Chapter 74: Returning to the Guild! Irene in Nurse Play!

"Father, you won!"

After the battle between Ian and Gildarts finally reached a conclusion, Ian's daughters, Erza and Eresh, rushed over to Ian's sides, each grabbing one of his large hands, excitedly congratulating him.

"Yes, we won," Ian replied calmly, not thinking he truly defeated Gildarts.

"I hereby declare!"

At that moment, Makarov walked over with his hands clasped behind his back.

"The S-Class Mage Assessment of Fairy Tail Guild in Year X778, and the contest for Fairy Tail's strongest, have officially ended!"

"You little brats, let's hurry back to Magnolia Town! Stop wrecking Tenrou Island, which is a sacred ground..."

Makarov vowed that next year, under no circumstances would he allow the S-Class assessment to be held on Tenrou Island again. He was worried that these restless brats would actually destroy this historic fairy sacred place.

To be honest, during the battle between Ian and Gildarts just now, Makarov was on edge several times, terrified that one of these monsters might accidentally obliterate the entire island, reducing Tenrou Island to dust.

"Oh!!"

As Makarov's voice fell, the group of S-Class candidates raised their arms weakly in agreement.

Everyone was exhausted and had little energy left to humor old Makarov.

"Laxus, what a pity!"

"You were so close..."

"You were just a step away from becoming one of the guild's S-Class mages."

Freed looked at Laxus beside him, his eyes filled with regret.

If, during the second round of the assessment, Laxus hadn't chosen to challenge Eresh and had instead participated normally in the final melee, perhaps the outcome would have been different. In Freed's heart, Laxus stood a good chance of winning the group fight...

"No!"

"I'm fine with how things turned out."

"I never really cared too much about becoming an S-Class mage anyway."

Laxus lay on the ground, looking up at the clear sky. After witnessing the incredible strength of Ian and Gildarts, who would still be interested in such a trivial position within Fairy Tail?

His goal now was only one thing: to reach the pinnacle...

To become like Ian and Gildarts, standing at the very summit of the Ishgar Continent as one of its greatest wizards.

"Within half a year, I'll step into the realm of the Ten Wizard Saints," Laxus declared to himself.

He had set a goal to enter the domain of the Ten Wizard Saints within half a year. He wanted to close the gap between himself, Ian, and Gildarts as much as possible.

"Sister, what a pity! Boohoohoo..."

"Sister, you tried your best!"

Elfman and Lisanna tightly hugged their older sister Mirajane, tears falling as they spoke, unable to stop crying.

"Elfman, be strong. You're a man."

"Lisanna, it's alright. This is just one failure. I'll win next time."

Mirajane put on a brave face, gently comforting her siblings.

It seemed for a moment that their roles had reversed. Elfman and Lisanna appeared to be the ones who narrowly missed passing the S-Class Mage Assessment, needing comfort, while Mirajane played the supportive role.

"Ultear, I'll team up with you again in next year's S-Class assessment! This time, I promise I won't hold you back, and I'll make sure you advance to the second round!"

Laki's forehead was wrapped in bandages, her face covered in plaster. She swore that she would ensure Ultear, who had believed in her, succeeded in becoming an S-Class mage.

"Hahaha..."

"It's fine, really. Don't feel pressured," Ultear replied. She was perhaps the most laid-back of all the candidates for Fairy Tail's S-Class mage, content whether she passed or not.

"Gildarts, you lost."

Cana leaned against Gildarts, her eyes filled with complicated emotions, but behind that complexity was nothing but tenderness.

"Yes, I lost," Gildarts said, smiling. "So, Cana, did you see it?!"

"In this world of ours, no one can always be the strongest. No one can remain undefeated forever. Not even me..."

"See, the so-called strongest has now been defeated by Ian!"

"But I won't give up. I've lost now, but next time, I'll win it back."

Lying on the ground, Gildarts seemed at ease. There wasn't a hint of regret on his face. Instead, he seemed relieved, as though a heavy burden had been lifted.

Fairy Tail's strongest title—Gildarts had carried it for far too long.

It was about time Ian, that punk, carried it for a bit!

Just for a little while...

In the near future, he'd take it back.

"So, Cana, you need to cheer up too."

"Don't give up on yourself just because of a few setbacks."

"You're my daughter, Gildarts' daughter..."

"One day, you'll pass the guild's S-Class assessment! Even Ian didn't pass until his third attempt!"

At that, Gildarts couldn't help but bring up Ian's widely known embarrassing history.

"Hey, hey, hey..."

"I admit I wasn't well-prepared for my first S-Class Mage Assessment—I was young then, so no complaints there..."

"But I failed the second time because you sabotaged me, Gildarts! Have you forgotten?!"

"I'd met all of the Guild Master's requirements, defeated the beast as requested, and then you claimed I lacked experience to complete an S-Class mission and sent me home to reflect for another year..."

Ian said as he sat up from the ground, complaining at Gildarts.

"Huh?!"

"Did that happen?"

"Sorry, I completely forgot!"

"It wasn't anything important anyway! Hahaha..."

Gildarts rubbed his chin, pretending to forget, then laughed heartily.

"This guy..."

Ian sighed. Gildarts, the rogue—he really could forget what he just said moments before.

Quite a carefree spirit.

"Next time, I won't lose!"

Natsu yelled to the sky.

"Aye!"

Happy flew beside Natsu, echoing his cry.

"Lyon, Natsu, remember this—I will have my revenge."

Gray, wearing Makarov's spare shorts, glared fiercely at Natsu and Leon. One day, he would avenge today's disgrace of having his clothes taken.

"Bring it on!"

Lyon cracked his knuckles, smiling.

"Oh ho ho..."

"Such youthful vigor!"

Warrod smiled as he watched Natsu and the others. He could already see them growing up, and by then, Fairy Tail would be more lively than ever.

"Sigh..."

"Let's head back."

Makarov sighed, speaking tiredly.

"Yes! Let's go back!"

"Back to Fairy Tail."

Mavis sat barefoot beside Makarov, smiling warmly.

"Huh?!"

"Wait, First Master..."

"Are you coming back to the guild with us?!"

Makarov looked at Mavis, shocked.

"Why not?"

Mavis replied, looking aggrieved.

"Uh..."

"Of course, you can!"

"But aren't you a spirit? Is it alright for you to leave your resting place?"

Makarov looked at Mavis, asking nervously.

"It's fine!"

"As long as there's Fairy Tail, I can go anywhere!"

Mavis's hairpin trembled slightly, and she spoke proudly, her hands on her hips.

Yes, the adorable First Master was just that powerful!

"That's great, then."

Makarov wiped the sweat from his forehead, silently vowing to do his utmost to improve the guild when they returned, making sure it was one that the First Master Mavis would be proud of.

"In that case, I'll return too!"

"I haven't lived with everyone in a lively environment for a long time..."

After some thought, Warrod decided to move from the quiet mountains to the bustling Magnolia Town. As they say, "The great recluse hides in the city," and he needed to elevate his own realm to a higher level.

"Huh? Senior Warrod, are you coming back too?"

Makarov was stunned. He couldn't imagine what Fairy Tail would be like with both the First Master Mavis and Warrod Sequen back in the guild!

"Hahaha, just kidding!"

"I still have a lot of work to do!"

Warrod laughed, patting Makarov's shoulder. He spoke earnestly, "I won't return to the guild. I'll leave Mavis to you, Makarov."

"You can count on me, Senior Warrod!"

Makarov stood straight, earnestly promising Warrod.

"Pfft..."

"By the way, saying I won't return was also a joke."

Just as Makarov solemnly made his vow, Warrod continued speaking.

"..."

Old Makarov was dumbfounded. Please, just leave him alone, would they?

Every one of these Fairy Tail elders—why were they all so unreliable?!

"Master Precht, I miss you..."

Makarov pinched the bridge of his nose, reminiscing about the days when Precht, the Second Master of Fairy Tail, led the guild.

Back then, no matter how much trouble he caused, Precht would handle everything.

Whether or not Precht was sinking into the depths of magic, becoming ever more irredeemable—

When it came to protecting Fairy Tail's members, it was something that Fairy Tail's Guild Masters passed down without fail!

If you mess with Fairy Tail, expect retribution a hundredfold!

"Ah..."

"Makarov, I suddenly remembered something."

After the jokes were over, Warrod's face flashed with a hint of nostalgia. An old, long-forgotten memory resurfaced in his mind.

"What is it?"

Makarov looked at Warrod, puzzled.

"Isn't it almost New Year's?"

"Traditionally, we hold a 'Council of Saints.'"

"It's the meeting for the Ten Wizard Saints!"

"It will be held at the Magic Council this year..."

"This time, it's different from before."

"The first-ranked, Hyberion, and the second-ranked, Wolfheim, along with myself, all plan to attend. You and Ur should come as well."

"And, bring Ian and Gildarts too."

Warrod said as he rubbed his chin.

"Huh? Hyberion and Wolfheim, the top two ranked, will attend?"

"And why bring Ian and Gildarts? Though they possess power on par or even above the Wizard Saints, they aren't official members of the Ten Wizard Saints."

Makarov was first stunned, then asked in confusion.

"Because I skipped the last meeting, and the one before, and the one before that too."

"Knowing Wolfheim, he'll probably try to rough me up. You know I'm not good at fighting, so bringing Ian and Gildarts is to ensure they give him a good beating on my behalf."

Warrod spoke, dropping his staff, and began punching the air, making "wham, wham, wham" sounds...

Despite his age, Warrod's fighting spirit hadn't diminished in the slightest!

"Huh?!"

"We're gonna gang up on a Wizard Saint?"

"Is this really okay?!"

Makarov's eyes widened in disbelief. It was hard to imagine such talk—which sounded like that of a criminal gang—coming from Warrod, one of Fairy Tail's founders.

"Relax, it's fine."

"Long ago, when I led Fairy Tail, ganging up on others was a regular occurrence!"

"See, this is called a tactic."

"If the enemy falls for it, it's just strategy."

Mavis, her hands still on her hips, spoke smugly.

Yes, she was called Fairy Strategist by the members and allies of Fairy Tail. Those who fell into her plans would only curse, "You immortal witch! So evil!"

Once again, those who use tactics always have dirty hearts!

And so—

As Fairy Tail's ship set sail, the S-Class Mages and candidates returned the following morning to Magnolia Town.

"Boom!" The moment Natsu returned, he kicked the guild's door open without a word, shouting, "Yo! We're back!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

"Oh!!"

"Welcome back!"

As party poppers went off one after another, the guild members who stayed behind to guard the guild shouted their greetings to Natsu and the others.

"Warren!!"

"Give me your life!"

They then picked up their weapons and charged at Warren.

"Sorry, guys, I just remembered I have something to do. I'll take my leave now."

Warren, who had been silent since getting on the ship, looked grim, holding tightly to the little money he had won from them. He ran away at a speed comparable to Jet, who was known for his speed magic.

Meanwhile—

Gildarts had gone out early to do missions, claiming he still had debts to pay off and that if he stopped, the debt would crush him...

In reality—

Every time Gildarts paid off his debt, he would accumulate more through the new missions he took. According to Ian, it was a vicious cycle.

Ian always reminded Gildarts to hold back a bit, control his magic better. After all, the magic Gildarts wielded wasn't something gentle like transformation magic but one of the most destructive types.

As for Ian, he had earned himself a hospital stay.

Firstly, he was suffering from muscle weakness due to magical exhaustion.

Secondly, during his punch-for-punch battle with Gildarts, that monster had broken three of his ribs.

"Haha..."

In the hospital room, Ian lay on the bed, looking at the beautiful scenery outside the window, laughing.

The winner ended up hospitalized, while the loser got to go on missions scot-free.

It was ironic, indeed.

Ian felt that Gildarts had simply used this defeat to teach his daughter Cana a life lesson titled "Failure Is Not Scary, Face It Bravely!"

"Oh my, Ian, you're hurt!"

"Seems like you need me to take good care of you..."

While Ian sat on the bed, lost in thought, a voice he was all too familiar with suddenly echoed at the door to the hospital room.

"That voice..."

Ian turned his head, and what met his eyes was a flash of scarlet he knew so well.

Of course, it was Irene Belserion. However, unlike before, Irene now wore a classic nurse outfit. She licked her lips, her eyes burning with the desire she had suppressed for four centuries, and with an expression that seemed to say she'd devour Ian in the next second, she said, "Selene's spell was indeed remarkable. After I improved upon it, it completely concealed my presence! Heh, she never imagined her spell would end up benefiting me!"

"So, let me take good care of you~"

"Ian, you better be ready! I'm not letting you off easy~"

Irene, in her nurse outfit, spoke seductively.

"Gulp~"

Ian swallowed hard.

He felt that what Irene was planning was far beyond simply taking care of him—he feared something far heavier awaited him...