Chapter 141: Messing With Makarov? (Patreon)

An elderly man, a middle-aged man, and a young man sat side by side at the relatively spacious bar counter.

Makarov flicked his finger, and a magic item shaped like a jade pendant smoothly slid across the polished countertop to Hughes.

Hughes carefully examined it with a curious gaze. The pendant was roughly half the size of his palm, with purple light continuously flowing around its edges, making it look extraordinary and mystical.

"From now on, when you're out, remember to carry this with you. It can interfere with a mage's perception and hide the fact that you have no magic!"

Pausing here, as if worried Hughes might underestimate the magic item, Makarov continued, "Even I can't see through it!"

Hughes nodded, picked up the magic item that clearly looked expensive, and tucked it deep into his waist pouch. Then he raised an eyebrow at Gildarts.

Understanding the signal, Gildarts put down the barrel in his hand. The next moment, he looked at Hughes with a serious and probing gaze.

Hughes met his eyes. Although the atmosphere looked strangely intimate, Hughes knew that Gildarts was helping him test the magic item.

After a brief moment, Gildarts smiled and shook his head.

"The old man was right. Now you look like a proper mage."

"Still, you need to be careful. The Magic Council really isn't as simple as you think. Can you tell us why you were so determined to kill Crawford Seam and the others?"

Ever since realizing that Hughes was the one who destroyed the Magic Council, Gildarts had been puzzled. As far as he knew, this was Hughes's first time dealing with the Magic Council.

But judging from Hughes's actions, it was as if he had a blood feud with Crawford Seam and the others. This was definitely not a good sign!

Hearing Gildarts's question, Makarov's tipsy eyes instantly cleared. He turned his head to look at Hughes. He also wanted to know why Hughes was so determined to kill Crawford Seam.

Facing their curiosity, Hughes spread his hands and shrugged, giving an apologetic look that said he couldn't answer.

This matter was truly difficult to explain. He was not sure whether things would still follow the plot after his interference.

If he told them about things that had not happened yet, Makarov and Gildarts would only think he was crazy.

Seeing that Hughes was unwilling to say anything, Gildarts did not ask further. He only sighed regretfully before lowering his head and continuing to drink.

Makarov, worried that Hughes might go astray, had no choice but to give Hughes another lesson on the rules and principles that proper legal mages should follow.

Hughes's head was spinning from listening to Makarov's endless lecturing. He casually pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper from his body and handed it to him, using it to interrupt Makarov's long-winded lecture.

"Your old flame asked me to give this to you."

Makarov took it suspiciously. After briefly glancing at it, he felt his heart ache faintly...

【Treatment Fee: 10,000,000 Jewel.】

【Medicine Fee: 20,000,000 Jewel.】

【7,000,000 Jewel has already been paid. Remaining balance: 23,000,000 Jewel.】

The note contained only a few lines, but the amount was so huge that it made Makarov's heart ache. The numbers were terrifyingly large.

Makarov immediately crumpled the paper in his hand and tossed it back to Hughes as if it were trash.

This cursed piece of paper. Just looking at it made him feel unlucky.

Calmly, Hughes waved his hand. The paper ball flying toward him returned and landed on Makarov's clown hat, giving it a little extra decoration.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. I signed your name at the time..."

Makarov: ???

What the hell?

With a completely baffled expression, Makarov opened the paper again. His vision instantly went dark.

The words "Debtor: Makarov" were especially obvious on the paper. The name was also stamped with Porlyusica's seal.

Wait, how could Porlyusica have agreed to this?

Had anyone asked for his opinion?

The shock on Makarov's face was far too obvious, allowing Hughes to easily understand what he was thinking.

"Old man, Porlyusica personally put that seal on it. She said that when you saw the seal, you would understand what she meant!" Hughes said with a smile.

He had made a deal with Granny Porlyusica, and she only agreed to transfer the debtor's name to Makarov.

As for the purpose, of course, it was to mess with Makarov...

Who told him to hit him so hard!

On the other side, Makarov noticed the malicious smile on Hughes's face and only felt exhausted.

He opened his mouth, but he did not know what to say...

He had the helpless feeling of someone who only understood the consequences after growing old.

Having other things to do, Hughes stood up and patted Makarov's shoulder.

"Old man, remember to pay the debt soon. You wouldn't want Granny Porlyusica to personally come and collect it, would you? You'd lose face in front of little brats like Natsu!"

After saying that, Hughes also patted Gildarts's shoulder.

Gildarts, who had been watching the scene with a suppressed laugh, instantly froze. His innocent eyes turned toward Hughes.

This... couldn't he also be involved?

Hughes gave no response, leaving only his firm back facing Gildarts.

Gildarts immediately panicked and stood up.

"Hey, say something! I haven't offended you recently!"

Damn it, Hughes's pat had made his heart race!

Hughes waved his hand.

"Don't worry. It's good news for you. After a few days, I'll find a good place and tell you. Remember to prepare a big red envelope for me!"

Earlier, when he had stood up to pat Makarov's shoulder, the corner of his eye caught sight of a certain brown-haired little girl secretly watching them.

Her expression was bitter, and her eyes were filled with grievance...

Tsk. It would be better for father and daughter to recognize each other sooner rather than later. Why keep dragging things out?

...

Below the bar counter, even though Natsu and Gray had already knelt down and admitted their mistakes, the demon-like Erza still had no intention of letting the forest's ice-and-fire duo off.

Her brutal appearance was so terrifying that Hughes almost suspected Erza had been possessed by strawberry cake itself.

Across from her, Mira, a true demon, was also teaching Lisanna a lesson.

Hughes called out to her:

"Mira, let's go buy some ingredients. We'll make something delicious at home tonight!"

Mira, who had been angrily lecturing Lisanna, had her brows furrowed in anger, but her expression instantly softened.

It was as if she truly possessed emotion magic.

The terrifying demon arm returned to a fair human arm within two seconds. Her big, puppy-like eyes narrowed slightly, a sweet smile appeared on her face, and she turned around to respond to Hughes.

Her voice was gentle like a breeze, soft and melodious, making Lisanna's entire body break out in goosebumps.

Staring at Mira happily walking toward Hughes, Lisanna's eyes widened as much as Happy's.

Was that really Mira?

Then who was the person who had been grabbing her ear and scolding her just now?

Wait, who was actually Mira's family?

Filled with confusion, Lisanna suspected that she might have seen wrong. After rubbing her eyes several times...

Her heart sank.

It was hopeless. Mira really was hopeless...

On the other side, Hughes leaned close to Mira's ear and whispered a few words before walking toward Erza.

He wanted to invite Erza to their house for dinner, and after dinner, ask her to help him with a small matter.

On his way back, passing by Wakaba, who was still frozen like an ice pillar, Hughes stopped.

Flames danced in his palm, giving Wakaba an ice-and-fire serenade that ordinary people would never have the chance to experience.

For accepting Cailin's money.

For refusing to come out and testify for him.

For spouting all that nonsense about him earlier.

Wakaba: ┭┮﹏┭┮

According to Wakaba's later account, he hid at home for over half a month. Only after his hair had grown back a little did he dare to show his face again.

That bastard Hughes had actually burned off his precious pompadour...