"S-Class missions are all high in difficulty and troublesome to carry out. There may be many variables, and mages with little experience and weak strength will find it hard to handle them well, which is why they are restricted."
The next day, on the second floor of the Fairy Tail guild, Laxus brought Moen to take on a mission. Although he had directly refused yesterday and told Moen to go pick one himself, he couldn't handle Moen following him home that very night.
Moen was not polite at all. He first went to Mirajane's house and ate some desserts and small cakes, then kept bothering Laxus at his house all night. Laxus had no way to deal with him and could only agree, which was why they came to the guild early this morning.
"It's only right to have restrictions. If there were no conditions for taking missions, it would actually be irresponsible to the guild's companions."
Moen nodded. A Mage Guild can have a relaxed atmosphere, but its specific rules and systems must be well established. It cannot truly operate like a makeshift group, otherwise it would never last long, these are the foundation of a grand structure.
Although Fairy Tail has a relaxed atmosphere, it still has plenty of rules and regulations. For example, the guild's second floor cannot be accessed without becoming an S-Class Mage, and the acceptance of missions at each level, as well as mage rankings, are all very strict.
These practices are actually a reflection of a Mage Guild fulfilling its responsibilities. A Mage Guild itself is just a "platform," a "mission request center." It is precisely these rules and human-centered considerations that make a Mage Guild feel more like a big family.
"This is the Hundred-Year Quest?"
Walking on the guild's second floor, Moen looked at the most eye-catching mission. It was very conspicuous, even marked with an extremely dangerous symbol. The request sheet looked somewhat old, as if it had been touched often, suggesting that someone was very interested in it.
"That's right, that's the Hundred-Year Quest. Even I don't have the qualification to take it."
Looking at the request sheet, Laxus had a complicated expression. He had thought that after becoming an S-Class Mage, he would no longer be restricted when accepting missions, but all of that was overturned by this "Hundred-Year Quest."
His old man had forbidden him from taking it, saying that only the most experienced S-Class Mages, those recognized by him, could take on this "Hundred-Year Quest."
Regarding this, Laxus was very dissatisfied. When he wasn't an S-Class Mage, he had to gain recognition. After becoming one, he still had to gain recognition. Then what was the point of becoming an S-Class Mage? Was that reasonable?!
In short, because of this "Hundred-Year Quest," Laxus and Makarov had another disagreement. The key issue was not the quest itself, but "recognition."
"So far, no one has returned safely from it. A quest that hasn't been completed for a hundred years, it's only normal that they won't let you take it."
Moen didn't think there was anything wrong with that.
Although Laxus was strong and talented, he was still growing. So many accomplished mages had challenged the "Hundred-Year Quest" and ended up dying far from home. Not letting Laxus take it was the normal decision.
"..."
Laxus fell silent. He wasn't stupid. Of course he knew he couldn't complete the "Hundred-Year Quest." He also knew his old man's refusal came from good intentions, for his sake. But not being recognized still made him feel angry.
"So, is Gildarts the one who wants to take this quest?"
Moen looked at Laxus and asked the question on his mind.
Since Laxus didn't have the qualification to take it, then the one who often looked at this request sheet could only be Gildarts.
"Yes, he has always wanted to challenge the Hundred-Year Quest."
Laxus nodded. He had seen Gildarts looking at that request sheet more than once and had even asked him about it. That old man actually did have such thoughts.
Although Laxus was dissatisfied about not being qualified to take the quest, he had never truly planned to take it. He was simply unhappy about not having the qualification.
But Gildarts genuinely had that intention and wanted to put it into action. If he hadn't been concerned about the guild having too few S-Class Mages, he might have set off long ago.
"As expected..."
Moen looked as though it was just as he thought. Unlike Laxus, Gildarts was clearly allowed to take this quest.
After all, Gildarts had been famous for many years, with great strength and rich experience. There was really no reason to stop him.
The only thing that could stop him was probably his sense of belonging and responsibility toward the guild.
If he were the only S-Class Mage and just left without a care, it would definitely not be good for Fairy Tail. Gildarts clearly wasn't someone who would do that.
"So that means, my promotion actually brings Gildarts one step closer to—"
Moen's expression turned strange. He originally wanted to say "one step closer to death," but felt that wasn't appropriate.
And who said Gildarts couldn't complete the "Hundred-Year Quest"?
Logically speaking, such an incredible quest would probably be completed by the protagonist, but who says Gildarts can't be the protagonist? Why not a middle-aged hot-blooded story?!
"Even without you, others would advance. Erza and Mirajane will grow in a couple of years. So it's only a matter of time, Gildarts will definitely take this quest."
Laxus didn't think it had anything to do with Moen. Fairy Tail would definitely have more S-Class Mages over time. Their generation was full of talent, and sooner or later they would all reach that level.
"I'm really curious about what this quest is about."
Staring at the "Hundred-Year Quest," Moen felt curious. The request sheet clearly didn't contain any details about the mission itself. To find out, one would have to go to the client.
"And this client is in the northern continent, Guiltina?"
Looking at the request sheet, Moen guessed that Gildarts also wanted to take this quest partly to travel to the northern continent.
"Stop looking at that. You don't have the qualification to take it either. Look at other missions instead. Pick something a bit easier, so your first S-Class mission doesn't end in failure."
Seeing Moen staring at the "Hundred-Year Quest," Laxus called out to him. He felt it was better to focus on something more practical.
"That's true."
Moen smiled. He didn't really mind what Laxus said. He stopped looking at the "Hundred-Year Quest" and instead began selecting his first S-Class mission. This one had to be done impressively.
As for the criteria for choosing a mission, of course, the more battles the better. Moen became an S-Class Mage to take on S-Class missions precisely to fight stronger enemies.
"You guy, I already told you to pick something a bit easier. Why are you still looking at the difficult ones?"
Looking at the mission sheet in Moen's hand, Laxus frowned and said.
Laxus wasn't worried about Moen's strength, but about his mission experience. Although Moen had completed quite a few missions since gaining permission to go out on jobs, he was still lacking compared to truly experienced mages.
"What kind of experience do these missions need?"
Moen looked puzzled. The mission sheets he was holding only required brute force to solve, and in fact, there weren't many S-Class missions for him to choose from. There simply weren't that many difficult missions to begin with; otherwise, Gildarts wouldn't have been able to handle them all alone before.
"..."
Looking at the mission sheet in Moen's hand about a monster tide, Laxus's mouth twitched. This was not an easy mission to deal with.
A monster tide was a disaster that could make people turn pale at the mention of it. Even mages did not dare to face a monster tide head-on.
After all, no one knew whether there were powerful monsters among them, or ones with strange and special abilities.
Many monsters possessed bizarre abilities. Even S-Class Mages could fail, since mages were not omnipotent, while a monster tide could contain all kinds of threats.
It was said that when his old man and several guild masters, along with Porlyusica, were young, they had once been chased by a monster tide.
From this, one could see just how terrifying a monster tide was.
However, for Moen, a "monster-handling expert," he indeed seemed very experienced with this kind of mission.
Laxus had previously looked at Moen's mission records, and they were almost entirely filled with all kinds of monster extermination tasks.
Using lack of experience as a reason to persuade Moen to give up this mission didn't seem convincing at all, and Laxus felt a headache coming on.
At this moment, this "older brother" had no idea that what he was doing was exactly the same as how Makarov restricted him from taking the "Hundred-Year Quest." The only difference was that he couldn't force Moen and had to find reasons to persuade him to give up.
"This is different from ordinary monster extermination missions."
Laxus said, somewhat stiffly.
"Of course I know. It's a monster tide, not like I've never seen one before."
Moen replied, acting as if a monster tide was nothing special, which made Laxus frown even more.
"Of course, the ones I've seen were small-scale, nothing compared to the monster tide in Nord Forest up north. But if I remember correctly, the monster tide in Nord Forest usually doesn't leave the forest, right? This mission is just about monitoring and prevention. It's not really that troublesome or dangerous, is it?"
Moen looked somewhat puzzled. Was there something unsuitable about this mission? He thought it was quite appropriate, aside from being time-consuming, he would have to stay there for one or two months.
The reason no one wanted to take this mission was probably exactly that. It required the mage to stay at the outer edge of Nord Forest for one or two months, observing the monster tide until it ended before leaving.
"That's one reason. The second reason is that there's still a chance those monsters might leave Nord Forest. Although the disturbance happens once every five years, and the number of times they've actually left the forest over the years can be counted on one hand, a possibility is still a possibility. If the monster tide does leave the forest, how will you stop it? How will you hold them off until reinforcements from the Magic Council arrive?"
Laxus explained. This was indeed not a good mission. There was a reason it wasn't popular. In the end, once signs of a monster tide appeared, the Magic Council would forcibly assign an S-Class Mage to go.
Of course, they would also increase the mission reward as compensation. The unlucky one who got assigned had no choice, one couldn't openly oppose the Magic Council.
"Hmm, then if I take the mission voluntarily, I should make the Magic Council pay more. Otherwise, wouldn't I be at a loss?"
Moen said seriously. Any benefits he deserved couldn't be lost. He absolutely couldn't let the Magic Council people get away with it.
After all, the money saved would likely end up in the pockets of those "officials." The Magic Council was quite corrupt, and this massive institution really needed to be reformed.
"..."
Seeing Moen determined to take the mission, Laxus felt exhausted. Why was this guy so stubborn?
"Laxus, haven't you noticed? You're acting a lot like someone right now."
Moen's words snapped Laxus out of it. He looked at Moen in confusion, not quite understanding what he meant.
"Which mission I take is my freedom. You don't need to interfere! Do you think I'm not strong enough to complete this mission?!"
Moen suddenly acted dramatically and performed an impromptu scene, completely confusing Laxus at first. But he quickly understood what Moen meant, and his face instantly flushed red.
"See? Right now, I'm like the role you've always played, and you're like our grandfather."
Moen spread his hands like a little bear, looking helpless.
"..."
Laxus was completely flustered now. He looked at Moen but couldn't say anything, because he himself realized it too. He was shocked, he had been treating Moen the same way his old man treated him?!
"Now do you understand? The essence of these actions isn't control or lack of recognition, but—"
Seeing Laxus's state, Moen pressed on. But before he could finish, Laxus had already fled in embarrassment, running off extremely fast, like a bolt of lightning. Literally.
"That guy..."
Moen smiled and shook his head. Although he hadn't fully "redeemed" Laxus yet, the progress was quite promising. It felt like the next Gold Saint Cloth was already within reach.
"I'll take this mission then. Nord Forest isn't far from the northern continent, Guiltina. Maybe I can take a look there as well."
Looking at the mission sheet in his hand, Moen made his final decision.
"The monster tide in Nord Forest, this time I'll be responsible for the watch. I believe that with such a considerate and self-sacrificing act, the members of the Magic Council will surely be very moved, right?"
Looking at the client listed as the "Magic Council," Moen smiled. He hoped those councilors would give him a satisfying response.
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