I failed.
These simple four words stirred up a storm among the quiet Guild members, including Natsu and Gray, disbelief appearing on everyone's faces.
Although they were extremely unconvinced, they had to admit that Ches's S-Class Mage title was earned through actual battles, without any exaggeration.
And a man like this couldn't even complete the so-called ten-year mission?!
"Is that so? Even you couldn't manage it..."
Makarov, the Guild Master, was also surprised, his brows slightly furrowed, "What exactly happened?"
In his estimation, although Ches's strength couldn't guarantee a flawless speedrun, completing the request shouldn't have been particularly difficult; it was just a matter of spending more time.
This was the fundamental reason he sent Ches out: he could do missions and wouldn't stay in the Guild all day causing trouble for him.
Hearing this, Ches sighed softly and simply sat down on the bar counter.
"Following the normal procedure, there wouldn't have been a problem, but I had bad luck. Just as I was finishing up, I encountered a giant dragon that was entirely crimson."
As if recounting a trivial matter, his tone was quite calm, without much fluctuation.
However, these words, when heard in the Fairy Tail Guild, were like a nuclear bomb, causing waves of gasps.
"A giant dragon that's entirely crimson? Hey, hey, Ches, if I understand correctly, you're talking about those terrifying creatures that exist in legends, not just a simple title?!"
"Do dragons really exist? How strong must monsters like that be!"
"Wait, so you successfully escaped from the dragon's attack?!"
...
Everyone rushed over excitedly, surrounding Ches completely, talking non-stop, all at once.
And the newcomer Lucy was so shocked by this explosive news that she covered her mouth with both hands, standing frozen in place.
"Everyone shut up! Ches, was the dragon you encountered Igneel?!!"
Natsu pushed everyone aside, ran excitedly in front of Ches, his eyes sparkling with intense eagerness.
Ches casually glanced at Natsu, his sharp gaze seemingly able to see through the essence of magic, reaching the Fire Dragon King Igneel hidden within Natsu's body.
"Although that monster also breathes fire, it's a pity, its name is not Igneel."
Hearing this, Natsu's face instantly fell, but in the blink of an eye, passion and excitement erupted again.
"Hey! You all heard that, right? Dragons really exist, I was truly raised by the Fire Dragon King Igneel!"
Although his Guildmates were willing to believe him, after years of fruitless "father-seeking," his companions had long lost interest in the Igneel he spoke of.
And the news about the dragon that Ches brought back was undoubtedly a booster, further strengthening his determination to find his old father!
"So Ches, did you really get into a fight with that dragon? Were you injured?" Mira asked with a face full of worry.
Recalling the life-or-death battle he had just experienced, Ches's face was filled with emotion, and a hint of loneliness.
"Strictly speaking, that didn't even count as a battle. That monster's power was incredibly strong; with just one Fire Dragon's Breath, the monster army I summoned was completely wiped out."
"I was no match at all. I barely escaped with a magic card, managing to flee from its dragon claws."
As he spoke, Ches suddenly changed his tone, looking at Mira and saying seriously, "But I am indeed injured. My fragile heart was quite scared, and I need to go on a date with a beautiful lady to soothe it."
"Is that so..."
Mira, relieved to know he wasn't injured, secretly sighed, then raised a fair finger and pointed at Lucy, who was cowering in the corner like a minion, "What a coincidence, Lucy is a top-notch beauty, both in terms of face and figure."
"Huh?!"
Lucy, innocently caught in the crossfire, instantly bristled, her eyes wide.
As a newcomer with little presence, I can get caught in the crossfire like this?
Mira, did you just sell me out?!
"Lucy, well, she's a bit silly, but as a date, I guess she's acceptable." Ches nodded thoughtfully.
Lucy's mouth twitched, her inner monologue: What do you mean 'a bit silly'? If you can't talk properly, just shut up!
"Acceptable, huh..."
Mira straightened up slightly, her hands clasped elegantly on the hem of her wine-red dress.
The smile on her lips became a little brighter and sweeter, yet inexplicably radiated a sense of danger.
"Ah ha, ah haha, thinking about it carefully, it seems my heart wasn't traumatized anymore when I returned to the Guild."
Ches immediately backed down, scratching his head with a chuckle.
Lucy's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze flickering between the two. The anger from being innocently offended instantly dissipated, replaced by intense gossip curiosity.
Something going on?
I definitely have to ask Natsu and Happy about this later!
"Alright, it's good that you're okay."
Makarov lowered his eyes, putting on a casual expression, and waved his hand at Ches, "But Ches, I need you to report the detailed process of this mission to me."
"Come up to the second floor."
Even though the ten-year mission had an extremely high danger level, failing it meant losing the client's trust and damaging Fairy Tail's reputation, so subsequent compensation and review work were essential.
However, he didn't care about such trivial matters; what he was more concerned about was the mysterious Fire Dragon Ches mentioned.
He had never personally seen such a creature that only existed in legends, and couldn't help but feel a bit of curiosity and worry.
Before Ches could respond, a figure impatiently took the first step, running towards the stairs leading to the second floor.
Natsu was so eager to know more about dragons that he completely forgot the Guild rule that only S-Class Mages were allowed on the second floor!
Thump!
As expected, just as he ran out, he was covered by a shadow—a giant fist descended from the sky, slamming him to the ground with one punch.
"Natsu! You're not qualified to come up yet!" Makarov sternly rebuked, showing no leniency.
The reason he wanted to talk to Ches privately, away from the Guild members, was that he was worried the existence of dragons would cause psychological trauma to the children, making them unable to stand firm and advance to higher ranks.
Natsu, who was raised by a dragon since childhood, was actually fine, but the Guild's rules couldn't be broken.
Anyway, given his personality, even if he couldn't go upstairs with them, he would eventually badger Ches for the relevant information.
This was Ches's problem to deal with.
"Haha, try your best to get promoted to S-Class soon, little brother Natsu~"
Ches strode past Natsu, who was sprawled on the floor, adding insult to injury with a smug look.
"Bastard! After this year, I'll definitely be S-Class!"
Natsu gritted his teeth in anger, but constrained by the Guild Master's authority, he ultimately gave up the idea of forcing his way up.
Since the warrior who charged first chose to compromise, the other Guild members, although extremely curious, shrugged and honestly returned to their seats to continue drinking and chatting.
Compared to their docility, there was one person who followed closely behind Ches, slowly walking up to the second floor.
Makarov glanced back, then silently withdrew his gaze.
Although Mira's personality had drastically changed due to the incident years ago and she was now just a harmless barmaid, her S-Class Mage status was undeniable, so he couldn't say much.
"Hey, hey Happy, what's the relationship between Mira and Mr. Ches?"
Lucy watched Ches and Mira disappear around the corner of the stairs one after another, her gossip soul finally unable to hold back, and poked Happy next to her with her elbow.
"Does Lucy want to know?"
Happy's eyes rolled, and he slowly extended a finger, "Trade it for a box of dried fish!"
"A box? I haven't even settled my own rent yet!" Lucy quickly clutched the wallet on her waistband.
Having just joined the Guild, she hadn't taken on any decent requests yet, had no money in her pocket, and was living quite a tight and struggling life.
Where would she get money to buy fish for this damn cat?!
"Aye! Then I have nothing to say!" Happy cheekily turned his head.
"You damn cat!!" Lucy shivered with anger.
