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Chapter 84 - Chapter 84: Expelled from the Guild!

"I want you two to focus on training for now," Noah said calmly. "No commissions yet. Wait until your strength is solid then go out."

He looked at Sorano and Yukino with a steady gaze.

"You don't need to worry about food or rent right now."

Sorano looked uncertain, her fingers twitching slightly. Yukino quietly clung to her sleeve.

"Won't that be too much trouble for you?" Sorano asked, uneasily. "I mean, we'd be staying in your home, eating your food… without earning anything. That feels…"

Noah could see how tense she was. After everything she'd gone through, it was no wonder loss, fear, uncertainty it all lingered under the surface.

He waved a hand casually.

"Your living expenses are nothing. Even if we include the potions you'll use during training, it's a drop in the bucket. A single research project I do costs enough to feed you both for a couple of years."

He leaned in slightly and added in a low voice:

"Research is stupidly expensive. But luckily, I've got stable funding now. No need to scrape by on commissions anymore."

Then he straightened again and shrugged.

"Anyway, just think of it as support from the guild. You can always repay the favor by helping out down the line. For now, just focus on getting stronger."

He pointed toward Erza, Ultear, and the others gathered nearby, chatting and laughing.

"They've been waiting. Go hang out with them tonight. Tomorrow, training begins."

Sorano turned to look at them Erza was already waving excitedly and smiled with quiet gratitude.

"Thank you, Noah. Really."

"Thank you, Brother Noah!" Yukino echoed, her voice full of warmth.

Noah reached out and patted her head gently.

"Go on. Go have fun with your sister."

With a nod, Sorano took Yukino's hand and led her over to the others, who immediately pulled them into the conversation like they'd always been part of it.

Noah didn't return to research that evening. Instead, he joined Gray, Leo, and Simon, listening as they shared stories from past missions. Laughter echoed through the house.

Eventually, the group began to wind down. One by one, they picked up their dishes, cleaned the table, and disappeared off to their rooms.

The next morning came early.

Sorano and Yukino were woken up before sunrise. Their first stop was a full physical examination by Noah to check for lingering damage, illness, or magical imbalances. Once cleared, they were taken to the training ground behind the house and joined Erza, Ultear, and Kagura.

The training began gently.

The girls started with low-intensity routines to rebuild their stamina. As their bodies recovered and grew stronger, the intensity gradually increased. Each day pushed them further but not beyond what they could handle.

After every session, Noah handed out customized potions each one tailored to the individual. Everyone had their own special blend, carefully crafted based on body type, magical affinity, and condition.

Training filled the mornings, and lessons filled the afternoons.

Erza and Ultear took turns teaching them everything from battle theory to magic fundamentals. When they were off on commissions, Kagura stayed behind to continue the girls' education and sparring.

For Sorano, it was more than enough.

Compared to the bleak, desperate future she'd feared, this life felt like a dream. The training was hard but it was meaningful. She was growing stronger, day by day. And the shadows from her past slowly began to fade.

Kagura was happier too.

She had always been the youngest in Noah's chaotic household until now. With Yukino joining the fold, Kagura was finally the "big sister," and she took the role very seriously.

Yukino, now surrounded by warmth, kindness, and purpose, blossomed. A smile returned to her face, and laughter began to replace fear.

With the girls stable and improving, Noah turned his focus back to his own work.

His training had long since outgrown Magnolia. Using teleportation, he now trained on a deserted island, far out at sea, where he could test high-powered spells and volatile magic without worrying about damage or scaring the townsfolk or worse, getting scolded by Makarov.

In addition to his training and research, Noah still accepted high-paying commissions. But these weren't for money alone he targeted jobs that brought him to rare locations or gave access to valuable magical materials. Sometimes, the missions aligned perfectly with his supply runs.

And so, a month passed. Then another.

Life was peaceful.

Until one evening.

Noah had just completed a commission and returned to Magnolia. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and a thick blanket of dark clouds covered the sky. The last traces of daylight were swallowed by the storm above.

The wind carried a damp chill. The scent of rain was heavy in the air.

The streets were nearly empty. Those who remained walked briskly, clutching cloaks and hurrying home, hoping to beat the coming storm.

Noah adjusted the pack on his back and glanced up at the sky.

Something about the air felt… different.

Noah stood at the front doors of the guild, unmoving.

Something felt… wrong.

It wasn't just the heavy clouds above or the scent of incoming rain. It was a weight pressing against his chest, quiet but undeniable like the stillness before a storm that had nothing to do with weather.

Then, suddenly 

A bolt of lightning tore across the sky.

CRACK-BOOM!

Thunder followed a split second later, loud enough to shake the wooden awning above the entrance. Noah flinched, caught off guard.

But as the sound faded into distant echoes, he steadied himself.

Rain began to fall.

Heavy drops splashed against the stone path and rooftops, echoing softly across Magnolia. Noah exhaled, then slowly reached forward and pushed open the door to the guild.

Inside was silence.

The usual cheer, the clamor of arguments and laughter, the sound of cutlery and wooden mugs clinking together gone. The guild hall was unnaturally quiet.

Everyone was gathered, most of them seated or standing in small groups, but their eyes were all fixed in the same direction: toward the counter.

And then, one by one, they noticed him.

As soon as Noah stepped inside, dozens of eyes turned. Some guild members nodded slightly, others subtly motioned toward the front.

Something had happened.

Noah didn't need to ask to know that. His boots echoed quietly across the floor as he made his way straight to the counter.

Makarov sat behind it, head lowered, face heavy with thought. He didn't lift it until Noah reached him. When he finally looked up and saw who it was, a faint smile formed on his weathered face.

"Noah's back."

"Grandpa," Noah said, cutting to the point, "what happened?"

The smile on Makarov's face faded almost instantly.

He let out a long, tired sigh.

"I expelled Ivan from the guild."

Noah didn't react.

No widened eyes, no gasp, no hesitation.

Makarov noticed. The rest of the guild had been stunned by the news, some even openly shocked. But Noah's calm unsettled him.

"You're not surprised?" Makarov asked.

Noah paused, then shook his head.

"Not really," he said plainly. "From the first time I met him, something about him… felt off. It was subtle, but constant. I could never put it into words."

He looked Makarov in the eyes, speaking steadily.

"He's your son, so I never said anything. I figured maybe it was just personal bias, but I never trusted him. So no I'm not surprised. But I am curious… what did he do?"

Makarov's face sank further. His hands trembled slightly as he braced them against the counter.

"He did something that endangered the guild."

His voice was quiet. Heavy.

The entire hall could feel the weight behind the words.

For a brief moment, Makarov looked far older than usual his age no longer hidden behind bravado or magic. His eyes, usually sharp with wit and warmth, were weary.

Noah watched him closely.

"…You're not going to tell me what it was?"

"I can't say," Makarov said, his voice quiet.

"Even the guild's S-Class wizards can't know?" Noah pressed, calmly but firmly.

"I can't tell you," Makarov repeated.

"So only the Guild Master has the right to know?"

"Yes. Only the Guild Master," Makarov confirmed, his tone heavy with finality.

Noah frowned slightly, thinking.

"That means… whatever Ivan did is tied to guild-level secrets?"

"Mm." Makarov nodded.

"Did his actions endanger the safety of guild members?"

"It already has." Makarov's voice turned grave. "It's gone as far as threatening the lives of our companions."

Noah's eyes darkened, and he glanced around the room. Ivan was nowhere in sight.

Figures. He must have fled.

"Understood," Noah said at last. "I'll keep my eyes open. If I run into him, I'll bring him back myself."

Makarov gave a small, tired smile.

"Then I'll leave that to you. But before that… could you go find Laxus?"

His voice shifted less the Guild Master, more a worried grandfather.

"He left right after I made the announcement. His face… wasn't good. I'm afraid he might be out there trying to deal with this on his own."

Noah nodded immediately.

"Alright. I'll go now. Grandpa… take care of yourself, okay? Don't carry all of this alone. You made the right choice."

Makarov exhaled slowly, his expression softening.

"I understand. I'll be careful."

Noah gave him a final nod.

"Then I'm heading out."

He turned and walked toward the door once more. The guild remained quiet behind him, the silence thick with the weight of what had just happened.

The rain outside had begun to fall harder.

But Noah didn't hesitate.

He stepped into the storm.

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