"Robbery?"
"Just you two?"
"Hahahaha!"
"Do you know who we are?"
"When it comes to robbery, we are the professionals!"
Mocking laughter echoed through the hall of the bandit guild Twilight Nightmare. The burly, fierce-looking bandits stared contemptuously at the couple standing at the guild entrance, pushing a baby stroller, who had dared to barge into their lair.
"Hahaha..."
"Honestly, Twilight Nightmare has traveled north and south all these years. We've seen plenty of self-proclaimed 'Wizards of Justice' come to subjugate us."
"But this is the first time we've seen someone come to rob us while pushing a baby stroller."
"Kid, do you really know what you're doing?! I'll make you pay a heavy price."
The leader of the bandit group sat on a throne deep within the hall, looking down at the intruders with cold eyes.
"Cut the crap!"
"Hand over all your valuables!"
"Ice Dragon's Roar!"
The young man pushing the stroller had no intention of wasting words with the bandits. As he spoke, an azure magic circle bearing the crest of a dragon's head materialized in front of him. A bone-chilling stream of cold air instantly roared out, freezing dozens of bandits in front of him into ice sculptures.
"What?!"
"You're actually a wizard?"
"So you didn't barge in here without reason."
The bandit leader, who had been sitting calmly on his throne like a king, jumped in shock when he saw his minions get wiped out in a single move. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead as he spoke nervously.
"Isn't that obvious?"
"Ice-Make: Rosen Krone!" (Rose Garden)
Before the bandit leader could say more, another azure magic circle lit up the hall. Blue roses made of ice bloomed instantly throughout the guild. As the beautiful flowers mesmerized the bandits, every member of Twilight Nightmare—except for the leader—was instantly turned into a motionless ice sculpture.
"Ah?"
Seeing this, the bandit leader was stupefied. He watched the figure approaching him through the mist of cold air and took a deep breath. "No, don't come closer! I'm willing to give you all the treasure I've accumulated over the years! Please, spare my life!"
Whoosh!
The moment the bandit leader finished speaking, the young man pushing the stroller—who was tens of meters away—blurred into an afterimage and appeared right in front of him.
"Idiot."
Without another word, the young man raised his hand and froze the leader into an ice sculpture. He shook his head. "If I kill you, your treasure is mine anyway."
"Ur."
"Count the treasure."
After effortlessly disposing of the bandit leader, the young man turned to his wife and spoke gently.
"Okay, Ide."
Responding to her husband, the woman parked the stroller to the side. Together, they ransacked the bandit guild's basement, dragging out all the treasure Twilight Nightmare had looted over the years. They spread it out in the guild hall, staring at the countless gold coins with beaming smiles. "We're rich."
Yes, the couple who had trespassed into the bandit guild, annihilated everyone, and robbed the robbers was none other than Ide and Ur. And the babies in the stroller were Ultear and Erza.
In Ide and Ur's opinion, earning rewards through normal missions was just too inefficient. Robbing the bad guys was definitely the faster way to get rich.
"With this money, we can not only build a villa in Magnolia but also help Old Man Makarov lighten the guild's financial burden."
After counting the wealth Twilight Nightmare had accumulated over the years, Ide and Ur lay in the sea of gold coins, speaking excitedly.
"Gold coins~"
"So many gold coins~"
Beside them, the one-year-old Ultear jumped out of the stroller. She grabbed a handful of coins with her small, chubby hands, smiling happily.
Currently, Ultear's vocabulary was limited. Aside from "Papa" and "Mama," she only knew words related to money.
"Goo goo ga ga."
Even the younger Erza waved her tiny hands excitedly upon seeing the glittering gold covering the floor.
"Let's go back to the guild."
After resting in the sea of gold for a while, Ide and Ur used Ice-Make Magic to create a massive sled-like vehicle, piling all the gold onto it.
Ide served as the engine, dragging the mountain-like sled across the ground, while Ur sat on top with the children, guarding the treasure.
Vroom!
And so, with Ide sprinting, the family headed straight for Magnolia.
From that moment on, a rumor about a "couple pushing a baby stroller who specializes in robbing bandits" spread across the continent of Ishgar at an alarming speed. It was weird in every aspect, yet terrifyingly true.
---
Time flew by.
Two months passed in a flash.
It was now December, X765.
Magnolia Town.
The Fairy Tail guild was packed. Nearly ninety percent of the members had returned on time, gathering in the guild hall. They waited quietly for Guild Master Makarov, who stood on the podium, to announce the candidates and rules for this year's S-Class Wizard Promotion Trial.
"Cough, cough."
On the podium, Makarov cleared his throat. His serious gaze swept across the hall, taking in every familiar face. Confirming everyone was present, he spoke softly, "I declare the Fairy Tail Guild X765 S-Class Wizard Promotion Trial officially open!"
"First, I will announce the list of candidates for this year's trial. They are: Macao Conbolt, Wakaba Mine, Ivan Dreyar..."
Makarov first announced three names that surprised no one.
"Wakaba really worked hard this year."
"Macao's strength can't be underestimated either."
"As the Master's son, Ivan is arguably the top seed for this year's S-Class trial."
In the hall, the members commented on the candidates.
"And finally, the new members who joined this year: Ur Milkovich and Ide."
Just when everyone thought the list was complete, Makarov's voice rang out again.