Inside the venue.
Although the tense atmosphere had dissipated, the conflict between Chase and Jiemin still sparked speculation among the guild masters, who discussed it animatedly.
"Explain, Chase. What was that all about?" Makarov pulled Chase aside and asked in a low voice.
"I sensed his undisguised hostility from the moment I walked in. The exact reason isn't clear." Chase replied.
"Some petty man who can't stand others stealing the spotlight, jealous beyond reason..."
Makarov recalled Bob's earlier analysis.
The Magic Council hadn't informed him that the person who awakened the Eighteen Demon Gods Magic was Sabertooth's young miss.
Jiemin, was it? This old man will remember that!
Although Chase had come out on top in their exchange, Makarov's protective nature meant he wouldn't let this slide.
That said, on the surface, he still offered a symbolic warning: "He's still a regular guild master. If something like this happens again, tell me beforehand."
"Haha, isn't this good, though?"
Chase gestured subtly with his eyes toward their surroundings. "Master, haven't you noticed that since Jiemin left, some of the guilds are ready to move toward us have settled down considerably?"
"So that's the real reason you confronted Jiemin?" Makarov raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't you bring me here to shock the restless guilds, Master?" Chase countered with a smile.
Fairy Tail's reputation in Fiore was simply too immense. It was inevitable that some peers would be jealous and resentful—the relationship between regular guilds wasn't just about alliances, but fierce competition!
If not for that, Jose of Phantom Lord wouldn't later muster his forces to hunt Fairy Tail!
Hearing this, Makarov was momentarily stunned.
"While I did have that in mind, I planned to use a more moderate approach—like leveraging the newspaper reports..."
"Isn't this even better? Cuts out the trouble altogether." Chase spread his hands.
"You rascal!" Makarov cursed with a helpless laugh.
As they spoke, the diminutive Robaul slowly approached.
"Young Chase, thank you for earlier. You didn't make this old man lose face."
Before Chase could respond, Makarov stepped forward. "This brat is just young and reckless. We appreciate your concern, Master Robaul."
He had heard more or less about the secret of Cait Shelter—the "guild of one person"—and knew just how unfathomable this venerable elder truly was!
"Youthful recklessness couldn't produce such a feat—single-handedly blocking the Eighteen Demon Gods to protect the tourists."
Robaul sighed with admiration. "To possess great power yet not lose sight of protecting the weak... Mages as excellent as young Chase are rare these days."
"Ahahaha! Chase is just a destructive idiot! He doesn't deserve such high praise!"
Makarov laughed, patting Chase on the shoulder.
His words sounded humble enough, but his laughter, echoing through the hall, carried more than a hint of An Shuang—no, make that Ming Shuang!
This was exactly the scene he'd been anticipating since yesterday, dressed in his suit and tie!!
Seeing the smug, self-satisfied expression on the old man's face, Chase could only think: ⚆_⚆
Even Robaul hadn't expected such an exaggerated reaction. He had no choice but to interrupt:
"Speaking of which, this old man's guild has a rather impulsive little girl. If Master Makarov and young Chase ever encounter her, I'd appreciate it if you could look after her."
"Of course, of course! Leave it to Fairy Tail!" Makarov patted his chest in assurance.
"Don't worry, Master Robaul. We will." Chase nodded in agreement.
Who could resist sweet, silly little Wendy~
After a few more pleasantries, Robaul thanked them and departed.
Following him, several other masters came over to chat—some praising Chase's actions, some openly trying to poach him from Makarov, and some even declaring they'd introduce their daughters to Chase!
All were guilds with good relations with Fairy Tail.
Of course, there were also quite a few people lurking in dark corners, sneering at Chase and Makarov.
The Guild Alliance was, after all, a kind of Jianghu.
As the Magic Council's moderator arrived, the masters ceased their conversations and took their seats, officially commencing the meeting.
Chase didn't participate. After informing Makarov, he slowly walked out of the venue.
He had absolutely no interest in these formal, procedural meetings. Besides, he had other things to do.
Gazing at the forest path before him, still bearing traces of magic vehicles, Chase pulled out a card.
Hum.
A brilliant magic array flashed. By the time the light faded, he had completely vanished from the spot.
The next morning, Magnolia Station.
The "strongest team," as Mira called it, had assembled. Led by Erza, Natsu, Lucy, and the others headed to the location where the Death Flute "Lullaby" might appear.
The dark guild Eisenwald's conspiracy began to unfold...
Meanwhile, back in Crocus.
Since the meeting spanned two days, most masters—except those from local Crocus guilds or nearby areas—stayed overnight at the meeting mansion.
Thus, the early-rising masters gathered in small groups for morning tea, preparing for the second session.
A freshly emerged strange event became the hot topic of discussion:
During yesterday afternoon's meeting, a nearby hill had inexplicably exploded and been leveled to the ground!
In a corner, Makarov and Chase sat facing each other.
"That explosion they're all talking about—that was your doing, wasn't it, you rascal?"
Makarov held his teacup, his expression serious as he looked at Chase, his voice barely above a whisper.
He knew Chase's nature too well—he always settled scores on the spot. There was no way he'd let Jiemin leave so easily after being provoked like that!
"Haha, can't hide anything from you, Master..."
Chase laughed, scratching his head.
Receiving confirmation, Makarov's expression didn't change much. He simply raised his teacup and took a small sip.
"You didn't expose your identity, did you?"
Given his protective nature, he naturally wouldn't blame Chase for such behavior—in fact, it was tacitly approved.
But Jiemin was, after all, a regular guild master. An unprovoked, undisguised attack could cause trouble.
"No."
"Good job. That puts my mind at ease."
"I didn't disguise myself."
"PFFT!!!"
Makarov sprayed the tea he hadn't yet swallowed, his eyes bulging comically wide.
"Relax, Master. The problem you're worried about won't happen."
Chase calmly pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the tea from his face. "Put yourself in his shoes—would you openly admit to being thoroughly beaten by some junior from another guild?"
With anyone else, he might not be so confident. But what kind of person was Jiemin?
A guy who constantly preached that power was absolute, that the weak had no place in the guild. How could he possibly let anyone know he'd been defeated by some brat?
Therefore, not only would he not tell anyone—he'd go to great lengths to cover it up!
Makarov briefly imagined the scene and immediately nodded in vigorous agreement.
Seriously? Go tell those bastards at the Magic Council that he'd been beaten black and blue by some kid?
Where would he hide his old face?!
Meanwhile.
At the Sabertooth mage guild.
Three children and two small cats sat around a table.
A newspaper lay spread across the table, its content impressively a report on the Demon Ruins Island incident!
"So amazing! Hey, hey, young miss, did he really use a huge light sword to restrain that monster's movements?"
Little Sting leaned over the table, fantasizing about whether he could eat that light sword.
"As expected of Natsu's guild... to have such a powerful mage..." Little Rogue murmured quietly.
"Not just the light sword—there was also a six-pointed star magic circle!"
Little Minerva, still with short hair, gazed at the newspaper with eyes full of admiration, staring intently at the figure on the page. "Someday, I'm going to become a mage as awesome as Mr. Chase!"
"B-before that, young miss... could you please get me out of this strange space first..."
The deep red cat Lector frantically paced in the green chaotic space.
"Huh? Sorry, sorry! I'm still not familiar with this magic."
Little Minerva quickly disarms the accidentally activated magic.
Suddenly freed, Lector crashed to the floor with a thud.
"Hahaha!"
His funny appearance sent the children into fits of laughter.
THUD!
A loud door-slamming sound interrupted the cheerful atmosphere.
Shadow eclipsed the streaming sunlight as a bruised and swollen Jiemin slowly walked in.
The three little ones timidly backed away a few steps—including Minerva. They all feared this hot-tempered master.
"Master! What happened to you?!" A guild member noticed the injuries on his face.
"Nothing. Just tripped and fell on the way back."
Just as Chase had predicted, Jiemin didn't dare reveal the truth to anyone.
With that, ignoring the guild members, he walked up to the three children sullenly.
Seeing the newspaper on the table, Jiemin's rage instantly skyrocketed. With one punch, he shattered the newspaper and the wooden table into dust!
"Minerva! It seems you haven't taken my words to heart at all."
Jiemin's tone was icily cold.
Watching the flurry of paper and wood fragments, Minerva—though terrified—remembered the scene of being so bravely protected that day, and a strong courage suddenly welled up within her.
"Father... I, I think even without abandoning the weak, one can become incredibly strong. J-just like Mr. Chas—"
BAM!
Before she could finish, a merciless, heavy kick landed squarely on her face.
Minerva's small body flew through the air, smashing through tables and chairs along the way before crashing into the guild bar.
"Listen carefully and remember this well. From now on, your goal is to surpass Chase—to trample him beneath your feet."
"Prepare yourself. I'll be giving you special training from now on."
Without even glancing at Minerva, lying in the rubble and coughing up blood, Jiemin left these words and turned away.
***
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