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Chapter 4: S-class mission
Chapter 4: S-class mission
Chapter 4: Chapter 4: S-class mission
The sudden earthquake caused the guild building to shake violently.
The mages, who were engrossed in the Internet, were startled as the tables and chairs trembled.
"What happened? Is it an earthquake?!"
"Ouch...! I hit my forehead on the edge of the table! It hurts!"
"What's going on? Uh, Master? When did you arrive?"
The mages, who had been deeply absorbed in the Internet, finally noticed Makarov standing nearby.
The earthquake came and subsided quickly.
Nate had deliberately controlled the power to minimize any real damage.
"That's my second magic: Tremor Magic," Nate said calmly.
"Quiet!" Makarov stood up, patting his back and coughing awkwardly.
Everyone immediately fell silent.
But in the next second, Macao reacted, exclaiming in shock, "Nate, was that earthquake caused by you?"
"I was demonstrating my other magic to the Master," Nate nodded. "Sorry for startling everyone."
Everyone was left speechless.
"Tremor Magic?"
"Hey, hey, this newcomer's a monster!"
"I just thought of Gildarts. Could there be another one like him?"
"Gildarts? His super-level Destruction Magic, *Crush,* is indeed monstrous!"
"Nate, is your Tremor Magic also considered Super Magic?"
Dozens of incredulous eyes were fixed on Nate. It seemed another powerhouse had joined the guild!
"Quiet, and get those overturned tables and chairs back in order," Makarov scolded, huffing.
But when he looked at Nate, he couldn't help but smile.
"Nate, you were holding back the power of that earthquake, weren't you? Good boy, much more considerate than that idiot Gildarts!"
"That guy causes massive destruction every time he returns, and I have to endure constant scolding from the Magic Council because of it."
Just thinking about Gildarts made Makarov fume.
Some of the guild's troublemakers would demolish buildings every now and then. One day, they might even destroy an entire town!
Nate chuckled to himself. Poor Makarov, always getting chewed out by the council after Natsu and the others wreak havoc.
"I can feel that your Tremor Magic is incredibly powerful. If you unleashed its full strength, what could it do?" Makarov asked seriously.
Nate thought for a moment and decided to answer truthfully. He hoped to quickly qualify as an S-Class mage and then solve the "moon" problem with one punch, earning a nice 7 million J.
"If I were to go all out..."
"I could create a tsunami that would flood Magnolia City."
"If I triggered an earthquake, it could reduce the entire city to ruins."
As soon as he said this, Makarov fell silent, dumbfounded, unable to speak for a long time.
The other mages, who had been righting the tables and chairs, overheard the conversation and couldn't help but swallow nervously.
Confirmed! Another Gildarts!
No, even scarier than Gildarts!
"Master?" Nate asked, seeing Makarov's stunned expression. "About the S-Class mage qualification?"
"Follow me to the second floor," Makarov sighed, feeling a headache coming on.
He didn't doubt the truth of Nate's words, but the process of becoming an S-Class mage required a formal assessment. As the guild master, he couldn't just bend the rules and let someone bypass the process, or others might try to follow suit.
Nate followed Makarov to the second floor of the guild. Compared to the bustling first floor, the second floor was quiet, with no one around.
Makarov led Nate to a bulletin board and pointed to the three remaining requests.
"These are the S-Class missions that only S-Class mages are allowed to take. Right now, there are three available."
The first request was to destroy the dark guild *Ox's Horn* and capture its guild master alive.
Reward: 9 million J.
The second request was to search for the Gonassen Ruins and retrieve a magic book that recorded lost magic.
Reward: 8 million J.
The third request was to go to Galuna Island and lift the curse affecting the local residents.
Reward: 7 million J, with the bonus of a Zodiac Key.
That's the one! Nate immediately locked onto the third request.
He glanced at the other two out of curiosity.
*Ox's Horn?* Never heard of that dark guild.
A search for a magic book? No intel on that; not interested.
"Master, I think this task suits me perfectly." Nate smiled lightly and immediately tore down the third request.
Makarov opened his mouth, completely stunned. He had brought Nate here to show him the difficulty of S-Class missions, hoping it would deter him.
Instead, it only made him more interested?
"Wait, Nate!" Makarov hurriedly stopped him.
"Master, you wouldn't want me taking on ordinary tasks and accidentally destroying a town or two, would you?" Nate blinked, his naturally mischievous tone emerging. "I'm not very good at controlling the power of my Tremor Magic yet."
You're incredibly skilled! You can trigger an earthquake without damaging the guild, and you say you're not proficient?
Makarov fumed. He had thought Nate was a well-behaved kid, but now he realized he was another troublemaker.
"Even so, rules are rules. To become an S-Class mage, you'll have to wait for the official assessment."
"Since you've said that, Master, I guess I'll just go downstairs and take on a regular task. Who knows, maybe I won't even make any money and end up losing some instead..." Nate sighed and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Makarov sighed, feeling defeated. "Alright, you win! I just don't want to hear endless complaints from the Council."
The thought of letting Nate take on an ordinary task... like searching for a lost cat and accidentally demolishing the entire town... sent a chill down his spine.
It wouldn't be the first time something like that had happened. In fact, the guild's troublemakers had done things like that more than once. Looking at you, Natsu!
Fortunately, Natsu wasn't around the guild these days. Otherwise, the thought of him and Nate teaming up was too terrifying to imagine.
"Master, are you agreeing?" Nate asked, pleased.
"No, to become an S-Class mage, you must follow the guild's rules," Makarov said seriously. "But I'll make an exception and allow you to try an S-Class mission."
After a pause, he added, "As for the request in your hand, if you fail, don't bring up such unreasonable demands again."
"Understood, Master. I guarantee success."
Nate was very satisfied. Whether he became an S-Class mage didn't matter to him. What mattered was earning 7 million J with one punch.
With 7 million J, he wouldn't need to take on any more tasks. He could just relax at the guild and do nothing.
Sitting at home would be enough to collect magic power as more people used the Internet.
At that moment, Mirajane came out of the second-floor library, holding a magic book.
"Huh? Nate? Master?"
Mirajane blinked in confusion, wondering why Nate was on the second floor.
Nate saw the magic book in her hand and approached her. "Thanks."
"Huh? You're welcome," Mirajane reminded him. "This magic book should be helpful to you, but be sure to take good care of it. You'll have to return it when you're done."
"Got it." Nate stored the magic book and turned to Makarov, saying, "Well then, Master, I'm off to complete the task."
With that, he quickly headed downstairs.
Mirajane looked puzzled for a moment, then suddenly realized something and said urgently, "Master, Nate's magic doesn't have combat power. It's not suitable for—"
"His magic is very powerful. Without a doubt, it's Super Magic," Makarov said calmly. "Mirajane, I'll be leaving for a while, so I'm counting on you to take care of the guild."
"Are you going to the Master's routine meeting?" Mirajane asked, still confused.
"No..." Makarov sighed helplessly. "That kid is going on an S-Class mission alone. I can't just let him go. I'll secretly follow him."
If Nate were to die during the mission, Makarov wouldn't be able to forgive himself since he was the one who granted permission.
He planned to intervene if Nate's life was in danger.
Yes, perfect! When the time came, Nate would be grateful and appreciate Makarov's thoughtful care, transforming from a troublemaker back into a good, obedient kid.
Experience beats youth after all, Makarov thought smugly.