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"Begging for help?"
Ever since Noah had him wrapped around his finger, the words "begging for help" no longer existed in Laxus's dictionary.
Just a talking cat—unable to fight or carry anything—it wasn't indispensable to the power-oriented Laxus.
At least, he couldn't show it in front of Noah...
If someone was unwilling, then others would be. Gajeel's eyes lit up as he stared at Noah. "Really? Noah, you can really find a talking cat?"
Unlike Laxus, Gajeel didn't have a cool, aloof persona to maintain, especially after joining Fairy Tail. He knew all too well what kind of people were in this guild.
None of them cared about saving face.
Gajeel, quickly assimilated by Fairy Tail, naturally stopped worrying about his reputation. If Noah could really get him a talking cat, what was the harm in asking?
It was just words—he wouldn't lose anything.
He wasn't like Laxus, who would suffer just to save face.
Noah nodded. "Do you know what race the guild's cats are?"
Gajeel shook his head, and Laxus wasn't sure either.
"But even if they can talk and fly, from their appearance, they're still cats."
"Exactly, just as you're thinking right now."
Noah explained, "Cheese, Happy, and Carla are all cats. It's just that their race name, 'Exceed,' sounds much more imposing than 'cat.'"
Exceed?
Laxus and Gajeel found it hard to imagine that the guild's cats would have such an impressive-sounding name, especially Happy, that gluttonous and goofy blue cat...
Gajeel shook his head, dispelling the unnecessary thoughts. No matter what, he just wanted to find a cat of his own now.
"So where can I find an Exceed?"
Seeing Gajeel's impatient look, Noah's calm words, like a bucket of cold water, extinguished his excited heart. "Exceeds do not belong to Earth Land."
The news, like a bolt from the blue, struck Gajeel's heart. The feeling of hope being ignited only to be denied again wasn't pleasant.
Laxus, however, didn't think so. He snorted. "You say there are no Exceeds in our world, so where did Happy and the others come from?"
Noah glanced at Laxus, yawning as he said, "I'm not sure about that, but it's very likely they came from my hometown."
Noah's hometown?
Laxus and Gajeel remembered clearly that Noah had just said Exceeds didn't belong to this world, but now he was emphatically stating they were from his hometown.
Could it be... Noah wasn't from Earth Land?
Looking at the two incredulous people whose minds were blown, Noah shrugged indifferently. "I'm planning to head back to my old home with my brother, Mystogan. You guys can tag along if you want."
"There are tons of Exceeds back home. Who knows, maybe there'll be some weird ones that'll take a liking to you two idiots."
"Don't make personal attacks!"
"Idiot, if you respond to him, aren't you admitting you're an idiot?"
After bickering with Laxus the whole way, Noah arrived at the guild. After asking Cana and learning Makarov was in the guild, he went straight up to find him.
Laxus and Gajeel followed like two little followers. Noah's origins made them both itch with curiosity, but this guy, after piquing their interest, stopped talking.
Riddlers are truly infuriating!
"Old man, I'm coming in~"
Noah didn't care about politeness. He pushed the door open and entered the office, only to see Makarov frantically hiding a magazine.
With his enhanced vision, Noah clearly saw a corner of the magazine before Makarov finished his movement.
Well, how to put it?
An eighty-year-old man, still able to maintain a heart that appreciates beautiful things. It would be even better if the magazine's content wasn't inappropriate for minors.
Fortunately, Noah didn't find any wadded-up tissues on the floor or in the trash can, otherwise he might have worried that Makarov would wear himself out.
Makarov didn't notice Noah's strange gaze. He coughed to ease his embarrassment before speaking. "What do you three want?"
Noah chuckled. "What, I can't come chat with you when there's nothing going on? I'm just worried you might get lonely."
Makarov didn't believe a word of Noah's explanation.
This little scoundrel never left his house unless he had to, preferring to laze around all day. Just visiting the guild was already a workout for him.
Under Makarov's questioning gaze, Noah gave an awkward laugh. "Actually, Guild Master, I came to tell you something."
Hearing Noah call him "Guild Master," Makarov immediately perked up. This brat had only called him that when he first joined the guild. Later, once they were familiar, he always used "old man."
Makarov enjoyed both forms of address, but the former was a bit more formal, so he wanted to hear what Noah had to say.
Noah didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "My brother and I are planning to take our aunt back to our old home. Erza and Mira will also come with me."
"I see. Yeah, it's about time you went back for a visit."
Makarov was a little emotional. Porlyusica, Mystogan, and Noah—they all came to Earth Land for different reasons.
Noah was fine; he had only been here for less than a year.
But Mystogan and Porlyusica—most of their lives had been spent in Earth Land, especially the latter. Makarov's dear friend had been away from her hometown for decades.
For all these reasons, Makarov had no reason to refuse Noah.
Laxus watched his grandfather and Noah chatting away, then couldn't help but ask, "Old man, do you actually know about Noah's hometown? And what's the deal with Mystogan and Porlyusica?"
"Oh, I forgot about you two."
Makarov pushed his hand through his thinning hair. After getting Noah's consent, he revealed the relationship and origins of Noah, Mystogan, and Porlyusica.
When he heard there was another parallel world, "Edolas," Gajeel was utterly shocked.
Laxus, though surprised, was far from being dumbfounded to an exaggerated degree. After all, he had noticed Mystogan's peculiarities a long time ago. He just hadn't expected Mystogan and Porlyusica to have this connection.
"Wait a minute."
Makarov suddenly remembered something and looked sharply at Noah. "Hold on. I get why you three—aunt and nephews—are going back, but what about Erza and Mira?"
Noah only gave a meaningful smile, an expression that made Makarov instantly understand something.
Meeting the parents!
The three words exploded uncontrollably in Makarov's mind. He truly hadn't expected the gossip from two days ago to actually come true, which made the old man a bit unable to accept it for a moment.
How could the two most beautiful young women in the guild all be taken away by this scoundrel?!
Makarov knew Erza and Mira's personalities. Since they both chose Noah, Makarov would only offer his blessings to the children.
It's just that this brat Noah—what did he do to deserve it... He can't get off easy!
His mood was complicated, so Makarov decided to beat Noah up. After all, he could now be considered Erza and Mira's guardian in name.
Clothes ripped, magical light flashed.
Makarov instantly transformed from a short, thin man into a muscular, two-and-a-half-meter giant, his developed biceps more than twice the size of Noah's head.
"Brat! Get over here and die!"
Noah was prepared. He flashed behind Laxus, dodging and shouting, "Hey, hey, old man, calm down! We truly love each other!"
This statement undoubtedly added fuel to the fire. Makarov, moving with a speed that defied his size, went around Laxus. "Damn you, Noah, you actually snatched away the two most excellent girls in our guild!"
Noah nimbly dodged around the office, occasionally turning back to explain, "Hey, this isn't my fault! If I only chose one, the other would've been heartbroken. I had to accept them both so neither Erza nor Mira would be sad!"
"You're a playboy—just admit it! How dare you make excuses!"
"I'm your elder! What's wrong with letting me beat you up and have some fun? Don't you understand what filial piety is?!"
"Then why don't you go beat up Laxus? Your grandson is right there. Wouldn't it be better for him to show you filial piety?"
Amidst the crashing sounds, to avoid being caught in the crossfire, Laxus and Gajeel tacitly retreated to the corner, watching the scene with interest.
Unfortunately, the fun ended too quickly, because Noah used a reason Makarov couldn't refuse to avoid the trouble.
Ivan Dreyar.
Noah invited Makarov to go to Edolas with him. There was no one more convenient to fight than his own son, especially when that son was a scoundrel.