Laxus and Zorn both became S-Class Mages, and the second floor of the Guild was officially opened to them. On the day they returned to the Fairy Tail Guild, the Guild Master was called to a meeting by the Council.
Gildarts led Laxus and Zorn up the stairs to the second floor, showing them around. The layout was very simple: two quest boards, a few sofas, and basic tables.
"The quests on this second-floor board are all high-risk quests where a moment of carelessness can cost a Magician his life. You must be extremely careful during execution. Although you have now been approved to take these quests, you still need to be cautious."
Gildarts responsibly and solemnly explained the quests on the board to the two of them.
Zorn was also looking at the quests on the board, trying to find the Beast King quest that unexpectedly led to Lisanna's "death." He scanned from top to bottom but couldn't find the quest.
He couldn't help but think, "It seems the quest hasn't been transferred to the Fairy Tail Guild yet. I remember it was around X782. I'll go deal with it myself then; that should prevent such a thing from happening."
Laxus suddenly pointed to a smaller quest board next to the main one and asked, "What about the quests here?" Gildarts also saw it, and his expression changed, his tone even more serious than before. "These are Ten-Year Quests, Hundred-Year Quests... These are quests that no S-Class Mage has been able to complete in ten years, or a hundred years... They are even more dangerous than S-Class Quests. For you, who have just become S-Class Mages, it's too early. Let's take it one step at a time."
Gildarts saw Zorn was distracted, staring at the quest board for a long time, assuming he had found a quest he was interested in. He leaned closer, wanting to see what quest Zorn was staring at.
"Oh, subjugating the Dragon of Mount Razer. The reward isn't low. Very interested?" Gildarts looked at the quest for a while, then turned to Zorn, who was still staring, and asked.
"Ah, what, Uncle, what are you doing?" Zorn snapped back to reality, realizing someone was talking to him. He turned his head and his eyes met the scruffy, orange-haired Uncle's face, and he immediately took a few steps back.
"Dragon?" Laxus also heard the word and immediately perked up, looking at Gildarts with a puzzled expression.
"Dragons have Dragon blood, though it's a bit thin. But don't underestimate them; their strength is not something ordinary Magicians can contend with. You two can go together to get familiar with S-Class Quests." Gildarts explained and recommended to the two.
"Okay, I have no problem." Zorn was the first to agree. Even after splitting the reward with Laxus, and adding his remaining money, he could already look for a house in town. It was time to move out.
"I have no problem either." Laxus said, then walked forward, tore off the quest sheet, and went downstairs to report the quest acceptance to the Guild Master.
"Then I'll choose this one. The quest reward is quite good. With you two in the Guild, I feel at ease." Gildarts casually tore off a Ten-Year Quest sheet. Looking at the quest sheet, he chuckled strangely, causing Zorn to look at the Uncle with a strange, puzzled gaze. This strange Uncle wouldn't...
"Bang~ What are you thinking, you little rascal? You'll know when you grow up." Gildarts punched Zorn on the head, then went downstairs in a good mood to register the quest.
Zorn covered his head with one hand and reluctantly went downstairs with him. As soon as he reached the bottom of the stairs, he saw Natsu and Laxus confronting each other.
"I want to go too!"
"No, it's dangerous."
"I'm strong now, Laxus."
"No, you're still too weak."
"Damn it, damn it! Then I'll show you the results of my training!"
Natsu saw that Laxus was unmoved. Flames erupted around his body, and Armament Haki gathered in his hands. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" He leaped directly towards Laxus, swinging his fist.
"Slap~" It was directly blocked by Laxus's lightning-infused palm. The flames disappeared, and he didn't even move from his spot. Natsu's face instantly froze in disbelief, then turned to unwillingness. Just as he was about to attack further, his fist was directly grasped by Laxus and he was forcefully thrown out.
Gildarts grabbed him by the collar, suspending him in the air, then gently placed him standing on the floor. He turned to look at Gildarts and Zorn, who had come down from the second floor. Especially when he saw Zorn behind him, his eyes immediately lit up.
"A Dragon?" Zorn looked at the incredibly excited Natsu, thinking that only such a reason would make Natsu act this way.
Because S-Class Quests are not like ordinary quests; if the quest taker doesn't agree to other members participating, no one usually insists, only feeling a slight regret.
Even Erza and Gray only felt regret, but they quickly chose their own quests. Only Natsu insisted due to a special reason. Perhaps realizing this, no one went forward to stop Natsu.
"No, Natsu, I can't take you on this quest." Zorn also did not agree. He watched the light in Natsu's eyes disappear. Happy also flew to Natsu's head and perched there, offering silent comfort.
"However, I will help you ask around and look for clues. This quest is too dangerous. Wait for me to come back." Zorn patted Natsu's head to comfort him. Zorn, of course, knew where the Flame Dragon King was. The Flame Dragon King had always been by Natsu's side, inside his body, and he couldn't tell him directly now.
"I know! You just think I'm weak, damn it! I'm going to become an S-Class Mage too! I won't give up! I'll train, train!" Natsu, unwilling to admit defeat, directly spewed fire and ran towards the East Forest with Happy to intensify his training.
"That kid, I'll go check on him." Gildarts was still a bit worried about Natsu. After telling the two, he waved his hand and walked directly out of the Guild to the East Forest to find Natsu.
Zorn watched the direction they left for a moment, then turned to look at Kana, who was playing a card game with Lisanna, completely unaffected.
It seemed Kana had truly let go. Having hope made a difference. Zorn remembered what Kana told him during the camping trip and also felt a bit of worry for Gildarts.
"Zorn, it's already registered. See you at the port in three days. I still need to train." Laxus, wearing his coat, patted Zorn's shoulder. Without waiting for Zorn's reply, he also hastily left the Guild, walking away with great swagger.
"Oh, okay." Zorn stopped his mental imagery and snapped back to reality, finding that besides Kana and Lisanna looking at the dazed Zorn with confusion, all the other members had left. Those who needed to train were training, and those who needed to execute quests were doing so.
It was clear how much shock and pressure Zorn's display of strength had caused them.
"Haha, I was a bit distracted. Let's go to the library and study." Zorn pulled Lisanna and awkwardly explained to Kana.
He would still go to the Guild library to look for magic books, to see what magic he could find or what inspiration it might give him.