The guild was still marveling over Noah's flying kick that had floored Natsu when Cana loudly announced the result of the bet with a grin.
"Since Noah knocked him out with a *kick* and not a fist, the house wins this round~!"
"Thanks for playing, everyone! Better luck next time~"
"What?!"
"Damn it, she tricked us again!"
…
Though reluctant, no one protested. The maximum wager was only 100 jewel per person—small losses most were willing to swallow. In total, Cana pocketed about 3,000 jewel. For her, it was more than enough to fund a night of drinking and thus skip today's actual mission.
Since hanging around Noah, Cana seemed to have caught some of his "lazy fish" habits—finding ways to play the system, cut corners, and live easily.
She tucked the money away smugly, muttering to herself, "Good old Noah… If I beg him to use a new trick against Natsu next time, I'll clean up another round of bets, hehe~"
Unfortunately, her muttering was overheard.
A heavy hand fell on her shoulder—Erza's. "Cana. Don't forget the wine debt you owe the guild."
Her smile froze.
Two years ago, she had accidentally drunk away most of the guild's wine cellar. Makarov, pitying a sixteen–year-old who couldn't possibly pay it back, only demanded she cover a small portion in installments. Unsurprisingly, both he and Cana had "forgotten."
But Erza, Fairy Tail's self-appointed *Disciplinary Committee*, never forgot.
"W-well, I'll… uh… pay it back later. Definitely next time!" Cana clutched her barrel and the winnings, preparing to bolt—
Only to find Mira waiting, already blocking her escape.
Though known as the guild's "barmaid," Mira essentially served as its housekeeper. She knew *exactly* what Cana owed.
Flanked by both women, Cana wilted and begrudgingly surrendered her winnings.
Counting it with a smile that chilled Cana to the bone, Mira nodded. "Not enough. You still owe just over 5,000 jewel. Let's say you work it off. Starting today, Cana, you'll be on guild chores for a week."
Cana's face went pale. A week of scrubbing floors, washing, and cleaning for Mira? For *free*? It was basically slave labor!
Erza approved of Mira's "sentence" with a firm nod. The realization hit Cana like lightning—those two were finally teaming up, no longer rivals but allies.
"Oh no… Since when did *they* stop fighting?!" she panicked inwardly.
"Come now, Cana," Mira said sweetly. "It's time to put on a maid uniform and clean the bathrooms."
Watching them approach like predators, Cana screamed, "Noah, save me!!"
Noah, busy helping a groggy but recovered Natsu back up, tilted his head. *Hmm? Did someone call me?*
"…Cana? Don't know, don't care."
Meanwhile, Natsu bounced right back to his usual self, eyes sparkling. "Noah! That kick was amazing! Teach me how you did it!"
Noah sighed. He couldn't explain Flying Kick—it wasn't a technique to teach, but a special "rule" ability. Still, another alien power he had gained might be teachable. *Armament Haki*… That, he thought, he should consult Makarov about.
---
Soon the guild returned to its usual noisy routine—minus one tipsy gambler, plus one new "maid" scrubbing floors under Mira's watchful eye.
---
Later, in the master's office, Noah found Makarov in discussion with Nab Lasaro.
"Noah, good timing," Makarov said heavily, tossing a commission sheet at him. "Talk some sense into this one, will you? This job is too dangerous for him."
Noah glanced at the paper.
**Request:** Subjugate a group of magical beasts, *Vulcans*, that had appeared on Mt. Hakobe. Their attacks now endangered traveling merchants and nearby villagers.
**Reward:** 550,000 jewel.
Noah frowned. Vulcans were gorilla-like monsters—and terrifyingly, they could use Takeover Magic to forcibly possess humans. One was already dangerous. But this order specified **a whole group.**
Makarov was right. Facing so many alone was reckless. Nab wouldn't stand a chance.
But Nab's eyes were burning. He had waited years for a job that suited him, something where he could prove himself. He wasn't about to back down.
The old man and the younger guild wizard were locked in stubborn opposition.
Noah set the paper down calmly. "Master, let him take it."
Nab's eyes widened in shock. Of all people, he thought Noah would side with Makarov, not him.
The master narrowed his eyes. Noah never spoke without a hidden card. "…Go on."
Noah turned to his guildmate. "Nab, this mission *is* dangerous. That's why I'll go with you—as insurance."
Nab blinked. "But—"
"But," Noah cut him off, "whether I step in or not, I get half the reward."
Nab's lips curled into a grin. That condition didn't bother him in the slightest. More important to him was pride—proving he could complete the mission himself. To have Noah only as backup was acceptable.
Makarov finally sighed. "Fine. With Noah watching, your life's safe at the very least."
---
The truth was—Noah didn't step in out of charity.
From Nab's prayer request, the reward tied to his true wish was *Takeover: Animal Soul.* Nab's boxing skills had already grown ferocious under Noah's guidance. Combined with that power, his growth would skyrocket.
But what Nab wanted wasn't simply "to learn boxing."
No—what he wanted most was to prove himself. To show, once and for all, that he had strength in his own right.
My old PATREON account removed by PATREON community guidelines
I created new account could you read extra chapter visit my PATREON
patreon.com/Lempil
patreon.com/Lempil