Chapter 22: First, Understand the Guild

In truth, Mo En’s actions were a bit against protocol; although he was the Guild Master’s grandson, he had no authority to decide who became a full member—that was Master Makarov’s right.

But Mo En did it anyway, even if it meant getting scolded by Master Makarov, because Laqi was an irreplaceable talent!

With Laqi and her Wood Zaoxing Magic, the Guild could save a huge amount of funds—this girl was practically born to be a natural earth-and-construction prodigy!

Mo En had seen the Guild’s ledgers; monthly property losses were a substantial sum—the members were simply too rowdy.

Of course, everyone did voluntarily compensate, so the Guild didn’t have to pay much, but their money was still money, and this unnecessary expenditure was real.

With Laqi, however, that expense could be cut, and that’s precisely why everyone supported her becoming a full member.

The older members didn’t deliberately damage property—they were just passionate souls who sometimes acted out when emotions ran high.

When Laqi officially joined, they didn’t send her straight to the dorms; instead, they gathered to celebrate her arrival.

Celebrating for any reason at all was an old tradition of “Fairy Tail.”

Master Makarov returned from buying a magazine and happened to see this scene.

“?”

“What are they celebrating?”

Makarov was baffled—he’d only stepped out to buy a breezy magazine, and now everyone was in a frenzy?

“Master Makarov, we’ve got a new member.”

Mo En noticed Makarov standing at the door and stepped forward to explain—he believed the old man would understand his decision.

“Huh? New member? What new member?”

Sure enough, Makarov’s wrinkled face wore a look of utter confusion.

“Come with me.”

Mo En gestured for Makarov to follow him, and the old man and boy walked into the crowd, finding Laqi surrounded as she introduced herself.

“Ah! It’s that lecherous old man!”

Before Mo En or Makarov could speak, Laqi, upon seeing Makarov, blurted out in shock.

“.”

Everyone fell silent at once.

Laqi blinked, bewildered.

Why… did it suddenly go quiet?

“Cough, cough—let me introduce Itachi: Laqi, this… is our Guild Master, Makarov Dreyar!”

Mo En cleared his throat, barely holding back his laughter as he introduced Makarov—her face visibly stiffened, clearly stunned.

“Ah—?!”

Laqi first muttered blankly, then her voice shot up sharply!

“Hahaha~ It’s fine, it’s fine, don’t be nervous, little Laqi—did I scare Itachi when I walked out just now?”

Seeing her reaction, Makarov burst into laughter and reassured the flustered girl.

Being called “lecherous old man” meant nothing to Makarov.

Well, because it was true—he really was a lecherous old man.

Seeing Laqi, Makarov remembered—he’d met her outside just now, carrying a bag, and must have startled her then.

“No, no, not at all! Master, hello!”

Makarov’s kind demeanor eased some of Laqi’s tension; she bowed respectfully and never mentioned being frightened again.

“Alright, carry on.”

Makarov nodded with a smile, then didn’t linger—he pulled Mo En into the inner hall.

“Explain.”

Inside the private office, Makarov leapt onto a chair and sat down, waiting for Mo En’s explanation.

He trusted Mo En wouldn’t act recklessly, so he hadn’t questioned him publicly—he brought him inside for a private talk.

“Master Makarov, when Itachi walked into the hall, didn’t Itachi notice it looked different from when Itachi left?”

Mo En didn’t answer directly—he asked a question instead.

“Hm?”

Makarov frowned in thought—he hadn’t noticed a thing; his attention had been entirely swallowed by the noise.

The old man was a man of facts—he jumped off the chair, hurried outside, scanned the hall, then rushed back in, eyes wide with surprise, and leapt onto the chair again.

“Mo En, what happened here?”

Clearly, Makarov had noticed the change—he asked curiously, his mind already suspecting the answer.

“Laqi specializes in Wood Zaoxing Magic—she’s responsible for all of it.”

Mo En smiled, a new idea forming—he might hire Laqi as a Guild staff member.

“I thought so.”

Makarov nodded—he’d already considered this possibility.

Mo En wasn’t surprised; Makarov was eighty-one, with immeasurable magical experience—these small matters required only a moment’s thought.

“Grandpa, why not hire Laqi as a Guild staff member? Airo and the others work so hard—having Laqi help would cut property losses, and we can’t let her work for free forever.”

Mo En voiced his idea—he felt it was fair.

Even if everyone here was family, that didn’t mean family should work without pay or give endlessly; family deserved better treatment, fairness, and Laqi’s ability deserved a proper salary.

“Itachi’re right. Do it.”

Makarov accepted Mo En’s suggestion.

He felt deeply pleased—this boy had extraordinary maturity, handled things well, considered most people’s perspectives, and treated Guild members with genuine sincerity—no wonder everyone loved him.

In contrast, Laxus…

Here, Makarov sighed heavily—Laxus had never understood that the position of Fairy Tail Guild Master was never about “power.” He hadn’t even grasped Fairy Tail’s core philosophy.

Mo En ignored Makarov’s melancholy—he left the office to tell Laqi the news and ask her opinion; such matters required mutual consent—Itachi couldn’t force someone to work in the Guild.

“I accept!”

Laqi immediately agreed to Mo En’s offer—she was new, had little savings, and a stable job in the Guild was perfect.

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(End of Chapter)