Makarov calmed down, but then he looked confused. "Why did Laxus suddenly want to have an all-out fight with you?"

Noah set Laxus down in a chair in the guild hall, then whispered to Erza and Kagura, "Don't tell anyone the specific details of my fight with Laxus. The result is fine, but not the details. I'll tell you why later." Erza and Kagura both nodded.

He then pulled Makarov aside and said in a low voice, "Didn't you tell me you noticed something was on Laxus's mind, Gramps? I went and asked him. It turns out he wants to take the S-Class trial but doesn't know if he can pass on the first try, so he's been hesitating. I told him directly that even if he participated, I would be the examiner, and I believe that only those with sufficient strength can pass. Since that's the case, I figured it would be better for him to just fight me, and then I could judge if he has what it takes to be an S-Class wizard. So, Laxus fought me with all his might. The result is what you see now; his stamina and magic are so depleted that he had to be carried back."

Makarov was finally completely relieved. He had been truly terrified when he first saw Laxus's condition, his heart had skipped a beat, thinking something terrible had happened.

With his mind at ease, Makarov's curiosity about the result of the fight grew. "So what was the outcome? No, wait, the gap in strength between you and Laxus is so big, there's no way he could have won. So what do you think of his strength now? Can he become an S-Class wizard?"

Noah thought for a moment before answering. "Gramps, Laxus's strength is already very good, but I don't think he can become an S-Class wizard right now."

"Why is that?" Makarov was curious. If his strength was good, why couldn't he become S-Class? Wasn't that a contradiction?

"Based on strength alone, Laxus has reached the minimum passing line for an S-Class wizard. If it were anyone else, it would be fine to let them be promoted. But because it's Laxus, he can't become S-Class right now.

"First, because he's your grandson, the grandson of a Wizard Saint. Because of that, other people's expectations of him are extremely high. Although his strength has reached the passing line, in the eyes of others, it's not enough. This will easily lead to all sorts of gossip and rumors, which will affect Laxus himself. He's already subjected to all kinds of talk just because he's your grandson, which has caused his personality to change. Although we've managed to talk him down these past two years, he probably still has some hang-ups. It's better not to stimulate him with outside pressure right now.

"Second, because of the Thunder Dragon Slayer lacrima inside him. That thing is a one-of-a-kind artifact; its value is immeasurable. Countless people would be willing to take huge risks for it. He already gets a lot of attention for being your grandson. When he becomes S-Class, he'll get even more. If someone finds out about it, with his current strength, Laxus wouldn't just be unable to protect the lacrima; he'd have a hard time protecting his own life. For his own safety, it would be best to wait another year or two. Let his strength increase by another large margin, and then let him become S-Class. At that time, even if someone finds out, what could they do? With their strength, they wouldn't be able to do a thing."

After hearing Noah's explanation, Makarov thought about it very seriously. "Your concerns are valid," he said. "Let's do as you say. We'll wait until Laxus is a bit stronger before he becomes S-Class. You should be the one to tell him. I'm afraid if I'm the one to say it, it will have the opposite effect."

"Mhm, I'll tell him. It would be better coming from me. I'll go now."

"Go on."

Noah returned to where Laxus, Erza, and the others were. Laxus asked impatiently, "What did Gramps say?"

"Let's not rush that. Let's go to my house first. I need to give you a more thorough check-up." Noah didn't answer his question, intending to take them home first. Laxus was confused—hadn't he already been checked and told he was fine? But he didn't object. Erza and Kagura, of course, had no objections either.

Noah teleported the three of them directly back to his house. Ur's family was at the snowy mountain, and Simon was out on a request, so no one else was home.

Noah first gave Laxus a more detailed, comprehensive examination, collecting his physical data. He had been doing this for several years now, collecting data not just on the people living in his house, but on all the guild members. This data was to help him study their physical changes and for his future magic research and development.

After collecting the data, Noah had Laxus take a potion for his recovery, telling him to take the one he'd been given earlier when he got back home. Once everything was done, Noah pulled Laxus up to his room on the second floor. Erza and Kagura started to cook on the first floor.

When the two of them were seated in the room, Noah said to Laxus, "Your strength has reached the passing line for an S-Class wizard."

A smile had just started to form on Laxus's face when Noah continued, "But I am against you becoming an S-Class wizard right now."

Laxus was stunned. He didn't think Noah would harm him, so he wasn't angry, just confused. "Why are you against it?"

Noah explained the two reasons he had just given Makarov. "Your strength is sufficient to become S-Class, but it's not enough for you. You don't need to become S-Class immediately. If you wait a while, until your strength is even greater, that will be a better time. Your safety will be better guaranteed, and Gramps will also be more at ease."

Laxus listened to Noah's words carefully. Because it was Noah saying them, he could take them to heart. After thinking for a long time, he finally agreed with Noah's advice and promised that he would wait until he was stronger before taking the S-Class trial.

However, the fight with Noah today had greatly motivated him. Ever since everyone had started taking requests, they hadn't sparred with each other as much, and never at full power. Although he had always lost, it was only today, when he had gone all out, that he realized just how big the gap between them was.

"From now on, let's have an all-out fight once a week," Laxus said to Noah. "Or even two or three times a month would be fine. I want to master my Dragon Slayer magic as quickly as possible and increase my strength."

"Alright. I also want to learn about Dragon Slayer magic, to see what this magic meant to fight dragons is really like. I can learn by fighting with you. And it will help you get stronger faster. Don't worry, I have plenty of potions."

Laxus shivered. He felt a hint of malice in Noah's words, but since he had already agreed, he would see it through no matter what.

~~~

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