Ivan's mouth was still sealed, glaring angrily at Makarov.
When Makarov raised his hand and shot out a light bullet to shatter part of the rock, Ivan finally spoke, though his voice was not loud:
"Why don't you use such power when you have it, are you just worried about exposing the darkness of the guild?"
Makarov replied calmly, "That's something that should not be revealed."
Ivan let out a cold snort, "Weak old man."
Makarov gently shook his head, "I just value my family more."
Ivan seemed to be hit where it hurt, angrily saying, "Aren't I your son?!"
"We've talked about this before," Makarov recalled the scene when he expelled Ivan from the guild, "When you do things that harm the guild and the youngsters, you're no longer family!"
"Huh..." Ivan sneered, even after all these years, the answer was still the same.
Would being a good kid and staying in Fairy Tail bring more happiness?
No, perhaps then he would no longer be Ivan, but 'President Makarov's son,' 'Laxus's father.'
He knew he was mediocre, but he had his ambitions. He wanted the world to know his name, not be called 'so-and-so's son'!
Family? Ivan confirmed that wasn't what he wanted, "Boring philosophy! What I want is power!"
Rhode opened his right hand and clenched it lightly, sealing Ivan's mouth once again. He supported Makarov, worried, "President?"
Makarov took a few painful breaths, "It's okay, I have long known he was this kind of person, and I made up my mind long ago."
"..." Making up your mind doesn't contradict feeling pained. After all, he is the president's son. Rhode was ready to call Sister Ocean for help and get medicine from the guild.
Luckily, Makarov was truly fine in the end, after adjusting his emotions, "Shall we take them back? Let him reflect in the Council's prison."
"Okay." Rhode didn't dare delay a second, called River Crab as a porter, and asked everyone to return.
"Sister Ocean, let's chat next time, it's time to withdraw."
"I know." Marine Sub-Dragon hadn't had enough conversation, but it seemed Rhode still had business to attend to, so she had to say goodbye to Mira.
Before leaving, she said to Freyja, "Little girl, it's not good for your hair to stay that long. Because it's easy to trip over your feet while walking—like my tail."
Freyja realized that she might not die today, but still looked at Marine Sub-Dragon in a daze, not sure what she meant to express.
Marine Sub-Dragon continued reluctantly, "But I have never tripped over my tail—because I can fly! Hahaha..."
Her figure disappeared, leaving behind a crisp laugh.
Everyone looked at each other, "What is she talking about?"
Rhode waved his hand, "Don't mind it, just two jokes."
"..." So that was a joke? Two of them?
Rhode directed River Crab to move people, then picked up the small thing he had grabbed, finally stopping his gaze at the Magic Crystal, "Gajeel, come help."
Gajeel turned around reluctantly, "Huh?"
To restore someone who had been turned into a Magic Crystal, either use the Moon's Drop or Dragon Slayer Magic. Fortunately, there was an experienced Dragon Slayer Mage right here.
Gajeel's right hand became a longsword, and with a clang, he cracked the Magic Crystal.
The crystal emitted a white light, and in an instant, it turned into a young girl.
With short black hair reaching her shoulders, wearing a white cat-eared furry hat, a red short cotton jacket, a loosely tied white scarf, a red and black plaid skirt, bubble socks, and black leather shoes.
The classic half-winter, half-summer ensemble.
She appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, seeming quite energetic.
"Ouch, ouch..." The young girl maintained a spying posture when turned into the Magic Crystal, and upon returning, she couldn't regain her balance and landed heavily on her rear.
Rhode glanced at her twice, not recognizing her, but this clumsy appearance did remind him a bit of Lucy.
She sat on the ground, rubbing her rear, then belatedly realized she was being watched by many people, especially being stared at by a fierce-looking guy.
"...Requip!" She suddenly jumped up, her hand flickering with light, and soon a rainbow-colored Candy Cane appeared.
—The handle was over a meter long, with the candy swirl being more than half a meter in diameter. Everyone quickly realized this was a candy-shaped Magic Wand.
"A Mage?" Macao's eyes lit up, but soon dimmed again. This kid was quite cute, a pity she was just cute.
Wakaba pondered, "Why would she...? Did Raven's Tail do something?"
The young girl seemed a bit nervous but bravely pointed her staff at Gajeel, who clearly looked like no good person: "Attacking by surprise, so despicable, Raven's Tail! But this way, I have proof of your attack on a legitimate guild!"
"Give up, my companions will be here soon, and will notify the Council, you can't escape!"
As she spoke, the Candy Cane's wand flashed with seven-colored lights, "Sweet Bonds!"
"Hey, look carefully before..." Gajeel raised an arm for casual defense, but before he could finish speaking, he was hit by the other's magic.
His body was instantly wrapped in amber-like crystals with seven-colored patterns, leaving only his head out.
Rock Candy Gajeel fell to the ground with a thud, unable to break free immediately: "Brat! It was I who let you out, take a closer look!"
"What an amazing little girl!"
"Gajeel actually got taken down."
"Hey, are you okay?"
The crowd was chaotic, they seemed to really care about Gajeel, but their faces mostly showed some schadenfreude.
Seeing her about to aim her wand at someone else, Rhode hurriedly shouted, "Raven's Tail has already been caught, we're Fairy Tail, don't be nervous!"
The young girl's actions paused, she looked around at the crowd, and they didn't seem the ones she had been following, and...
Her gaze fell on Rhode, her eyes lit up, she dropped the wand and rushed towards Rhode, "Big brother!"
Gajeel nearly exploded in anger, "Brat!"
Seeing me she attacks, seeing him she runs to hug, what does this mean?!
Li Li retained her kitten form, crossed her arms standing next to Gajeel, and said in a knowing tone, "It's all your fault for having such fierce eyes, Mr. Rhode is much more approachable than you."
"..." Gajeel's eyes twitched, wanting to refute but ultimately gave up.
As the young girl dashed toward him, Rhode quickly placed a hand on her fluffy hat, preventing her arms from wrapping around him, "You know me?"
Nearby, eyes shot looks implying 'he's getting married yet flirting outside.'
Mira didn't think like that, she just felt there was more gossip to hear.