Chapter 5: Starting Missions
"What are you talking about, 'running off after winning'?" Noah feigned ignorance. "I have no idea what you mean."
"I heard from Gramps that you're going to study the healing arts. If that's not running away after getting the upper hand, what is?"
"Oh, that," Noah said, a grin spreading across his face. "You think that just because I'm learning to be a healer, I'm going to stop fighting you? You're thinking too much. Beating you is way too much fun for me to stop now."
Laxus looked like he was about to leap up and punch him, but Noah held him down and continued.
"On one hand, Gramps is getting older, and knowing the healing arts will help me take better care of him. On the other hand, studying them will help me understand my own body better, which will help me get even stronger."
Hearing this, Laxus unconsciously let out a sigh of relief. Then, as if another thought struck him, he asked, "Should I learn healing too?"
Makarov had already told Noah about Laxus's physical condition and the Thunder Dragon Slayer Lacrima inside him. Noah considered it for a moment.
"I'll have to ask Grandma Porlyusica and see if she's willing. Besides, even if she agrees, it involves memorizing a ton of material. I'm not sure you could handle it."
"Hmph. We won't know until I try."
The next day, during his lesson with Porlyusica, Noah mentioned that Laxus also wanted to learn. He asked if she would be willing to teach him. Without even thinking, she shot him down.
"Once you've learned something, you can teach it to whomever you please. Just don't bring them to me. Teaching one of you is already trouble enough."
Noah could only sigh. It seemed he would have to master the arts himself before he could teach Laxus.
Time flew by in a cycle of constant study and training. Another six months passed, marking Noah's first full year in this world.
In that time, Noah had mastered Porlyusica's healing arts. He had also used Fairy Tail's library to learn a great deal about the continent of Ishgar, its various magics, creatures, and general knowledge. His physical and magical strength had grown to a level comparable to Macao's, and in his spars with Laxus, he now won far more often than he lost.
Feeling that he was ready, Noah decided it was time to take on missions and earn some money. He was starting to feel embarrassed about freeloading at Makarov's house, even though Makarov himself didn't mind at all.
One day, after finishing his training, Noah found Makarov sitting at the guild's counter.
"Gramps, I want to take a mission."
"Absolutely not. You're still too young. It's too dangerous for you to be taking missions now."
Makarov rejected the idea without a second thought. Noah knew he was just being protective, but he had already prepared his argument.
"Gramps, you know how strong I am. Besides, I'll only take missions around Magnolia. I won't go far, so you won't have to worry. I've spent this entire year studying and training. I want to see more of the area around town, and I also want to earn some money to help out at home. I can't just keep freeloading forever."
While Makarov no longer supervised every single one of Noah's training sessions, he still came by often to offer guidance. He was well aware that Noah's strength had already surpassed that of some of the adult guild members. After careful consideration, he decided that taking on simple, local requests wouldn't be too dangerous. He agreed to Noah's request.
"What are you talking about, 'freeloading'? Taking care of you is no problem for me. I'll agree to you taking missions, but you are restricted to Magnolia only. I must approve the request beforehand, and you have to be back for dinner. Understood?"
"Got it, Gramps! I'll go see if there are any suitable requests right now."
"Go on, then."
Noah went to the request board and searched carefully. He soon found a mission to find a lost item within Magnolia, took the flyer down, and brought it to Makarov at the counter.
Makarov read it over. "This one is acceptable. Do you want me to ask one of the senior members to go with you the first time, to show you the ropes?"
"No thanks, Gramps. You've already explained the process to me, and I've asked the others about it before. I can handle it myself."
"Alright then. Be careful."
"I will, Gramps. I'm heading out."
With that, Noah took the request form and walked out of the guild to find the client.
Makarov watched him go. After a moment's thought, he still felt uneasy. He said a few words to a guild member next to him and then slipped out the door. He followed Noah from a distance, watching as his newest charge spent two hours successfully completing the request to find the lost item. Seeing that Noah was safe and successful, Makarov stopped following and returned to the guild.
A short while later, Noah returned to report the completed mission. He handed a portion of the reward to Makarov, as the guild took a commission for operating costs.
As Makarov took the money, he asked, "So, how did your first mission feel?"
"It was alright. The client was very friendly, and the job wasn't too hard, just a bit time-consuming."
"Mmm. The residents of Magnolia are very friendly to us Fairy Tail members. We've all known each other for a long time. It's different when you go to other places. You'll meet all kinds of people, encounter all sorts of situations, and experience many different things. Always remember who you are and don't lose sight of your true self."
"I understand, Gramps."
After finishing his mission, Noah went back to his training. That evening, when Laxus found out that Noah was now allowed to take missions, he immediately demanded the same from Makarov.
Makarov refused. "You're not ready yet."
"Why not, Gramps? I'm three years older than Noah! If he can take missions, why can't I?"
"Because you're not strong enough yet. You barely win any of your spars against Noah these days, right? With your current strength, it's still too dangerous. Besides, Noah is only taking missions within Magnolia; he's not going anywhere far."
"Damn it! I'll definitely beat Noah, and then I'm going to take missions!"
Laxus stormed out. Makarov quickly went after him. Noah didn't hear Laxus come back before he fell asleep.
When he saw Laxus the next morning, he was completely drained of energy. Apparently, he had run off to train all night and had completely overdone it. Makarov had to carry him back.
Noah looked at Laxus with a huge grin. Laxus, seeing the smile, flushed with shame and anger.
"What are you laughing at?!"
"I'm laughing at an idiot."
"Who are you calling an idiot?!"
"Whoever answered, of course."
"Damn you! I'm going to beat you for sure!"
"I'll be waiting."
Laxus scarfed down his breakfast and rushed out to train. Noah finished his own meal and also headed out to begin his daily workout.