Noah turned from the counter and made his way toward the exit.
The rest of the guild members, who had been quietly observing from a distance, relaxed noticeably. Makarov's tense shoulders had eased, his expression lighter than before thanks to Noah's calm presence.
The suffocating weight that had hung over the guild began to lift.
As Noah left the hall, the lively buzz of conversation slowly returned. Laughter returned in small bursts, and the warmth that defined Fairy Tail began to seep back into the space.
But outside, the rain hadn't let up.
The sky remained draped in thick storm clouds, the heavy downpour showing no signs of stopping. The low-hanging darkness pressed down from above, soaking the streets and the rooftops alike, wrapping Magnolia in a mood of tension and gloom.
Noah stood just outside the door, casting a wide detection spell over the entire city.
The magic shimmered, scanning every corner, alley, and building until finally it locked onto a familiar presence.
Laxus.
He was at his home.
Without hesitation, Noah teleported.
In an instant, he appeared at Laxus's front door. He didn't knock just pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The room was dim. No lights were on.
Laxus sat near the window, slouched in his chair, arms crossed tightly, his gaze locked on the rain outside. He didn't flinch at the sound of the door opening, but his head turned slightly when he sensed someone entering.
When he saw it was Noah, he didn't speak just looked back out the window.
Noah walked over and stood beside him, saying nothing. He simply stared out into the storm with him, watching the rain race down the glass.
Minutes passed in silence.
Finally, Laxus broke it.
"Don't you have anything to say to me?"
Noah didn't look away from the window.
"What would I need to say?"
"You know… that my dad was kicked out of the guild."
"Yeah. I just got back and learned about it from Grandpa."
Laxus clenched his fists.
"Did he tell you why?"
Noah nodded.
"He said Ivan did something that threatened the guild."
Laxus stood abruptly, his voice rising.
"Yeah, my dad's done some dumb stuff but he's still Grandpa's son! He's family!"
Noah didn't argue.
He simply raised a hand and gently pushed Laxus back down into his seat with one firm press to his shoulder.
"Grandpa also has a family here. The guild."
Noah's voice was calm but steady.
"He told me Ivan's actions endangered the lives of guild members. Think about the position Grandpa was in on one side, his son. On the other, the people he's protected and led for decades."
Laxus's anger deflated. His fists loosened. His jaw tightened, but he didn't speak.
Seeing that he was listening, Noah continued.
"The guild is like his child too. He's watched over it longer than most of us have even been alive. He wouldn't make a decision like this lightly."
Noah turned slightly to face him.
"I asked about the details. Grandpa said the information is classified only the Guild Master has the right to know. Even S-Class wizards like me aren't allowed to hear the full story."
Laxus's brow furrowed.
"That's how serious it is."
Noah leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping.
"Right now, the best thing you can do is stay by Grandpa's side. Show him he's not alone. You know how much he cares about you."
Laxus lowered his head, tension slowly leaving his shoulders.
"But if you hear anything about Ivan," Noah added, his tone sharpening, "don't go after him on your own. Tell Grandpa. Or tell me."
Laxus glanced up in confusion.
"Why?"
"Because if Ivan's already crossed the line… he might come after you too."
That made Laxus freeze.
His face twisted in disbelief.
"No way. He wouldn't. I'm his son."
Noah didn't flinch.
"Don't overestimate the limits of someone who's started down the path of darkness."
His voice was softer now, but no less firm.
"If you do… you might lose more than your father."
Laxus's breath caught in his throat.
Noah's words struck deep.
He sat silently for a long time, staring down at his clenched hands.
Finally, in a quiet voice, he said:
"...I understand. I won't act on my own."
Noah thought for a moment, then looked at Laxus and said seriously:
"You should take the S-Class Wizard Promotion Exam at the end of this year."
Laxus blinked, surprised.
"...Huh?"
Noah explained calmly:
"After the past few months of training, your strength has grown significantly. And there are still a few months left until the end of the year enough time to push yourself even further.
By then, you'll be ready. Strong enough to qualify as an S-Class wizard."
He looked Laxus straight in the eye.
"And once you become S-Class, you'll gain access to more information. Information that will help you better understand your grandfather's decision."
Laxus's eyes sharpened with focus.
He had always dreamed of becoming an S-Class wizard.
But last year, Noah had personally stopped him from taking the exam, stating that his strength and mentality weren't ready. That year, it had been Ulu who passed and earned the title.
Laxus had accepted it, but he never forgot the feeling of being left behind.
Since then, Ulu had become a central figure in the guild. In the two years since joining, she had thrown herself into training and taken on missions with fierce dedication. She'd rebuilt her body using Noah's medicine and recovered from the years of overexertion and heartbreak following her daughter's disappearance.
And now, there was no doubt.
Ulu had quietly reached the level of the Ten Wizard Saints.
She never spoke of it. She never flaunted her power.
Only a handful of people knew just how strong she'd become those who had been present at the S-Class Promotion Exam: Gildarts, who had served as chief examiner; Makarov; Noah; Laxus; Cana; Ultear; Gray; and Leo.
That exam had opened their eyes.
Even though Gildarts hadn't used his full power, and Ulu had kept things mostly under control, the battle was on another level.
Ulu's attacks were like a glacier brought to life every movement freezing the very air. Even Gray, Leo, and Ultear, who were used to training in snowy regions, had to rely on Noah's magical shield just to stay conscious from the drop in temperature.
And Gildarts?
He took it all in stride.
He shattered Ulu's massive iceberg with a single backhand punch, his expression never changing. Ulu had been panting slightly at the end of the fight.
Gildarts hadn't even broken a sweat.
That display had made Cana beam with pride, and had humbled Leo to the point of clarity his obsession with surpassing others began to shift into a quieter, more focused pursuit of self-improvement.
As for Laxus… it had awakened something in him.
He had trained harder than ever since, striving to one day reach that level.
And now, hearing Noah bring up the S-Class Exam again lit a fire in his chest.
If Noah believed he was ready then he wouldn't waste the opportunity.
Laxus clenched his fists.
He decided right then that after completing the commissions he'd already accepted, he would stop taking new ones. He'd spend the rest of the year focusing on training, conditioning, and sharpening himself for the exam.
He wouldn't fail.
Seeing the shift in Laxus's energy calm, focused, no longer consumed by his father's expulsion Noah gave a faint nod of approval.
"I'll leave the rest to you," he said quietly.
Then, turning, he left the house and teleported back to the guild.
The rain was still falling outside, but the air no longer felt as heavy.
When Noah entered the guild hall, Makarov spotted him immediately and stood from behind the counter.
"How's Laxus?"
Noah walked over, shaking a bit of rain from his coat.
"At first, he couldn't understand why you expelled Ivan. But after I explained things to him, he started to come around.
Still, Grandpa… I think you should speak with him again in private. Tell him as much as you can. He's your grandson. Ivan is your son. Whatever happens, that's something only you two can navigate."
Makarov's eyes lowered for a moment. He nodded thoughtfully.
"I will. You're right."
Noah hesitated for a moment, then added:
"Also… I recommended Laxus take this year's S-Class Wizard Promotion Exam."
Makarov raised a brow.
"You think he's ready?"
Noah didn't hesitate.
"I do. His strength has grown. More importantly, his mindset has changed. He's ready to face the burden that comes with power."
Makarov's expression softened. He looked out toward the stormy windows.
"I see… then I'll look forward to it.""Well," Noah added, "and there are still a few months left before the end of the year more than enough time for Laxus to sharpen his strength even further."
Makarov gave a low hum, folding his arms.
"Then I'll allow him to take the exam… but I won't let him pass unless he truly proves himself. No holding back just because he's my grandson."
"Of course," Noah said with a small smile. "If he wasn't strong enough, I wouldn't even have brought it up."
The two locked eyes for a brief moment, a quiet understanding passing between them.
"That's it for now, Grandpa. I'm heading home."
"Alright," Makarov replied with a nod.
Noah turned and walked toward the guild doors. The rain outside had softened to a gentle drizzle. Behind him, the guild slowly resumed its usual rhythm.
And ahead new challenges, new growth, and perhaps, new threats waited just beyond the calm.