Aurel loosened his grip with a faint smile, and the strength drained from Laxus as he collapsed to his knees.
His fur coat and shirt had already burned to ash under the onslaught of magic; only his pants remained.
Exposed skin was mottled with burns—he'd be bedridden for a month or two to recover.
And that was with Aurel holding back.
He had a hunch that, if he didn't restrain himself, the entire town of Magnolia might be steamed into vapor.
As the fight ended, a strange silence settled over everyone present.
No one had expected a brand-new member to defeat Laxus—much less in such crushing fashion.
Newbie?
More like a guild monster!!
Makarov was the first to react. He hurried to Laxus's side and, seeing his grandson charred but breathing, quietly exhaled.
Scary as it looked, most of the injuries were minor. A few days with Porlyusica and he'd be fine.
"Let this teach you to rein it in a little…" Makarov muttered helplessly.
As noon passed, Aurel's temperament returned to normal; the pride and arrogance inside him ebbed away.
Most of the second floor was scorched, embers and smoke still licking at the remaining planks.
Taking in the fire-disaster scene, Aurel edged back half a step without drawing attention.
Hopefully the master won't make me pay for this.
He was flat broke and already owed Levy. If he added this bill on top, a bridge might really be his only bed.
With Makarov telling Elfman to haul Laxus to the infirmary, the crowd below finally snapped out of it; the hall erupted into a storm of chatter.
"Did you see that? Laxus… couldn't even fight back against that newbie!!"
A blond, middle-parted youth all but shouted.
"It's Aurel. Aurel! Learn people's names, Marcus!"
Levy pumped her fists, correcting him at once.
"Terrifying. That pressure just now—"
Macao drew a deep breath; his heart was still hammering.
"Yeah. In any guild, that's S-class." Wakaba puffed on his pipe and added, "I wonder who's stronger—this kid or Gildarts."
All eyes landed on Aurel, the buzz swelling nonstop.
"Alright, everyone!"
Makarov hopped back onto the railing and cleared his throat twice, drawing every gaze.
"First, clean up the mess in the guild. Aurel, you come with me."
Not only had the fight wrecked the second floor, the earlier free-for-all had smashed plenty else. Cleaning up would be part of the punishment.
At his words, enthusiasm wilted. Quite a few members considered slipping out on the pretense of taking jobs.
Seeing Levy's smile stiffen as well, Aurel snapped his fingers.
The shadows twisted; lines of Shadowkhan stepped out and silently set about tidying the ruined hall with brisk efficiency.
Spotting the familiar ninjas, the blue-haired girl looked up toward the second floor and found the boy tilting his head at her with a gentle smile.
He likes me too!
Hand to her chest, Levy's lips curled into a sweet grin.
— — —
Following Makarov into a room on the second floor, Aurel fielded questions about his earlier state and the nature of his magic.
For the guild master who worried over his children, Aurel didn't keep hiding things.
He'd be found out soon enough after spending time with the others.
"So that look just now was a side effect of your magic?"
After hearing about the magic called Sun, Makarov seemed dazed.
As expected of lost magic?
To wield the very power of the sun…
"An astounding magic, truly."
After a brief sigh of admiration, his gaze returned to Aurel, who was sipping hot tea across the table.
Wait—where did that tea come from?
Catching his curiosity, Aurel pointed at the napkin spread across the table and smiled. "This Gourmet Napkin can produce all kinds of food and drink. Master, is there anything you'd like?"
"Oh! A magic tool that convenient?!"
Makarov leaned in, eyes twinkling, and whispered, "Can it make good liquor?"
The barmaid downstairs kept him on a tight leash; unless there was a party, a good drunk was rare.
"How about wine?" Aurel snapped his fingers, thinking of famous vintages from his past life. "One bottle of Lafite."
A well-made bottle of red appeared on the table at once.
No trace of magic fluctuation.
"Never heard of this wine…"
Makarov eyed the unfamiliar label, took a cautious sip—and his eyes lit up.
He'd expected swill, but the taste surpassed most wines on the market.
"This tablecloth… as well?"
"Right. Picked it up during my travels."
Aurel smiled and nodded.
The origin story for Sun was the same—found on the road.
Nothing made a better cover.
"Enviable. If I'd known, I'd have roamed more in my youth!"
Makarov hugged the bottle and took a hearty pull, pleasantly tipsy.
— — —
When Aurel came back down, Levy barely had time to say hello before the others swarmed him.
"Hey, kid, up for a few drinks with the old man?"
"Impressive work, newbie!"
"You're adorable, you know. Right up big-sis's alley—how about a date?"
"Pipe down, Cana!"
Maybe being too popular wasn't so great after all…
Watching the warm wave of guildmates crowd in, Aurel unconsciously stepped back twice.
[Author's Note: Monthly votes please, recommendations too—I'm begging you, big bros!]
(End of Chapter)
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