The Right Way to Gain Power

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Magnolia...

In a room on the top floor of the Fairy Tail guild, Makarov looked at Noah, who lay on the bed gritting his teeth against the pain. His expression did not change in the slightest, but anxiety that others could not detect filled his wrinkled eyes.

"Porlyusica, are you done yet?"

The person Makarov addressed was an elderly woman standing beside Noah's bed, wrapping bandages around Noah's left shoulder and arm.

"Shut up and watch!" The elderly woman named Porlyusica replied in a somewhat sharp tone without changing her expression as she continued her work.

"If you keep making noise, I'm leaving!"

Makarov immediately shut his mouth and did not dare say another word.

Because Makarov knew Porlyusica would absolutely do as she said.

Although the two had been close friends for who knew how many years, Porlyusica despised humans intensely. To her, the noisy and bustling Fairy Tail was definitely one of the places she least wanted to stay.

If Noah had not been injured and Makarov had not shamelessly made a fuss at Porlyusica's home, she probably would not have come to Fairy Tail even if Noah were at death's door. Even now that she had come, she was surely displeased to the extreme.

If he provoked Porlyusica again, Makarov knew she would leave without another word.

Perhaps unable to bear seeing Makarov's secretly anxious appearance, Porlyusica let out a sigh.

"At your age, you're still so impatient. Your grandson's injuries cannot be called light, but his bones were not hurt. With Healing Magic, he'll recover within three days. What are you so anxious about?"

"Really?" Makarov finally let out a heavy sigh of relief.

"That's wonderful."

"Thank you, Granny," Noah quickly said from the bed.

"Sorry for the trouble."

"Don't get the wrong idea. I only came because I couldn't stand that old man's shameless pestering anymore!" Porlyusica expressionlessly finished wrapping Noah's bandages, then immediately rose to her feet without hesitation.

"If it weren't for that, I would never come to a place full of disgusting humans like this!"

At those words, not only did Noah laugh bitterly, but Makarov also wore a helpless expression.

"No matter what, thank you."

"There's no need to say any more useless nonsense." Porlyusica turned around and walked toward the door.

"If you really want to thank me, then don't ask me to come to a place like this again."

Leaving behind those words, Porlyusica slammed the door and left. Anyone could sense the displeasure in her heart.

"At your age, you still hate humans so much..." Makarov curled his lips, then turned his gaze toward Noah. Seeing Noah's expression gradually relax and his left shoulder and arm covered in bandages, pain filled Makarov's eyes.

"I'm sorry, Noah. If I'd known this would happen, I wouldn't have let you take this mission."

"Grandpa, what are you saying?" Noah waved his one remaining uninjured hand without concern.

"No one knew Phantom Lord's people would suddenly show up, right? It wasn't your fault, Grandpa."

"Don't worry, Noah!" Makarov clenched his fists, a trace of coldness flashing through his aged eyes.

"Sooner or later, I'll make Jose pay for this!"

"And Laxus!" The coldness in his eyes turned to fury as Makarov shouted angrily.

"Before leaving, I specifically told him that he had to protect you. Yet you still ended up this badly hurt. When he gets back, I'll make sure to teach him a proper lesson!"

"Big Brother Laxus?" Noah could not help recalling what Laxus had said to him. After a moment of silence, he spoke up.

"Grandpa, do you think I was really wrong not to learn magic?"

Makarov, who had been somewhat angry, froze slightly when he heard those words. Seeing the bewildered expression on the face of his grandson lying before him, a wave of tenderness rose in his heart.

Having adopted Noah for a full year, Makarov understood Noah better than anyone. Naturally, he knew that when facing outsiders and certain events, his grandson often displayed a calmness and composure that even ordinary adults could not achieve. He lacked the impulsiveness typical of young people, and his temperament was outstanding in every respect.

However, no matter how exceptional he was, Noah was still only an eleven-year-old child. Naturally, he possessed the vulnerabilities a child should have.

It was simply that Noah only showed that vulnerability before those closest to him.

For example, before Makarov.

"You didn't learn magic because of my instructions. Even if it was a mistake, then it was my mistake!" After a period of silence, Makarov replied.

"But Noah, I can tell you that your decision was absolutely not wrong!"

Makarov's words were like a ray of light, illuminating Noah's heart, which had been filled with confusion. Noah's eyes brightened as he turned to look at Makarov.

"Your talent is simply too great. Even without deliberate training, you were born with magical power so immense that others cannot compare. If you can freely control that magical power and learn magic, then in the future, you will surely possess strength greater than even mine!" Makarov said solemnly.

"But sometimes, overwhelming talent brings more than simple benefits. This is especially evident in your case. Before you can freely control all your magical power, learning magic—even Healing Magic or support magic with no offensive power—could cause the magical power that has not yet been completely controlled to break free when you use it and run wild. That would be extremely dangerous!"

"Your talent isn't going anywhere, and the magical power that belongs to you will not disappear. So why rush to learn magic?" Makarov's voice began to soften.

"You're still young, and every day, you work hard to train your control over magic. Sooner or later, this magical power of yours will be completely controlled and fully utilized by you. It won't be too late to learn magic then. And with your magical power, once you begin learning magic, your strength will surely grow incredibly quickly!"

Listening to Makarov's guidance, much of the confusion in Noah's heart finally dissipated, but he still could not completely let it go.

"I understand all that, but when we encountered Phantom Lord this time, if I had known magic, I could have protected my companions, couldn't I?"

"What are you talking about?" Makarov grinned.

"I already heard the whole story from Erza. Didn't you protect Erza very well?"

"Does that count as protecting her?" Noah frowned.

"I only blocked one attack for Erza."

"You didn't let Phantom Lord's people injure your companion. That is protection!" Makarov gently patted Noah's small shoulder and looked directly into his face as he spoke.

"If you truly want to pursue strength, I won't force you otherwise. But I hope you can choose the right way to gain it!"

"The right way to gain power?" Noah did not understand.

"Magic is not the only kind of power!" Makarov said meaningfully.

"Isn't Erza the same? While training her magic, she is also honing her swordsmanship."

Noah immediately understood what Makarov meant, and his heart suddenly opened up.

"I believe you will definitely find the right path toward the magic that belongs to you!"

Looking at Noah's expression as it gradually brightened, Makarov spoke with immense satisfaction.

"Before then, no matter what, Grandpa will protect you..."

Noah took a deep breath, buried his gratitude toward Makarov deep in his heart, and nodded heavily. Looking out the window, his expression gradually became firm.