The early September sun streamed through the stained-glass windows of the Fairy Tail Guild, casting colorful patterns on the wooden floor.
The Guild Hall was quite full; the assessment from yesterday had concluded, and Ikaruga and Cana had both been recognized as S-Class Mages by Makarov due to their outstanding performance.
Although the others didn't pass, their performances were still commendable, especially Marcus, whose combat display was second only to the two ladies who passed the assessment. Makarov had asserted upon his return that as soon as Marcus fully mastered his Elementalization, S-Class would be a certainty.
To celebrate two successful passes, the Guild held a banquet the evening they returned.
So, the Guild was quite lively this morning, with most people chatting idly, except for Natsu and Gajeel, who had gone out to take on a mission as if competing.
Ezreal and a few others were gathered around a table near the bar.
Ikaruga and Cana, the two protagonists of yesterday's banquet, were also there.
"I really didn't expect you two to both pass!" Gray leaned against the bar, a glass of iced juice in his hand, his tone playful. "Did Ezreal go easy on them while I was unconscious?"
Cana, who was sitting on a high stool sipping juice, rolled her eyes at his words: "No way! I won fair and square!"
"Hey, hey, Gray..." Marcus poked his head out from beside him, smiling as he clapped Gray on the shoulder, "Quick, freeze your jealousy!"
Gray snorted, a small ice crystal forming at his fingertip, as if to flick it at Marcus: "I'll freeze you first!"
Marcus shrugged with a laugh, "No thanks, I've already had a big bath from Laxus's lightning."
"Laxus was indeed a bit harsh," Laki, sitting nearby with a cup of hot tea, added with a smile. "But Ikaruga even blocked Erza's sword, so her strength is unquestionable."
Ikaruga merely nodded at this, her gaze sweeping over everyone before finally resting on Ezreal: "Speaking of which, Examiner, I remember someone saying they'd treat us earlier?"
Ezreal, lounging lazily against the bar, raised an eyebrow at her words: "Hey, hey, I didn't pass the assessment, shouldn't you guys be treating me? Besides, I'm quite broke lately."
"You still have to treat us!" Cana hooked an arm around Ezreal's neck, grinning, "You can 'borrow' some money from Yuumi's piggy bank!"
Laki covered her mouth, laughing, "Yuumi really has it rough."
Yuumi, who was napping on the bar, immediately sat up at this, staring blankly at Cana, "You? Me? Meow?"
Ezreal was shocked, "You'd even take advantage of a cat?!"
Cana blinked, "The cat is yours, so the cat's money is also yours."
"Spare Yuumi, it's not easy for my cat to earn money," Ezreal helplessly raised his hands in surrender: "I'll treat everyone to cake tonight."
Everyone immediately cheered, and the atmosphere became lively.
Just then, footsteps echoed from the stairs on the second floor of the Guild.
Mirajane and a staff member in a Magic Council uniform came down.
The Guild instantly fell silent. People from the Council were not a common sight at Fairy Tail - and it usually meant nothing good.
The Council staff member had a serious expression, holding a stamped request form, while Mira wore a gentle smile, seemingly having just concluded a pleasant conversation.
As the Council staff member passed Ezreal, he suddenly stopped and politely bowed to him: "Mr. Ezreal, I've heard much about you."
Ezreal was slightly taken aback but still politely nodded in response: "Hello."
The Council staff member said nothing more, merely smiled slightly, then left the Guild.
Ezreal couldn't help but look back and exchange glances with his friends, somewhat baffled, "What was that guy about?"
Marcus pulled up a chair and sat next to Ezreal, "Did he just walk over to give a compliment?"
Gray' shook the iced drink in his hand, "Who knows, these people are always so inexplicable."
After the Council staff member left, Mira walked over, holding up the request form, her gentle smile still on her face: "Ezreal, the Council has issued another request, specifically asking for you to carry it out."
"Oh?" Ezreal took the request form, scanned its contents, and frowned slightly, "Missing persons again?"
Mira nodded: "Yes, the Council has noticed that a Dark Guild seems to be secretly involved in human trafficking activities recently, and they hope you can investigate."
Gray leaned closer, asking curiously: "I remember you, Natsu, and Happy did a similar mission last time?"
"More or less," Ezreal put away the request form, a flicker of thought in his eyes, "But this time the scope is wider... Windmill Village, Oak Valley, Birch Forest... seven villages have reported disappearances within just two months..."
Mira added: "The Council's exact words were that considering you successfully rescued the kidnapped children before, they hope you can act again. While ensuring the safety of the missing persons, eradicate the criminal organization."
Cana leaned her head closer: "Hear that? You're the Council's 'exclusive detective' now!"
"Get out of here," Ezreal pushed her away with a helpless smile, turning to Mira, "I'll take it. But this time I'm bringing helpers."
His gaze swept over everyone: "Are any of you kind souls free recently?"
Gray shrugged: "I'm bored stiff anyway."
Cana flicked her wrist, a card with 'Lucky' written on it held between her fingers: "The first official request for an S-Class Mage! Of course, I'm going!"
"Wait!" Marcus suddenly raised his hand, "I want to go too!"
Laki tugged worriedly at his sleeve: "But Marcus, you promised yesterday to help me and Mira organize the financial statements..."
Marcus immediately wilted: "Ah... right..."
Ikaruga patted the scabbard at her waist: "I need to go home these next few days; I was too serious in the assessment, and my sword broke. I'm going home to get a new one."
Ezreal nodded, then looked at Cana and Gray, "Then it's just the three of us."
"We'll leave now."
"Now?" Gray was startled, "So urgent?"
"The sooner we go, the sooner we find out," Ezreal said, snapping his fingers.
A puff of black smoke suddenly rose from the Guild Hall floor, followed by a massive black Evil Wolf emerging from the shadows, its crimson eyes remarkably striking.
The Evil Wolf let out a low growl, lowering itself, signaling for them to get on.
"Whoa..." Marcus whistled, "This is way cooler than taking a train."
Laki, however, looked at Ezreal with some concern: "Your body... is it okay?"
Ezreal smiled: "Don't worry, I've mostly recovered."
Cana was the first to leap onto the Evil Wolf's back, patting its neck: "Let's go, big guy!"
Gray sighed but still climbed on: "I hope we don't run into some perverted Dark Mage again this time..."
Ezreal was the last to jump onto the Evil Wolf's back, turning to wave at his friends: "We'll be back soon."
Mira smiled and nodded: "Be careful on your way."
The Evil Wolf tilted its head back and let out a deep roar, then spread its wings, its massive body soaring into the air, bursting straight out of the Guild's main doors.
The wind howled in their ears. Gray gripped the Evil Wolf's fur tightly, unable to help but shout: "Hey! Can you fly a bit steadier?!"
Cana had already found a comfortable spot to lie down: "Wake me when we get there!"
Ezreal stood at the very front, his gaze fixed on the distance.
Windmill Village, their destination, and also the place where the first disappearances occurred.
He vaguely felt that this series of disappearances, like the last, might be related to that evil organization that worships the Moon Demon.
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