Chapter 28

Watching Wendy smearing her face until it looked like a little kitten’s, Mo En couldn’t help but smile.

“Hum!”

The holy armor on Mo En’s arms dissolved into light particles, revealing his bare limbs; he then pulled out paper from his bag and gently wiped Wendy’s face.

A child of four or five years old is at the most adorable stage—every movement radiates pure cuteness.

Wendy blew her nose, sniffing softly as she cried.

She was clearly heartbroken over being separated from Jellal—the first person she met after losing her mother, “Sky Dragon” Grandine. Jellal had protected her, led her away from danger, and given her a sense of security when she was lost and confused.

“Don’t be sad, Wendy. Life is like this—always parting and meeting. Today’s farewell is for a better reunion tomorrow.”

Seeing the grieving girl, Mo En spoke gently to comfort her.

“When Itachi grow up and become an excellent mage, Itachi can go out into the world and find Jellal.”

Afraid Wendy was too young to understand such platitudes, Mo En quickly added another line.

“Really?”

Wendy stopped crying and stared wide-eyed at Mo En.

“Of course, Wendy. Be confident—Itachi’re the daughter of a dragon, and Itachi’ll surely become an outstanding mage.”

Mo En smiled, gently patting Wendy’s head. Even with her tiny mushroom haircut, she was still adorable.

“Yes! I will! And I’ll go find Grandine too!”

Hearing Mo En call her “the daughter of a dragon,” Wendy finally perked up. She forced back her tears, her expression hardening—she didn’t want to cry so easily anymore.

“Would Itachi like to come back with me? To Fairy Tail—it’s a warm, big family with many children just like Itachi.”

Seeing Wendy’s emotions calming, Mo En seized the moment and extended his guild invitation.

Jellal had vanished somewhere—so he’d first secure Wendy. After all, he’d helped both her and Jellal before, and the child clearly held a good impression of him; there was still a decent chance he could succeed.

After speaking, Mo En glanced at the old man Robin Lu standing behind him. He didn’t have to rush like this—but that old man was clearly his direct rival!

Mo En had heard every word of the exchange between Robin Lu and Wendy just now. His mind was in turmoil—this old man had created so many Sinianti … just to make Wendy want to join his guild?!

In that instant, Mo En was genuinely stunned.

This rival was terrifyingly strong.

But the stronger the opponent, the more Mo En wanted to fight—elite? He’d fight elites head-on!

So Mo En abandoned all subtlety and launched a direct “Naruto Assault” at Wendy!

“Huh?”

Mo En’s invitation left Wendy’s mind blank. Her eyes widened, hands flailing, utterly lost and unsure.

“B-but…”

Wendy opened her mouth to speak, but couldn’t find the words. Her thoughts were tangled—she didn’t know how to choose.

“Take your time, Wendy. Itachi can think it over—or even refuse. I’ll wait for Itachi, and I’ll go look for Jellal too.”

Seeing Wendy’s flustered panic, Mo En couldn’t help but chuckle. He spoke to ease her tension.

Wendy was a remarkably thoughtful child. Though only four or five, she clearly wasn’t self-centered—that’s why she was caught in this dilemma.

Soothed by Mo En, Wendy slowly calmed down. She turned around and looked toward Robin Lu , the old man standing at the doorway of the dilapidated hut, hands behind his back, hunched over.

At that moment, Robin Lu ’s face bore a smile—he showed no anger at Mo En’s invitation, even though he’d created so many Sinianti for Wendy.

“This old man has real skill.”

Watching Robin Lu ’s demeanor, Mo En gritted his teeth internally—could he really be this calm about openly poaching a child? Truly a formidable rival!

“Wendy, are Itachi going to leave with this boy?”

Before Wendy could answer, Robin Lu smiled and spoke first.

“I-I don’t know…”

Facing Robin Lu ’s question, Wendy’s face twisted in distress—she was clearly torn. She wasn’t decisive by nature, and after all, she was only four or five.

“I’m sorry, Wendy. I can’t let Itachi leave with him like this.”

Seeing Wendy’s hesitation, Robin Lu shook his head. His words startled Wendy and made Mo En frown.

“This old man isn’t easy to deal with.”

Mo En muttered inwardly. He suddenly felt as if Wendy were a top-scoring Gaokao candidate, and he and Robin Lu were university recruiters competing for this brilliant prospect.

Actually, the analogy fit perfectly—Wendy wielded “Sky Dragon Slayer Magic,” making her a Dragon Slayer Mage. Just that alone made her an absolute top-tier talent, worthy of Tsinghua or Peking University!

“Mr. Robin Lu , don’t Itachi think Wendy should have the freedom to choose whether to stay or leave?”

Seeing his prized prospect about to be forcibly kept, and his mission conditions slipping away, Mo En couldn’t hold back—he immediately challenged Robin Lu , demanding an explanation.

Mages have the recognized right to join or leave mage guilds, for guilds are not organizations with strong binding authority.

Fairy Tail, of course, allows members to leave. According to Master Macao, many powerful mages had left Fairy Tail, even founding other renowned guilds.

Robin Lu ’s words were a terrible move—even if Wendy had initially been reluctant to leave, saying this put him at a disadvantage.

“I don’t know Fairy Tail, and I don’t know Itachi, boy. That boy Jellal entrusted this girl to me—I can’t just let Itachi take her away.”

Robin Lu spoke calmly, his tone sincere.

“.”

Wendy opened her mouth but couldn’t speak.

Mo En was equally speechless. This was a knockout blow—he had no reply. Even if he still held the “Naruto” card, playing it now would be useless.

Deep down, Mo En himself accepted Robin Lu ’s reasoning. If roles were reversed, he’d do the same. He now felt genuine respect for this powerful old man.

“Mr. Robin Lu , are Itachi saying that if I can make Itachi understand Fairy Tail better—or if I can find Jellal and have him personally say ‘it’s okay’—then Wendy can leave with me?”

After a moment of silence, Mo En asked calmly.

Robin Lu looked at Mo En in surprise—he hadn’t expected such persistence. Just moments ago, Mo En had said Wendy could refuse, yet now he was clearly determined to win her over.

“Correct.”

Though surprised, Robin Lu didn’t play dirty. If Mo En could prove himself and Fairy Tail were good people—or if he brought Jellal back to personally say “yes”—then Mo En could take Wendy away.

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(End of Chapter)