Back to Recover

On the ship back to Magnolia, Cana and Erza looked at the two badly wounded patients and said helplessly, "It was only an exam. Did you two really have to beat each other into this state?"

Ed, wrapped up like a rice dumpling, loudly protested, "Laxus was the one who got carried away first! It had nothing to do with me! I was forced into it!"

The mummy on the other side scoffed. "Huh? So now you're blaming me? You were clearly just as fired up. In the end, you could have dodged, come back after my magic power ran out, and won calmly and effortlessly. Instead, you chose to get seriously injured with me. Besides, your injuries are lighter than mine, right? So why are you wrapped up worse than I am? Huh? Say something, glass cannon?"

Ed's sore spot had been hit, and his whole face turned red. He muttered, "How can you slander me out of nowhere? What glass cannon? An assassin's business—how can that be called being a glass cannon?"

Then came a string of incomprehensible remarks about "assassins fighting warriors" and "health tanks," drawing laughter from everyone as the cabin filled with cheerful air.

Amid their bickering, time passed quickly. The ship drew closer and closer to Magnolia, and they were soon about to dock.

At that moment, Makarov suddenly said to Cana, "Don't lose heart, Cana. I recognize your strength. Otherwise, I wouldn't have allowed you to take the exam. Steady yourself and don't take the setback too hard. I have to admit, Mira and Ed's strength is beyond the ordinary. It's not that you're too weak. Keep working hard."

"I know, Master," Cana said flatly, her eyes unfocused as her thoughts drifted somewhere unknown.

The ship docked, and everyone disembarked. A large crowd had already gathered at the pier to welcome them.

"They're here! Last chance! Ed pays one point one, Cana pays two! No more bets after this!" "I'm betting on Ed!" "Me too!" "I'm betting on Cana!" Well, perhaps they had not come only to welcome them. They were also watching for the exam results.

Ed and Cana looked at the noisy scene on the shore and smiled helplessly before following Makarov off the ship. The moment they stepped onto land, the surrounding crowd swarmed over.

"Who won?" "It had to be Ed, right?" "No, no, this is Cana's second time. She should have more experience!" "Tell us already, Master!"

Listening to the voices around him, Makarov cleared his throat and announced loudly, "Ahem... Fairy Tail's S-Class Mage exam for this year has concluded. Two people participated, and one passed. The mage who successfully advanced in this exam is..."

Makarov paused there, deliberately keeping them in suspense. Seeing everyone's anxious expressions, he loudly declared, "Ed! Congratulations to Ed for becoming Fairy Tail's newest S-Class Mage!"

"Oh! It really was Ed! Pay up!" "Ah! Why was it Ed? My money!" Upon hearing the news, some rejoiced while others mourned, and the crowd erupted into chaos. Cana had just wanted to say something to Ed when she saw him already striding in a certain direction. Following his gaze, she saw Mira standing there.

Ed hurried over to Mira. "Welcome back," Mira said with a smile. Ed smiled too, then pulled her into his arms, resting his head on her shoulder as he softly said, "I'm back."

"Whoa... is this what it looks like when people have been dating for a while? Brother Ed didn't notice either of us at all..." Lisanna had wanted to greet Ed, but he had not noticed her in the slightest and had gone straight to hugging Mira.

Hearing that, Elfman had no idea what to say. He could only silently lower the hand he had raised in greeting and stand quietly to the side.

"Alright~ Everyone's watching, so you should let go now~" Mira smiled as she slipped out of Ed's embrace. Seeing him wrapped up like a rice dumpling, she asked with concern, "Are your injuries serious? How did you get hurt like this? Was the exam some dangerous test?"

"It wasn't dangerous. Most of these injuries came from fighting Laxus." Ed awkwardly moved his body before continuing, "Don't let my injuries fool you. That guy Laxus isn't doing much better than me. Look over there."

Mira followed the direction Ed pointed and saw a mummy wrapped up tightly from head to toe. She could only identify him by his hair color. It seemed to be Laxus. She said in surprise, "That's Laxus? He got hurt that badly? It's my first time seeing him look so miserable. Hmph, serves him right. He always acts so smug."

"Haha, he won't be acting smug for the next few days~" Ed laughed. Before his voice had faded, Laxus's voice came from behind him. "Whether I'm smug these next few days doesn't matter. But your body is way too weak, isn't it? Don't let me recover before you and still have you wrapped in bandages. That'd be pretty embarrassing, glass cannon."

Like a cat with its fur standing on end, Ed immediately turned around and unleashed a barrage at Laxus. "Huh? Haven't you been beaten enough? Want me to give you a limited-edition mummy outfit once you recover? So you can properly remember what it felt like lying on the ground?"

The two wounded patients began passionately trading barbs forehead to forehead, leaving Mira and the Makarov who had followed over somewhat dumbfounded.

"It's my first time seeing Laxus like this. What's going on? Does everyone have to find a rival in the guild? You and Erza are like this, Natsu and Gray are like this, and Macao and Warbe fight every now and then too... Is something wrong with the members of this guild..." Makarov said helplessly.

"What do you mean, Erza and me? She's obviously always the one who provokes me first!" Mira protested.

Erza, who was nearby, was displeased to hear that. "Huh? What did you say, bellybutton girl? Don't think getting a boyfriend means you can twist the facts however you like! Be careful not to reveal your true colors!"

The group bickered as they headed toward town. Watching everyone fool around, Makarov thought with satisfaction, Another S-Class has appeared. The guild is thriving more and more. Master Precht, I haven't let down your hopes, have I?

Everyone brought the two wounded patients to Porlyusica's home in the forest. Then the furious old woman chased them out with a broom. "I told you I hate humans! Yet you brought me two! And they're both so badly injured! Damn Makarov!"

Makarov fled the broom's range in a sorry state and quickly led the others away. "Don't worry. Porlyusica is an excellent doctor. Those two will recover quickly with her. If you're worried, just come visit them over the next few days."

Makarov paused before continuing, "But there's one thing: don't bring too many people, and don't come too often! Try to let the two of them rest and recover in peace."

"Understood, Master," everyone replied.