Makarov gazed into Ezreal's eyes for a long, long time before slowly saying, "Ez, are you perhaps too eager to increase your strength? Since you arrived at the Guild, you haven't stopped moving forward, always pursuing more power.
From when you proposed going to the Asgard Mountains, to returning after eliminating the Skull Gang, every time I've looked into your eyes..."
"From your eyes, I can only see one sentence: 'Stronger, just a little stronger.'"
"You are very eager for your strength to improve, which I think is a good thing, but your pursuit of power seems to stem from unease."
Ezreal turned his head, avoiding the old man's concerned gaze, and fell silent.
He didn't know how to respond.
He didn't have much time left. The main storyline would begin two years later, and the Dark Guilds were relatively easy to deal with.
But when the opponents are the seven dragons that emerged from the Eclipse Gate, the demons of Tartaros, the most vicious Black Mage in 400 years, and the world-destroying Dragon Acnologia...
No one could be certain of victory.
Jellal and the Oración Seis were mere minor threats; the demons and dragons were the real major concerns.
Ezreal couldn't be sure if, when he and his Guild companions truly had to face those overwhelmingly powerful opponents, the plot would remain the same.
What if this was just a parallel Fairy Tail world, a world where the outcome led to another tragic direction?
No one could deny that possibility.
With his methodical study of Light Magic, Ezreal was confident he could reach S-Class level.
But just being S-Class wasn't enough.
Erza and Laxus, whose strength was almost the limit for normal humans, still couldn't kill a dragon alone.
The Black Dragon Acnologia had killed almost all dragons.
In the later stages, without the strength to kill a dragon independently, one wouldn't even be worthy of screen time.
A single Dragon's Roar or some unknown AoE magic would wipe them out.
Seeing the golden-haired young man remain silent for a long time, Makarov poured a glass of water and handed it to him, changing the topic, "Be a little more careful on this mission. Demonic curses are often full of unknown dangers and variables. It's okay to give up the request if you can't handle it."
Ezreal took the glass, took a small sip, and looked up, saying earnestly, "Don't worry, there won won't be any problems."
Makarov smiled and said, "Alright, then go prepare. If you need anything, just tell me."
Ezreal stood up and bowed slightly to Makarov: "Master, I'll head out now."
Just as Ezreal's hand touched the doorknob, the old man's low voice came from behind him.
"Don't work too hard, Ez. People can't live in the past forever. This is your home too."
Ezreal paused, and without turning his head, he said, "Of course."
Ezreal thought to himself, 'Old man, precisely because I consider this place my home, I need to be stronger, even stronger.'
People shouldn't live in the past, and even less in the regret of loss.
You agree, right?
The wooden carved door opened and closed, and Ezreal's figure left the room.
Makarov looked at the Fairy Tail emblem on the wooden door and murmured to himself, "He's truly a worry-free child..."
After leaving the Master's office, Ezreal went directly to the second floor of the Guild.
In front of the mission board on the second floor, there were only a dozen mission requests hanging, but the reward figures below each mission were astonishingly high.
Ezreal unhesitatingly reached out and took down the request for "Lifting the Demonic Curse on Galuna Island."
Just as he held the mission paper in his hand, a soft voice came from beside him.
"Ez, are you going to take on this mission?" Mira had appeared beside him at some point, her face showing a mix of concern and worry.
He had already identified the person when he heard the soft footsteps behind him. Ezreal turned his head and smiled at Mira, "Does the demon expert have any advice?"
Mira sighed softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear: "This mission isn't simple. The demonic curse on Galuna Island is very strange."
Ezreal nodded, saying earnestly, "I know. I've read the mission brief. I'll be careful."
Mira frowned slightly, a hint of worry in her eyes: "The client said the entire island is cursed by demons, and all humans there will turn into demons under the moonlight. It's uncertain if outsiders will also be cursed and turn into demons, which is why the mission has been hanging here for two months with no one taking it."
"Originally, this mission was specifically for me to do. No matter what demonic curse, it wouldn't affect me. But my current situation, you know." Mira's tone became somber as she said this, a hint of sadness flashing across her brows.
Ezreal smiled, his tone light: "Mira, don't worry too much. This mission is perfect for me. In terms of Light Magic mastery, besides the Master, there's no one else in the Guild above me. Dealing with a curse is not a problem for me."
Mira forced a smile, raising her hand to gather her hair, and said, "Yes, you're an S-Class Mage who can stand on your own now."
Mira extended a hand, and black light emanated from her palm, a delicate little fruit cake appearing in her hand.
"Congratulations on becoming an S-Class Mage."
A faint white light quietly lit up in Ezreal's eyes, but then quickly faded.
Ezreal took the cake and said with a smile, "Thank you."
Mira said, "Come back soon."
Ezreal nodded: "Don't worry."
After bidding farewell to Mira, Ezreal, holding the mission request and the cake, returned to Valorant Island to rest... at the coastal port.
The port was bustling with people, with shouts of vendors and calls for customers echoing ceaselessly.
Ezreal followed the main road straight to the seaside pier, where many ferrymen were docked.
Ezreal was still dressed in his adventurer's attire. Although it was already winter, his clothes had effective enchantment magic, so he didn't feel cold.
It was already the second day since he left the Guild. Ezreal had just arrived at this coastal port, and he needed to ask someone for the location of Galuna Island.
He didn't need to take a boat; with the Shadow Worgen, taking a boat would be a waste of money.
Ezreal walked to the edge of the pier and greeted a group of middle-aged men dressed as boatmen.
"Good day, everyone. Does anyone know which direction Galuna Island is in?"
As soon as Ezreal finished speaking, the surroundings suddenly fell silent. The several middle-aged men who had been eagerly chatting suddenly stopped talking, looking at the golden-haired young man in front of them with grim expressions.
These men exchanged glances, then silently dispersed, hurrying away from the pier as if avoiding a plague, standing far off and watching Ezreal.
Ezreal touched his head and muttered to himself, "It seems this island truly has a notorious reputation."
"That's certainly true."
A voice came just at that moment.