"President, what about the other candidate?" Hop saw Elusha's eager expression and simply asked on her behalf.
"Of course it's Elusha. The two of you are now the guild's strongest forces besides me. After all, you were invited to cause a scene, so don't embarrass the guild."
Upon saying that, Makalov let out a sigh.
The guild has a total of five S‑rank mages.
One is away on a centennial mission, whereabouts unknown.
One is rebellious and still in a prolonged phase of defiance.
One is a task‑obsessed fanatic who never stays at the guild.
Another has an unresolved inner knot, his entire power reduced to nothing.
Below the S‑rank are countless talents, each with their own unique flaws, and their knack for causing trouble brings him endless headaches.
Since when did the Fairy Tail become a bunch of problem children... "Hop, bring me a drink." Mira Jen went out to shop, so Makalov instinctively ordered Hop, the former errand boy.
Hop said nothing and filled Makalov's glass.
Elusha snapped back from her joy at being able to attend Miridian Magic Academy; after all, it's only early August, more than a month away from the date on the invitation.
Right now the guild is facing a huge problem.
Elusha opened anxiously: "President, about the Council..."
"No need to worry."
Makalov said confidently, "I've already made contact with Yajima, Bobo, Goldmann, and Oba of the'Serpent Princess's Scale.' They'll all speak up for us when the time comes."
"I assure you the Fairy Tail will not be disbanded."
Is that all? Little old man, what's with the overconfidence... Hop's mouth twitched, he pressed his brow and said, "President, if you trust me, let me defend the guild at the council trial six days from now."
Makalov and Elusha looked at him in surprise.
"Can you really do it?"
Elusha didn't doubt Hop; she knew this time the council speaker and nine councilors would be present, making it the most high‑profile case in nearly a decade.
The last similar scenario was said to be ten years ago, when dealing with the "Black Magic Sect" of the Faith of Jelf.
"Of course, a man can't say he can't."
Hop laughed, then turned the conversation, his face mysterious, and said to them, "Actually I have another method that would spare the guild from ever having to endure the council again."
"Oh? Let's hear it." Hearing there might be a permanent solution, Makalov instantly became interested.
Hop made a throat‑slashing gesture and said, "We simply overturn the council. If we topple them, we won't have to fear their trouble anymore."
At those words, Elusha placed a hand on her forehead.
Makalov even spat out the wine he had just taken, eyes bulging as if meeting Hop for the first time, "You can even say 'overthrow the council'? Are you a council spy?"
Hop spread his hands, "That was the past. Now I'm a bona‑fide Fairy Tail mage."
Makalov shook his head, "The council is an important institution for maintaining order in the magical world. Even if it has become corrupt and sluggish, there are still many who truly act, and its positive impact outweighs the negative."
Seeing Makalov reject the idea, Hop moved on to another plan.
"Then we disguise ourselves as dark mages, eliminate the councilors who dislike our guild, and help install trustworthy ones to power."
"Or we could have Meister use his 'Memory' magic to brainwash the council's higher‑ups, gradually stripping the speaker and councilors of power..."
"Or we could obtain compromising material on those councilors and blackmail them into doing our bidding. I don't believe they're all clean; even if they are, we could fabricate evidence to control them."
"If that still doesn't work, then there's only..."
"Wait? President, Elusha, what do you mean by stepping back?" Hop looked at Makalov and Elusha, who had somehow retreated two meters away, and scratched his head.
To his surprise, Elusha drew her sword and stared cautiously, "Hop... you're actually a spy from the Dark Guild sent to the council, aren't you?"
"Huh?"
"What? I'm not from the Dark Guild; how could I come up with so many evil schemes!"
Hop suddenly understood and hurried to explain, "You've misunderstood me. Though what I said sounds sordid, they're just common underworld tactics."
"So that means you also have some uncommon ones!"
Why is it getting darker? Hop wanted to cry but couldn't, and could only look innocently at Makalov.
Makalov said helplessly, "Elusha, Hop is indeed talking about common underworld methods. He used to be part of the council, so he's certainly familiar with them."
Elusha curled her lip, grabbed Hop's collar, and stared into his eyes, "In short, I don't want you to dirty your hands. Once someone touches darkness, it's hard to get out."
Seeing the seriousness in her eyes, Hop nodded subconsciously, then suddenly laughed, "Elusha, you care so much for me—does that mean you've fallen for me?"
"Stop... stop saying nonsense!"
Elusha, for some reason, suddenly punched Hop, then found an excuse and ran out of the guild.
Watching the flash of crimson disappear from view, Hop rubbed his stomach, "She didn't even use force; why did she run? I was just teasing her, why take it seriously?"
Back at the counter, Makalov sipped his drink in silence, listening to Hop's ramblings, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
Tsk, the youngsters... "By the way, President, I have something to discuss with you."
Hop filled Makalov's empty glass, "I can copy magic through physical contact with someone who is casting it."
"Oh? You've finally decided to come clean."
Makalov had actually deduced Hop's copying ability before Elusha did; after all, the first few spells Hop used could all be found among guild members.
One or two coincidences could be chalked up to chance.
But when there are many, that's a problem.
However, Hop has never done anything that betrays the guild, so Makalov didn't probe further.
Hop wasn't surprised by Makalov's reaction; it's no exaggeration to say that this eighty‑year‑old old man has tasted more salt than rice.
So Hop opened with, "President, I want to copy the guild members' magic. What excuse should I use?"
"That's it? No excuse needed?"
Makalov looked at Hop with contempt, then turned to the hall and shouted, "Hop wants to copy your magic—50,000 J each time, don't miss it when you pass by!~"
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