The sound of shattering glass exploded inside the carriage, instantly attracting the attention of all passengers.
"Did you really throw Gray out?"
Erza leaned forward anxiously to look out the window. A fierce wind was pouring in through the broken window, blowing her scarlet hair wildly.
The surrounding passengers looked in horror at Shane, who was slowly sitting back in his seat, and distanced themselves one after another.
"Don't worry," Shane adjusted his sitting posture nonchalantly, sinking deeper into the soft seat. "The train hasn't reached full speed yet. I used skillful force; he's definitely fine."
Shane hadn't gone insane enough to use Gray to smash the window.
Breaking the window first, then sending the person out—he still had this bit of propriety.
As soon as his voice fell, his gaze turned to the train staff who had gathered due to the commotion, without the slightest panic on his face.
Shane calmly raised his right hand, revealing the clear Fairy Tail emblem on the back of his hand. "A Dark Guild Mage sneaked onto the train just now. Don't panic; he has been expelled by me."
In Magnolia, this emblem was more useful than any ID.
It not only represented credibility but also represented a certain—well, exceptionally distinct style of conduct.
Sure enough, the panic on the passengers' faces gradually turned into realization. They showed expressions of "so that's it" one after another, and some even nodded gratefully, whispering "thank you for your trouble" and "thanks to you."
As if Shane's shocking act of throwing a person just now was merely a normal part of a Mage's work.
Shane showed a slightly shy smile on his face and scratched his head. "Not at all, not at all. This is what our guild should do."
Erza leaned close to him and lowered her voice. "Is this okay? Lying like this will affect the guild's credibility, right?"
"We are doing this to protect Gray; the Master should understand." Shane maintained his smile, also whispering, "Besides, as long as Gray doesn't say it himself, who would know?"
Erza nodded thoughtfully. To protect a companion, using some tough or even unconventional means when necessary—
She felt she had learned a little something from Shane again. Very much in agreement.
"The Master can understand, but I can't!"
A shout mixed with the whistling wind and anger came from outside the train.
The two looked towards the sound and saw that Gray had actually frozen half of his body to the outer wall of the train with ice, struggling to hold onto the window edge and trying to climb back in.
Shane stood up expressionlessly.
This movement made Gray's heart tighten. He was truly scared; this guy Shane was capable of anything.
"Wait! I was wrong!" He shouted hurriedly, his voice distorted in the wind.
"Let me follow, I promise to listen! Absolutely won't act without permission! Otherwise—otherwise I will definitely complain to the Master that you threw me off the train!"
Shane raised an eyebrow slightly. "Learned to tattle?"
Hearing this, Gray, who prided himself on being a mature Mage, instantly turned red in the face.
He desperately comforted himself in his heart: This is all for Master Ur! When my strength is sufficient in the future, I will definitely beat Shane up fiercely to avenge today!
Thirty years east, thirty years west! Don't bully the young for being poor!
Thinking of this, he stiffened his neck to avoid Shane's gaze, his voice muffled. "Let me in quickly!"
Shane wasn't in a hurry and asked back, "Really won't act without permission? Obey commands?"
Seeing his tone loosen, Gray nodded repeatedly, afraid he would go back on his word. "Really! I promise!"
Shane sighed softly and stepped aside to clear the window.
This kid was stubborn as a donkey. He was really afraid that even if he forcibly shook him off here, the other party would come up with some bizarre way to follow, which would be even more troublesome then.
Might as well keep him under his nose; it would save worry instead.
After Gray climbed in wretchedly carrying a chill, Shane calmly explained to the passengers around who cast curious glances: "A misunderstanding, it's been resolved now."
Throwing someone out of the train for just a misunderstanding? The passengers swallowed secretly, looking away one after another, pretending nothing happened.
As soon as Gray came in, he consciously circulated his Magic Power, pressing his hands on the broken window.
Amidst the spreading cold air, a crystal-clear ice window formed rapidly, sealing the hole seamlessly.
The cold wind was blocked outside, and the temperature inside the carriage began to rise slowly.
Sitting by the window, Shane didn't appreciate this. He slumped back into his seat, secretly annoyed. If he knew it would be like this, he shouldn't have paid attention to this guy at the guild entrance.
On the contrary, Erza touched the smooth ice surface curiously and praised, "Such convenient magic."
Hearing this, Gray seemed to think of something.
He extended his left palm and pressed his right fist on it.
Amidst the white cold air, a lifelike ice sculpture of the Fairy Tail emblem appeared in his hand.
He looked at the paralyzed Shane, asking with a hint of comparison, "How does it compare to Ultear?"
Because he had shown his Noble Phantasm when sparring with Erza earlier, consuming quite a bit, and now having battled wits and courage with Gray, unless necessary, Shane really couldn't be bothered to move now.
Hearing the question, it took a long while before he lazily lifted his eyelids to glance at it. "The ice roses Ultear makes are much more refined than this, and—at least they can barely block one of my arrows."
The implication was.
Gray's Ice-Make, compared to Ultear, didn't even count as "flashy without substance."
"I am Ur's strongest disciple; how is that possible!" Gray retorted unconvinced.
But his voice seemed somewhat lacking in confidence in front of Shane's attitude of being too lazy to argue.
Shane couldn't even be bothered to roll his eyes, just shifting his body in the seat, trying to find a more comfortable position.
Erza, sitting next to him, noticed his movement. Her body stiffened slightly, her gaze unconsciously falling on her own lap.
She hesitated whether to speak up and let Shane lie down here to rest; it would presumably be more comfortable that way.
But seeing Shane didn't indicate anything, she finally pursed her lips and kept quiet, only sitting a bit straighter.
The carriage fell into silence temporarily, with only the rhythmic clack-clack sound of the train moving.
Bored, Gray turned around and looked through the ice window he made at the scenery flying by outside.
It had to be said that his attainment in Ice Magic was actually quite good. The ice block made casually had extremely high purity, the vision almost unaffected.
Suddenly, Gray gave a soft "Eh," his body leaning forward slightly, seeming to have seen something surprising.
He kicked Shane, who was about to fall asleep, under the table, his tone surprised and suspicious. "Hey, Shane! Look over there—that person, is it Ivan?"
Shane's originally lazy body paused slightly upon hearing the name "Ivan."
He straightened up and looked in the direction Gray indicated.
On a deserted path parallel to the train, a man wearing a dark coat and sporting a beard was walking forward unhurriedly.
The man lowered his head, the hat brim blocking most of his face, but that unique gloomy temperament confirmed Gray's judgment for Shane.
"The Master's son. What is he doing here?" Shane was somewhat puzzled.
But before he could investigate, the train sped past quickly, leaving the other party's figure far behind.