Hayberion quietly observed the reactions of several people, seeing them immersed in the food, he couldn't help but feel secretly delighted.
There was a sense of his own taste being appreciated, indeed he was different from those mages who only knew fighting.
The only blemish was that Makarov and Vorod were too noisy.
Makarov was the kind who would blush after a few drinks, rely on his small stature, jump on the table, twist and turn, and say some frivolous things:
"Isn't today the release day of the new issue of Wizard Weekly?"
Rhode thought at least a tenth of his mind was concerned about the guild's exclusive interview, but that was soon shattered by his next words.
"The cover girl these days is simply incredible! That Jenny from six years ago is much more seductive now, I really want to recruit her to our guild!"
Vorod, as if drunk on water, nodded cheerfully: "Not a bad idea, why not include figure as a recruitment standard for guild members? Hahaha, just kidding, just kidding!"
Makarov, however, drunkenly agreed: "That's a really good suggestion!"
Rhode covered his face; every time similar topics were brought up, the president's expression would look particularly comical.
Uluvheim particularly disliked this behavior, and since he too had drunk a lot, he banged his bottle heavily on the table:
"Really, you two, you should at least have some awareness as a president or one of the Ten Wizard Saints! Set a bit of a good example for the young people!"
Vorod argued emphatically: "Hahaha, young people should decide their own paths."
Makarov selectively turned a deaf ear: "Young? Girls naturally need to be a bit younger to be cute, but not too young, otherwise there's not much to see..."
"You disrespectful old coot..." Uluvheim couldn't hold back and jumped onto the table, headbutting with Makarov.
In Fairy Tail, when someone bumps their forehead against yours, it means they're ready to start a fight anytime.
Makarov, bleary-eyed and seeing the other person about his height and age, instinctively took him for an old friend from the past.
So his body size started to expand.
Unwilling to be outdone, Uluvheim's body also began to swell.
With a crack, the fragile banquet table split, dishes shattered all over the floor, and a balding little giant and a lushly-haired green giant beast faced off in a wrestling match.
"Lord Uluvheim, Lord Makarov!" Jura, as a junior, looked quite anxious, "Please calm down, this is a hotel, there are many ordinary people here!"
Vorod, much calmer than Jura, just protected his beloved watering can, cheerfully watching the two make a fuss, enjoying this kind of scene.
However, seeing that big green fellow, he couldn't help but want to give it a shower.
Meanwhile, Rhode was quietly contemplating whether, if the president actually got serious in the fight, he should directly step in to help or think of a way to secretly sabotage that old man from the other side—perhaps by taking a side?
Just as they were about to lock hands and start wrestling, both of them simultaneously paused and turned to look at Hayberion.
Hayberion's milk bottle was already broken, fortunately, it was just an empty bottle. He held half a glass of milk in his left hand, with the index and middle fingers of his right hand hooked, and said flatly:
"This is a gathering initiated by me. If you two want to fight, would you mind waiting until the gathering is over or take it elsewhere?"
The two old men snorted, slowly returning to their original forms, then turned away like kids having a tantrum, refusing to look at each other.
Rhode felt he could imagine how Joseph was beaten by the president back then. Putting aside the impact of old rivalries, the trigger must have been a quarrel over trivial matters like this.
Uluvheim adjusted his glasses, looking at Hayberion: "Is this indirect Vampire Magic? A troublesome guy."
Although he said that, Rhode still felt that there seemed to be a hint in his eyes of wanting to fight Hayberion.
Even at such an age, still so combative.
In Makarov's eyes, there was more relief: "A truly impressive young man."
To Makarov, Hayberion, in his forties, indeed seemed like a young man.
Rhode, on the other hand, was quite curious about Hayberion's magical effects. Indirect Vampire Magic, it sounded very hard to guard against, he wondered what the conditions for activation were.
He was about to say something but suddenly changed his words and asked: "Did someone invite other guests?"
A rare new topic, Jura quickly chimed in: "How could that be, it was previously agreed that this is a gathering among the Ten Wizard Saints. Did Lord Rhode discover something?"
"Quite a few people have crossed the hill nearby, passed through the woods, and are approaching here, heading towards the back door."
As Rhode spoke, a faint mist spread around him as the center, passing through walls, woods, and even into the mountains, outlining a circular range.
The scenes within the range flowed into Rhode's eyes, layer by layer, each only lasting for a brief moment.
That was enough for Rhode to get a clear view of the 'guests.'
"About 300 people, bearing four, no, five different emblems, some of whom are skulking around and don't look like they're here as guests."
Unfortunately, the emblems were all quite unfamiliar, reminding Rhode that after returning, he needed to catch up on the intelligence he had missed over the past six years.
It seemed he had been doing this since he first crossed over, very familiar with it.
Rhode tried his best to describe the general appearance of the various emblems.
However, no one else could say which guild it was.
The others besides Makarov gave Rhode an appreciative glance, as if he possessed good detection magic and was quite vigilant.
Makarov looked expectantly at them, but unfortunately, it soon turned into disappointment.
—These people really don't know how to praise Rhode, it's hard for him to show off the outstanding members of his own guild.
In fact, in the eyes of the others, becoming one of the Ten Wizard Saints at under 20 years was already telling enough, no need to flaunt.
Jura frowned: "What are so many people running here for?"
"Hmph, they're definitely not here for a vacation." Uluvheim headed towards the back door, "Let's go out and ask them."
The others followed outside, none carrying a sense of crisis, Hayberion even had the leisure to instruct the waiters to clean up the broken dining table.
Indeed, six of the Ten Wizard Saints were present, unless it was Acronologia coming, there really wasn't much to panic about.
If they turned out to be guests, that would be fine, but if they were uninvited guests, they'd let them experience the warmth of the Ten Wizard Saints.
Just right, there were two old-timers who wanted to fight but hadn't yet fulfilled their desire, who might need to stretch their muscles.