Compensation

"I hereby formally expel you from Fairy Tail."

Makarov's hoarse, trembling voice struck Laxus's heart like an invisible hammer.

Expelled from... the guild?

Laxus looked up in disbelief, only to see his grandfather resolutely turn away, leaving him with only a hunched and trembling back.

In that instant, he suddenly realized that his grandfather, whom he thought was omnipotent and stronger than anyone else, had truly grown old.

Those shoulders, once so broad they could hold up the whole sky, now appear so thin, as if they might be crushed by heavy sorrow at any moment.

And he himself was no longer that little brat who could be forgiven for any mistake he made with the simple phrase, "He's just a child."

He wanted to say calmly, "Ah... thank you for taking care of me."

Using last vestiges of pride to mask one's composure.

But as soon as the words left his mouth, his voice trembled uncontrollably.

He picked up the coat that symbolized his status as the leader of the Thunder God Tribe from the corner, silently put it on, and prepared to leave this place that he once loathed but now cherished.

Laxus stopped in his tracks as he reached the door.

He didn't turn around, but spoke almost inaudibly to the retreating figure, "Grandpa, take good care of yourself."

This sentence ultimately became the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Makarov's shoulders heaved violently, and a sob that could no longer be suppressed escaped his throat, hot tears streaming down his aged face.

"Run!"

Laxus disappeared behind the door.

Outside the ward, the guild members, who had been waiting anxiously, surrounded Laxus as soon as he came out.

They were all filled with righteous indignation and eager to fight. Even though they knew they couldn't win, they still wanted to rush up and teach this bastard who had broken the president's heart a lesson.

However, Jiang Bai blocked their way.

Looking at Laxus's dejected appearance, as if all his energy had been drained, he already guessed seven or eight parts of the truth.

"Judging from your expression, you must have realized what happened and been kicked out of the guild by the old man."

Laxus's eyes widened in shock: How did you know? Do you think you can read minds?

Jiang Bai seemed to see through his thoughts and said calmly, "No, I can't read minds. It's just that you're too easy to understand."

"What?!" Natsu the first to jump up.

"The old man expelled Laxus from the guild?!"

The news exploded like a thunderbolt in the crowd.

"How so?"

"Isn't this punishment... a bit too harsh?"

"But, judging solely from his actions, isn't this punishment a bit excessive?"

"So... that's why Laxus had that expression just now?"

The guild members were all surprised. Although they were angry and wanted Laxus to admit his mistake, none of them really wanted him to leave the guild.

"Laxus!"

Upon hearing the news Thunder God Tribe and his companions rushed over.

"How could this happen? Laxus, let's go and beg the guild master again!"

"I can't believe it," Freed said anxiously, his face, swollen like a pig's head, filled with disbelief.

Laxus stared at the pig-headed figure before him, whose hair was the same color as Freed's but whose face was completely unfamiliar, and instinctively asked, "Who are you?"

"I am Freed, Lord Laxus!"

"Freed?" Laxus finally realized what was happening, looking at Freed's miserable state.

"How did you become like this?"

Freed's gaze involuntarily shifted to Mirajane was not far away.

"So that's how it is... Mirajane's magic can be used again?" he muttered to himself, then gave a bitter laugh.

"However, it's no longer necessary. I accept Grandpa's punishment; this time, I truly made a mistake."

"In that case, let's go with you!" Evergreen said hurriedly.

"You can stay here," Laxus shook his head, his gaze sweeping over the three of them.

"Don't you all really like this guild too? You only go along with my nonsense because of me."

"This time, let me take the blame alone."

After speaking to the three Thunder God Tribe, he turned to look at the man who had remained eerily calm throughout.

"Jiang Bai, I'm entrusting the guild to you from now on."

After saying that, Laxus turned around and looked at the place where he had grown up one last time.

The bulletin board plastered with service requests, the table that gets broken every day, the bar counter that's always occupied...

He only realized how deeply he loved everything he took for granted when he was about to lose it.

Unfortunately, it was all too late.

"I disagree!" Natsu's roar shattered the somber atmosphere.

"I haven't even properly defeated that bastard Laxus yet, how can I just let him go like this!"

"I'm going to see the old man! I must make him retract his order!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the door to the ward was pushed open, and Makarov walked out.

Just as Natsu was about to say something, Makarov spoke first. His voice wasn't loud, but everyone could hear him clearly.

"This time... it was my grandson who made the mistake, but even more so, it was my fault as his grandfather for not disciplining him properly."

"I... hereby resign from my position as guild leader and leave the guild!"

At this point, the guild members could no longer sit still.

"Guild leader! What will happen to the guild if you leave?"

"President, you can't leave!"

"Yes! It's all our fault, we've caused you so much trouble!"

Makarov waved his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet. "After I leave, you can elect a new president... I think Jiang Bai is very good."

Everyone was still trying to persuade them, and the entire guild was in complete chaos.

Just then, a lazy voice clearly drowned out all the noise.

"Alright, alright, old man."

Jiang Bai yawned and said impatiently, "We've already wasted a lot of time today because of this mess between you two."

"There's a 'Fantasia Parade' tonight. Even if you want to leave, you'll have to wait until the parade is over and you've paid off all the losses the guild caused before you go."

"Xiao Bai!" Mirajane rolled her eyes at Jiang Bai, and muttered a reproachful tone.

"What kind of time is this? How can you talk to the president like that?"

However, to everyone's surprise, after hearing Jiang Bai's words, Makarov actually stopped crying and stopped making a fuss about leaving the association.

His eyes, red and swollen from crying, suddenly widened, staring intently at Jiang Bai, as if trying to confirm something.

After a long while, he slowly spoke, asking a question that left everyone dumbfounded.

"How much compensation... in total?"

"Huh?!!"

The guild members were all petrified, their jaws dropping to the floor.

President... is this what you're concerned about?!