Ezreal walked to the table, smiling, and said, "Guild Master, this mission was truly full of twists and turns."
Makarov stroked his beard with a smile, his kind gaze falling on Ikaruga, and asked, "Who is this person beside you?"
Ezreal turned sideways, patted Ikaruga's shoulder, and introduced, "Ikaruga, we met her in the Asgard Mountains. She's quite strong, and we got along well. She doesn't have anywhere to go for now, so I invited her to join our guild. She doesn't mind, what do you think?"
"Hello, Guild Master, I am Ikaruga." Ikaruga bowed slightly and politely.
"Of course, no problem. I trust your judgment of people." Makarov smiled kindly, "Ikaruga, right? Fairy Tail welcomes your addition."
Ikaruga bowed again in thanks.
"There's a very recognizable white-haired girl at the bar in the main hall, named Mira. You can find her to get a guild emblem." Makarov said.
Ikaruga nodded, glanced at Ezreal, then turned and left the Guild Master's office.
"Why are you still drinking iced black tea in winter? It's very cold." Ezreal walked to the sofa, sat down as if he owned the place, and poured himself a glass of water.
"It's Mira, of course! She said I'm too old to drink alcohol in winter and swapped it for iced black tea. This was after a lot of effort to even get this; otherwise, it would just be plain hot water." Makarov's entire complexion turned ashen, and he looked very dejected.
He shuffled over from behind the desk and sat opposite Ezreal, looking at the iced black tea in his cup, sighing, and pouring himself a glass.
Ezreal chuckled softly, not replying.
"A very pure sword intent, with a sharp aura even permeating her soul. Her magic power is also vast, and her strength is quite good. A rare talent. Tell me, what's this young lady's background?" Makarov took a sip of iced black tea, his color returning from its ashen state, and asked seriously.
"Seeing how readily you agreed just now, I thought you wouldn't ask too much about her background." Ezreal smiled.
"I can't let you lose face when there are outsiders present, can I?" The old man glared at Ezreal in exasperation, then continued, "I have to be responsible for the other members of the guild. Whether everyone who joins can fully integrate and become a companion we can trust our backs to is one thing, but at the very least, they mustn't cause harm to their guildmates."
"She had a falling out with her family and ran away from home. There are no major issues with her character. Cana and I spent a month with Ikaruga, and she's not a problem child." Ezreal answered earnestly.
"In that case, then there's no problem." Makarov nodded, then looked at Ezreal again and asked, "Tell me, how was your trip to the Asgard Mountains?"
"Overall, it wasn't bad. There are still many S-Rank Magic Beasts there. I noted down their approximate locations. Our strength isn't enough to handle them, but I'm very eager. I plan to save up some money, post an S-Class request, and ask Elsa or Laxus to help me catch two." Ezreal said.
"You really think highly of those two. S-Rank Magic Beasts aren't that easy to deal with. And, your current strength, shouldn't it be not far from theirs now?" Makarov said.
"You really overestimate me; I'm still far from it." Ezreal raised his left hand and lightly clenched his fist.
"I could put up a fight against Erza, but if it drags on, I'd still lose, as my magic power is a big issue."
"Against Laxus, I can only guarantee a safe retreat. In a direct confrontation, my Summoned Beasts can't withstand his lightning."
Makarov continued, "With your strength, you could try the S-Class trial next year; there's a high probability you'll pass."
"Speaking of which, I actually have an idea. It's also related to a small incident I encountered on my way back this time." Ezreal raised his left hand, and wisps of faint green mist appeared at his fingertips, slowly coalescing into a green sphere the size of a fingernail.
"What is this?" Makarov asked, puzzled.
"A memory. You should take a look first." Ezreal handed over the energy sphere.
"A memory?" Makarov took the green energy sphere, but as soon as it was in his hand, it slowly dispersed and merged into his hand.
Makarov's expression was slightly dazed, a series of information transmitting into his mind, temporarily interrupting his thoughts.
The memory Ezreal gave contained information about the Skull Gang's members, as well as the events leading up to and following the encounter with them.
Approximately half a minute later, Makarov recovered.
"The Skull Gang, huh? I have some impression. You told me their personnel information, what do you intend to do?" Makarov looked up at Ezreal.
"You already know what happened. I want to eliminate this guild. What do you think?" Ezreal said with a smile.
"Nineteen C-Class Mages, nine B-Class Mages, three A-Class Mages. This level of strength isn't bad, and they're all Black Mages skilled in assassination techniques." Makarov pondered for a moment, not answering immediately.
"The guild's S-Class trials are usually internal battles. Some of my methods can't be used normally against guildmates. And, I'd have to wait until mid-next year."
"Against the Skull Gang, I wouldn't have so many reservations. The Skull Gang's strength configuration is quite good. How about treating them as my S-Class trial?"
"Eliminating a Dark Guild can also improve our guild's reputation, and the Council might have a better attitude towards us." Ezreal said, pouring a glass of water for the thoughtful old man opposite him.
What he said was indeed true, only some parts were left unsaid.
The guild's S-Class trial, in Ezreal's eyes, was somewhat of a game. Internal sparring, while certainly not dangerous and ensuring safety.
However, it was actually of little significance. The so-called Mage ranks, whether A, B, C, D, or S, were just titles to measure strength.
What mattered was strength, not titles.
For example, in the original story, Cana did pass the S-Class trial in the Tenrou Island arc, but her development of card magic was mediocre, and her magic power accumulation was also quite ordinary.
Could such a Cana truly be considered an S-Class Mage?
Even with a borrowed Fairy Glitter, that was just a single powerful skill.
Ezreal himself had two such skills!
Moreover, he could guarantee that his life-or-death techniques would hit the enemy with 100% certainty.
What about Cana's Fairy Glitter? Could she ensure it would hit her opponent?
Which truly strong Mage couldn't avoid it?
Even those who couldn't avoid it would have countermeasures.
For example, the Grimoire Heart Vice Guild Master she first faced after getting Fairy Glitter, the one with gravity magic.
A single gravity suppression directly pinned Cana down, making it difficult for her to even get up.
She hadn't even finished reciting the incantation when she was forced to bow her head.
To call that S-Class was truly unreasonable.
Ezreal didn't care about titles; he cared more about genuine increases in strength.
With his current combat power, six A-Class Shadow Worgens, two B-Class Red and Blue Warriors, one A-Class Blue Buff, one A+ Class Fire Crown Treant, plus his own A-Class self.
In the guild, besides the Guild Master and the four S-Class Mages, even without him intervening, his Summoned Beasts alone could easily beat all his guildmates.
Truthfully, he definitely possessed S-Class strength.