With Laxus volunteering to take Evergreen's punishment, Freed intentionally lost to Bickslow...
As a result, Laxus and Freed ended up completely naked, posing for a set of artistic photos under Jason's direction, which were then published in the special edition of the Sorcerer Magazine...
Thus, the Fairy Tail 24-Hour Endurance Race finally came to an end...
A few weeks passed, and during this time, the Fairy Tail guild was unusually peaceful. Both Selene and Kurunoqi did not cause any major incidents; instead, they integrated into the guild, learning how to interact with humans...
Occasionally, Selene would visit Irene's shop, the Scarlet Enchantress' Shop, for a chat. Their interactions were always harmonious...
However, ever since then, the skies of Magnolia frequently darkened unexpectedly, with the sun often disappearing and a beautiful full moon taking its place...
At first, the residents of Magnolia were shocked by this phenomenon, but over time, they got used to it. After all, this was Magnolia, home to the most boisterous guild in Ishgar, Fairy Tail. In this town, anything could happen, and to survive here, you needed a strong heart...
As for Evan, he was probably the most worried person in town! While the townspeople feared their town might one day vanish from Fiore, Evan constantly worried that one day, the entire Fiore Kingdom might become history due to the 'friendly interactions' between Selene and Irene...
Fortunately, after a few weeks, Selene returned to Elentir...
She said she wanted to check on the Moon Goddesses in Elentir and wouldn't be back for a while. This news allowed Evan to breathe a sigh of relief.
With Selene gone, he could finally relax a bit.
However...
"Evan, Ul, the Fiore Kingdom Guild Masters' Gathering is coming up. This year, I want you both to come with me! It'll be good for you to meet the other guild masters and make some high-level connections in the magical world..."
As soon as Evan entered the guild, Makarov pulled him to the bar.
When Evan arrived, he noticed Ul was already there. As he wondered what was going on, he heard Makarov, sitting at the bar, speaking to both of them earnestly.
"Did you brag about something to the other guild masters again, Master?"
Evan instantly understood the situation and smirked at the elderly guild master.
"Got it..."
Ul, also quick-witted, immediately grasped what Evan implied.
Makarov's claim about introducing them to the higher-ups in the magical world was a lie!
What Makarov really wanted was to flaunt Fairy Tail's Saint Wizards to the other guild masters!
"Uh..."
Makarov's aged face turned a bit pale as he realized Evan and Ul had seen through him, sweat dripping from his forehead.
"You two, don't think so poorly of your guild master!"
Makarov's expression turned serious, his gaze filled with the authority of a guild master.
"Evan, Ul, I now command you as the master of Fairy Tail, follow me to the staff rest area. I have important matters to discuss with you..."
Makarov, full of authority, leaped down from the bar and headed to the rest area behind the bar, planning to have a serious talk with Evan and Ul.
Makarov felt it was necessary to remind Evan and Ul who the real master of Fairy Tail was. Regardless of their Saint Wizard titles, there could only be one voice that mattered in the guild, and that was Makarov's.
He needed to educate these two who showed him no respect!
"This old man..."
Evan and Ul exchanged helpless looks. Since Makarov had invoked his authority as guild master, they had no choice but to follow. Besides, they were curious to see what Makarov had planned.
So, Evan and Ul followed Makarov to the staff rest area.
"Evan, Ul..."
Once inside, Makarov stood with his back to them, calling their names.
"Yes, we're here. What do you need, Master?"
Evan and Ul looked at Makarov, puzzled.
"There were too many people outside, so I couldn't say this... Please, I'm begging you two, come with me to the guild masters' gathering this year!"
"I promised Bob and Goldmine that our Saint Wizards would be there! If you don't come, I'll lose face!"
"Please come with me! Please!!"
Makarov clung to Evan's leg, crying and pleading.
"But we have things to do, Master!"
"We don't have time to play house..."
Evan looked at the groveling Makarov, feeling utterly exasperated. He had anticipated this outcome even without using his future sight.
"Evan, you're leaving me no choice..."
Makarov's expression turned serious.
"If you don't come with me, I'll pass the title of guild master to you~"
"I can't do this anymore~"
"The guild members don't listen to me; I'm a failure as a guild master..."
"If you refuse, I'll dissolve the guild and tell everyone it's because you refused to accompany me and didn't want to be the guild master..."
Makarov rolled on the ground, throwing a tantrum.
"Isn't this blackmail?"
"You're morally blackmailing me, old man!!"
Evan was stunned by Makarov's shamelessness.
"I don't care! I don't care! I don't care..."
"If you don't come, I'll lose face, and if I lose face, I'll quit as master!"
Makarov clung to Evan's leg, crying out.
"Fine! Fine! I'll go with you, okay? Now let go, you annoying old man!"
Evan agreed reluctantly, his tone turning polite except for the last remark.
"Hahaha..."
Makarov laughed, still clinging to Evan's leg. Today was a victory for the old man!
In truth, Makarov didn't mind what Evan called him since he often called Evan a brat himself.
If he hadn't needed something from Evan today, he wouldn't have been so polite.
"Master, what are you doing?"
As Makarov laughed, a puzzled voice came from behind him.
"Uh..."
Makarov froze, realizing his mistake. He had forgotten the staff rest area might have other staff members present!
"Ahem, Gina, you didn't see anything just now, got it?"
Makarov quickly straightened up, looking sternly at Gina, a Fairy Tail staff member.
"Oh, okay..."
Gina smiled understandingly, nodding.
"Whew..."
"Good thing it was Gina. If it had been someone else, it'd be a problem."
"If others saw, my authority as guild master would be undermined..."
Makarov breathed a sigh of relief, grateful it was Gina who had witnessed the scene.
"No, you never really had much authority..."
Evan silently retorted.
"Anyway, since you two agreed, let's get going!!"
Makarov excitedly dragged Evan and Ul out of the guild like an eager schoolchild going on a field trip. They got into the magic four-wheeler waiting outside.
"That was fast..."
Ul watched in awe as Makarov swiftly got them from the staff rest area to the magic vehicle.
"Off we go..."
"This time, I'll show those other guild masters!"
"Especially Bob and Goldmine!"
Makarov sat in the vehicle, grumbling.
"Master, do you know where this year's gathering is?"
Although Makarov was likely aware, Evan asked to be sure.
"This year, it's at Bob's villa!"
"That guy's guild may not be strong, but it makes a lot of money!"
"Maybe we should turn our guild into a host club..."
Makarov grumbled, envious of Bob's profits.
"Give it up! Even if you did, we don't have suitable hosts."
Evan bluntly shattered Makarov's unrealistic fantasy.
"Who says we don't? Gildarts, Laxus, and even you could be hosts."
"And Gray and Lyon can join once they're older~"
Makarov stubbornly insisted.
"Really? Aren't you afraid Gildarts will seduce girls, then ditch them, leaving the guild to clean up his mess?"
"And will Laxus listen to you?"
"As for Gray and Lyon, do you think there are people who like exhibitionists?"
"Well, maybe there are..."
Evan paused, recalling a blue-haired girl, realizing some people might indeed like exhibitionists.
"So, maybe we're not cut out for that..."
Makarov, sweating at the thought of the consequences, conceded.
"Let's just keep our current style..."
"Strength-wise, we're the top guild in Fiore and Ishgar!"
Evan leaned against the window, watching the scenery flash by, speaking softly.
"You're right. Keeping our style is best..."
Makarov smiled, agreeing.
After a swift journey in the magic vehicle...
They finally saw a luxurious villa coming into view.