Laxus and Zorn had both become S-Class Mages, and the guild's second floor was officially opened to them. On the day everyone returned to the Fairy Tail guild, the master was called away to a meeting by the Magic Council.
Gildarts led Laxus and Zorn up the stairs to look around the second floor. It was furnished very simply, with two job boards and a few basic items: sofas and tables.
"The jobs on the board up here are all extremely dangerous. A mage could lose their life over a momentary mistake, so you have to be meticulous while carrying them out. You may have permission to take them now, but you still need to be careful."
Gildarts solemnly and conscientiously explained the jobs on the board to the two of them.
Zorn was also looking over the jobs, hoping to find the Beast King job that accidentally led to Lisanna's "death." He scanned the board from beginning to end but couldn't find it.
He couldn't help thinking, Looks like the job hasn't been passed on to Fairy Tail yet. I think it happened in X782. If I take care of it first when the time comes, that should prevent it from happening.
Laxus suddenly pointed to a smaller board beside the main one. "What are the jobs here?" Gildarts looked over, and his expression changed. In an even more serious tone than before, he said, "Those are Ten-Year Quests, 100-Year Quests... Jobs that no S-Class Mage has been able to complete in ten years, or a hundred... They're more dangerous than S-Class Missions. It's too soon for you two, since you've only just become S-Class Mages. Take it one step at a time."
Seeing Zorn distracted and staring at the board for a long time, Gildarts thought a job had caught his eye and leaned closer to see just what Zorn was looking at.
"Oh, slay the Abyssal Dragon in the Leize Mountains. The reward's pretty good, too. Interested?" Gildarts studied the job for a moment, then turned to ask Zorn, who was still staring.
"Huh? What are you doing, old man?" Zorn snapped out of his thoughts and realized someone was talking to him. He turned and found himself face-to-face with the old man's stubbly face and slicked-back orange hair, and immediately took several steps back.
"Abyssal Dragon?" Laxus heard the word too and immediately perked up, looking at Gildarts in puzzlement.
"An Abyssal Dragon has dragon blood, though it's a bit thin. But don't underestimate it. It's not something an ordinary mage can stand up to. You two can go together and get yourselves familiar with S-Class Missions," Gildarts explained, then recommended.
"Sure, I'm in." Zorn was the first to agree. Even after splitting the reward with Laxus, he would have enough, together with the money he had left over, to look for a house in town. It was time he moved out.
"I'm in too." Laxus stepped forward as soon as he finished speaking, pulled the job sheet off the board, and went downstairs to report to the master that they were taking the job.
"Then I'll pick this one. The reward's pretty good, and with you two at the guild, I can rest easy." Gildarts casually pulled a Ten-Year Quest sheet off the board and chuckled strangely as he looked at it. Zorn couldn't help giving the old man a strange, questioning look. This weird old man couldn't be...
"Thump!" "What are you thinking? Cheeky little brat. You'll understand when you're older." Gildarts rapped Zorn on the head with his fist and headed downstairs in a good mood to register the job.
Zorn covered his head with one hand and helplessly followed him downstairs. As soon as he reached the bottom, he saw Natsu and Laxus facing off.
"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."
Seeing that Laxus wouldn't budge, Natsu wreathed himself in flames and gathered Armament Haki around his hand. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" He leaped straight at Laxus and swung his fist.
"Smack!" Laxus stopped the punch with his lightning-wreathed palm. The flames vanished, and Laxus hadn't even moved from his spot. Natsu froze in disbelief, which then turned to unwillingness. Just as he was about to attack again, Laxus grabbed his fist.
Laxus gripped his fist and hurled him away. Gildarts caught Natsu by the collar, leaving him dangling in the air, then set him on the floor to stand. Natsu turned to look at Gildarts and Zorn, who had come down from the second floor. When he saw Zorn behind Gildarts, his eyes immediately lit up.
"A dragon?" Looking at the excited Natsu, Zorn thought that could be the only reason for his behavior.
S-Class Missions were different from ordinary jobs. If the person taking one didn't agree to let other members participate, people generally wouldn't insist, though they might be a little disappointed.
Even Erza, Gray, and the others were only disappointed and had hurried to pick out jobs of their own. Only Natsu had persisted for a particular reason. Perhaps the others had thought of that too, since none of them had stepped forward to stop him.
"No, Natsu. I can't take you on this job." Zorn refused him too. He watched the light fade from Natsu's eyes as Happy flew over and lay down on Natsu's head, offering silent comfort.
"But I'll ask around for you and look for clues. This job is too dangerous, so wait for me to come back." Zorn patted Natsu's head to comfort him. Of course Zorn knew where the Fire Dragon King was. The Fire Dragon King had been with Natsu all along, inside his body, but Zorn couldn't tell him that directly now.
"I get it. You just think I'm too weak. Damn it! I'm going to become an S-Class Mage too. I won't give up! Training, training!" Natsu breathed fire in defiance and ran off to the East Forest with Happy to train harder.
"That kid... I'll go check on him." Gildarts was still a little worried about Natsu. After speaking to the two of them, he waved and walked straight out of the guild to find Natsu in the East Forest.
Zorn watched the direction the two had gone for a while, then turned to look at Cana, who was playing a card game with Lisanna, completely unaffected.
It looked like Cana really had let it go. Having something to look forward to made all the difference. Zorn recalled what Cana had told him while they were camping and felt a little nervous for Gildarts.
"Zorn, it's registered. I'll see you at the port in three days. I've got training to do." With his coat draped over his shoulders, Laxus patted Zorn on the shoulder. Without waiting for an answer, he hurried out of the guild, looking utterly carefree as he left.
"Oh, okay." Zorn stopped imagining the scene and came to his senses. He found that, apart from Cana and Lisanna, who were looking at the absentminded Zorn in confusion, the members in the hall had all run off. Those who needed to train went to train, and those taking jobs hurried off to carry them out.
It showed just how much shock and pressure Zorn's display of strength had caused them this time.
"Haha, I was a little distracted. Let's go to the library and study." Zorn took Lisanna's hand and gave Cana an awkward explanation.
He decided to go to the Guild Library and look for magic books, to see what magic he could find or what inspiration they might give him.