In the Fairy Tail guild, when Makarov learned that Erza and Alex had returned from their S-Class mission, he summoned them to his office to report on the task.
"Knock knock."
Erza knocked on the door to announce their arrival. "Come in," Makarov's voice answered from inside his office.
Alex and Erza entered, taking a seat in front of Makarov's desk. He set aside what he was doing and turned to look at his two children.
Seeing that neither was injured and that both were walking on their own two feet, Makarov felt relieved.
"So, how did the S-Class mission go? Erza," the guild master asked.
Erza replied, "Just as the S-Class mission report indicated. There was a dark guild kidnapping people from the town."
Erza pointed to the description written on the request paper. "We went to the location to investigate and ran into an ambush against four members of the dark guild, plus a few extras who were weak."
Makarov nodded. "I see. And then?"
"There was nothing left to do but fight. Even though they were good at ambushing, they picked the wrong opponents," Erza said, looking at Alex.
Makarov also glanced at Alex. Knowing his magic, he had already expected something like that.
Erza continued, "We were ambushed once by an explosion, and later Alex was ambushed twice, leaving me to fight alone for a minute. Just when they thought they had won, Alex struck back, ambushing one of them."
Makarov understood how dark mages fight they are not the type to attack head-on.
"After Alex defeated one, I took down another, and Alex neutralized the final member, leaving only the leader of the dark guild, who ultimately blew himself up using magic."
Makarov understood how extreme some people could be. "So I assume there were no captives from the dark guild."
Alex nodded. "It's as you think, Master. The dark guild leader dragged the others to hell with him..."
The guild master let out a sigh. "And the kidnapped people?"
"They were all saved thanks to Alex's magic and were able to return to the town with their families," Erza said.
"I see. Congratulations on completing an S-Class mission. You have contributed to the Kingdom of Fiore, the town of Oakhaven, and, of course, the Fairy Tail guild," Makarov expressed his gratitude for them taking on such a dangerous job.
"That will be all for now. Take a break from missions, and now let's celebrate with the guild for your successful mission."
Makarov led Erza and Alex out to everyone else in the guild and announced:
"Listen up, brats! It's time to party in celebration of Erza and Alex completing an S-Class mission!"
With those words spoken, the chaotic atmosphere of Fairy Tail shifted into full festival mode. People stopped fighting and started drinking, raising their glasses to toast Alex and Erza.
"Hey, Alex, fight me again! I won't lose this time!" Natsu yelled, his fist ablaze with fire, ready to attack Alex.
"Fire Dragon's..." Mid-stride as he ran toward Alex, Natsu was intercepted and struck down by Erza.
"Pum! Bam! Pow!"
Natsu went flying, crashing into a table at the back of the guild. His body landed in an embarrassing posture as he lay unconscious.
Erza dusted off her hands, looking satisfied with her work of protecting Alex. Nobody said a word...
Everyone acted as if they hadn't just witnessed that express defeat. In their thoughts, they could only pray for Natsu.
'May you fare well in the next life... Natsu.'
While Natsu was carried off to the infirmary by a few volunteers, others asked Alex and Erza about their S-Class mission.
Alex and Erza recounted what they went through on their adventure. The more they talked about how they were ambushed, the more terrified some of the listeners became.
Attacked by surprise three times, crushed on one occasion, stabbed in the back afterward, and to top it all off, having to flee from a suicidal explosion...
Elfman shouted, "You're a real man, Alex! Erza! Only a man can take on an S-Class mission!"
Mirajane sighed at her brother's typical behavior.
Macao and Wakaba looked at each other. Becoming an S-Class mage had been their goal for a long time. As guild veterans, both doubt and determination showed on their faces upon hearing the tale of an S-Class mission.
On the other hand, Gray, Cana, Levy, Jet, Droy, Alzack, and Bisca had a clear objective: to become S-Class mages. Any young, ambitious wizard always aims for the top.
With morale at an all-time high, the members of Fairy Tail decided to train even harder to grow stronger. They wanted to be selected for the S-Class trial coming up in two months.
Without realizing it, Erza and Alex had driven the guild into an "do as many missions as you can before the S-Class trial" mode!
Cana, meanwhile, was racking her brain trying to figure out how to recruit Alex as her partner for the S-Class trial.
If Plan A asking him directly worked, that would be great, but if not, she would take drastic measures.
Though it would have to be when Erza wasn't around. And with the money they had just earned, Cana doubted Alex would be left alone anytime soon.
...
After the party, Erza and Alex returned home, exhausted from the day's mission. Both of them were definitely taking a well-deserved break from taking requests.
.....
Author's Note: Is anyone still alive out there? Any of those who kept telling me not to add a harem and keep it strictly Erza?
If not, so I can start planning some good scenes to write with Cana and Mirajane.