Gildarts looked at the smile on Ur's face, and a strange, uneasy feeling suddenly arose in him, making him feel restless all over. After thinking for a moment, he shook his head and dispelled the feeling.
The three of them hadn't been talking long when Erza returned. For every level of the S-Class Mage Exam, there would be S-Class mages serving as examiners—essentially, all the S-Class mages in the guild.
"The exam area has been set up," Erza said as she walked over.
"Mm," Makarov nodded.
He seemed about to continue speaking, but at that moment, an inexplicable magical force suddenly appeared in the guild. Once it did, all the other members who weren't on missions instantly fell asleep one by one, sprawling in every direction.
Even Erza could only resist briefly before collapsing onto a table in slumber.
Ur couldn't help yawning, his eyes narrowing, feeling the urge to sleep.
But thanks to the Sword Spirit passive and the Mist Meditation special effect granting +1 illusion immunity, he ultimately resisted the magical force.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Soft footsteps came from outside the door.
Soon, a figure wrapped entirely in black clothing, with only a pair of eyes visible, slowly walked in.
"Mystogan, can you not come home normally?" Makarov groaned, seeing yet another unusual person at the door.
As usual, Mystogan ignored Makarov's question, remaining silent, and walked straight toward the mission board. On the way, he paused slightly and glanced at Ur.
Ur smiled at him and said, "Hello, I'm a new member, Ur."
Ur had a good impression of Mystogan; after all, mysterious men were always more attractive—yes, to both women and men.
Moreover, Mystogan was incredibly strong, already at full S-Class level. His magic, in particular, was the most counteractive type for Ur at the moment, since illusion magic is one of the most mentally taxing types of magic. Especially considering that Mystogan's illusions were highly aggressive.
Hearing Ur speak, Mystogan nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then went straight to the mission board and tore off a mission slip. "Alright, I'm off!"
He placed the slip on the counter for Makarov, registering it, then nodded at Gildarts and spoke his first words after returning to the guild before turning to leave.
Utterly composed.
"Hey, wait! Aren't you participating in this year's S-Class Mage Exam?" Seeing Mystogan about to leave, Makarov quickly called out, "I've already reserved a spot for you!"
At this, Mystogan's step paused briefly as one foot left the guild, but he resumed walking almost immediately, leaving only a calm remark. "I have other matters!"
With that, he vanished in a flash of white light.
The magical force in the air dissipated. The guild members gradually woke one by one.
"Was that Mystogan just now?" Erza was the first to regain consciousness, shaking her groggy head as she whispered.
The others slowly woke as well, wiping drool from their mouths, complaining in a pitiful chorus.
"This jerk, can't he come back normally?"
"So secretive…"
"Ugh... my head is spinning!"
Mystogan's magic had a wide area of effect. Even Levy, who had been reading in the library, rubbed her eyes in confusion and stumbled over to the counter, plopping onto Ur's lap.
"Was that Mystogan back just now?"
"Mm!"
Ur was slightly stunned by Levy's action; after all, it was the first time she had been so close for so long. But he quickly reacted and gently responded, "Mmm~~ so sleepy, I'll nap a bit more." Levy then reclined back into Ur's arms and fell asleep again.
Ur could feel that, in that instant, the atmosphere in the guild had grown silent.
Initially, he felt a little uneasy under everyone's focused gaze, but he quickly became calm and composed.
No choice! Handsome people often become the center of attention, and Ur was already used to it. But just because Ur could adapt didn't mean everyone else could.
Perhaps because of the sudden quiet, Levy woke up earlier than expected. Seeing her position, her little face turned red as if on fire in an instant. Ur even felt smoke rise from her head. She quickly jumped off Ur, lowered her head, and disappeared in a blur before everyone's eyes.
Ur felt a sudden emptiness in his arms.
Before he could dwell on it, a large hand suddenly slapped his shoulder. He then saw a leering face, full of a sly smile, winking at him.
"Not bad! Kid, now you're starting to look like a man. How about it? Want Uncle to teach you a couple of moves?" Whenever women were involved, Gildarts' suave image vanished entirely, replaced by the lecherous demeanor of a greasy middle-aged man.
Ur's mind went blank.
Can you act like a strong person for once? Do you need to teach this kind of thing? We're supposed to have pure love here; those techniques to lure women aren't real feelings.
Ur showed disdain for Gildart's "love history" and gave a stern reprimand.
"Please, you must teach me!"
"Hehe... good kid, come with me, today Uncle will properly teach you the art of love." Gildarts' face was filled with pride. Ignoring Makarov, whose face had gone dark as a skillet, he strode outside the guild first.
Ur hurried to follow.
To clarify beforehand, Ur wasn't learning this to flirt; he just wanted to add a little fun to his love life.
Emmm… yes, that's exactly it.
Watching Ur and Gildart's departing backs, Makarov's face was filled with worry. He felt like his hair was steadily thinning.
"Why can't Laxus just learn from Ur?"
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Next Chapter: The Exam Begins
Next Next Chapter: The Second Stage
Next Next Next Chapter: Second Form