxus must have really crossed a line.
The two men stood at an impasse at the doorway. The air chilled as tension grew thicker.
---
"Noah! You're back!"
"Welcome home, Noah!"
A cheerful shout cut through the tension. A pink-haired boy came barreling up, a tiny blue cat flying after him. Natsu and Happy, as enthusiastic as ever, had spotted Noah.
But inside the guild's entrance, Natsu caught sight of Laxus. "Oh! Laxus, you're here? Come on—accept my challenge!"
Laxus didn't even look at him. He held Noah's gaze coldly for a few seconds more… then turned and walked right past, leaving the guild without a word.
Natsu only grinned. He was used to Laxus's dismissive behavior. Sooner or later, he believed, the Thunder Dragon Slayer would accept.
"Well, one left means there's still one here." Natsu cracked his knuckles. "Noah, fight me."
"No."
Noah's refusal was firm and immediate.
Not out of cruelty—just practicality. Natsu was a combat madman. Every time he met someone strong, he wanted to challenge them. Lose or win, he would keep coming back the next day. Gray had called him a *single-celled organism,* and Noah privately agreed—it was the only way to describe this guy.
---
Ignoring him, Noah picked up Happy and scratched the cat's chin, heading toward the bar where Makarov sat.
"Master, I'm here to file my commission report."
Though Noah had already been paid, all commissions had to be recorded for guild records and to provide Fairy Tail's share. The guild kept itself alive on those funds—one percent of every mission's earnings.
Noah's job had yielded 5.5 million jewel in total. Fairy Tail's cut: 55,000.
From what Noah had seen in his three months here, that tiny percentage barely covered damage repair, let alone wages for staff. He suspected Makarov quietly supplemented guild expenses from his own savings—or had some secret income source.
Still fuming from his spat with Laxus, Makarov took Noah's paperwork. His expression brightened immediately.
This boy… reliable after all. A mission worth millions, cleanly completed.
(Though Noah, of course, hadn't mentioned Reina's hidden 2 million deposit. That was "off the books.")
"So that's where you've been these last few days," Makarov teased. "I thought you were just being lazy in the dorm. Turns out you went and earned yourself a fortune."
Noah sighed. "I didn't want to… but if I refused Erza, she would've killed me."
Happy stretched luxuriantly under Noah's rubbing fingers, purring. "Noah really is scared of Erza, huh?"
Makarov chuckled. "Not scared. Just… Noah's laziness can't overcome discipline. And Erza *is* discipline in human form."
Noah didn't argue. He simply stifled a yawn and considered heading to the docks for discounted potato chips.
---
[Ding~]
[You have a new Otherworld Commission. Please check.]
"…Right after I finish work, huh?"
Glancing around the guild, he chose a quiet corner. White light flared in his hands as the commission appeared.
[Otherworld Prayer Request]
**Navy hero Monkey D. Garp has been troubled by raising his two grandsons and seeks advice for parenting.**
[Reward: Master the power of another world, "Armament Haki."]
[Deadline: Before Ace meets Sabo.]
Noah's brow furrowed. Deadlines like this were always cryptic. "Before Ace meets Sabo"… who knew when that would be?
Still—"Armament Haki"? A power from another world? Stylish. Tempting. Very tempting.
The problem: Noah, who barely left the house, wasn't exactly an expert on childcare. Luckily, Fairy Tail had someone who qualified as a father. Two someones, actually.
His eyes went to the bar. Makarov, now playing horsey with his four-year-old son.
Perfect.
"Master, what do you think about raising children?"
Makarov blinked suspiciously. "…Noah, don't tell me you—"
"President! Don't get the wrong idea!" Noah flailed quickly, face red. "I'm still a virgin! I'm asking for… a soldier friend. He's busy, away most of the year, hardly sees his family. Just wants advice on parenting."
"…I see." Makarov squinted, but sighed inwardly. His own record wasn't one to be proud of. A son who betrayed guild taboos. A grandson who rebelled, chasing ruthless strength.
Still… perhaps his failures could teach others.
So he began listing lessons, while Noah jotted them carefully into his notebook.
- Instill a sense of right and wrong early.
- Be firm but not excessive. Punishment should make children remember, not break them.
- Keep bad influences away. The wrong mentor can twist a child's heart.
- Try organized preschooling if possible. Structure matters.
…
That night, back at the dorm, Noah copied everything neatly and fed the duplicate into the pure white light of his Prayer Magic. Then he waited.
As expected—
[Ding~]
[Otherworld Commission Completed]
[Reward: Master "Armament Haki."]
[Client's Comment: Zefa is a good man. He and Sengoku beat me mercilessly for a whole day, but he finally agreed to start a preschool class for my grandsons at Navy HQ. Sengoku, that stubborn old fellow, seems to have realized Ace's secret, but kept quiet. For now, every problem's solved.]
Noah's jaw dropped as his eyes flew across the text.
"…You sent two little brats… to the military?!"
Was that even humanly possible?!
And the ones called Zefa and Sengoku weren't helping—they were just venting their frustrations by beating up this Garp guy!
Noah shook his head in disbelief. A "hero" indeed.
"…What a terrifying old man."
Still, what was done was done. All he could do was give his blessings.
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