"You did well."
"You kept everyone in the guild safe and did not let that bastard succeed like in the tragedy I went through."
"Just from that alone, you are already qualified as an S Class mage."
As he spoke, Kabe turned to Cana, who stood at the front of the female members with her arms crossed, and gave her a nod of praise as well.
"You too, Cana."
"The fact that Juvia is still alive is thanks to you."
"In how you handled things this time, you showed qualities that are not inferior to an S Class mage."
Cana did not puff up with pride at Kabe's compliment.
Letting the enemy hurt a guildmate right next door to her was, in her eyes, an immense shame.
After comforting the two of them, Kabe had Mira lead him to see Juvia.
Juvia had been given a separate room next door to rest in.
Porlyusica was there, watching over her without leaving her side.
Kabe knocked.
After a short wait, the door opened.
Porlyusica, wrapped in her crimson high collared cloak, fixed the intruders with her blood red, icy eyes that screamed keep out.
When she saw that the visitor was Kabe, she finally let out a quiet breath.
She really did not like this brat, who was even more reckless with his own body than Makarov had been in his youth, always coming to her for checkups after abusing himself.
But she was also the one who understood best just how terrifying the power inside this boy's body really was.
With his return, the tensions between the guilds would finally have a chance to settle.
Kabe, seeing this senior who had walked through the same era as Makarov and had always looked out for him in her own gruff way, was especially respectful.
"Long time no see, Porlyusica granny."
"I am going to have to trouble you again."
As he spoke, Porlyusica pushed her thoughts aside, her expression returning to its usual cold indifference.
"Compared to a certain brat who comes pestering me every other day, this does not really count as trouble."
"Anything else?"
"If not, get out."
"I hate humans."
"Heh, I keep telling you, I am not human."
He grinned and flicked the tail behind him, making Porlyusica's eyelid twitch before she gave him a vicious glare and started to shut the door.
"Wait."
Kabe held the door and glanced into the room.
"Let me see Juvia."
"Also, I have another patient here I would like you to examine."
He stepped aside and revealed Simon, who was carrying the unconscious Jellal.
Porlyusica looked at Jellal, took a deep breath, and said impatiently,
"Keep your voices down."
"Only you two can come in."
With permission granted, Kabe immediately stepped inside with Simon.
There were several beds in the room.
Simon picked one at random, set Jellal down, and began explaining his condition to Porlyusica.
While she examined Jellal, Kabe walked to the bed furthest inside.
There, Juvia lay with her brows knit, a pained expression on her face.
Seeing the girl in such a fragile state made his chest tighten slightly.
He squatted down, picked up the towel at her bedside, and gently wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.
"Sorry, Juvia."
"When I brought you back to the guild, I should have thought of this."
"It was my oversight."
He deeply regretted not reminding Juvia to be on guard and not asking Mira and Cana to pay extra attention to her.
As if sensing someone nearby, Juvia's eyelashes trembled and then slowly lifted.
"Kabe… sama?"
Seeing his face appear in front of her made Juvia's heart leap with joy.
Even the pain brought on by the complete loss of magic seemed to ease a little.
"Juvia, how are you feeling now?"
Kabe asked, his voice full of concern as he took her cold hand in his.
Feeling his warmth through their joined hands, Juvia was so moved she almost burst into tears.
"With Kabe sama here, Juvia feels better than any other time."
Kabe was momentarily at a loss for words.
Juvia was still Juvia.
When it came to expressing her feelings, she was always this straightforward.
"Do not say silly things."
"Listen to Porlyusica granny and focus on recovering, so you do not end up with any lasting damage."
"As for Phantom Lord, I will handle them for you."
"I promise those bastards will never dare lay a finger on you again."
"Mm, Juvia will do as you say."
Juvia answered with a blissful expression, though worry still slipped into her eyes.
"Kabe sama, the one who attacked was Aria, leader of the Element Four."
"P please be careful of his wind magic."
"It is fine."
"A bit of wind magic cannot hurt me."
Kabe engraved the name Aria clearly into his mind, then gently placed Juvia's hand back under the covers and tucked the quilt around her.
"Rest well."
"Once I have dealt with Phantom Lord, I will come see you again."
So carefully cared for, Juvia was overwhelmed with emotion, unable to find any words at all.
She could only nod again and again, and in her heart she silently swore she would rest properly and recover as soon as possible, so she would not make Kabe sama worry anymore.