A week later, Zorn went to the East Forest Training Ground to watch the members of Fairy Tail train. He paid particular attention to Erza and Mirajane's training plans for everyone.
They were even harsher than the ones he had put together back then. Lisanna and Elfman's fighting strength had far surpassed what he remembered.
As a result, and because of their extraordinarily high success rates on ordinary missions, Erza and Mirajane had become known among the guild's members by the titles "Titania" and "Demon."
As the two continued to achieve outstanding results, their titles spread throughout the kingdom.
It seemed Zorn had been so focused on studying Magic that he had paid no attention to the news around him. He had only just found out, and it had come as a real shock.
One weekday evening, Zorn returned home from the library. Cana, too, had only returned a day ago.
"Ah, what am I even worried about?"
Zorn lay slumped over the dining table in the living room, staring blankly at the pattern on the tablecloth as he murmured to himself.
"What's wrong? What are you worrying about now? Come eat. There are braised pork ribs, your favorite."
Cana set dinner on the table. Seeing Zorn still sitting there in a daze, she poked him on the head, bringing him out of his confusion.
"It's just that I saw Lisanna punch a huge boulder flying. It was a bit of a shock."
Zorn picked up a rib with his chopsticks and put it in Cana's bowl. Only then did he put one in his own bowl and take a bite, speaking with a hint of lingering shock.
"Haha, Lisanna does have some talent, and she always works hard at her training. But you deserve some credit too. Come on, eat. Stop thinking about it."
Cana laughed at Zorn, who still seemed to have trouble accepting it. But she really couldn't blame him for being so surprised.
Lisanna had always looked so cute, and the animals she used for Take Over Magic had been just as cute. Then, after he had barely paid attention for the past two years, she had suddenly taken over the claws of some ferocious beasts and sent a huge boulder flying far away with a precisely aimed, powerful punch.
The contrast was still a little hard for Zorn to get used to.
"Cana, your cooking really does keep getting better and better."
"Right? I learned this especially. So, what do you think? Pretty good, isn't it?"
"Mm-hm, it's delicious, delicious. I'm so happy."
"Me too."
After dinner, Cana went to unpack the luggage she had brought back.
As soon as Zorn finished washing the dishes and chopsticks, he straightened his clothes and went to Cana's door. He knocked, and when she opened it, he suddenly produced a gift he had prepared from behind his back.
"I saw a dress in a shop that I thought would suit you perfectly, so I bought it for you. See if you like it."
"Ah, let me see. It's the one I saw last time! It's so expensive, though. But it really is beautiful. Thank you, Zorn."
When Cana heard that Zorn had bought her a gift, she hurried over to look. It turned out to be the dress she had liked so much last time but hadn't been willing to spend the money on. She hadn't expected Zorn to remember and bring it back for her.
Cana picked up the dress and ran excitedly into her room. After changing into it, she came out a little shyly. Under the house lights, the dress showed off all her best features.
With her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, she looked just like a princess making an entrance. "How do I look, Zorn? Is it pretty?"
"So beautiful." Zorn stared at her in a daze, his gaze burning as he involuntarily murmured the thought in his heart aloud.
Cana felt scorched by Zorn's burning gaze. She nevertheless gathered her courage, stepped forward, and gave him a kiss. Then she ran shyly into her room. After closing the door, she said to him, "Thank you. Get some rest early. It's getting late."
Cana's action brought Zorn back to his senses. Touching his lips, he too went into his room in a daze.
Were you wondering why, after living together for the past few years, they were still so shy over a kiss? At the time, the two were still holding to that final boundary.
They could only do that after they were married.
"All right, this is the mission: Beast King Subjugation. I think it'll be perfect for Elfman."
Mirajane looked over the mission board on the second floor, and one sheet immediately caught her eye. It seemed to have been posted only a few days ago. It was just the chance to show Lisanna and Elfman how difficult an S-Class Mission could be.
"Elfman, where's Lisanna? Let's go do this mission together. I've already registered for it."
Mirajane walked over to Elfman, who was still working out, and waved the mission sheet in front of him.
"Huh? An S-Class Mission? Really, nee-chan?" Elfman took the sheet, his face full of astonishment. He had been asking his sister to take him on an S-Class Mission for a long time, but she had never agreed. He hadn't expected her to offer to take him this time.
"Lisanna probably went to find Natsu. I think they're in the park."
In the park, Natsu and Happy were arguing over fish again, and Lisanna was trying to make peace.
"Fighting again?"
"Oh, Lisanna, you're back."
"It's all Natsu's fault! He ate all my fish!" Happy stood up and accused Natsu of the hateful deed.
"Hey, Lisanna, we should go on a mission. It's an S-Class Mission! We're going to help our sister complete it."
Elfman and Mirajane approached from a distance, and Elfman spoke to Lisanna happily.
"Huh? That's amazing! What's the mission?" Natsu asked the two of them, envious and excited.
"It's to subjugate a monster called The Beast. Natsu, would you like to come along? It would be great experience." Mirajane sincerely invited Natsu to join them, but just as Elfman was about to object, wanting to protect his family on his own, a voice came from behind them.
"Sure, Natsu can go too. It'll be a great experience."
"Zorn? Why are you here? Weren't you out shopping with Cana?" Mirajane looked at Zorn in confusion.
"Well... never mind that. Let's talk about your mission."
Zorn had indeed gone shopping with Cana that day to pick out a few things. But he had suddenly sensed the Magic Power of Mirajane and the others in the park, which reminded him of this scene before they went on the Beast King mission.
So he quickly told Cana that something urgent had come up and teleported straight over. He arrived just in time to hear the whole conversation and took the opportunity to let Natsu go with them as a precaution against danger.
The guild members were much stronger now. Although he was no longer too worried that the mission would have such serious consequences, he still wanted to be prepared, just in case.
"Oh, Lisanna, take this Defensive Magic card. If you run into danger, it will automatically deploy a defense and teleport you straight to the nearest safe area." Zorn handed Lisanna the card he had prepared beforehand.
"Thank you, Zorn."
"Thanks, Zorn. You're even more thoughtful than I am as her sister. All right, let's set off now." Mirajane watched from the side, her eyes full of gratitude.
"No problem. I hope you all return safely from this mission."
"All right! My first S-Class Mission! Haha, Gray's going to be so jealous."
When Natsu heard that he could go too, he jumped straight into the air. Happy was pleased for him as well.
Only Elfman was still somewhat caught up in thoughts of how a man should act, but Natsu threw an arm around his shoulders and pulled him out of the park.
After watching them leave, Zorn silently flew into the sky. Using the reflection of light to conceal himself, he followed behind the group.
He wanted to see for himself what the super-subspace Magic, Amani, was all about.
To be continued.