Gathering

"Hmph! Eleven, remember this, you owe me a favor!" Outside Magnolia City, Laxus crossed his arms and glared at Eleven with a cold and arrogant expression.

Eleven, looking completely unconcerned, patted Laxus on the shoulder. "Don't be silly, we're brothers, no need for formalities!"

Laxus:(╬￣皿￣)

Having found hope of rescuing Lisanna, Eleven was in a good mood and didn't mind exchanging a few long-lost banter with Laxus.

Since they both became S-class mages, they haven't done any missions together. The two "close" friends from back then seem to have drifted apart.

Like this time, when Eleven asked Laxus to come back and help, this guy was unwilling, showing no respect for Eleven at all. He whined and begged for ages about being strong and weak, only agreeing to come back and help after Eleven promised to owe him a favor.

Hmph! He's back now, isn't he? Stop spouting so much nonsense, you stubborn tsundere!

As for owing Laxus a favor, Eleven didn't care at all. The arrogant guy's words weren't worth taking seriously; they'd forget about it in a little while.

Mystogan stood silently to the side, watching the two powerful figures in the guild bicker like children. It was a novel experience that eased some of the tension he felt about returning to his homeland.

Not long after, Erik also darted out from the corner, glanced warily at the mysterious Mystogan, and then stood aside without saying a word.

This guy has become much more sociable since the defeat of the Oración Seis. Although he still has an arrogant look and doesn't seem like a good person, he will take the initiative to help anyone in the guild who needs it.

Upon seeing Erik Eleven immediately abandoned his glaring game with Laxus and went to greet Erik.

"Hey, you got here pretty fast. I thought you'd have to fight Natsu first before you could come help. Thanks, Erik. By the way, where's Natsu?"

"He'll be there soon." Erik rolled his eyes at Eleven, then said coolly, "Whether I save that little girl or not is none of my business, but I am very interested in another world. That's the real reason I came. Don't get me wrong!"

Eleven: "..."

Another tsundere!

Hey you bastard, when did you overhear my conversation with Mystogan? You're such a damn eavesdropper, and you still have to act all high and mighty? Aren't you tired of this?!

Eleven wanted to teach Erik a lesson, but there seemed to be too many things to complain about, and he didn't know where to begin. Fortunately, Natsu also ran over in a panic, successfully easing Eleven's embarrassment. However, the next second, his brows furrowed again, because Natsu hadn't just come by himself; he had a little tail following behind him.

Even adorable little Wendy got called over by this guy!

Eleven frowned as he looked at Wendy, who was panting heavily after running a few steps, and couldn't help but turn and glare fiercely at Natsu.

"Natsu, why did you bring Wendy here?"

Although Wendy is also Dragon Slayer, she's far too young, only ten years old this year. How could Eleven bear to take her on an adventure? What if they couldn't save anyone and Wendy got hurt? Wouldn't that be a huge loss?

Natsu •́ω•̀)¿ ¿ ¿:"Eh? Didn't you say you were looking for Dragon Slayer?"

(≖_≖) Ugh! This guy didn't even hear what I said after that!

"Brother Eleven, it was my own idea to come with Natsu!"

At this moment, little Wendy stepped forward, her little face filled with determination.

"I'm Dragon Slayer too. Although I'm not as strong as Natsu and the others, I definitely won't cause you any trouble! I... I also want to go and rescue Lisanna!"

"That's right! Wendy said exactly what we were thinking, Eleven, you're being too polite!"

Before Wendy could finish speaking and before Eleven could say anything, a spirited voice came from behind him. Without even turning around, Eleven knew who it was and felt even more overwhelmed. Mystogan, who was watching the commotion from a corner, felt a pang of stomach pain upon seeing the newcomer and shrank further into the shadows.

Behind them, Erza was carrying a dejected little blue cat, her scrutinizing gaze sweeping over Eleven and the others. Clearly, the little blue cat had confessed everything.

However, what truly gave Eleven a headache wasn't just Erza; a large group of people followed behind Erza. Gray, Cana, Gildarts, and even the old man had come along. Most importantly, at the very back of the group, Eleven even spotted Mira and Elfman, both looking at him with teary eyes, making the situation incredibly stressful.

"Happy, you really are... sigh," Eleven couldn't help but complain.

"Waaah! Eleven, I'm so sorry, but... but... Erza is so scary! Waaah!" The poor little blue cat couldn't help but cry out.

"Eleven, Lisanna... Is Lisanna really still alive?"

Ignoring Happy's cries, Mira stumbled to Eleven, grabbed his arm tightly, and her big eyes filled with hopeful tears.

"Well"

This is why Eleven was particularly reluctant to tell Mira and Elfman beforehand, because he didn't know whether Lisanna was really still alive; he just wanted to take a gamble on that tiny, insignificant hope.

After a moment's hesitation, Eleven nodded firmly to Mira, then grasped Mira hand tightly. "I believe she's still alive!"

"Really... really... um... that's really... that's wonderful! Waaah!" At this moment Mira hugged Eleven's arm and sobbed uncontrollably.

"Eleven, could you tell us in detail what you know?" Makarov stepped forward, looking at Eleven with a serious expression.

"Hmm. Beyond our world, there exists a world called Edolas. I suspect Lisanna might have been absorbed into that world, so I plan to go there and rescue Lisanna..."

"Can't!!"

Before Eleven could finish speaking, a small white cat in a dress swooped down from the sky with a loud meow, landing next to Wendy and opening its paws, interrupting Eleven.

"Carla"

Happy immediately perked up. He had actually gone to the guild to find Carla, but he hadn't expected to be caught by Erza.

However, at this moment, no one paid attention to the little male cat who was always in heat; all eyes were on Carla, wondering why she was so loudly stopping Eleven's plan.

Carla glanced back at Wendy, then took a deep breath, her eyes hardening. "I don't know where you learned about Edolas, but you have no idea about that world, no idea what you'll face. If you just go like this, you'll all die!"

"Carla, what are you saying? You said that Brother Eleven and the others don't know anything, but how do you know all this?" Wendy crouched down and gently hugged the trembling Carla.

Carla took a deep breath to calm herself before speaking, "Because I come from that world! And the tomcat over there is too, though he doesn't remember. I've had Memories of that world since birth, I remember Edolas, and my own mission... Anyway, it's too dangerous to rush over there rashly, you can't do this..."

"Do you really want us to just abandon Lisanna like this?"

Before Carla could finish speaking, Natsu suddenly roared. If Gray and Erza hadn't stopped him, he probably would have rushed over and started beating up the cat.

"No, that's not what I meant. I'm just... I'm just worried..."

Carla was also very upset, her little face was long and she looked sad, not knowing how to stop herself from speaking.

"Alright, Carla, don't worry. I understand the dangers you mentioned. I still decided to go to Edolas even knowing these dangers, after all, Lisanna is our partner."

Eleven crouched down and gently patted Carla's head, interrupting her thoughts. He stood up and pointed to a corner. "I might not have told you yet, but that guy Mystogan is also one of Edolas's people, and he knows a lot of things too!"