These past few days, Noel had been busy with the mission on Galuna Island. After working for so long, he was utterly exhausted. Finally returning to Magnolia — the familiar town, the familiar scent in the air, the familiar residents — should have felt comforting.
But today, everyone's gazes seemed… off. It was as if they were deliberately avoiding him, glancing his way and then whispering among themselves.
"Why is it so strange today?"
"Feels like someone's watching us."
"Why is everyone looking at us?"
The group exchanged confused looks. Noel found it odd, but didn't think too much of it.
He walked over to a magic tools shop he often traded with. Normally, the owner would greet him warmly, but today… nothing.
What's going on? It's never been like this before.
Although he didn't know the reason, Noel could feel something was off. His face darkened. Something was wrong — badly wrong — and a bad premonition gnawed at him.
When they reached the guild's front door, they finally understood why people had been acting so strangely. One look at the battered state of the guild building, and everything made sense. Fairy Tail had been attacked.
Noel had considered whether this could just be the result of some magical prank… but quickly dismissed the idea. The damage was far too severe.
The building was riddled with holes, pierced through by countless iron rods — likely the work of a mage who used iron magic.
This was clearly provocation. An insult to Fairy Tail.
Someone had dared to attack their guild? And during his absence, no less?
Who were these people? They had the courage to challenge Fairy Tail, but not to show their faces. What were they after?
Suppressing his anger, Noel's greater worry was for his comrades inside. With the guild in this state… could they have been seriously injured?
And right now, most of the S-Class mages were probably out on missions. Besides the Master, only Erza could be counted on as a combat ace who might have been present.
"Please… let everyone be safe." Noel prayed silently.
"What the hell happened here?" Natsu muttered, staring at the ruined guild.
Mira came forward.
"It was Phantom Lord."
"You mean Phantom?" Natsu's voice grew cold.
"As much as I hate to admit it… they're the ones who did this," Mira said bitterly.
"Wasn't Erza here? How could this happen?" Noel asked, puzzled.
"In that situation… even Erza couldn't have done much," Mira replied helplessly.
"What about everyone else? They're okay, right?" Noel pressed urgently.
"They're fine. Everyone's downstairs resting."
Mira led them down to the first basement level. Normally used as a storage area, it had now been turned into a makeshift tavern.
"We're back!" Noel called out, his expression a mix of frustration and helplessness.
But Master Makarov was sitting there calmly, sipping his drink, already a little tipsy.
"Old man, how can you be so relaxed?" Natsu demanded.
"How was the job, Lucy? Everything go smoothly?" Makarov asked instead.
Lucy was at a loss — how could the first thing he ask about be their mission in a situation like this?
"Master, this is blatant provocation," Noel said through clenched teeth.
"It's fine. I'll handle it." Makarov took another sip. "For those idiots, this is probably the best they could do."
"Attacking an empty guild — what's there to be proud of?"
"An empty guild?" The group stared in confusion.
"It happened at night," Mira explained. "And just as Erza was about to fight back, she was stopped. So there's no need to worry."
"For a bunch of cowards who only dare attack when no one's around, there's no point in paying them too much attention. Let them be," Makarov said nonchalantly.
Natsu smashed a wooden crate nearby.
"I'm going to beat those guys to a pulp."
"That's enough about this. Until repairs are done, we'll handle requests here. Since Noel's back, why don't you go help with the repairs?" Makarov suggested.
"I refuse. Find someone else." Noel walked out of the guild. He'd rather head back to his lab and think.
As he strolled through the streets, he felt a twinge of disappointment. He'd actually snapped at the Master today — and given him attitude. But right now, Noel was also lost.
Why wouldn't they retaliate? After all, the other side had done something this outrageous. Why just let it go?
The Master's nonchalant attitude only deepened Noel's frustration.
Sure, the Magic Council prohibited violent conflict between guilds… but they struck first!
He kicked a pebble absentmindedly. It tumbled into the moat, rippling the water.
This world… wasn't as simple as he had thought. There were always more things to consider. Maybe the Master had his reasons.
Still — with Phantom now in town, could they already be scouting everyone's homes? Maybe they were just waiting for a dark, moonless night to attack.
But… would they really be that blatant? As members of the guild alliance, all under the Council's watch, such actions would be dangerous for them too.
Instead of returning to his lab, Noel ended up wandering the streets. It had been a long time since he'd taken in Magnolia's scenery.
Usually, he was either on a mission or holed up in his lab. There was no time for leisurely walks.
He had to admit — Magnolia was beautiful. And it was home to his favorite place in the world: his guild.
Even though it was in ruins now, once repaired, it would be grander than ever. Noel made a silent vow — he'd make the guild even more beautiful than Phantom's.
With that thought, his gloom lifted. So what if they attacked? If they destroyed it, he'd rebuild it. If anything, they'd waste time and money traveling here, while all he'd lose was a little magic power. That was practically a profit!
It was like discovering a new continent. Just like that, his anger melted away.
The more he thought about it, the more he understood the Master's choice.
If a guild war broke out, the casualties wouldn't be limited to mages — ordinary townsfolk could get caught in the crossfire.
That was the wisdom of the Master. He had far more perspective. People said he used to have a short fuse, but now he was incredibly calm.
Maybe it was simply that the position he held — and the responsibility on his shoulders — had changed him.
Please drop some power stones supper me at my
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