"Master, this is bad! One of the requests on the second floor is missing!" Mirajane shouted as she rushed down the stairs.
Makarov was leisurely sipping tea. He didn't process her words immediately and continued pouring tea into his mouth. Once the meaning finally registered, he sprayed a mouthful of tea everywhere.
"What did you say? A request is gone?" Wakaba Mine stopped chatting with Chen Fan and Macao, turning to look at Mirajane.
"Anything posted on the second floor would have to be an S-Class Request. What idiot would take one of those?" Macao added.
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the second-floor landing. Laxus stood there, sounding amused. "It was the cat. Yesterday, I saw a little blue cat with wings sneakily taking one..."
"Happy!" several voices cried out in shock.
"Which means Natsu and Lucy went with him? What on earth are they thinking?"
"Taking an S-Class mission without permission... I knew they were idiots, but I didn't think they'd go this far."
Laxus's voice drifted down again. "That's a serious violation of the rules, old man. They'll have to be kicked out when they get back. Assuming they even come back, that is. Challenging an S-Class mission with that level of strength? They might not make it home." He sounded quite pleased with the prospect.
"Laxus! If you knew, why didn't you stop them?" Mirajane demanded, hands on her hips.
Laxus maintained his indifferent expression. "I only saw a thieving cat running off with a piece of paper. I had no idea it was Happy and Natsu heading off for an S-Class mission. It caught even me by surprise."
He turned to see Mirajane's dark, glowering expression and added nonchalantly, "It's been a while since I've seen you make that face."
Makarov spoke up then, looking at Mirajane. "This is bad. Which request is missing?"
"The Cursed Island, Galuna Island."
"What?! The Island of Demons?"
"They've gone too far!"
"They really are complete morons!" the guild members shouted in alarm.
"Laxus, go bring them back," Makarov said sternly.
"You've got to be joking. I'm about to head out for work. This guild doesn't need wizards who require others to wipe their asses for them, right?"
"Who else is strong enough to drag Natsu back by force besides you?" Makarov barked at Laxus.
"Who says there's no one else? Isn't there one right there? One who spends all day doing absolutely nothing," Laxus replied, pointing his chin toward Chen Fan, who was currently slumped over a table. When he saw that Chen Fan was ignoring him, Laxus's brow twitched in irritation.
As soon as Chen Fan had heard about the missing quest, he knew trouble was coming. He had been playing dead on the table, waiting for Gray to get fired up and take the job so he could "wake up" after the storm had passed. He hadn't expected Laxus to drag him into it.
"Chen Fan!"
"Chen Fan!"
"You pervert!"
"You degenerate!"
The insults from the guild grew increasingly creative until Chen Fan couldn't stay still anymore. If they kept going, who knew what they'd call him next?
He opened his eyes, rubbing them groggily. "Oh, good morning, everyone. You all look tired. Why don't you get some rest? Anyway, I'm heading home." He tried to slip away while everyone was distracted.
"Wait a moment," Makarov interjected.
Chen Fan turned back with a long face. "What is it, Master? Look at me I'm nothing but skin and bones. You aren't really going to send me to feed the demons, are you?"
"He's right, Master."
"Chen Fan doesn't even know any offensive magic. How can you send him?" the others chimed in. For the first time, Chen Fan thought these blockheads were actually quite lovable. He figured Makarov wouldn't have anything left to say to that.
Suddenly, Gray stood up. "If I go with him, it shouldn't be a problem."
Chen Fan nearly face-planted onto the table. You had to say it now? Not earlier, not later, but right now? He shot Gray a look so full of resentment that it actually startled the ice mage.
Mistaking Chen Fan's look for fear, Gray patted his own chest confidently. "Don't worry, I'll protect you. You just worry about healing Natsu if he's badly hurt."
"Oho! Chen Fan, you're being looked down on. Don't you have anything to say to that?" Laxus laughed from the second floor.
"What's there to say?" Chen Fan turned away, his tone sharp.
"Hahahaha!" Laxus roared with laughter, clearly delighted to see Chen Fan cornered for once. The rest of the guild was confused; they didn't know how Chen Fan had offended Laxus, but they all began to feel a silent sense of pity for him. The looks they gave him were clearly labeled: Poor guy.
"Ahem. Well then, Chen Fan and Gray will go together to bring Natsu back," Makarov said with a light cough. He was secretly relieved. As long as Chen Fan stepped in, everything would be fine.
"But Master..." Mirajane tried to protest, but Makarov raised a hand to stop her.
Left with no choice, Chen Fan and Gray hurriedly packed their things and set off. Chen Fan threw one last reluctant look at Makarov, who quickly looked away, pretending not to see.
Once they had left, the guild grew quiet again, though some whispered about the pair. Mirajane stood behind the bar, wiping glasses with a distracted air.
Makarov glanced at her and smiled. "Mirajane, pour me another drink."
Mirajane snapped out of her daze. "Oh, coming, Master."
As she poured the wine, Makarov lowered his voice. "Are you worried about Chen Fan and the others?"
Mirajane's face reddened instantly. "What? Why would I be worried about Chen Fan?"
"I didn't say Chen Fan. I said Chen Fan and the others," Makarov teased, sounding like a mischievous old man.
"Oh, Master, stop making fun of me." Though Mirajane was smiling, the worry in her heart was still visible.
Seeing this, Makarov said, "You don't need to worry about them. As long as Chen Fan is there, nothing will happen to them." He sat back and took a leisurely sip of his wine.
"Chen Fan?"
"Yes, him. He is incredibly powerful so powerful that even I don't know the full extent of his strength." Makarov's voice held a note of genuine awe.
Mirajane's smile brightened. If her Master said Chen Fan was strong, then he must be. She knew the Master wouldn't joke about such things. Makarov must know something she didn't. Her heart finally felt at ease.
"Master, would you like another glass?"
Makarov saw her smile and knew she understood. "Sure! One more!" he announced loudly. The guild members looked on in confusion, wondering why the Guild Master was suddenly in such high spirits.
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