Chapter 138: The Show Begins (Patreon)

Inside Granny Porlyusica's wooden house, Mira displayed her impressive cooking skills. The aroma of food filled the air, winning over even this dragon-related person from Edolas, who, despite her verbal complaints, happily indulged in the feast.

Hughes had briefly considered secretly recording the scene with his Memory Crystal and selling it to Makarov for an outrageous price. But after two seconds of thought, he abandoned the suicidal idea.

Not only because he was afraid Porlyusica would find out and raise the prices of all her medicines, but also because he feared she might add various substances into his potions that would lead to his total social humiliation.

It wasn't worth it. Not in the slightest.

Since Granny Porlyusica didn't have many ingredients at home, this meal, which could barely be considered lunch and was closer to afternoon tea, was quickly finished.

After the meal, Mira volunteered to clean up the dishes while Hughes chatted with Granny Porlyusica. For every four or five things Hughes said, Porlyusica responded with only one or two.

Their conversation mostly revolved around Hughes's mental condition.

After being given a good beating by Makarov, Hughes's lazy mindset had faded, and his desire to become stronger had temporarily awakened.

Hughes wanted Granny Porlyusica to evaluate whether his previous assumptions were correct.

If their views were similar, Hughes would immediately absorb the two Demonic Host Items in his possession over the next couple of days, until he raised the Flame-Flame Fruit's Awakening Progress to 80%.

If Granny Porlyusica believed there were risks, Hughes would first focus on improving his physical constitution.

Hughes remembered that after annihilating the dark guild Phantom Evil Silk Guild, a hidden mission called "Annihilate Enemy Group" had been activated.

"Annihilate Enemy Group" meant completely wiping out an entire dark guild. This mission could be triggered multiple times, and the rewards were issued according to the enemy's strength.

The dark guild Phantom Evil Silk Guild had been evaluated by the system as being at the top-tier standard of the first half of the Grand Line, Paradise.

The reward given at that time was Soru, one of the Six Powers, at Mastery level.

Improving physical constitution was a regular reward in system missions. Eight or nine out of ten system missions offered rewards that improved physical constitution.

Although "Annihilate Enemy Group" was a hidden mission and its rewards could not be previewed in advance like normal missions, Hughes believed that after wiping out two or three particularly heinous dark guilds, there would definitely be a mission whose reward improved his physical constitution.

As for whether attacking dark guilds without the Magic Council's permission would violate the Magic Council's prohibition?

He could only say that he would have to trouble Guild Master Jose again. Hughes alone would enjoy the benefits, while any other problems could go find Jose themselves.

Whatever Jose did was none of Hughes's business.

Moreover, given the conflict between Jose and the Magic Council, Hughes estimated that the Magic Council was currently turning a blind eye to all of Jose's actions.

Earlier, while Hughes was helping Mira in the kitchen, Mira had told him about all the major events that had happened during these three days.

The destruction of the Magic Council and the conflict between Jose and the Magic Council were major incidents, so Mira naturally emphasized them when explaining everything to Hughes.

According to Mira, the Magic Council immediately insisted that Jose was the one who destroyed the Magic Council, and they even displayed the Memory Magic Crystal recording for everyone across the continent to see.

Jose was already filled with anger because of the incident in Thunder Valley, where the fake Jose was defeated by Laxus.

The entire magical world was now questioning his strength and spreading discussions about him.

There were countless arrogant nobodies who did not know their own limits gathering outside the Phantom Lord guild, constantly provoking him and declaring that Jose's strength was not enough for him to rank among the "Wizard Saints", dreaming of defeating him and taking his place.

Now, the Magic Council had directly thrown the blame onto Jose without asking any questions.

Although the person inside the Memory Magic Crystal looked exactly like Jose, anyone with even a bit of discernment could tell at a glance that it was the fake Jose who destroyed the Magic Council through the magic he used.

But there were more fools in the world than anything else.

Combined with what happened in Thunder Valley, the continent-wide condemnation of Jose over these past two days had surged like a raging tidal wave.

Unable to contain his fury, Jose immediately stormed the Magic Council and demanded that Crawford Seam and the others give him an explanation.

However, Crawford Seam had already made preparations. He had invited two long-established "Wizard Saints" to wait for Jose at the Magic Council.

Jose stayed at the Magic Council for an entire day. No one knew what he and the Magic Council had discussed. The only thing people knew was that after leaving the Magic Council, Jose began causing trouble across the entire continent.

Thinking of this, Hughes smiled inwardly. Since Guild Master Jose was already carrying so many burdens, taking on a few more would not matter!

He almost forgot that Dojigiri Ezel had not come to seek revenge on him yet!

Thinking about it this way, Jose had been quite busy recently...

While Hughes's thoughts were racing, Porlyusica was still pondering his question.

Finally, she walked over to the reagent table, bent down, pulled out a black box from the very bottom, and handed it to Hughes.

"I have never personally seen the process of you developing your flame abilities. Giving you advice based only on words would only hinder your progress.

"These are Mental Potions I just finished making. Take them all. With these Mental Potions, you should be able to prevent your mental condition from acting up!"

Hughes reached out and took the box. After opening it and counting, there were still twenty vials.

"Granny, we're already this familiar with each other. How about giving me a cheaper price?" Hughes said with a cheeky grin.

Porlyusica shot Hughes a sidelong glance. Then, she grabbed the broom nearby, ready to give him an "Autumn Wind Sweeps the Leaves" beating.

The cost of Mental Potions was even higher than Nutrient Potions. Selling them to Hughes at one million Jewel per vial was already practically half giving them away. And now this brat still wanted to bargain with her!

Seeing Porlyusica raise the broom above her head, Hughes immediately admitted defeat. He gave two awkward laughs and put away the black box in his hand.

Fine, no bargaining. No need to get physical...

Porlyusica calmly lowered the broom before continuing.

"For the next three years, I will not be able to make any more Mental Potions.

"Several specific ingredients needed for Mental Potions will not be ready for harvest until three years later. These ingredients cannot be obtained from the outside world, and there is nothing I can do about it. So use these twenty Mental Potions sparingly!"

Hearing Porlyusica's words, Hughes paused briefly. Then he smiled.

"No problem. I'm already strong enough now. There aren't many enemies that would force me to rely on Mental Potions."

Porlyusica nodded. Then she turned around and returned to the reagent table to prepare more potions.

Hughes understood that the old woman was basically telling them to leave if they had nothing else to do, so he waved at Mira, who had just finished cleaning up. The two of them left together.

...

Magnolia Town, Fairy Tail Guild.

By the time Hughes and Mira arrived at the Fairy Tail guild in Magnolia Town, it was already almost dinnertime.

At this moment, the two stood outside the guild entrance. Hughes raised his eyebrows at Mira, signaling for her to wait a little longer before entering. Then his figure flashed, and he silently slipped into the guild.

"Childish!"

Mira rolled her eyes internally, feeling disdainful. How old was he already? Yet he still liked playing these kinds of scare tricks.

Hmph, he even refused to let her enter with him!