"Let's wrap up the gathering here. I apologize for the incident earlier that affected everyone's mood. To express my apologies, if anyone is interested, you can stay a few more days at this hotel, all expenses on me."
As the initiator of the gathering, Hayberion felt a bit concerned that the guests he invited had their enthusiasm dampened.
Fortunately, there are many beautiful places nearby this resort hotel where he can express his apologies.
However, others were not bothered by this small incident and politely declined.
Makarov was quite interested in drinking for free, but as the President, he had many obligations to attend to, so he had to decline reluctantly.
Hmm, it's all for responsibility, not because he thought staying here drinking alone would be boring.
"Alright, since that's the case, let's meet again next time." After a simple farewell, Hayberion suddenly stopped, "By the way, if you have some free time, you might want to learn more about this person, Brellins."
Rhode felt this name seemed a bit familiar.
"Brellins, the President of Rays of the Rising Sun?" Jura asked in confusion, "What's up with him?"
Hayberion replied, "I heard the Council intends to have him fill a vacancy among the Ten Wizard Saints."
Uluvheim asked, "He's a member of the New Faction Mages like his guild members, right? Is it okay to select him?"
"His identity as a New Faction Mage is also one of the reasons for his nomination," Hayberion explained,
"The Council intends to use this to show a fair attitude towards New Faction Mages. If they had decided this earlier, perhaps today's events wouldn't have happened."
Rhode pondered and said, "That's troubling; this person's selection might face some more hurdles."
Hayberion asked, "Why do you say that? Shouldn't things go more smoothly after today?"
"No..." Jura answered for Rhode, "Based on the experience Lord Rhode and I had dealing with the Council, it may involve considerations related to 'saving face'."
"If the selection had already been finalized and announced, it would be fine, but since there's no result yet, announcing it after today... it's like the Council is compromising with those who attacked us today."
Rhode tried to offer some cover for the Council: "Even for the sake of saving face, such 'compromise' could indeed have negative impacts. So, President Brellins's matter may be slightly postponed."
Uluvheim said irritably, "What do they take the Ten Wizard Saints for? Considering this and that! I'll spar with him first, if he's strong enough, then discuss other aspects, if not, he should leave immediately!"
"Lord Uluvheim, don't be impulsive!" Jura hurriedly stopped the hot-tempered old man, "As for strength tests, the Council naturally has specific methods, there's no way they'd allow frauds!"
Makarov stepped in to mediate: "Ultimately, we don't know much about him, let's investigate a bit then express our stance to the Council? I think Mr. Hayberion mentioned this deliberately to imply that."
Hayberion nodded, "Indeed, this isn't something that can be settled in a day or two, no need to rush."
Uluvheim barely contained his temper, decided to investigate well, and also planned to ask known evaluators what they really intend to do.
If they plan to let someone without virtues take on the title of the Ten Wizard Saints, then he wouldn't want the title himself.
Uluvheim left angrily, and Hayberion gracefully took his leave with a light bow.
Jura asked, "Lord Makarov, I didn't see your flying ship when arriving, would you like to take my ship back?"
"No, thank you, we have our means."
"Well then, I'll take my leave too." Jura still needed to return to the guild to report on missions.
Only three people were left in the banquet hall.
Rhode politely inquired, "Lord Vorod, would you like to come by our guild for a visit?"
"The guild, huh, I do have a bit of nostalgia, but never mind, it's your era now, if I go, everyone might feel awkward, right?"
Makarov quickly denied, "Absolutely not."
Rhode agreed, as long as the elder mentioned 'just joking' several times, everyone would realize this senior is a bit of a prankster.
Vorod smiled and shook his head, "Maybe next time, I have my own matters to attend to, almost time to look for a new desert."
"Desert?"
"Yes, ever since I retired, I've been active in deserts all over, using my magic to stop their spread, you could call it a public service, or simply my hobby."
Rhode expressed some concern, "I hope your current condition isn't due to overuse of magic? Please take care of yourself."
"Wahaha... someone has told me similar before, though not as kindly," Vorod laughed,
"In some ways, you're really like him, and in others like her, I'm looking forward to the rebirth of Fairy Tail. So, goodbye."
"..." Rhode silently watched Vorod's departing figure, feeling annoyed by the riddles.
'She' likely referred to the First Generation, but 'he' was who? It couldn't be the Second Generation, could it? Did the Second Generation visit him?
Makarov watched Vorod walk away and said to Rhode, "We should go too, weren't you going to show me some magic?"
"It's rare to travel abroad, shouldn't we get some gifts to take back?" Rhode thought of buying some edibles, beverages, special ingredients, and rare herbs not commonly found in Fiore.
Makarov didn't find traveling abroad particularly novel, but seeing Rhode determined, he let him be.
The two strolled through the mountains, walked around nearby towns, and after buying everything, they were ready to return.
"President, we're ready," he reminded, drawing a blue circle in mid-air with his right hand, with faint blue runes flickering around it.
At the same time, in Mira's room far in Magnolia, the magic array Rhode had previously drawn lit up.
Soon after, he and Makarov were sucked into the just-drawn circle, encapsulated in a blue light sphere, rapidly flying towards the magic array.
Makarov felt dizzy as the world spun, then saw the scenery around them swiftly retreat.
The blue light sphere resembled a flying ship carrying the two in a straight line towards Magnolia.
The thrilling part was, regardless of any obstacles, it barreled straight through them without dodging or avoiding.
Makarov tried to dodge and cast magical defense several times, but it was impossible; in this circle, he seemed unable to use magic.
Fortunately, it seemed they were taken into a subspace different from the obstacles, whatever they crashed into, they simply phased through, with no substantial contact.
And within mere seconds, the two had traversed countless mountains and rivers, landing in an ordinary bedroom.