S-Class Quest
The guild hall erupted in chaos, filled with the clanging of tables and chairs, the laughter and playful banter of the mages, and even the hissing sounds of escaping magic.
Every inch of air was permeated with the unique, lively atmosphere of Fairy Tail, so noisy it made your head throb, yet it also felt warm.
Riyao leaned against the second-floor railing, his fingertips slowly tracing the wooden task board, his gaze sweeping over the yellowed or brand-new task sheets.
When the request for Galuna Island came into view, his fingertips paused, a playful smile curved his lips, and a mischievous glint flashed in his eyes.
I've already sketched out a villain's script in my mind. I think it would be quite interesting to go to the island and cause some trouble.
He withdrew his hand, not touching the commission form at all. Although Sagittarius is Twelve Gates of the Zodiac, he refused.
My gaze continued to move, finally settling on the 100-Year Quest in the far corner.
The paper was old and yellowed, bearing the inscription "100-Year Quest," but it lacked detailed information and even the content of the task.
Riyao's eyes darkened. He knew this was the mission Gildarts would have to take on later—the mission involving the Five Dragon Gods.
Holding the Fire Poker bracelet, his thoughts drifted to other continents.
The Western Continent of Alakitasia boasts an empire built by Zeref, with a high overall quality of mages; the Northern Continent of Guiltina is even more terrifying, home to monsters like the Five Dragon Gods.
Compared to this, the Eastern Continent of Ishgar is like a poor, undeveloped backwater, its Magic Council riddled with holes by the three major dark guilds.
The Four Gods of Ishgar, who appeared later, were easily defeated by the Dragon Slayer, God Serena.
He suddenly tilted his head, wondering if there might be a southern continent?
It would be quite a sight if one day a force emerged that could easily defeat the Black Dragon and crush Zeref; it might even be some primordial demon or a descendant of a god...
The native demons of Galuna Island, and the Battle Empress among the Spriggan 12 of the Western Continent who claimed to be a descendant of the God of Time, are clear evidence of this.
Even a curse could keep Zeref alive until now, so God must possess the power of immortality. But why is it only a legend, and no one has ever seen it?
It seems like some force is deliberately suppressing the news. Could it really be in the Southern Continent, or hidden in some other dimensional plane like the Celestial Spirit World?
"Tsk, why think about these things?"
Riyao shook his head, banishing those wild thoughts, took off an S-Class commission, turned around and ran downstairs, heading straight for the chairman's office.
When I opened the door, Makarov was lounging in his large office chair, a pipe dangling from his lips, his reading glasses slipped down to the tip of his nose, and he was flipping through a weekly Weekly Sorcerer.
Seeing Riyao enter, he adjusted his glasses, discreetly put them away, and his gaze fell on the power of attorney.
"Slay the Stone Statue Titans?"
Makarov sat up straight, tapped the paper with his fingertips, and frowned.
"Your magic and life energy combination is indeed powerful, but your offensive capabilities have always been a weakness. This Stone Statue Titan has thick hide and tough flesh; can you handle it?"
Riyao placed the power of attorney on the table, shrugged, and grinned.
"Don't worry, old man. I'm just going to test the newly developed magic and gauge its attack power. If I can't win, I can always run away. With my survival skills, those Titans can't take me down."
Makarov stared at him for a long time, twirling the pipe in his hand twice, before finally letting out a sigh of relief.
"Alright, you can take it. But let me make this clear: no matter how important the task is, it's not as valuable as your life. If you really can't win, retreat immediately. Don't try to fight it out!"
"That's for sure!"
Riyao patted his chest and guaranteed.
"No one values their life more than me. Do I look like someone who's looking to die?"
Makarov snorted, but a relieved look appeared on his face.
"You're someone I can still trust."
As soon as Riyao stepped out of the chairman's office, a blue figure pounced over with a "whoosh," its furry claws hooking around his collar, and its wings flapping so hard they tickled his cheeks.
"Riyao!"
Happy's voice was crisp and clear, making his neck itch.
"Happy! You actually abandoned me!"
Natsu's loud voice followed closely behind. He stood not far away with his hands on his hips, his cheeks puffed up with anger, looking exactly like an incompetent husband, with even a few strands of hair sticking up.
Riyao smiled and hugged Happy, rubbing him gently. No wonder the little guy was always clinging to him. When Happy was still an egg, he would occasionally infuse the eggshell with life energy, and now the little guy even carried a bit of his aura.
If Lisanna and Natsu are like parents, then he's like grandfather—the bond between grandparents and grandchildren is undeniable.
The Happy in my arms was purring comfortably when suddenly a soft gasp came from beside me.
Lisanna lay on her side on the bench, her fingertips touching the corners of her eyes, her voice drawn out like that of a wronged woman who had been abandoned.
"Happy, how cruel you are..."
Originally a bit cunning, Lisanna has become a little drama queen under the influence of the master of drama, Riyao.
Happy was instantly bewildered, scratching its head with its paws, its ears drooping, and its round eyes darting around. Clearly, being only a few days old, it was completely unable to handle such a complicated "emotional conflict."
Riyao couldn't help but chuckle, walked over and ruffled Lisanna's hair, then shoved Happy into her arms.
"Alright, I'll apologize to you."
Lisanna hugged Happy and giggled, while Natsu glared at Happy with a displeased expression.
"Oh dear, poor Natsu." Cana leaned closer, holding a glass full of beer, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, deliberately drawing out her words.
On the other side, Erza and Mirajane faced each other across the aisle. Their eyes clashed, and the air around them seemed to drop, as if sparks were about to fly.
Seeing this, Riyao scurried over to Mirajane, put his arm around her shoulder, and said with a grin, "Mira ~ want to go on a date with me~"
The standoff between the two was instantly interrupted. Mirajane's shoulders stiffened, and her cheeks flushed red. Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she punched him.
"What are you saying, you bastard!"
Erza's face turned bright red, her eyes widened, and her fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of her skirt. Her mind was already conjuring up images of Mirajane and Riyao.
The scene jumped directly from holding hands on a date to being buried together in the ground; the tips of their ears were burning hot.
Looking at the flustered Mirajane, Riyao thought to himself, "So cute! Tsundere never goes out of style."
Lisanna, holding Happy, leaned closer and said with sparkling eyes, "Ambiguous~"
Happy also clicked his tongue, adding in a childish voice, "They're having an affair~"
Bang! Bang!
Mirajane raised her hand and gave both the cat and the person a flick on the forehead. Lisanna covered her head and cried out "Ouch!" while Happy crouched on the ground, clutching his head, his ears drooping.
Riyao secretly gave a thumbs-up from the side, his shoulders shaking as he tried to suppress his laughter.
Why are you hitting Happy and Lisanna!
Natsu suddenly charged forward, swinging his fist, looking like he was heroically saving the day, but as soon as he got close, Mirajane smacked him on the head.
Bang!
Natsu crouched on the ground, covering his head, tears welling in his eyes.
Seeing this, the people around them whistled and pretended to look elsewhere.
Cana sipped her beer, trying not to laugh; Gray munched on an ice pop, his eyes darting around; Levy held an ancient book to her face, with "Snow White's Stepmother and the Seven Calabash Brothers' Unavoidable Story" tucked inside.