Chapter 17: Recording Memories in Pictures

Immediately, Laxus turned to Alex and said, "Don't celebrate too early. Next year, I will definitely become an S-Class Mage, and I will catch up with you."

"Sure, come at me with everything you've got."

"However, even though I acknowledge you now, I still don't think you'll make much progress hanging around with those weaklings in the guild every day," Laxus remarked.

Alex shook his head and didn't say much more. Understanding companionship was something one had to experience personally; relying on others' words had little effect.

...

Fairy Tail Guild.

Alex kicked open the door and shouted, "I'm back!"

"You brat, I told you not to kick the door! Do you think this door is free?" Makarov fumed, his beard askew from frustration.

"Oh, Master, Alex is just happy. Let him be," Gildarts chuckled, walking straight in. However, because Gildarts was standing somewhat askew, his "straight" was...

Makarov thought about it and decided it wasn't too bad. He let it slide this time.

"My wall!!"

Inside the guild, two people with large bumps on their heads were toasting. One had wine in his cup, and the other had milk.

Makarov was the one who gave them the bumps!

"So, Alex, does this mean you're now an S-Class Mage?" others asked as they heard the news from Makarov.

"Alex, congratulations on becoming an S-Class Mage!" Erza said happily for Alex. Among the guild members, Erza was closest to Alex, so her happiness was genuine.

"Thank you, Erza. I think you'll be eligible for the S-Class Mage exam soon too."

"I'll work hard," Erza said solemnly.

Then she added, "I can't slack off anymore. I need to go practice swordsmanship." With that, Erza hurriedly left.

"A 13-year-old S-Class Mage? I think that sets a record. There hasn't been such a young S-Class Mage in the whole kingdom," Makarov recalled and remarked.

"Yeah, really. Are all kids these days this terrifying? Laxus will probably make S-Class next year, and Erza isn't far behind. Gray and Natsu are strong too."

Someone compared the children in the guild and couldn't help but notice something: these kids were seriously abnormal.

"You truly deserve it," Gray said, smiling. He had witnessed Alex's journey from the day he arrived at the guild to becoming an S-Class Mage, and he couldn't help but feel emotional.

"Alex, now that you're an S-Class Mage, let's have a fight. If I win, I'll become an S-Class Mage too! Hahaha!" It was Natsu, of course.

Everyone facepalmed at Natsu's words, but they were used to it.

Shaking his head, Alex said, "No, I'm tired right now. I don't feel like fighting."

Ignoring Alex's words, Natsu clenched his fist and charged.

Without even looking, Alex instantly threw a punch that smashed into Natsu's head.

*Boom!* The force sent Natsu crashing through the guild floor, stars circling his head.

"Hahaha, Natsu got one-shotted again!" The crowd burst into laughter.

"That's the thirteenth time Alex has one-shotted Natsu."

"Natsu, you're really hopeless, haha."

"Ouch, damn it. I shouldn't have headbutted. He was already dumb; what if he get even dumber in the future?" Alex pondered this while Natsu was carried away.

"What about Laxus? Didn't he come back with you guys?" Cana asked as she banged her cup on the table, startling Alex. She found a moment to ask in between.

"As for Laxus, he went straight back to rest after getting bandaged up at the hospital," Alex said, remembering how Laxus had left right after getting his bandages done, ignoring Makarov's calls.

Clearly, there was still a deep gap between the grandfather and grandson that would need time to resolve.

"Quiet down, everyone, quiet down." Just then, Makarov stood on the bar, holding up a beer glass and shouting loudly.

The crowd instinctively turned their attention to Makarov.

With a joyful expression, Makarov declared, "You rascals, to celebrate Alex passing the S-Class Mage exam and becoming the youngest S-Class Mage, I've decided..."

"We're having a banquet!!!"

"Oh!! A banquet, a banquet!!"

This was the celebration of mages, and also a family celebration.

On the side, Reedus waved his paintbrush and captured everything on his canvas.

"Freed, your painting is amazing," Alex said, holding a cup of milk and peeking over Reedus's shoulder at his canvas.

"Oh, Alex, it's nothing special. I just record every major event that happens in the guild. It's a way to preserve memories, and these will be beautiful memories in the future."

Freed smiled, explaining while continuing to paint.

"That's great. But you better make me look good," Alex said, hooking Freed's shoulder.

"Don't worry, you all look very good!"

"Really? I actually think so too!" Alex shamelessly praised himself.

"Hey, does Milk get you drunk? Clearly, I'm the most handsome," Gildarts chimed in, flicking his orange pompadour and looking at Alex with disdain.

A look that said, "You don't stand a chance."

...

..

.

Magnolia, Fairy Tail Guild.

Alex stood in front of the S-Class mission board on the second floor, deep in thought.

Time flew by quickly, and another year had passed since Alex became an S-Class Mage. He had started challenging S-Class missions, and during this period, Erza's strength had grown rapidly.

At Erza's request, Alex teamed up with her to take on S-Class missions in advance, accumulating experience. However, what annoyed Alex the most was Erza's mountain-like luggage, which was both excessive and cumbersome. Under Erza's authority, Alex naturally dared not complain.

In this past year, Laxus had successfully passed the S-Class Mage exam as well. Now Fairy Tail had three S-Class Mages, causing an increase in guild mission requests. After all, only a guild with strong members could handle more missions.

Many newcomers had joined the guild this year, such as a book-loving girl named Levy McGarden. As soon as she arrived at the guild, Levy dived into the guild's library, much to Makarov's delight, who used this as an opportunity to criticize the slackers in the guild.

Accompanying Levy were two boys named Jet and Droy, who had grown up together and formed a team called "Shadow Gear."

...

"I'll take this one." Alex finally made up his mind after a long contemplation, tearing off the mission sheet hanging on the board.

It read: "Subjugate the demon inside the church."

Mission Description: Every night, people in the nearby village hear whispers of demons. Those who hear these voices unconsciously come to the church and later lose their lives.

Alex took the mission sheet and went downstairs to find Makarov at the bar, handing over the mission sheet for registration.

Makarov, sitting at the bar, looked at the mission sheet and said, "This mission might be troublesome."

"Troublesome?"

"Yes, this mission was upgraded to an S-Class mission not long ago. The reason is that a mage has already updated the mission information. The demon inside the church might be a demon named Satan."

"Satan? What kind of demon is that?" Alex asked in confusion, clearly entering an area of ​​knowledge that was unfamiliar to him.

"Satan has existed for a very long time and possesses incredibly powerful dark magic. However, according to records, it has already been eradicated. If your mission target is Satan, it might only be residual spirits or something similar."

Just then, Levy walked over, carrying a book and adjusting her glasses.

"Levy, as expected, you know a lot about these things," Alex praised Levy with a smile.

"Not really, I just occasionally come across them in books. I'm glad I could help," Levy said modestly.

"Of course, your help means a lot. I'll bring you a gift when I come back," Alex said, quite fond of the girl who got along well with everyone in the guild. She always did her best to help whenever someone faced difficulties—a genuinely kind girl.

Levy smiled gently.

"By the way, where's Erza? I wanted to ask if she wanted to join me," Alex looked around but didn't see Erza anywhere. Since they were a team, Alex wanted to check with her.

Makarov thought for a moment and said, "Erza had something to attend to. She mentioned going to the capital to pick up her customized armor. It might take some time before she returns."

"Alright then," Alex nodded. He knew Erza used a magic called "Spatial Magic (Requip: The Knight)" which allowed her to change into different types of armor during battles to gain different abilities. Alex was aware that Erza had ordered her armor from a famous master in the capital, supposedly called the "Purgatory Armor," and it had been quite an effort to persuade this master to craft it.

Since Erza couldn't come back immediately, Alex decided to go alone.

"Okay, Guild Master, I'm off," Alex bid farewell to Makarov after registering the mission.

"Be careful on the mission. Make sure to come back safely," Makarov instructed.

"Don't worry, Guild Master!" Alex assured before leaving the guild.

Alex arrived at Magnolia Station. Given the distance of the mission location, he needed to take a train.

Soon, Alex got off at a station near the mission location—a small town.

Following the directions on the mission sheet, Alex made his way there.

Should I say this town is truly isolated from the world? It's actually inside a big mountain. Alex bought a map in the nearby town before realizing there were discrepancies between the mission contract and the map. After crossing a large mountain, he finally saw traces of human construction.

This should be the location of the mission.

Due to Alex's delay in finding the place, it was already approaching dusk.

Confirming the location, Alex put away the map and headed towards the town.