Chapter 289: A Secret Only the Guild Master Knows
"Laxus! Laxus!"
The Thunder God Tribe, seeing Laxus lying motionless on the ground with extensive burns all over his body and having fallen unconscious, immediately shouted in panic and rushed toward him.
Makarov and the other Fairy Tail mages also ran up, their faces full of worry.
After all, Laxus was his own grandson. Even though Makarov was angry at his reckless and immature behavior, deep down he still loved him dearly.
As for the other Fairy Tail mages, in their hearts, they also considered Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe as comrades. Teaching him a lesson was one thing — they themselves fought among each other daily at the guild — but they never intended for him to actually die.
"Don't worry, I'll heal him."
George descended from the air, immediately causing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.
They knew that George had mastered the lost healing magic, so Laxus likely wouldn't die from his injuries.
George extended a cat paw and pressed it against the center of Laxus's forehead, preparing to cast a healing spell, but suddenly noticed something. His eyes flickered, and he deliberately showed a shocked expression.
"Oh no, I think I used too much force just now. His internal organs have all been burned... I'm afraid..."
"What!"
Upon hearing George's words, everyone's expressions drastically changed.
Makarov's eyes reddened, and he hugged Laxus's head, tears falling uncontrollably.
"Laxus, hang in there. Grandpa won't let you die. I'll take you to see Grandma Porlyusica — she can definitely save you!
It's all Grandpa's fault. I shouldn't have hidden the truth about your father from you. It's all Grandpa's fault for hurting you."
The eyes of the other Fairy Tail mages also turned red instantly.
At that moment, George's wand suddenly emitted a blue light, and Laxus's burns visibly healed at a speed noticeable to the naked eye.
"I was joking; his injuries aren't that serious."
It turned out that when George placed his cat paw on Laxus's forehead just now, he found that Laxus's brain was actually conscious. He hadn't opened his eyes probably because, after being defeated by George, his long-held beliefs had collapsed, leaving him in a state where he couldn't face reality.
Thus, George orchestrated this little scene to let Laxus see how Makarov and everyone else felt about him.
"Grandpa, I was wrong!"
At this moment, Laxus opened his eyes. His eyes were red, glistening with tears.
"You little rascal…"
Makarov, seeing the awakened Laxus, couldn't stop the tears from flowing even more.
Meanwhile, Mirajane once again flew into the air, holding a magical microphone and announcing:
"The champion of this competition, and the next guild master of Fairy Tail, is Cat George!"
The residents of the town by the shore immediately erupted into the most heartfelt cheers.
The battle they had just witnessed was simply too spectacular, especially the overwhelming fire magic at the end, which made them truly realize the power of the Fairy Tail mages.
Many local children, as well as those brought by parents from out of town to watch the performance, planted the seed of a dream at this very moment — to become a mage in the future and join a strong guild like Fairy Tail.
With a wave of George's hand, the small island that had been shattered during the battle was restored to its original state.
The champion had been decided, and next was the competition for second and third place.
However, what George hadn't expected was that, according to the competition rules, the mage who ended up in second place was Lucy.
Because Erza, during her battle with Laxus, had exhausted her magic power and fell into a serious coma, she was unable to participate in the battle for second and third place, allowing Lucy to advance to the top three by default.
After George and Laxus's battle ended, Laxus also didn't have the strength to continue fighting Lucy, and he didn't want to battle a comrade again.
Thus, Lucy won by default and advanced to second place.
Therefore, the champion of this competition was George, the runner-up was Lucy, and third place was Laxus.
"This girl… could she actually be the real protagonist of this world?"
Back at the guild, watching Lucy hopping around after receiving the top prize of 200,000, George couldn't help but stroke his beard.
He knew that every world surely had a protagonist, and protagonists usually had incredibly good luck.
Previously, he thought it might be Natsu, Gray, Erza, or Laxus, but now he felt Lucy was more likely.
"There are two things to announce."
After finishing his heartfelt conversation with Laxus, Makarov walked down from upstairs and announced to everyone in the hall:
"First, George is preparing to take on the Hundred-Year Quest. Once he finishes it and returns, he will officially take over the position of Guild Master, and I can retire."
"The Hundred-Year Quest — the one Gildarts took on three years ago that no one has ever completed?"
Upon hearing that George was taking the Hundred-Year Quest, the mages immediately began discussing.
However, they weren't overly worried for George. After all, in the recent competition, George had overwhelmingly defeated Laxus without even using the giant magic he had used against Freed.
Even though the Hundred-Year Quest had never been completed, they had confidence in George.
"Second, due to Laxus's attempt to use the Thunder Palace to attack the town and the guild members, I hereby expel him from the guild as Guild Master!"
Makarov continued, his eyes showing a trace of sorrow.
Beside him, Laxus lowered his head, clearly having accepted the decision.
"What, Master, there's no need for that."
"Laxus was just joking around with us."
"Expulsion from the guild is too harsh."
Everyone began pleading for Laxus, but it was obvious that Makarov had already made up his mind.
At that moment, George spoke.
"In that case, since the Master has made the decision, we'll respect it.
However, no need to worry. Once I return from the Hundred-Year Quest and become the Guild Master, my first decision will be to approve Laxus's rejoining of the guild."
Laxus definitely already had the strength of a Ten Wizard Saint. A mage of that caliber — George would not truly allow him to be expelled.
"At that time, you'll be the Guild Master, so it will naturally be your call."
Makarov looked at George, a little helpless but also a little moved.
In his heart, he didn't really want to expel Laxus either, but as Guild Master, it was a decision he had to make. George, however, cleverly found a way to satisfy both sides.
Over there, Laxus abruptly lifted his head and looked at George, murmuring softly:
"Thank you."
Seeing this, everyone returned once again to a cheerful atmosphere.
"Everyone, prepare for tonight's Magical Parade. George, come with me to the basement."
Makarov waved his hand and led George toward the basement.
"Since you're going to be the next Guild Master, it's time for you to learn about some secrets only the Guild Master knows."
"There must be the Three Great Fairy Magics stored here."
When George saw Makarov leading him to the sealed door in the basement, he immediately understood.
He had long suspected that the contents hidden behind this powerful seal must be the guild's strongest magics.
(End of chapter)