Chapter 38: Who Understands? My Grandpa Sold Me Out!
Seeing the lost look in Natsu's eyes, Makarov suddenly appeared behind him and patted his arm.
Natsu lowered his head in confusion, glancing at Makarov behind him.
"Hey, Natsu, what's with that face?"
Standing behind Natsu with his hands behind his back, Makarov smiled and shouted at him.
A bitter smile appeared on Natsu's face. Looking at his hands, he muttered to himself, "Old man, I couldn't even break Ren's magic. Can I really become a powerful mage?"
Seeing the downcast look in Natsu's eyes, Makarov grinned and said to him, "Let me tell you a secret."
"Long ago, before Laxus became a mage, his body was very weak. Because his body contained a powerful magic power that he couldn't handle, he almost died several times because of it."
"And then?"
Hearing Makarov's story, a flicker of fighting spirit reignited in Natsu's eyes, and he hurriedly asked Makarov.
"After becoming a mage, he harnessed that power that almost killed him and became a powerful mage."
"If Laxus had given up over such a small thing back then, would the Laxus of today exist?"
Patting Natsu's arm, Makarov said no more and turned to walk toward the bar.
Watching Makarov's back, Natsu fell silent for a long time.
Finally, fighting spirit burned in Natsu's eyes again.
He shouted at Makarov's back, "I get it! Old man!"
"I will definitely become a powerful mage! One day, I'll defeat Ren, defeat Laxus, defeat Gildarts, and become Fairy Tail's strongest mage!"
"Until the name Natsu Dragneel resounds across the entire continent!"
Hearing Natsu's words, Makarov's expression froze as he watched Natsu rush out of the guild excitedly.
Makarov was silent for a long time.
Finally, he sighed and muttered silently, "Defeat Ren, huh? Good luck, Natsu."
Although Natsu possessed Lost Magic, Makarov honestly believed that beating Ren with Natsu's current abilities would be incredibly difficult.
"Hmph!"
Just then, a cold snort came from the second floor.
Makarov looked up and saw Laxus sitting cross-legged on the railing, glaring at him with a dark expression.
Makarov's face stiffened, his expression freezing instantly.
Clearly, Laxus had heard his conversation with Natsu.
Feeling Laxus's unfriendly gaze, Makarov coughed lightly and looked away.
Then, forcing a smile, he looked up at Laxus and asked, "Laxus, when did you get back?"
"Right when you were talking about me."
Laxus's gaze was extremely unfriendly as he stared at Makarov and snorted coldly.
To Laxus, those childhood memories were scars he wouldn't allow outsiders to uncover.
Now that his own grandfather had blabbed about them, Laxus was naturally unhappy.
Makarov smiled awkwardly, not knowing how to communicate with Laxus.
However, Laxus didn't waste words with Makarov, turning his head and leaving Makarov's sight.
Watching the solitary Laxus, Makarov sighed deeply.
Back home, as soon as Ren pushed the door open, a delicious aroma drifted into his nose.
Taking a deep breath, a gentle smile appeared on Ren's face.
Walking toward the kitchen, he immediately saw the familiar figure wearing an apron, busy inside.
Ren didn't speak to disturb Erza. Crossing his arms, he leaned against the kitchen door frame, quietly watching Erza's busy back.
Suddenly, Erza turned around and saw Ren behind her.
Her body trembled slightly, startled by Ren suddenly standing there.
Erza rolled her eyes at Ren and said grumpily, "You scared me to death, standing there silently."
Scratching his head, Ren smiled gently at Erza. "I saw you were busy and didn't dare disturb you."
Rolling her eyes at Ren again, Erza brought the last dish to the table and served rice for Ren.
"Wash your hands and eat."
Taking off her apron, she sat at the table waiting for Ren.
Ren washed his hands and sat at the table, taking a deep breath.
"Smells great. As expected of Erza!"
Even without tasting, Ren felt his stomach rumbling.
"Then eat quickly."
Hearing Ren's praise, a look of happiness appeared on Erza's face. She rested her chin in her hands, staring intently at Ren.
It had been a long time since the two of them sat down for a proper meal together like this.
After eating their fill, Ren and Erza sat quietly on the sofa in the living room.
Erza leaned on Ren's shoulder, enjoying this moment of peace.
As the sun set, darkness gradually enveloped Magnolia.
"Shall we go for a walk?"
Looking at Erza leaning on his shoulder holding his arm, Ren tilted his head slightly, resting his chin on Erza's forehead, and asked gently.
Erza nodded and followed silently beside Ren.
Arm in arm, they strolled under the streetlights.
"Ren, I..."
Suddenly, Erza looked like she wanted to say something but stopped, hesitating.
Ren raised an eyebrow, teasing the hesitant Erza, "Even the majestic Fairy Queen can act like a shy little woman?"
Erza rolled her eyes at Ren, then fell silent for a moment.
After the silence, Erza said to Ren, "Yesterday, the Guild Master told me that the Magic Council issued a request for me, and I must complete it personally."
Ren frowned, a cold light flashing in his eyes.
"The Council? A request?"
Moonlight spilled onto them. Under the silvery light, Ren's face grew colder, a chill flickering in his eyes.
Erza shaken her head. "The Guild Master didn't give details. He just told me to stay at the guild and rest for a while recently. The Council's request hasn't been officially issued to the Master yet; they just gave advance notice."
Ren nodded and didn't ask further, but the cold light in his eyes grew even icier.
Read Advanced Chapters on: patreon.com/Amiii_
~Every 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]