Nobu's Challenge

While the watching companions were still stunned by Noah defeating Natsu with a Flying Kick full of openings, Cana had already announced the result of the bet with a grin.

"Since Noah took down Natsu in one move with a Flying Kick, not a punch, the house wins this round~"

"Thanks, everyone. Feel free to keep throwing your money at me next time~"

"What!"

"Crap, she slipped through the loophole!"

"..."

Though a bit reluctant, the ones who placed bets didn't make a fuss—after all, a bet was a bet, and it was only 100 jewels each.

Even though the total pot was just over 3,000 jewels, Cana was still thrilled. That was enough for a good drinking session, meaning she wouldn't have to take a job today.

Ever since she met Noah, Cana felt like she'd caught his "lazy fish" virus, making great strides in the art of slacking off.

Cana cheerfully pocketed the money and muttered under her breath with satisfaction, "Me and Noah? We're tight, best buds. Next time I'll ask him to beat Natsu with some new move, and then, hehe~"

The drunkard girl had no idea her quiet muttering had caught the attention of two other young women.

Erza placed a hand on Cana's shoulder. "Cana, it's about time you paid back the guild's bar tab."

Seeing Erza's cold stare, Cana's heart filled with guilt.

As for why...

Two years ago, Cana had accidentally drained most of the guild's wine cellar. Makarov, seeing that a sixteen-year-old girl couldn't afford to pay it all back, only made her cover the principal and allowed installment payments.

But over a year had passed, and for various reasons, Makarov had forgotten about it. Naturally, Cana had wiped it clean from her memory too.

However, Erza, who had appointed herself the guild's "disciplinary committee," remembered Cana's "punishment" perfectly.

"Uh... I've got stuff to do. Next time, for sure, next time!" Cana grabbed her barrel of booze and the money, ready to bolt, only to find Mira had somehow blocked her escape route.

Officially the guild's receptionist, Mira's current role was more like the guild's housekeeper, and she was well aware of Cana's old debts.

Trapped from both sides, Cana had no choice but to hand over the winnings from her house bet, hoping to buy her way out.

Mira took the money, counted it carefully, and said, "You still owe over 5,000 on your bar tab. I'll round it off—today, Cana, you'll pay it back to the guild."

"T-today?! I thought it was installments!"

"Heh, after this long, what do you think?"

"Starting today, Cana, you'll work as the guild's receptionist for a week. Use your body to pay off the debt."

Mira's gentle smile, in Cana's eyes, was the wicked grin of a demon.

A week of work to cover 5,000? Cana could make more than that with a single random job. This was just forcing her into slave labor!

So heartless! Wasn't Mira afraid of being hung from a chandelier?

Oh, right—with her "Satan Soul," she probably wasn't.

Cana wanted to make another excuse for "next time," but she saw that Erza, the stickler for rules, had actually nodded in approval of Mira's shady scheme.

Uh-oh. When did those two... Cana keenly noticed a terrifying problem: Mira and Erza had rarely argued lately.

She remembered their relationship used to be a carbon copy of Gray and Natsu—if they didn't fight on sight, it was a good day.

"Come on, Cana, change into the maid uniform. Start with cleaning the bathroom."

Watching the two close in with malicious intent, Cana suddenly felt like they might be ganging up on her. But why?

"Whoa! Noah, save me!"

Noah, who was helping Natsu up, tilted his head slightly. He thought he heard something.

Cana? Not his concern.

"Noah, how did you pull that move? That was awesome!" Natsu, true to form, had been dizzy moments ago but was now full of energy, pestering Noah.

Noah could tell at a glance that Natsu wanted to learn, but he couldn't teach him. The invincibility of the Flying Kick felt more like a rule—even if Noah wanted to teach, there was nothing to start from.

But another power from another world might be worth a try.

"Haki" was a force born from willpower. Though it came from a different world's system, it might still work in Earth-land.

Noah figured he should find time to reveal "Armament Haki" to Makarov and hear what his parallel-world father thought.

The commotion soon passed, and the guild hall returned to its usual lively atmosphere—minus one drunkard, plus one receptionist who'd sneak drinks on the job.

When Noah found Makarov, Nobu was there too.

To Noah's surprise, Nobu had come to Makarov with a request slip. It seemed he'd finally found a task that suited him and was challenging enough.

"Oh, Noah's here."

Makarov, frowning deeply, tossed the request slip Nobu had brought to Noah. "You help me talk some sense into him. This mission's too dangerous for him."

Noah looked at the slip's contents.

[A group of monsters called "Vulcans" has appeared on Mount Hakobe, severely affecting the residents' lives and safety. Requesting mages to subdue them.]

[Reward: 550,000]

"Vulcan" is a type of gorilla-like magical beast. Powerful Vulcans can use Take Over Magic to forcibly absorb humans into their own bodies, making them a terrifying species.

The most critical point is that the commission form doesn't mention just one or two Vulcans—it's a whole group.

Makarov believed that if Nobu faced a small number of Vulcans, he might have a chance of victory, but against a group, the odds were grim.

So Makarov refused to let Nobu take this commission. But after waiting years to find a suitable mission, Nobu wasn't willing to give up either, pestering Makarov relentlessly for his approval.

The two were locked in a stalemate.

Watching the pair refuse to back down, Noah set down the commission form. "Master, let Nobu go."

Nobu's joy was written all over his face. He had thought Noah would side with the Master, never expecting him to stand on his side.

Makarov said nothing. Knowing Noah as he did, the kid surely had more to say.

Noah picked up the commission form again. "Nobu, this mission is indeed dangerous. I'll accompany you as your safety net."

"But whether I step in or not, I'm taking half the reward."

Nobu agreed without a second thought. What he wanted was to complete a challenging mission on his own—if he succeeded, it would be a tremendous honor for him as a member of the Wild Tribe.

Makarov also accepted Noah's reasoning. With Noah's skill, dealing with that group of gorilla beasts was more than enough. Having him watch from behind meant Nobu at least wouldn't be in mortal danger.

As for why Noah was helping Nobu, it traced back to the Prayer commission he had taken on earlier: teaching Nobu boxing techniques, with the reward being his magic, "Possession: Animal Spirit."

Under Noah's guidance, Nobu's boxing had improved greatly, and combined with his magic, it was ferociously effective.

But though the boxing had been taught, the Prayer commission still hadn't triggered. Now it seemed it was tied to Nobu's true wish.

What Nobu sought wasn't just "boxing techniques."

It was proof of his own strength.