"That's how it is."
In the corner of the guild hall, Gajeel handed a note to Makarov. "I also took the opportunity to scout out the location of the Dark Guild your son secretly established."
Makarov took the note and glanced at the coordinates on it. "Well done... but I'm sorry to have you do such a dangerous job as a double agent."
Gajeel waved his hand. "Actually, I quite enjoy undercover work. If there's another assignment like this, Master, you must consider me first."
Watching Gajeel walk towards the hall to celebrate the successful Magic Parade with his companions, Makarov nodded with satisfaction. This child had truly integrated well into the guild.
When he looked at the piece of paper again, Makarov's expression turned grim.
More than ten years ago, his son Ivan did something the guild absolutely forbade: he coveted a secret only the guild master could know—'Lumen Histoire'.
If 'Lumen Histoire' were to be leaked, it would plunge Fairy Tail into endless trouble, possibly even bringing about its destruction.
So, for the safety of the guild, Makarov at the time had no choice but to painfully expel his greedy son, Ivan, from the guild.
After that, his obedient grandson became rebellious.
Makarov originally thought it was just a child not understanding why his grandfather had expelled his father and throwing a tantrum.
But Gajeel brought him the truth: Laxus's drastic change in temperament as a child was actually caused by his bastard son.
Grandfather and grandson fighting each other?
It almost really happened.
Makarov clenched his fists, the desire to kill his son without regret surging.
"Old man, why are you here alone?"
A concerned voice came, and Makarov turned his head.
It was Laxus. After realizing his true self, he lost his rebellious streak, and even his appearance became kinder.
Looking at his beloved grandson, Makarov's anger instantly subsided. "Laxus, Grandpa's just wandering around. Let's go back to the banquet."
Laxus, completely unaware of his father's scoundrel behavior, didn't say much and took Makarov's hand like he did when he was a child.
Only, the once small person had now grown so tall that Makarov had to raise his hand to reach his.
At the celebration banquet, laughter, singing, and clinking glasses filled the air.
Natsu and Gray were having an eating contest again, Lucy and Levy were discussing today's performance details, Cana was drinking heartily with the Thunder God Tribe... Makarov drank a large mug of beer, watching the lively scene in the guild.
He remembered similar scenes many years ago, recalled those companions who had left, and looking at these growing young generations, a tear glistened in his eye.
"You all did very well..."
He murmured softly, then raised his voice, "Everyone! A toast to the successful completion of today's Magic Grand Parade! Cheers!"
"Cheers!!!!"
Amidst the cheers, Makarov announced another piece of news.
Starting tomorrow, the second floor of the guild would no longer be exclusive to S-Class Mages. Members below S-Class who are capable can now accept S-Class requests, but they must either be S-Class themselves or team up with an S-Class Mage from the guild.
As soon as this news broke, a large group of people in the guild hall immediately cheered.
A group of curious youngsters, led by Natsu, rushed to the second floor, just to see the S-Class quests, as well as the even more arduous Ten-Year Quests, Hundred Year Quests... Makarov then announced that the guild would be expanded, but compared to the opening of the guild's second floor, it wasn't as appealing.
Hope leaned back in his chair, watching the lively scene around him.
Erza sat beside him. "Hope, have you noticed you've been getting more and more mischievous lately? Could it be because of that Magnetic Field Power?"
Mirajane also came over at some point, holding a plate of pastries. "Erza's right, Hope, you've been really fond of teasing people lately. Didn't you see Laxus was almost brought to tears by you earlier?"
"Hehe... he brought it upon himself, alright..."
Hope gave an awkward smile. Actually, Erza was right.
Magnetic Field Power amplifies a person's true nature. Following one's true nature allows for better cultivation of power, and those who can awaken Magnetic Field Power are often stubborn, leading them to become more erratic the stronger they get.
This is why Magnetic Field powerhouses are also known as Magnetic Field Maniacs.
As for Hope's true nature, he was probably a mischief-maker.
He was originally just an ordinary person who transmigrated to the Magnetic Field World. Because he had no power, he lived in constant fear, forced to suppress his fun-loving nature.
After coming to the Fairy Tail World, he finally gained power.
This immediately began to unleash his true nature.
Hope felt he should also slightly restrain his level of mischief, otherwise, if he became Lan Meng, who possessed world-shattering wisdom, one day, it would be a tragedy.
As the one who dragged 'world-shattering wisdom' down to a derogatory term, Lan Meng was a rare individual in the Magnetic Field World who changed his own destiny.
To screw up a destiny of a born emperor into that of a dog-donkey, this was a unique existence in the Magnetic Field World for five hundred thousand years, both before and after.
Hope didn't want to become like that.
Just then, Cana, who had drunk the Thunder God Tribe under the table three to one, came over. Seeing Erza on Hope's left and Mirajane on his right, she could only sit across the table.
"Hope, make me stronger!"
Hope tilted his head, not expecting Cana to make such a request.
Erza, meanwhile, nodded beside him. She was very pleased with Cana's desire to become stronger; if everyone had Cana's current drive, it would be great.
However, Cana's next words completely stunned Erza.
"Hope, don't you know Ancient Texts? That magic can teach others other magic. Quickly, transmit some powerful magic to me, your best friend."
Cana said excitedly, "I'm not greedy. Just give me some Dragon Slayer Magic, or God Slaying, or Evil-Slaying. I really want to become a Slayer-type Mage."
You really dare to ask for that... Hope forcibly resisted the urge to smack this girl's head open to see what was inside, and explained, "Ancient Texts can indeed achieve a similar effect to initiation or power transmission, but it only works on magic already mastered by the linked person."
Cana's expression changed. That meant Hope could at most only strengthen her Card Magic, but the strength of Card Magic lay in the magic Cards themselves... "Ah—it's all because of those two unreliable uncles, Macao and Wakaba, who tricked me into learning Card Magic when I was little. Now it's so hard to learn another magic from scratch..."
Looking at Cana, who was sprawled on the table, wallowing in self-pity, Hope smiled slightly. "Seeing how pathetic you are, I'll make you a set of powerful magic Cards myself in a few days when I have time."
"Really? Thank you so much!"
Cana gave Hope a 'face-wash hug', burying him in her chest. Fortunately, Hope had strong lung capacity and managed to hold out until Erza and Mirajane 'rescued' him (not really), pulling him away... He had to admit, the elasticity was really good~
Seeing Hope's lingering expression, Erza and Mirajane exchanged glances, then, displeased, each grabbed one of Cana's arms and dragged her towards the guild's backyard.
"Cana, you've been quite bold lately, haven't you?"
"Let's see how well you've developed."
"No! Hope, save me!"
Feeling the disapproving, icy stares of Erza and Mirajane, Hope ultimately didn't dare to look back.
He could only continue to let Cana suffer, and he would bear the blame.
Oh, it turns out this isn't the Ming Dynasty, so he doesn't have to bear the blame.
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