Chapter 84: Persuasion
Noah turned and left the counter. Seeing that Makarov's expression had relaxed a lot after his talk with Noah, the other guild members also breathed a sigh of relief, and the guild gradually returned to its usual atmosphere.
Noah stepped outside. The torrential rain was still pouring down. The sky was dark with clouds, so gloomy it felt as if it were about to collapse, creating an incredibly oppressive feeling. Noah cast his detection magic, covering the entirety of Magnolia. He found Laxus at his own home and teleported directly inside.
He arrived at the door to his room, pushed it open, and saw Laxus sitting by the window, staring blankly at the storm outside. Laxus sensed someone behind him, turned his head, and saw it was Noah. He then turned back to the window.
Noah walked over and stood beside him, also looking out the window in silence.
In the end, it was Laxus who couldn't stand it any longer. He turned his head and said to Noah, "Aren't you going to say anything to me?"
"Is there something I should say?"
"You should know that my dad was kicked out of the guild."
"Mhm. I just got back to the guild and heard about it from Gramps."
"Did he say why he kicked my dad out?"
"Gramps said Ivan did something that was detrimental to the guild."
"Even if my dad did a lot of stupid things, he's still Gramps' son! He's his family!" Laxus's emotions flared, and he was about to stand up. Noah placed a hand on his shoulder and pressed him back down.
"Gramps said that Ivan's actions threatened the lives of the guild members. You have to think about it from his perspective. On one side is his family, and on the other are the members of his guild. It was a very difficult decision for him."
Hearing this, Laxus calmed down considerably and no longer tried to stand. Seeing that his words were getting through, Noah continued. "Gramps has spent decades on this guild; it's like his child. He won't allow anyone to harm it. What's more, it was Ivan who was in the wrong first. I specifically asked Gramps, and the matter Ivan was involved in is something only the Guild Master has the right to know. Not even an S-Class wizard like me can be told. You can imagine how serious it is. As his grandson, you should be by his side right now, to help him feel a little better. Also, if you get any information on Ivan, don't act on your own. You have to tell me or Gramps. Since Ivan has already threatened the lives of guild members, it's very possible he might come after you."
Noah's words shocked Laxus, making him forget everything else. "N-no way," he stammered. "I'm his son. He wouldn't do that to me, would he?"
Noah shook his head and said softly, "You shouldn't overestimate the bottom line of someone who has begun to fall into darkness. Taking precautions is for your own safety, to prevent Gramps from having to bury his grandson."
Laxus was stunned. He sat there for a long time before finally saying to Noah, "I understand. I won't act on my own."
Noah thought for a moment. "You should participate in the S-Class Wizard Promotion Trial at the end of this year."
Laxus looked at him, confused.
Noah explained, "After these past few months of training, your strength has improved a lot. And there are still a few months until the end of the year, so you can get even stronger. By that time, your strength will be more than sufficient to be an S-Class wizard. And with that status, you'll have access to more information. You'll be able to see the matter of Ivan being expelled from a better perspective."
Laxus nodded seriously. He had been looking forward to becoming an S-Class wizard for a long time. Last year, Noah had deemed his strength insufficient and had stopped him from participating. As a result, it was Ur who had successfully become S-Class that year. In the two years since she had joined Fairy Tail, Ur had been training and taking on requests to get back into shape. Later, with the help of Noah's potions, she had fully recovered from the time she had spent searching for a cure for her daughter and the grief of her supposed death, and her strength had even progressed further. The current Ur had undoubtedly reached the level of a Wizard Saint, though she didn't go around proclaiming her strength. The only ones who knew were the few who had watched her S-Class trial: the examiner Gildarts, the Master Makarov, Noah, Laxus, Cana, Ultear, Gray, and Lyon.
During that battle, both sides had held back, but it was enough to give the spectators a glimpse of their immense power, greatly broadening their horizons. Ur would casually create an iceberg and hurl it at Gildarts, and the surrounding temperature would drop to a terrifying low. Ultear, Gray, and Lyon, who often trained in the mountains, couldn't even withstand it and had to be protected by a shield from Noah. But Gildarts would effortlessly block all of Ur's attacks, shattering the incoming icebergs with a single punch. When the exam was over, Ur was slightly out of breath, but Gildarts looked as if nothing had happened, completely at ease. This had been a great source of pride for Cana and had made Lyon thoroughly understand the vastness of the world. Though he still pursued strength, he was no longer so paranoid. As for Laxus, after witnessing their power, he had intensified his own training, hoping to one day achieve that same level of strength.
Now, hearing Noah tell him to participate in the S-Class trial, he decided that after he had completed enough requests to qualify, he would stop and focus entirely on preparing for the exam, striving to take his strength to the next level.
Seeing that Laxus had calmed down and was no longer hung up on Ivan's excommunication, Noah said his goodbyes and returned to the guild.
When Makarov saw him come back, he quickly asked, "How is Laxus?"
"At first, he didn't understand why you had to expel Ivan from the guild. After I explained it a bit, he started to understand. But it would be best if you could have a private talk with him later, Gramps, and tell him what you can. After all, one is your son, and the other is your grandson."
"I will." Makarov nodded thoughtfully.
Noah continued, "Also, I told Laxus to participate in this year's S-Class trial."
"You think his strength is sufficient now?"
"Mhm. And there are still a few months until the end of the year. That's enough time for Laxus to improve even more."
"Then I'll approve him for the trial. But if he doesn't show sufficient strength, I won't pass him."
"Of course. If his strength weren't enough, I wouldn't have let him participate either. Well then, Gramps, I'll be heading back."
"Alright."
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