After listening to this, Makarov thought for a moment and said,"The Magic Development Bureau is still under investigation. Director Brian hasn't been found yet, and a wanted notice has been issued. But with his strength, catching him won't be easy."
"I'll keep an eye out," Noah replied. "If I find him, I'll bring him back alive."
Makarov nodded and continued,"You defeated Deliora. Do you want to report that to the Magic Council? You're still so young, and I'm afraid some people might start harboring dangerous thoughts about you."
Because Noah had accomplished something extraordinary at such a young age, Makarov feared others would see him as a threat. Even if it wasn't frightening, it could cause plenty of unnecessary trouble.
"It doesn't matter. I don't plan on going out for a while," Noah answered calmly. "This battle gave me many new ideas, and I need time to let them settle. Besides, I want to learn modeling magic from Ulu, so I won't have much time to wander. Let those people keep their thoughts to themselves. By the time I go out again, my strength will be far greater than it is now."
Noah laid out his plans for the near future. Makarov was pleased to see him brimming with confidence and energy.
"Then I'll report it to the Magic Council. With achievements and strength like yours, you might even be chosen as one of the Ten Wizard Saints."
"That's unlikely," Noah replied. "You're already one of the Ten Wizard Saints, Grandpa. It would be hard for the Council to allow two from Fairy Tail. They always worry about balance. Besides, I'm too young. If I were chosen, many people would be dissatisfied."
"That's true," Makarov chuckled. "If Laxus heard about your accomplishments, he'd probably push himself even harder."
"I don't want that either," Noah said seriously. "All I can do is keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't overtrain and hurt himself. By the way, Grandpa, when you have time, you should talk to Laxus more. Right now, he treats me as his goal and doesn't have too many other thoughts.
But in the past, he cared too much about being called 'Makarov's grandson.' No one recognized the effort he put in. They only said he was your grandson. It distressed him and even made him resentful. I hope you can talk with him. It's something only you can resolve. All I can do is give a little push in the background.
Otherwise, I fear that over time Laxus might back himself into a dead end."
Makarov's expression turned serious after hearing this. He nodded heavily."I'll find time to talk to Laxus. I didn't realize he was carrying such burdens. Thank you for telling me, Noah."
Noah waved his hand lightly."Laxus is my friend too. I don't want anything to happen to him. Well then, Grandpa, I'll head back now."
"Go on," Makarov said.
After saying goodbye, Noah returned home. He didn't begin training right away. Though his body wasn't exhausted from fighting Deliora, his mind was still fatigued.
So he picked up a magic book and began reading, using it as a way to relax.
As the sun set, Ulu returned with the group. Simon had already come back earlier and was preparing dinner with Noah.
Seeing this, Ulu quickly set down what she was carrying and came over to help. Erza and Kagura also joined in.
Gray, Lyon, and Ultear had no real cooking experience, so they busied themselves clearing the tables and chairs instead.
Before long, dinner was ready, and everyone pitched in to bring the dishes out.
Everyone enjoyed the meal very much. Ultear had never experienced eating together with so many people before, and her face was full of joy.
After dinner, Ulu led everyone to unpack the things they had bought that afternoon. Everyone who went shopping had picked up plenty of new clothes. Erza and Kagura even helped Noah and Simon choose a few new outfits.
They urged Noah to try his on. Noah couldn't refuse, so he took the clothes into his room and changed.
When he stepped out, the girls' eyes lit up.
Noah's youthful face was both handsome and gentle, framed by thick, short black hair. His black-and-white eyes were clear and pure, as though untouched by even a speck of dust. At the corners of his lips was a warm, sunlit smile.
His figure was well-proportioned, making him look slender and refined in his clothes. Wearing a brand-new black coat over a white shirt, matched with black trousers, he gave off a calm and aristocratic air.
Noah asked a little uncertainly,
"How is it? I'm not very good at picking out clothes."
"Brother Noah is so handsome!" Erza said with a big thumbs-up. The other girls nodded, eyes sparkling, unable to stop staring at him.
Feeling embarrassed under their gazes, Noah tried to retreat back inside to change, but the girls quickly stopped him. He couldn't resist and had no choice but to keep wearing the outfit.
The other boys tried on their new clothes as well. Ulu insisted on seeing them in their outfits. Gray and Lyon both looked dashing, and Simon wasn't far behind. All three appeared cool and handsome in their new looks.
The girls also changed into their new clothes, each one looking lively, cute, and full of youthful charm.
The boys' eyes lit up, and Noah exclaimed with genuine admiration,
"Everyone looks so pretty and cute!"
At that moment, Ulu teased,
"Then who's the prettiest and cutest?"
Several girls immediately turned their heads to stare at Noah. Cold sweat trickled down his face as he quickly stammered,
"Ulu is setting me up!"
Ulu, clearly amused, leaned back with a smile."Everyone wants to know who you think is the most beautiful and lovely right now. Don't dodge the question."
The others nodded in agreement, and the boys especially started cheering him on, happy to add to the noise.
Noah wiped at the sweat on his forehead, then drew out his words dramatically,
"If you're asking who's the most beautiful and cutest, well… it's me!"
He struck a self-satisfied, narcissistic pose, and the group immediately booed and groaned in mock disgust.
But then Noah grew serious and said,
"I really don't know who's the prettiest and cutest, because all of you are beautiful and cute in your own ways. To choose just one would be unfair to the others. So I can't give an answer."
Sincere words always carried weight. Seeing Noah's earnest expression as he spoke, the girls blushed and turned their faces away, too shy to meet his gaze. They no longer pressed the question.
The others looked at one another in confusion, while the boys secretly worried that all their lessons in charm had gone to waste.
Seeing this, Ulu clapped her hands and said,
"Alright then, take your things back to your rooms and get ready for your baths."
Noah let out a sigh of relief and carried the clothes the girls had chosen for him back to his room.
Once everything was sorted, the girls headed to Noah's large bathhouse to bathe first, with the boys waiting their turn to go in afterward.
As they waited, Lyon and Gray walked over to Noah and asked eagerly,
"Noah, how did you become so strong? We want to be that powerful too."
...
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