Magnolia….

Inside onf of the rooms at the top of Fairy Tail guild, Makarov is looking ata bedridden Noah who’s clenching his teeth while dealing with the pain. His expression might not be changing but those eyes surrounded by wrinkles gave off a sense of panic undetectable to normal people.

“Polyusica, is he okay?”

He said to an old lady who’s bandaging Noah’s left arm and shoulder at the side of the bed.

“Shut up!”

The old lady named Polysica shushed him without changing her expression. She continued moving her hands and only snapped at the old man.

“If you keep making noises, I am going home!”

Makarov immediately zipped his mouth and didn’t dare to speak further.

That’s because he knows she meant what she said.

The two might be tight companions of many years but Polyusica is a misanthrope to the core. For her, a place like Fairy Tail with its rambunctious atmosphere is definitely one of the place she absolutely don’t want to stay long in.

If he push her any further, Polyusica will definitely pack up and leave.

Maybe it’s because she can’t stand seeing Makarov holding back his anxiety on his own, Polyusica sighed.

“You’re already so old and yet are still as impatient as ever. Your grandson’s injuries cannot be said to be minor but it isn’t so deep as to affect the bones. With [Healing magic], full recovery would be made within 3 days, the hell are you panicking about?”

“Really?”

Makarov heaved a big sigh of relief.

“Well that’s truly just great.”

“Thank you, granny.”

Noah thanked her while still on the bed.

“I’m sorry for the trouble.”

“Don’t misunderstand me, I just can’t tolerate being bugged by this old man over here!”

Polyusica expressionlessly tightened his bandage. She immediately stood up after finishing.

“If it were not for this, I wouldn’t have came to a place with so many nasty humans around!”

Noah laughed and Makarov spotted an expression of helplessness.

“Well whatever you say, thanks.”

“Save me the pointless chit chat.”

Polyusica turned around and walked towards the exit.

“If you really wanted to thank me, don’t make me come to this kind of place again.”

She said and slammed the door on her way out, anyone would have been able to feel the displeasure coming off of her.

“Even at such an age, she still hates human…”

Makarov curled his lips and then turned to Noah. When he saw his relaxed appearance post treatment, his eyes looked to be a mix of anguish and pity.

“Sorry Noah, if i knew something like this woul dhappend I would have never let you on this quest.”

“Gramps, what are you spouting?”

He waved his undamaged hand to dismiss this notion.

“Nobody knew Phantom Lord would have appeared isn’t it? It’s not your falt.”

“Don’t you worry, Noah!”

Makarov tightened his fist and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

“I will get them back for this sooner or later!”

“And Laxus!”

His frosty eyes turned into one of anger as he shouted the tsundere’s name.

“I specifically told him to protect you and now look at you all roughed up, when I get bank I need to give him a good hiding!”

“Brother Laxus?”

He recalled what Laxus said to him before falling silent without uttering a signle word.

“Say gramps, do you think I might have made an error when I didn’t learn magic straightaway?”

Makarov still angry, stopped when he heard this. Seeing his grandson doubting his own choice made him feel like pampering him.

It has been about a full year since he adopted Noah. Makarov understands him more than anyone else. He also know that this grandson of his deals with various event and people in a manner in a calm and cool manner not found in many normal adults. He didn’t have the reckless tendency commonly found in kids his age. His temperament is excellent.

As excellent as he maybe, he is still only an 11 year old kid. There is still a trace of childlike feebleness in him.

However, this weak side of him is only revealed to those people closest to him.

Such as the one before him right now.

“I am the one who told you to hold off on learning magic, if it’s anyone’s fault, it’s mine!”

Makarov replied after a few moments of silence.

“But Noah, I can tell you that your decision is definitely not wrong!”

Like a ray of light, his words broke through the clouds around his heart. His eyes brightened up as he turned to look at Makarov.

“Your talent is simply too good, even if you don’t cultivate it, you have magic power the scale no one can compete with. If you can freely control this force then if you really did learn magic, your strength will surely be greather than mine!”

Makarov said in a formal manner.

“But sometimes, just having an overly strong talent isn’t all good. I believe you know what I am talking about, before youc an freely manipulate your magic power, learning magic, even if it does not has any inherent destructive power like the healing or support type of magic. If some of those magic power leaked out when you are using those magic, it might cause a very dangerous meltdown!”

“Since your talents aren’t going anyway, and your magic power aren’t going anywhere as well, is there any rush in learning magic?”

His voice softened up to this point.

“You are still young, you are working hard at controlling your own magic power. One day, when this power is yours to command, then it wouldn’t be late for you to learn magic. And judging by the magic power you have, your strength will grow exponentially for sure!”

His bewilderment started to disperse with Makarov’s words but he still has some uncertainty left in him.

“I know that, but this bout with Phantom Lord made me think if I learnt magic, could I have protected my comrades?”

“What are you saing?”

Makarov had a toothy grin on him.

“I have already heard from Erza, didn’t you covered for her pretty well?”

“You call that protection?”

Noah frowned.

“I am just helping out Erza as a meatshield.”

“You didn’t let those Phantom Lord harm your comrade, that is protecting!”

He patted his skinny little shoulder while staring straight at him.

“If you really want to pursue strength then I won’t stop you forcibly but I hope that you choose the correct way to obtain power!”

“The correct method?”

He murmured perplexed.

“Magic isn’t the be all end all of power!”

Makarov said in a deep way.

“Erza’s the same, while training her magic she’s also training her sword skills yes?”

Noah instantly realized the meaning behind his words and he started to cheer up.

“I believe that you will be able to find your own path of magic!”

Seeing him brightening up more and more, Makarov perked him up more.

“But before that, no matter what happens, gramps has got your back covered…”

Noah inhaled deeply and stored away the gratitude he feels for Makarov and nodded heavily. Looking outside the window, his face turned into a resolute one.