### Chapter 27: I Am Pure Love
"I became S-Class?"
Riku was slightly stunned hearing Gildarts' words.
"Didn't I lose?"
Gildarts knocked Riku's forehead again: "Stupid brat, did you really think you could defeat me?! I'm the strongest mage in Fairy Tail, after all. Don't I need to save face?!"
"How old are you? How old am I?"
"How long have you, a little pervert, been practicing Magic, and how long have I been practicing?"
He was pushing fifty, while this kid was only sixteen, yet in the previous battle, he hadn't gained the upper hand at all.
"So I... really became an S-Class mage?"
Riku's mood became excited. Although he had confidence in himself, failing this promotion and succeeding next time were two different concepts.
Becoming one now versus being able to become one later were completely different.
"Kid, don't rush to be happy. First, you need to know what S-Class represents."
Gildarts' words calmed Riku's excited heart slightly.
Gildarts looked at Riku with a serious face: "An S-Class mage in the guild represents not only status but also the face of the guild."
"When guild members are bullied, and it's inconvenient for the Master to step in, that's when S-Class mages need to stand up and reclaim our honor."
"When the guild is in danger, S-Class mages also need to stand up, protect the guild, and support the operation of the entire guild."
"With great power comes great responsibility."
"This is the meaning of an S-Class mage."
Riku nodded and said seriously: "I understand, Teacher."
A smile appeared on Gildarts' face as he patted Riku's shoulder: "Next, the guild relies on you. I can also go do what I need to do."
Riku was stunned: "Teacher, what do you mean?"
"I'm going on the 100-Year Quest."
"100-Year Quest? So soon?"
Riku recalled that in the original plot, Gildarts went on the 100-Year Quest, but failed because of the Black Dragon Acnologia.
In the end, he was seriously injured and hanging by a thread. If not for his great luck, he might not have returned at all.
"It's not soon. I intended to go ten years ago, but the guild hasn't had a new S-Class mage. Now that you newcomers have grown up, it's time for me to set off to fulfill my dream."
Looking at Gildarts' expression, Riku knew he couldn't stop this man. All the mages who had gone on this 100-Year Quest over the last century had died.
It was impossible for Gildarts not to know the danger of this 100-Year Quest, but even so, he still resolutely wanted to go.
Never mind just being seriously injured; even the real possibility of death might not stop this man.
"Alright, let's say goodbye here. I don't want to see any tearful parting scenes. Give my regards to everyone for me."
Gildarts turned around dashingly, waved his hand, and prepared to leave.
"Teacher Gildarts!"
"Hmm? Kid, what's up?"
"Teacher, do you know that you actually have a child, and she is in our guild?"
Riku thought about it and decided to tell him about Cana. After all, having received such great favor from Teacher Gildarts, not doing something felt a bit uneasy on his conscience.
"Eh? Ehhhhhhh———?!!"
Gildarts stood frozen on the spot, then his mouth opened wide, cold sweat pouring down in shock.
"Wait... Wait... Could it be...!!"
"I said we looked so much alike, father and son. I felt close the first time I saw you. Both so lecherous! So it turns out..."
"Whose child are you?! Sarah... Naomi... Claire... Fiona..."
Riku listened to Gildarts continuously listing various women's names, the corner of his mouth twitching uncontrollably.
Who is like this scumbag! Although I'm lecherous, I am pure love, okay!
No wonder this uncle never came back to the guild; turns out he had so many women outside.
"STOP!!!"
"I never said I was your son!"
Riku interrupted Gildarts from continuing to list women's names.
Gildarts paused: "Not you? Then who?"
"Cana."
"Cana?!"
Gildarts didn't expect it to be Cana. Cana had joined the guild a long time ago. Back then, she was just a child of seven or eight. Why didn't Cana say anything?
"That's right. I also accidentally heard her say it when she was drunk not long ago. Although I'm not sure why she didn't say anything, I felt it was better to tell Teacher."
"Riku!!"
Hearing someone call his name, Riku turned around and saw Natsu and the others running towards them, with Cana following behind.
Gildarts saw Cana at a glance, walked quickly to her, and grabbed her shoulders with somewhat trembling hands.
"Ca... Cana... are you really my daughter?"
Cana was stunned: "...You know?"
"Eh? Ehhhhhhhh———?!!"
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