Chapter 30: Activate Gildarts Mode
Hearing Makarov's words, Laxus excitedly said, "No problem, Grandpa. Even if it doesn't succeed, we still have the magic crystal. Why not give it a try?" Makarov replied, "I'll contact Gaal. During this time, make sure to take good care of your health. The transplantation of the magic crystal carries risks too." Makarov warned Laxus.
Laxus nodded, but he felt no worry at all. With Grandpa Makarov around, plus Brother Gaal and Granny Porlyusica, if this transplantation were to fail, then no one in the world could succeed. Laxus was actually more concerned about whether the Amplification Array could be inscribed onto the magic crystal. This would determine how strong he could become in the future.
Thinking of this, Laxus hurriedly ran to the library in the guild to look up information about Dragon Slayer Mages.
—
At this moment.
In Magnolia Town.
A magical train slowly entered the train station and came to a stop. Just as the train stopped, the driver immediately sounded the alarm. The piercing alarm echoed throughout the station, spreading throughout all of Magnolia Town. Subsequently, the large clock at Kardia Cathedral rang urgently. Hearing the chimes, the residents of Magnolia Town were startled and quickly began to pack up their stalls. Those who acted fast managed to close and lock their doors and windows.
Only some confused tourists stood still, dazed, until someone reminded them, "Quick, hide! That guy is back! What the hell! Didn't he just leave three years ago?! How can he be back so soon?! Quick, gather your things! Clear the way! Last time he wrecked my house, and before I could get compensation, that guy ran off! This time, we must get our money back!"
The residents of Magnolia Town were in an uproar, while a horn-shaped magical tool with wings flew into the sky, announcing loudly: "Please, all residents, immediately move to the designated locations! The town is entering Gildarts mode! Please, all residents, immediately move to the designated locations! The town is entering Gildarts mode!"
The winged horn flew back and forth along the main road leading to the Fairy Tail Guild, fearing someone might miss the announcement and get caught up in it.
Inside the Fairy Tail Guild.
Makarov was preparing to use his communication device to contact Gaal when he heard the alarm and was stunned: "How did Gildarts come back? Has he completed his mission?" With this thought, Makarov's mouth twitched as he turned to look at the Mission Bulletin Board. There were only a handful of missions left. After Gaal's previous purge, which had cleared out sixty percent of the mission bounties, there wasn't much left. Before they could even replenish the missions, that guy Gildarts was back again.
Makarov felt a bit of a headache. Gaal at least left some tasks behind, but Gildarts cleared out everything like he was collecting groceries, leaving hardly anything to work with. What if... he went to borrow some missions from other guilds? Shaking his head, Makarov picked up the communication device again. It was still more important to contact Gaal first.
In the lobby on the first floor of the guild.
Hearing the urgent chimes, the members were momentarily stunned, then they erupted in cheers: "Hahahaha, what a sound this bell makes! It's unmistakable! That guy is back! Get ready for a feast!!! I'm going to get the wine! Is he refreshing the speed of doing missions?! I remember the last time he cleared all the missions, and now he's finished so quickly! Maybe. After all, that guy is Gildarts!!!"
"Hahahaha! Cheers!!! Cana, what are you dawdling for? Cheers! Hey! Macao, the guild master said not to encourage Cana to drink. Hahahaha, it's fine, Wakaba. Are you happy?! Cheers!!!"
Cana blankly raised her cup and clinked it with Macao's. Then, in a daze, she took a sip. Finally... she was going to see that man. But for some reason, she didn't dare. In a moment of uncertainty, she felt a bit flustered. Looking at her cup, she instinctively set it down, not wanting to leave a bad impression on Gildarts. But after putting it down, she remembered... Gildarts didn't know her at all...
—
Magnolia Town Train Station.
Exiting the station.
Gray stood next to Gildarts, watching the horn shouting back and forth in the sky and the main road changing before his eyes. His expression couldn't help but turn strange as he looked up at Gildarts: "I say, old man, what exactly did you do? If someone didn't know better, they'd think you were invading the town." Gildarts looked at the familiar street but lacked the mood to chat casually with Gray: "This is a welcome for me. What do you know, kid."
Gray's mouth twitched: "Huh? A welcome? I've never seen a welcome that's just like a burglar alert." The walls rising on both sides of the main road were over ten meters high, completely isolating the road from the city.
Swish!
A shadow flashed by, and Gray raised his hand to block with an Ice Shield, but he was still knocked back several meters by the immense force. Gray blocked one of Gildarts's kicks, a smirk forming on his lips: "Hmph, that trick doesn't work on me anymore." Speaking of which, Gray couldn't help but feel some teeth-aching annoyance. This kind of sudden assaults had happened countless times along the way.
Compared to the stability he experienced while learning magic before, he finally understood what the dangers of the human world meant. Even when sleeping, Gildarts wouldn't let him off, pulling ambushes at the most unexpected times, even while going to the restroom.
However, the effects were evident; his casting speed increased significantly. Now he could easily summon an Ice Shield without a second thought—it had become instinctual. Other magical training was going about the same. But this process... Gray truly didn't want to experience it a second time.
Fortunately, they finally arrived at Magnolia Town.
After Gray finished speaking, Gildarts didn't resort to his usual taunting and then attacking. Instead, he looked at the distance with an indescribable expression, his voice showing no unusual signs, only stating flatly: "Let's go." Gray found this puzzling and lowered his Ice Shield to follow along: "Isn't this just to see your daughter? Why make it sound so heavy?"
Just as Gray caught up and was thinking about how to ease Gildarts's mood, suddenly, a dark shadow flashed before him. Bang! Gray, who had just walked next to Gildarts, was kicked away and smashed against the wall. Gildarts turned with a hearty laugh, making a silly face at the bewildered Gray: "You fell for it! Stupid little brat!!! Hahahaha!!!" Then he turned around and rushed along the main road toward the Fairy Tail Guild.
Gray, feeling dazed, got up with several bumps across his forehead and angrily shouted: "You bastard! Stop right there! Ahhh!!! Ice-Make: Lance!!!"
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