After Noah and Laxus had finished talking, they left the room together. Erza and Kagura had just about finished cooking, and the two boys hurried over to help.

Once they had eaten and cleaned up, Laxus said his goodbyes and went home. Erza and Kagura, however, stared at Noah with wide eyes. Noah knew they were curious about the fight, especially about the incredibly powerful magic Laxus had used at the end, and why he didn't want them to tell anyone the specific details.

Noah thought for a moment. "Laxus can use a very special kind of magic, but I can't tell you the details. It's not just for his own good, but for yours as well. If you're not strong enough, knowing some secrets can be dangerous for you. When you and Laxus are a bit stronger, I can let you in on it. Now, go and study. The sooner you improve, the sooner you'll find out."

With that, he shooed them off to their studies. The two of them looked at him resentfully for piquing their curiosity and then refusing to give them an answer. However, they didn't doubt his words. They knew that if they weren't strong, knowing certain secrets really could be dangerous. So, with a sense of grievance, they threw themselves into their studies.

Two days later, with the help of his potions, Laxus had made a full recovery. He impatiently came to challenge Noah again. Of course, Noah didn't refuse and gave him a sound beating. During the fight, Noah noticed a slight improvement in Laxus's use of his Dragon Slayer magic, which made him even happier to fight. After the battle, however, Noah told Laxus that he could only challenge him to an all-out fight once every half a month at most, to give him enough time to recover and complete missions. Laxus was a little reluctant but agreed.

A month passed like this. Noah didn't go out on any requests, instead staying at home to research potions and magic. He needed to come up with some suitable formulas for Jude to produce and sell. But he still trained with Erza and Kagura every day. Laxus came to fight him twice during that month, arriving exactly on schedule, not a day late. It was clear that he was desperate to improve his strength as quickly as possible.

A few more days passed. After observing her, Noah decided that Erza's strength was now sufficient. He found her and said, "You wanted to go on a request before, didn't you? At the time, I didn't think you were strong enough. But after this month of training, I think you're ready to start taking jobs."

A happy expression had just appeared on Erza's face when Noah continued, "But! The requests you take must be approved by the Master, and you can only operate within the Magnolia area. With your current strength, there aren't too many dangers within Magnolia, but you're not yet ready to handle the dangers outside of it."

Erza was just happy she could finally take on requests. Noah's conditions were what she had expected, as he had made the same rules for Simon before. Then, a thought occurred to her. "I heard from everyone in the guild... did the Master have the same requirements for you back then, Big Brother Noah?"

"To be precise, when I first applied to take a request, Gramps didn't agree at all. I was the one who added those requirements. I was only six years old at the time, and Gramps didn't feel safe letting me go on a mission. So I proposed those conditions, regarding my strength, the range of the request, and the need for his approval, to put his mind at ease. I actually think what Gramps does is right. It's because he cares for his family. Precisely because we are all comrades, all family, he worries about our safety. And what we have to do is become strong enough so that our family doesn't have to worry about us. That's why I didn't let you go on requests when your strength was insufficient. Now that you're strong enough, of course you can go. Let's go to the guild and pick one out."

"Are you coming with me, Big Brother Noah? Am I not going by myself?" Erza asked, confused.

"Of course you'll be doing it yourself. But I'll accompany you on your first one so you can get familiar with the process. I did the same for Simon on his first request."

Erza hadn't known the details of Simon's first mission. Now that she knew Noah had gone with him, she had no more questions.

Noah and Erza went to the request board in the guild. Erza's eyes immediately landed on one particular request, and she reached out and took it down. Noah asked, a little surprised, "Are you sure you want this one? This request won't be very easy for you."

"I'm sure. And since you're not objecting, Big Brother Noah, that means I can complete it." Erza turned to look at him, her eyes shining with confidence.

Noah sighed. "You're very perceptive. I was originally thinking you would pick something like a lost-item search. I didn't expect you to go straight for this one. For a first request, you could start with something simpler."

But Erza's tone was firm. "No. I want to challenge myself and constantly improve my strength. With someone as strong as you always moving forward, Big Brother Noah, I don't want to be left too far behind. I want to catch up to you as quickly as possible, and even surpass you!"

Noah saw the light in her eyes—the look of someone with a clear goal. He didn't try to persuade her any further. Instead, he went with her to the counter where Makarov was.

Erza handed the request form to him. Seeing that it was Erza, Makarov looked at Noah in surprise. "Is Erza starting to take on requests now? Do you think she's strong enough?"

Noah nodded. "Erza's strength is sufficient. And just like me back then, she'll only be completing requests within Magnolia, and the requests will need your approval, Gramps."

Makarov looked at the request form in his hand. "This one just came in this morning. I was going to have someone else take care of it quickly. But won't this be a bit much for Erza?"

"Master, I want to try!" Erza said, looking at Makarov with sparkling eyes. "And Big Brother Noah will be with me, so the request won't fail."

Makarov looked at Noah, who nodded. "I'll accompany her on this one. Since it's her first time, she needs to learn the process."

Makarov thought for a moment. He didn't want to extinguish Erza's enthusiasm. He nodded in agreement but still said to her, "Just do your best. If you can't handle it, just leave it to Noah. Don't push yourself too hard."

"I understand, Master!" Erza nodded emphatically. Then, she and Noah walked out of the guild doors together.

~~~

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