Detention Room
Inside the cell, Noel scribbled incomprehensible formulas on paper. One sheet after another was crumpled and tossed to the ground.
"Useless."
"Useless."
"This formula is completely wrong..."
The door to the detention room suddenly opened. Leading the way, as expected, was the frog-faced messenger who had arrested him.
"You're being released," said the frog, opening the door.
"...I can go?" Noel asked, skeptical.
"You've been declared not guilty. Of course you can go," the frog explained hastily.
"Guess we'll meet again if fate allows," Noel waved casually and walked out.
---
Back at the Guild
The guild was unusually quiet. When Noel opened the doors, everyone except the Guild Master and a man in a black robe was fast asleep.
"Long time no see, Mystogan," Noel greeted the robed man.
"You're as cautious as ever—carrying a potion that counters sleep magic with you," Mystogan replied.
"Of course. I'm an alchemist. Caution is second nature," Noel answered.
"5... 4... 3…" Mystogan chanted under his breath as he walked toward the door.
As he vanished from view, everyone who had been asleep suddenly woke up at once.
"That feeling… was that Mystogan?" Macao muttered, rubbing his eyes.
"Who's Mystogan?" Lucy asked, confused.
"One of the candidates for Fairy Tail's strongest man," Elfman explained.
"For some reason, he doesn't want anyone to see his face. Every time he takes a job, he knocks everyone out. It's always like this," Gray added.
"I saw him. Just spoke to him, actually," Noel commented.
"When did you get back?" Erza asked suddenly.
"Just now. Oh, and someone from the Council wanted me to pass on a message—that matter must remain secret." Noel relayed Siegrain's message.
Erza's expression stiffened for a split second, but Noel caught it immediately.
"You're hiding something, aren't you?" he asked.
"It's just that I accepted a rather troublesome mission… it's proving more difficult than expected," Erza replied calmly.
"Need help?"
"No. It's my task—I'll handle it myself," she replied firmly.
---
"I want to challenge you," Gray suddenly stepped forward, slightly embarrassed.
"Sure," Noel responded without hesitation.
The entire guild instantly erupted with excitement.
"A fight? Again?!"
"This is going to be good!"
"I'm fired up already!"
---
The two headed to an open space, where the rest of the guild formed a tight circle around them.
"Gray, after all this time, I want to see just how much you've grown," Noel said with anticipation.
"You're going to be in for a big surprise," Gray grinned confidently.
"Begin!" Makarov called out.
Their auras instantly changed.
"Ice-Make: Floor!"
In an instant, the temperature on the street dropped drastically. It had been a warm day, but now it felt like the dead of winter.
A thick layer of ice spread across the ground. Snow and frost danced in the air.
"Achoo! So cold!" Lucy sneezed.
"That's Gray's signature Ice Magic," Mirajane explained.
"Wind Magic: Exchange—Spreading Flame!"
Crimson flames fell from Noel's palms, forming a fiery carpet beneath his feet.
"I remember that move! That's Bora's magic, isn't it?" Lucy recognized it.
Flames burned around Noel. The inner layers of frost beneath his feet began to melt.
Steam rose as the ice floor vaporized, gradually filling the battlefield with thick mist.
"Ice-Make: Lancers!"
Gray struck first.
Dozens of icy spears formed in his hands and launched rapidly through the fog, aiming for Noel.
But just as the spears pierced through the mist—Noel vanished.
In the next instant, he reappeared midair.
No one could tell how he'd gotten there. His position had shifted in a blink.
Gray instantly realized he was in trouble—Noel was airborne now. Targeting him with precision was impossible without wide-range attacks.
"Ice-Make:Ice Geyser!"
Gray slammed his hands into the ground. A blue magic circle appeared.
From beneath Noel's feet, massive ice spikes burst upward like a freezing fountain.
"Wind Magic: Exchange—Flame Burst!"
Suddenly, a small flame ignited atop the ice spikes.
With a thunderous boom, fire exploded through the icy geyser, heat surging and scattering around.
The fiery shockwave was powerful enough to affect even the bystanders.
Everyone stared, wide-eyed.
"Noel's even stronger now."
"Gray's doing great too," Lucy added, impressed.
Flames and ice clashed—steam filled the arena.
"Wind Magic: Exchange—Storm Lightning!"
Crackling arcs of electricity lit the foggy air.
Bolt after bolt of lightning struck Gray directly, their roar shaking the crowd.
The spell's sheer power left Gray's hair standing wildly on end—he now had a full-on afro.
"The match is decided," Noel declared.
"I lost," Gray admitted, still puffed up from the static.
"If you'd used your lightning at full power, I'd probably be out cold by now."
He sighed.
"But next time, can you not mess with my hairstyle?"
"Hahahaha!"
Natsu burst out laughing. "Gray, your hair!"
The rest of the guild couldn't hold back either.
"But it really was an incredible match," someone said.
"Gray's magic is beautiful," Lucy remarked.
"But I think Noel's spells are more versatile," Mira noted.
---
When the crowd dispersed, only Mirajane stayed behind, as if she had something important to say.
"Did something happen? Another complaint letter to deal with?" Noel asked.
"It's not about a complaint. A letter came for you."
Mira handed him an envelope.
The return address read Border Town. Noel didn't have any strong ties to that place, though he did own a small apothecary shop there.
He'd never hired anyone for it, so the shop had sat vacant for some time—though the job listing remained open. Maybe this letter was a job application?
He couldn't think of any other reason.
He opened the envelope.
The letter was short and to the point:
"I heard your shop is hiring. I have extensive experience with potions and would like to apply.
Payment and conditions can be discussed in person."
—Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki
So someone really had applied.
Looks like he'd be making a trip to Border Town soon.