In the end, Erza paid the vendors' compensation on Natsu's behalf.
From the way she decisively produced the money and expertly guided Natsu through the apology routine, it was clear how used Erza was to fixing this kid's messes.
Though stern with Natsu, Erza also cared for him like a strict older sister.
The vendors left satisfied. Erza turned and saw the cherry-haired boy trying to slip away in her peripheral vision.
"Natsu, come here!"
Natsu, his ears plucked, looked miserable and could only beg Noah and Happy with pleading eyes, hoping they would intercede.
But Noah and the cat looked up at the sky and down at the ground respectively — neither noticed Natsu's plea.
Erza dragged Natsu into an alley; he had no idea whether he would receive a lecture or a proper beating.
Noah used the time to take Happy to the client's house on the next street, returned the two dogs, and successfully collected the 30,000 reward.
After taking his share, Noah put the rest in a small wallet and handed it to the kitten on his shoulder. "Happy, this is your and Natsu's reward. Hold on to it."
"Yay! I can eat big fish again!"
Clutching the wallet, Happy drooled as if a delicious fish dish were already before him.
What a greedy little cat.
Noah set Happy on his shoulder and said, "I have something to do and need to go back to the guild. Can you find Natsu yourself?"
"No problem!"
Happy spread his little wings and flew toward the central street. If nothing unexpected happened, Erza and Natsu would still be there.
Noah looked at the completed pet-finding commission receipt. The reward was generous for its type, but it was less than one percent of the total payout for "Subjugating the Beast King."
S‑class missions were terrifying.
Of course, Noah was only sighing. Even Mira, an S‑class wizard, had nearly been overpowered by the Beast King. A novice like him, who had just awakened his magic, could not hope to attempt such a mission.
He walked back toward the guild.
Unfamiliar with this world, Noah urgently wanted to learn common magical knowledge to avoid drawing suspicion through ignorance.
Given the choice between Magnolia's public library and the Fairy Tail guild bookstore, Noah chose the latter without hesitation.
In his opinion, the guild collection would have more specialized books on magic.
Ten minutes later, in the guild hall bar.
An awkward silence hung between the old man and the young one.
Noah stared at Makarov with genuine curiosity. "President, what do you mean by 'no'?"
"I don't mean—it's just... it's just..." Makarov scratched his bald head and blushed. "There is no library in the guild right now."
"If it's not there now, it must have been here before. The books couldn't have been sold, right?"
"Our guild isn't that broke; we wouldn't sell all our books. A few cents per pound would be a huge loss..." Makarov's knowledge of paper‑recycling prices was oddly specific.
Noah suppressed a complaint and, out of politeness, kept it to himself.
From Makarov's tone Noah inferred the guild bookstore had been relocated for some reason, and as long as the books still existed somewhere, he would have something to read.
When Noah asked where the guild's books were kept, Makarov grew embarrassed again.
"Just say it, President. I can handle it," Noah urged.
"The books are in the warehouse."
That was anticlimactic. Noah had envisioned hidden stacks under tables; they were simply stored away.
Makarov continued, "The books are in the back of the warehouse, and the warehouse... hasn't been cleaned for a long time."
"But don't worry, Noah. If four or five people clean it, it should be done in a day or two."
Worried he might dampen Noah's enthusiasm for reading, Makarov quickly added the encouragement. A guild member willing to read was a rare treasure.
"I'll ask some people to help clean later, and you should be able to read by tomorrow."
Noah thought of the poor souls who would be asked to do the cleaning and said nothing.
He finally understood why the guild had a goof like Natsu — the guild's pillars were not always serious.
"Noah, one more question. What was the original bookstore space used for?" Noah asked, noticing a corner of the tavern hall that clearly had been a library.
"Haha... this... I seem to have forgotten." Makarov tried to cover it up, uncomfortable speaking the truth — but others were more candid.
"The library? Isn't that the first floor of the wine cellar now? President, you are so forgetful. It was your idea," Mira called out from behind the bar with a sweet smile.
Makarov felt his dignity evaporate in front of the newcomers.
As the guild grew, drink demand rose, and the underground cellar lacked space. Three years ago Makarov converted the library into wine storage.
Why the library? Because, except for one girl who had read every book, no one in the guild wanted to dive into the sea of knowledge.
After hearing Mira's account and the outrageous facts, Noah had no comment. He realized he was getting used to this place.
By the way, Makarov himself was probably among those unwilling to read.
To spare the embarrassed president further humiliation, Noah changed the subject and looked at the drinks Mira was carrying.
"Mira, what are you doing?"
"Oh, I work part‑time as a hostess. I greet clients and serve my fellow guild members."
Mira smiled gently, but Noah remained uneasy. After all, yesterday he had seen Mira beat more than a dozen people by herself.
Hostess work, he thought — does it involve entertaining patrons with her fists?