"Hey, hey, hey are you kidding me with that kind of power? Noah's only eight years old!"
Macao wiped the sweat from his brow, still catching his breath.
"I feel the same… like I'm dreaming," Wakaba panted, hands braced on his knees. "Are we getting old? No way we're still in our twenties. The problem here isn't us… it's Noah."
"There's nothing wrong with me," Noah said with a small smile. "My magic's just a little stronger than average."
He raised his right hand, thumb and index finger slightly apart. That tiny gap made both Macao and Wakaba feel an odd sense of pressure, as if there was something profound in that small motion.
"Noah, you're incredible," Macao said sincerely. "If I hadn't seen the Master bring you back three years ago and watched you grow, I'd never believe someone your age could be this strong. I can't even compare."
"Think of it another way," Wakaba added. "Isn't it good for the guild? With someone like Noah, Fairy Tail's strength will only grow."
"Exactly," Macao agreed with a grin. "The stronger Noah is, the stronger Fairy Tail becomes."
Noah walked over to them. "Seniors, are you hurt anywhere? If you are, let me know I'll heal you."
"Nothing serious," Macao replied. "Just a few scratches and some physical and magical exhaustion."
"I've got a couple of bruises," Wakaba admitted. "Dodging all those blasts took a lot out of me."
"Alright, let me take care of that first."
Noah knelt, taking out his medical kit. He cleaned and dressed their wounds with practiced hands.
"Thanks, Noah," Macao said. "But you should go rest now. You've still got to face Gildarts later. The more you recover, the better your chances."
"Yeah," Wakaba nodded. "Don't push yourself too much."
"It'll be fine soon."
When Noah finished, he packed his things and stood.
"My injuries feel better already," Wakaba said, flexing his shoulder. "Though it's a bit itchy now."
"That's just the wound starting to heal," Noah explained.
Macao nodded in amazement. "Even my strength and magic feel like they've recovered a bit. Noah, you're amazing."
"No," Noah replied humbly. "I just work hard."
The three returned to the campsite together. As soon as they arrived, the others crowded around, eager to know the result of the match.
Macao scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed look. "We didn't stand a chance. Even teaming up, Wakaba and I still couldn't beat him."
"Seriously?!" someone exclaimed. "Noah's really that strong?"
"You two lost together?"
"Aren't you guys even trying?"
"No, we gave it everything," Wakaba explained with a wry smile, "but we were still beaten head-on by Noah."
Hearing that, everyone had no choice but to accept the truth Noah had defeated both Macao and Wakaba directly.
Then someone suddenly spoke up.
"If Noah beats Gildarts… won't he become the youngest S-Class wizard ever? He's only eight this year."
The moment those words left their mouth, the camp fell silent.
A few seconds later, the quiet shattered into heated chatter.
"Beat Gildarts? Are you out of your mind?"
"No, no you're forgetting what the Master said. The exam isn't about beating Gildarts, it's about earning his approval."
"So… if Gildarts agrees, that means Noah could really become an S-Class wizard at eight?"
"That'd be insane if he pulled it off!"
While the guild buzzed with speculation, Noah found himself being dragged aside by Cana and Laxus.
"Do you think you can actually take down Gildarts?" Cana asked directly.
Noah raised both hands in surrender. "No, no, no. I'm nowhere near confident about beating him. All I can say is I'll do my best."
"Damn it…" Laxus' expression twisted in frustration. "You're actually about to become an S-Class wizard…"
"I think you're jumping the gun," Noah replied, sweatdropping. "I only won the melee. I haven't even fought Gildarts yet, let alone become S-Class."
"Then make sure you do it!" Cana leaned in, voice sharp with mischief. "If you can't beat him, at least punch him in the face a few times. Make it swell!"
"Uh… I'll try," Noah said carefully, feeling a chill at the determined look in her eyes.
"Wait, you weren't saying things like that before," Noah frowned. "Why do you suddenly want to hit Gildarts in the face?"
"I heard about his… 'great achievements' in the guild," Cana answered flatly.
"Oh… got it now." Noah thought to himself, So she found out about Gildarts' colorful romantic history. Yeah… makes sense.
At that moment, Makarov's voice boomed over the crowd.
"Alright, let's eat first! Once we're done, we'll start the second round Noah versus Gildarts!"
"Dinner's ready! I've been starving!"
"Hurry up and eat so we can watch Noah fight Gildarts!"
The guild devoured their lunch in high spirits, and after a short rest, they moved to a wide stretch of shore far from the boat's docking point.
Noah and Gildarts stood facing each other on the sandy ground, while the others gathered a safe distance away. Makarov took his place near the two as referee.
"The second round of the S-Class Promotion Exam Noah versus Gildarts begins now!" he announced before stepping back to join the guild members.
Gildarts grinned. "I remember… you joined the guild three years ago."
"Yes. My grandfather found me three years ago and brought me to the guild," Noah replied.
"I didn't expect that the little kid from back then is… well, still a little kid now," Gildarts said with a hint of amusement, "but already taking the S-Class exam. Time really flies."
"The 'little' part is unnecessary," Noah answered flatly. "Sorry I haven't gotten much taller in these three years."
Gildarts chuckled, but his tone shifted to something more serious. "Most S-Class missions are extremely dangerous. Since you're so young yet already have this level of strength, you need to be strict with yourself and avoid accidents at all costs.
"I'm not going to go easy on you. In fact, I'll make it harder. If you can't meet the requirements, I won't let you pass. Be ready."
"I understand," Noah said firmly. "I'll do my best to show you my full strength and prove I'm worthy of passing the exam.
"Oh, and… someone asked me to hit you in the face. Preferably until it swells." His tone suddenly lightened as he tossed the comment in casually.
"…Who wants to hit me in the face?" Gildarts looked genuinely puzzled.
"You'll find out after the exam," Noah replied. "It's perfectly reasonable for that person to want to do it. But now, I kind of want to try it myself see if I can manage it."
Gildarts' grin widened. "There's really someone like that, huh? Well, if you're going to try, then come and give it your best shot."
"I'm coming, Gildarts!"
"Bring it on!"