Laxus and Erza's Fierce Battle

"Erza, don't worry!"

"With Ywen's strength, those small fry won't be able to take him down."

In a relaxed tone, Aileen dispelled Erza's worries about Ywen.

"I-I understand..."

Erza nodded to show that she understood, then ended her communication with Aileen.

"Eden..."

After ending her call with Erza, Aileen softly called Eden's name.

"Lady Aileen, I am here!"

Eden immediately emerged slowly from the shadows, then dropped to one knee before Aileen.

"Catch up to Ywen and protect him. If you encounter any danger you cannot handle, contact me immediately!"

Sitting on the sofa with her long legs crossed, Aileen gave Eden her orders.

"Understood!"

Having received Aileen's orders, Eden's figure immediately vanished from the bakery.

That was right...

Although Aileen claimed there was no need to worry about Ywen's safety, she was actually more worried about him than anyone else. That was why she had sent Eden to protect him. This way, if an emergency arose, she could reach Ywen's side at once.

Meanwhile, at the Fairy Tail guild...

Laxus quickly chose the S-Class Mission he intended to complete. After accepting it, he lightly leaped down to the first floor, intending to give his grandfather Makarov and Ywen a surprise when they returned.

"Laxus, you're not an S-Class Mage yet. You can't take on an S-Class Mission, can you?!"

Seeing Laxus accept an S-Class Mission without permission, Macao hurriedly stepped forward to stop him.

Every S-Class Mission was fundamentally more difficult than ordinary missions. One mistake could cost someone their life, and Macao could not allow Laxus to risk his life like that.

"Mind your own business!"

Laxus shot Macao a glance, his eyes filled with disdain. He could not be bothered wasting words on the weaklings in the guild.

"Laxus, since Guild Master Makarov entrusted me with watching over the guild, I won't let you do whatever you please!"

As Macao spoke, his gaze gradually sharpened, flames curling around his body.

"Huh?!"

"You wanna fight, old man?!"

Laxus looked displeased as he watched Macao dare to defy him, bolts of lightning continuously flashing around him.

"Kid! Don't underestimate your seniors!"

Macao's eyes were sharp. He was, after all, a veteran Mage of Fairy Tail and not nearly as weak as everyone imagined. In any other guild, he might even have had a chance of becoming an S-Class Mage.

"Macao and Laxus are going to fight?!"

"This is getting interesting..."

The guild members gradually grew excited as they watched Macao and Laxus confront each other.

Boom!

The next second, thunder rang out!!

"D-Damn it..."

"This brat is way too strong, isn't he?!"

Charred inside and out from the electricity, Macao staggered before collapsing to the floor, black smoke spilling from his mouth.

"Macao, I told you not to go looking for trouble~"

Wakaba, a cigarette hanging from his mouth, looked at the fallen Macao and spoke helplessly.

His old friend really was something else. He clearly knew that Laxus was a genuine monster. Though young, Laxus had already completely surpassed them in strength, yet Macao still insisted on asking for trouble.

"He's only thirteen!"

"He's practically a monster..."

Macao felt like crying. Being defeated by a thirteen-year-old brat was simply humiliating.

But on second thought, this brat was Guild Master Makarov's grandson, so perhaps it was barely acceptable...

"Tch~"

Laxus curled his lip disdainfully at Macao, whom he had defeated in an instant. He casually stuffed the S-Class Mission sheet into his back pocket, shoved his hands into his pockets, and prepared to leave the guild.

He had no time to waste. He needed to get stronger as soon as possible, then challenge Ywen...

"Hey! You little punk!"

"Don't go challenging the guild's rules!"

Just as Laxus was about to leave, Erza, who had finished speaking with Aileen, blocked his path.

"Tch~"

"What are you, a disciplinary committee member?"

Laxus could not help complaining about Erza blocking his way.

"Besides, the first person in this guild to break the rules wasn't anyone else. It was your idiot brother, Ywen! Erza!"

After complaining, Laxus shot back at Erza.

"Guild Master will handle Brother Ywen's matters!"

"Right now, I'm only talking about you!"

"As long as I'm here, don't even think about breaking the rules in front of me!"

Erza said to Laxus, gripping her sword.

"You're so annoying!"

"Fine, this works out..."

"There should be a winner between us."

"This time, the old man won't interfere to save you!"

"I'll knock you flat, then go carry out my S-Class Mission!"

As Laxus spoke, golden lightning flickered all over his body.

"You, who break the rules, cannot defeat the sword in my hand!"

Erza gripped her blade with a smile as her sword was instantly coated in pitch-black Armament Haki.

"Forget Laxus, who's almost fourteen..."

"Even ten-year-old Erza would beat you, Macao!"

Wakaba watched Laxus and Erza's fierce battle and mocked Macao, who was lying on the floor.

"D-Damn it..."

Macao felt as though his pride had suffered a devastating blow.

"Anyone taking bets?!"

"I'm betting on Erza this round..."

"Then I'm betting on Laxus..."

While Macao and Wakaba lay on the ground contemplating life, the guild members once again began a betting pool, never ones to shy away from excitement.

"Alright, Macao, I don't have time to talk nonsense with you..." The moment Wakaba saw the betting pool begin, he immediately abandoned his friend, pulled out his secret stash of ten thousand J, and ran toward the person taking bets. "I'm betting ten thousand J on Laxus!"

"Bastard! What's money compared to brothers?!" Macao furiously shouted as he watched Wakaba abandon him outright. Mustering all his strength, he stood up and rushed toward the person taking bets, roaring, "One hundred thousand J on Erza to win!"

"Macao's out for revenge!"

"But I advise you to be careful. You might lose everything and be forced onto the rooftop!"

A guild member warned Macao.

"Shut up!"

"I was careless in that fight just now!"

"But I'm serious about this bet..."

Macao's lips curled upward. Others could question whether he was a professional Mage, but they absolutely could not question his identity as a gambling addict. When it came to gambling, he was a professional.

Oh!!!

For a moment, all of Fairy Tail became lively once more.

"Disappear, Erza!"

"The one who'll disappear is you, Laxus!!"

Drinking, fighting, singing, dancing...

It was another joyful day...