"Ivan was—expelled from the guild?"
Shane repeated subconsciously, thinking he heard wrong.
The impact of this news was far stronger than Ultear's sudden departure.
One must know that Master Makarov always treated every guild member as his own child. Not to mention severe punishment, he rarely even spoke harsh words, let alone to Ivan, who was related by blood.
How is this possible? This was Shane's first reaction.
But when he looked around at the deathly still air and met Cana's eyes full of seriousness, he had to believe this was the truth.
"Where is the Master?" Shane's voice lowered.
"On the second floor," Cana signaled upstairs with her eyes, lowering her voice. "He must be in a very bad mood right now; you'd better not—"
Before she could finish, she saw Shane turn silently, bend his legs, and leap onto the second floor with force.
Pushing open the office door.
Makarov wasn't sitting in the large chair as usual, but standing in front of the window with his back to the door.
The setting sun stretched his short figure very long. That shadow cast on the floor revealed an unspeakable exhaustion and loneliness.
Hearing the door open, he didn't turn back, just saying in a voice thick with weariness but still trying hard to maintain dignity, "Didn't I say, unless you're an S-Class Mage, you're not allowed to come up to the second floor casually?"
"Master," Shane closed the door gently behind him and walked to the center of the room. "Since you're in such a bad mood, don't focus on lecturing for now."
He pulled a chair over and sat down, his gaze landing on Makarov's face as he turned around.
That face, usually always carrying a few funny or kind wrinkles, was tight at this moment. Pain, anger, and indescribable—disappointment surged in his eyes.
Seems the blow the Master received is really huge.
Shane thought silently and asked directly, "Why expel Ivan from the guild?"
Makarov walked behind the desk and sat heavily into the chair, letting out a deep sigh. "I thought you wouldn't be interested in this kind of thing."
Shane leaned forward, elbows on his knees, unconsciously pressing his knuckles, making crisp sounds.
"Actually, when leaving Magnolia for the mission before, Gray, Erza, and I accidentally saw Ivan once on the train."
He weighed his words. "Felt he—was somewhat abnormal, so I was a bit concerned."
Hearing this, Makarov was silent for a moment. When he spoke again, although his voice was still tired, it carried unquestionable power.
"He touched the bottom line, Shane." Makarov raised his head. "No matter who it is, as long as they threaten the lives of companions, I absolutely cannot tolerate them continuing to stay in the guild!"
"Threaten the lives of companions?" Shane's pupils constricted slightly, his body tensing unconsciously. "He attacked people in the guild?"
Perhaps because the usual atmosphere in the guild was too harmonious and warm, this was a heinous act Shane hadn't even imagined.
Ivan gave people a feeling of being gloomy and ambitious, but attacking companions directly—
"What was it for?" Shane couldn't help pressing.
Makarov shook his head, unable to hide the grief on his face. "The specific reason is still unclear. But no matter what, I can't keep him anymore."
Just then, the communication crystal on the desk vibrated urgently, interrupting their conversation.
Makarov frowned tightly and reached out to press the crystal. After the Magic Power connected, an extremely weak, intermittent voice came from the other end: "Master, I woke up. Lumen Histoire—what is it? Ivan—why did Ivan—want Lumen Histoire—"
The words "Lumen Histoire" exploded in Makarov's ears like thunder.
Bang—!
With a loud noise, the chair under Makarov slid back violently. His hand not pressing the crystal enlarged instantly, carrying uncontrollable violent rage, and slammed fiercely onto the solid wood desk in front of him!
Under this palm, the sturdy wooden desk shattered instantly like a fragile biscuit, wood chips flying!
"That bastard!! Actually dared to target [Lumen Histoire]!!!"
Makarov's low roar was like an injured male lion, his beard and hair bristling, his huge palm trembling slightly due to anger.
He regretted it, regretted it immensely!
He originally thought expelling Ivan from the guild was already the severest punishment, enough to punish his fault and cut off his connection with the guild.
But now it seemed this was far from enough!
In case—in case Ivan leaked the intelligence of [Lumen Histoire], just imagining the possible consequences made a suffocating anger surge in his heart.
"Ma—Master? What's wrong?" The voice on the other end of the crystal seemed frightened by the commotion here, carrying a trace of panic.
Makarov took a few sharp breaths, his chest heaving violently, forcibly suppressing the anger that almost broke through his reason, and said in a deep voice to the crystal, "Nothing! Forget this matter, forget the name [Lumen Histoire]! I will handle it; you recuperate in peace!"
After comforting the other party, he cut off the communication, and the office fell into a deathly silence.
Shane watched all this silently, chewing on the unfamiliar term "Lumen Histoire" in his heart.
Sounds like something incredible. I have a bad feeling; did I hear some secret I shouldn't have heard?
"Sorry, Shane," Makarov's voice pulled his thoughts back.
His expression was unusually serious. "I'm afraid I have to deal with some urgent matters first. Regarding the term 'Lumen Histoire,' please pretend you never heard it. This is a key secret concerning the guild's survival."
Seeing the old man could still warn him so frankly at such a time, Shane sighed, restraining his untimely curiosity.
He nodded to show understanding, then asked, "You're going to chase Ivan?"
"Correct!" Makarov said without hesitation. "He now holds key intelligence that can threaten the safety of the entire guild. Must find him as soon as possible."
"Ensure he won't—cause a catastrophe!"
"If that's the case," Shane stood up and moved his wrists, "maybe I can help."
Makarov immediately looked up at him, inquiry in his eyes.
Shane shrugged, raised his right hand, and wiped his fingertips gently over his eyelids.
When he opened his eyes again, the pupils had transformed into a strange form like swaying flames—Eyes of Karma.
"When I bumped into him at the guild entrance just now," Shane's tone was flat, "I casually noted down his karma thread."
Speaking of this, Shane paused, adding in his heart:
Of course, this is absolutely not because of holding a grudge, thinking about finding a chance to return that bump afterward or something like that. Just—subconsciously kept a card up my sleeve.
Surprise exploded on Makarov's face instantly. "Really?! Go! Take me there quickly!"
Shane nodded, knowing the situation was urgent, and turned to lead the way.
Just then—
The office door was slammed open by a huge force. Accompanied by lightning, the door panel hit the wall with a loud bang.
"Bastard old man! Why did you kick Dad out of the guild!!"