"..." Uluvheim's right hand instinctively applied a bit more pressure.
The tightening of the collar made it difficult for the White Magpie member to breathe. He tried to grasp Uluvheim's wrist with both hands, but couldn't budge it a bit.
Uluvheim loosened his right hand slightly, but suddenly his left hand transformed into a giant beast's claw, gripping the other's head.
This somewhat hunched old man showed a fierce look, his canine teeth becoming sharp and elongated, "Explain your purpose immediately, or I'll crush your head!"
Unexpectedly, the young man wasn't afraid of the threat at all. He just snorted and said with a hint of disdain, "Purpose? We are here to transform this decaying Magic Realm!"
Such grand ambitions made Rhode take a second look at him. This young man had an orange spiky head and wore a black trench coat, giving off a dangerous vibe.
Yet those beady eyes made him seem quite shrewd. How could he say such outrageous things in such a serious tone?
Jura was obviously worried the irritable old man would get too excited and choke the person to death, so he timely asked, "What do you mean?"
"Humph, what else could it mean." However, Uluvheim let go despondently, tossing the person aside, "The Dark Guild always believes their situation is caused by the Legitimate Guilds.
"Whenever they get a chance, they want to retaliate against people from the Legitimate Guilds. Yet they never consider that the reason they are not accepted is because they always harm others for money."
He had seen many obstinate people like this, and the one in front of him was obviously another of the same kind.
Vorod waved his hand to extend a tree branch to support the orange-haired young man and prevent him from falling to his death.
But the other party was still angry, "Don't lump those superficial folks with us! We are great reformers, pioneers willing to change the status of all New School Mage Guilds with our lives!"
"..." Rhode felt he saw the shadow of those Black Magic Sect enthusiasts who revered Zeref in him.
Was this a zealot brainwashed by someone?
"Oh?" Hayberion showed a bit of interest and asked, "If you say so, I can't just ignore it. Have the New School Mages suffered any unjust treatment? How do you plan to change things?"
"How shameless of you to ask such a question. Isn't it obvious?" The orange-haired young man gave a disdainful look,
"You traditional mages can easily choose missions with the guild's consent, while we have to go through all sorts of learning, testing, and evaluation! Sometimes, even our tools need to be checked..."
He rattled off a long list of 'unjust treatments,' basically ranting about various regulations the Council imposed to restrict New School Mages.
To Rhode, it sounded like: 'I just don't have a license or know the traffic rules, and you won't let me drive a heavy truck!'
Makarov felt sorry for the misguided youth and said kindly, "I heard those rules are to protect the lives of New School Mages and also to be accountable to the clients' interests."
"Don't use such hypocritical words to deceive people! Those rules were introduced only to ensure the interests of traditional mages!
"Otherwise, why were those rules specifically introduced when the number of guilds and mages grew the fastest? Why did the number of New School Mage Guilds sharply decline after that, while traditional Mage Guilds slowly revived?"
Isn't it because you guys are bad...? Rhode's first reaction was this, but since he didn't know enough about the situation, he didn't speak up.
The orange-haired young man got increasingly angry, finally pointing angrily at the six 'speechless' individuals:
"But today, everything is about to end, or rather, a great change is about to begin! As long as we eliminate you outstanding traditional mages, we'll deal a significant blow to the status of traditional mages and prove the potential of New School Mages!
"The decaying Magic Realm will usher in reform. It doesn't matter if I die here, kill me now, and use my blood to dye the curtain of reform, to water the flower of the future for all New School Mages!"
Rhode: "..."
This really looks like a delusional teenager who has been fooled by someone, spouting quite poetic words, and all for the New School Mages... impressive.
Jura clasped his hands like a monk, closing his eyes and gently shaking his head, "I think if you understand the meaning of those rules, or if you take a look at the Magic Academy, you wouldn't think this way."
Uluvheim sneered, "Why bother saying so much to him? This fool who doesn't understand human words should just be taken out directly."
Hayberion shook his head, "Of course we can't do that. They're just some misguided youths."
Although they clamored to assassinate the Ten Wizard Saints, Hayberion felt that there was a considerable portion of them that could still be saved and should be captured and properly educated.
Uluvheim didn't oppose Hayberion's attitude but retorted harshly, "They won't think you're being kind."
The orange-haired young man was about to say something when Jura, worried he might provoke Uluvheim, kindly struck him unconscious with a hand chop.
Makarov pondered, pinching his chin, "Although it sounds absurd, since our opponents are determined to kill us, we might as well fight?"
It's just as well to see what these New School Mages are made of... even though the Dark Guild can't represent all New School Mages.
Jura reminded, "They're already here."
The two five-member teams at the forefront stopped at the mountain top, looking across at the six people on the giant tree.
Rhode, hearing what Makarov just said, had a bright idea and proposed, "How about leaving the capture of these people to me?"
"Oh? One against ten?" Jura chuckled, thinking it wasn't a problem.
Rhode laughed, "No, I mean, all three hundred of them to me."
"Don't be careless, boy," Uluvheim couldn't help but remind, "even though many New School Mages are idiots, the weapons they hold could still be dangerous, even for us."
Makarov had about the same opinion, "We don't know enough about this era; there's no need to..."
"President, don't you think our guild's return has been too low-key?" Rhode squatted down and whispered in Makarov's ear,
"Some fools will definitely stir up big trouble soon enough. Before that, wouldn't it be good for me to cause a big commotion beneficial to the guild's reputation?"
Makarov fell into contemplation, images of frozen villages, streets on fire, exploding cities, and other terrifying scenes flashed in his mind.
Sweat began to form on his forehead, and his body felt slightly cold. Ultimately, his lips quivering a bit, he suggested to the others, "Why don't we... give the young man a chance to prove himself?"