### Chapter 56: Doomed
"Gray?!"
They looked towards the person speaking; it was indeed Gray.
"Although that bastard Natsu is annoying, I can't just watch him get expelled from the guild. Riku is going on a mission, so someone needs to drag Natsu back."
Makarov nodded: "Hmm, you're right. Since you're going, go together. That way is safer."
On one hand, their combined strength was indeed greater. On the other hand, he was also a bit worried that Laxus and Riku might fight, and there wouldn't even be anyone to stop them if he wasn't there.
Riku had no objection to this, and the two walked out of the guild together.
"Riku, those words you used to roast Laxus were so satisfying. If it weren't for the fact that I can't beat him, I would have said those words long ago."
After leaving the guild, Gray said to Riku with an excited face.
Don't let Gray's age of eighteen fool you; he was a veteran in the Fairy Tail guild and had known Laxus for a long time.
In the beginning, Laxus was fine, but in recent years he had become more and more excessive, always saying things that looked down on and belittled others. Gray had found Laxus unpleasant for a long time.
"Hehe, then work hard to become stronger, and beat him up severely."
"Don't worry! There will be such a day."
**Hargeon Town**
Riku and Gray arrived at Hargeon Town and went straight to the port.
By this time, the port had returned to its former prosperity, and the damage Riku and Natsu had previously caused had been repaired.
After arriving at the port, a simple inquiry revealed Natsu and Lucy's whereabouts. After all, almost no one dared to go to Galuna Island these days.
The two had left an hour ago. They had asked boatmen to take them to Galuna Island, but not a single boatman was willing to go.
The name "Demon Island" was a taboo among these boatmen; even pirates would steer clear of that island.
"Can't help it, we'll have to use force."
Riku planned to use force to compel a boatman to take them.
"STOP!!"
Seeing Riku preparing to act, Gray hurriedly stopped him.
"Don't, don't, let me do it!"
Gray put his hands in an Ice-Make Magic stance.
"ICE-MAKE: Ship!!"
A magic circle lit up on the sea surface. In the blink of an eye, a ship made of ice floated on the water.
"Oh oh! Gray, your Magic is very practical!"
Looking at the gorgeous ice ship, Riku's eyes lit up.
"Really? It's alright!"
Hearing Riku's praise, Gray was a bit shy.
"No need to be so humble. Your Magic is very comprehensive and has a high degree of freedom. Perhaps it isn't particularly outstanding in terms of attack, but its overall ability is very good, adaptable to combat in any environment."
"Then can I become an S-Class Mage this year?"
Gray looked at Riku expectantly.
"I have high hopes for you."
Riku patted Gray's shoulder. Gray's Magic was good, and his intelligence was online. In the Fairy Tail guild, his strength was second only to the S-Class Mages.
However, his success and failure both stemmed from the same source. Gray's comprehensive level was good, but that also meant he had no outstanding points; in short, he was balanced to the point of mediocrity.
But this wasn't Gray's problem. Gray's Magic, Ice-Make Magic, was just too common.
Placed in the guild, Gray's Magic could even be considered one of the most ordinary types.
Being able to join the ranks of the guild's elite with such ordinary Magic, and even fighting to a draw with Natsu, was enough to prove Gray's aptitude.
Hearing Riku's words, Gray was instantly filled with confidence: "I will definitely become an S-Class Mage this year!"
Gray controlled the ice ship to advance rapidly.
Near evening, the two arrived at Galuna Island.
As soon as they landed, Riku closed his eyes and fully activated his Mind Network for perception.
Soon, Riku opened his eyes: "Found them!"
"So fast!"
Gray knew Riku possessed super strong perception, but he didn't expect it to be this powerful.
"This way."
Riku took the lead, bringing Gray towards Natsu and the others' location.
Soon, the two arrived outside a village.
Outside the village was a perimeter wall made of huge wooden pillars, seemingly to prevent beast attacks. A "No Entry" sign hung on the village gate.
"Hey! Is anyone there?!"
Gray shouted loudly.
Inside, Natsu, Lucy, and Happy's expressions changed instantly upon hearing the voice.
"Not good! Gray! That guy came too?!"
"He's not here to arrest us and take us back, is he?"
"Were we discovered so quickly?!"
There was only one possibility; otherwise, Gray couldn't possibly be here.
The guard on the wall shouted down: "Who is it?!"
"We are mages from Fairy Tail. Did a man, a woman, and a blue cat come here today?"
"Sure enough, they're looking for us!"
Hearing Gray's words, the three immediately confirmed Gray was looking for them.
Natsu hurriedly put a finger to his lips: "Shhh~~! Absolutely don't say we are here. We sneaked out to do a mission. If they find out, they'll drag us back, and then no one will help you lift the curse."
"No... no! We didn't see any man, woman, and cat at all. Outsiders are not welcome here, please leave."
Crackle! Crackle!
Blue-white lightning particles condensed on Riku's foot, and then he kicked the gate.
BOOM————!!!
The gate exploded with a crash.
"Waaaaah!" ...
Riku's sudden kick startled everyone. The villagers looked at the shattered gate in terror.
Through the smoke, Riku walked in: "Yo! So many people, quite lively!"
Hearing this voice, Natsu, Lucy, and Happy felt their hairs stand on end.
"Riku!!!"
Natsu and Lucy's faces were full of horror.
Happy wanted to cry but had no tears: "We're doomed!"
***
[**Source Citation**]
The provided text is a translation of the Vietnamese/Chinese web novel chapter provided in the prompt. All character names and dialogue are derived directly from the user's input content.### Chapter 56: Doomed
"Gray?!"
They looked towards the person speaking; it was indeed Gray.
"Although that bastard Natsu is annoying, I can't just watch him get expelled from the guild. Riku is going on a mission, so someone needs to drag Natsu back."
Makarov nodded: "Hmm, you're right. Since you're going, go together. That way is safer."
On one hand, their combined strength was indeed greater. On the other hand, he was also a bit worried that Laxus and Riku might fight, and there wouldn't even be anyone to stop them if he wasn't there.
Riku had no objection to this, and the two walked out of the guild together.
"Riku, those words you used to roast Laxus were so satisfying. If it weren't for the fact that I can't beat him, I would have said those words long ago."
After leaving the guild, Gray said to Riku with an excited face.
Don't let Gray's age of eighteen fool you; he was a veteran in the Fairy Tail guild and had known Laxus for a long time.
In the beginning, Laxus was fine, but in recent years he had become more and more excessive, always saying things that looked down on and belittled others. Gray had found Laxus unpleasant for a long time.
"Hehe, then work hard to become stronger, and beat him up severely."
"Don't worry! There will be such a day."
**Hargeon Town**
Riku and Gray arrived at Hargeon Town and went straight to the port.
By this time, the port had returned to its former prosperity, and the damage Riku and Natsu had previously caused had been repaired.
After arriving at the port, a simple inquiry revealed Natsu and Lucy's whereabouts. After all, almost no one dared to go to Galuna Island these days.
The two had left an hour ago. They had asked boatmen to take them to Galuna Island, but not a single boatman was willing to go.
The name "Demon Island" was a taboo among these boatmen; even pirates would steer clear of that island.
"Can't help it, we'll have to use force."
Riku planned to use force to compel a boatman to take them.
"STOP!!"
Seeing Riku preparing to act, Gray hurriedly stopped him.
"Don't, don't, let me do it!"
Gray put his hands in an Ice-Make Magic stance.
"ICE-MAKE: Ship!!"
A magic circle lit up on the sea surface. In the blink of an eye, a ship made of ice floated on the water.
"Oh oh! Gray, your Magic is very practical!"
Looking at the gorgeous ice ship, Riku's eyes lit up.
"Really? It's alright!"
Hearing Riku's praise, Gray was a bit shy.
"No need to be so humble. Your Magic is very comprehensive and has a high degree of freedom. Perhaps it isn't particularly outstanding in terms of attack, but its overall ability is very good, adaptable to combat in any environment."
"Then can I become an S-Class Mage this year?"
Gray looked at Riku expectantly.
"I have high hopes for you."
Riku patted Gray's shoulder. Gray's Magic was good, and his intelligence was online. In the Fairy Tail guild, his strength was second only to the S-Class Mages.
However, his success and failure both stemmed from the same source. Gray's comprehensive level was good, but that also meant he had no outstanding points; in short, he was balanced to the point of mediocrity.
But this wasn't Gray's problem. Gray's Magic, Ice-Make Magic, was just too common.
Placed in the guild, Gray's Magic could even be considered one of the most ordinary types.
Being able to join the ranks of the guild's elite with such ordinary Magic, and even fighting to a draw with Natsu, was enough to prove Gray's aptitude.
Hearing Riku's words, Gray was instantly filled with confidence: "I will definitely become an S-Class Mage this year!"
Gray controlled the ice ship to advance rapidly.
Near evening, the two arrived at Galuna Island.
As soon as they landed, Riku closed his eyes and fully activated his Mind Network for perception.
Soon, Riku opened his eyes: "Found them!"
"So fast!"
Gray knew Riku possessed super strong perception, but he didn't expect it to be this powerful.
"This way."
Riku took the lead, bringing Gray towards Natsu and the others' location.
Soon, the two arrived outside a village.
Outside the village was a perimeter wall made of huge wooden pillars, seemingly to prevent beast attacks. A "No Entry" sign hung on the village gate.
"Hey! Is anyone there?!"
Gray shouted loudly.
Inside, Natsu, Lucy, and Happy's expressions changed instantly upon hearing the voice.
"Not good! Gray! That guy came too?!"
"He's not here to arrest us and take us back, is he?"
"Were we discovered so quickly?!"
There was only one possibility; otherwise, Gray couldn't possibly be here.
The guard on the wall shouted down: "Who is it?!"
"We are mages from Fairy Tail. Did a man, a woman, and a blue cat come here today?"
"Sure enough, they're looking for us!"
Hearing Gray's words, the three immediately confirmed Gray was looking for them.
Natsu hurriedly put a finger to his lips: "Shhh~~! Absolutely don't say we are here. We sneaked out to do a mission. If they find out, they'll drag us back, and then no one will help you lift the curse."
"No... no! We didn't see any man, woman, and cat at all. Outsiders are not welcome here, please leave."
Crackle! Crackle!
Blue-white lightning particles condensed on Riku's foot, and then he kicked the gate.
BOOM————!!!
The gate exploded with a crash.
"Waaaaah!" ...
Riku's sudden kick startled everyone. The villagers looked at the shattered gate in terror.
Through the smoke, Riku walked in: "Yo! So many people, quite lively!"
Hearing this voice, Natsu, Lucy, and Happy felt their hairs stand on end.
"Riku!!!"
Natsu and Lucy's faces were full of horror.
Happy wanted to cry but had no tears: "We're doomed!"