Lumen Histoire
Natsu's mind flashed back to the miserable state of Gajeel, his body wrapped in bandages, barely clinging to life after being beaten.
"Oh--"
He suddenly realized and drew out the syllable.
"So you were the one who beat him up like that back then!"
On the other side, Gajeel, who had been tense, secretly breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Jiang Bai's casual "Then join us."
In this guild, the one who truly brought him immense pressure was never the guild leader, Makarov, but rather the lazy man in front of him.
Even now, he still can't forget how his proud Iron Dragon Magic was so easily crushed like a cookie by the other party in that guild.
He never wanted to experience that feeling of despair, of having no chance to fight back, again in his life.
However, we cannot lose in terms of momentum.
Gajeel snorted and glanced at Natsu was still making a ruckus beside him.
"Hmph! If I hadn't been seriously injured by him back then, I would have pinned you to the ground long ago, you little Fire Dragon."
"What did you say?!"
Natsu's fiery temper flared instantly. He first moved Happy to a safe place, then roared with battle intent.
"Perfect! Now that you're healed, let's have another fight!"
Seeing that the two Dragon Slayer were about to destroy his house again, Makarov rubbed his temples in exasperation.
But that's good, it'll help me integrate more quickly.
So he ignored the two energetic kids and walked straight up to Jiang Bai, putting on a stern face.
"You brat, come with me!"
After saying that, Makarov turned around and walked towards an inconspicuous corner behind the guild bar.
Jiang Bai raised an eyebrow, having roughly guessed what was going on.
The old man couldn't hold back any longer and was about to tell her Fairy Tail's true trump card—Lumen Star Power.
Makarov led Jiang Bai to an ordinary wall, placed his hand on the wall, and channeled a stream of magic into it.
The wall silently slid open to both sides, revealing a deep, winding stone staircase that could only accommodate one person at a time.
"You brat!"
Makarov spoke as he walked, the dim torch casting a long shadow.
"I heard you absorbed the Etherion of those idiots in the Magic Council?"
"Old man, you're quite well-informed,"
Jiang Bai followed behind, his tone relaxed.
"It was Grandpa Yajima who told you, wasn't it?"
"Don't try to fool me with that silly grin!"
Makarov suddenly stopped and turned around sharply, his aged eyes filled with lingering fear and anger.
"Do you know how dangerous that is? What if you hadn't caught it? Can't you just let me worry less?!"
"Don't worry, old man,"
Jiang Bai's smile faded slightly, and his tone became serious.
"I only did it because I was truly confident."
Looking into Jiang Bai's calm eyes, Makarov knew that the kid wasn't lying.
He sighed, said nothing more, and continued walking.
The two walked for a long time before finally reaching the end of the stone steps.
A massive, circular metal door blocked the way, its surface engraved with layers of shimmering protective magic arrays, radiating a chilling magical aura.
We've arrived!
Makarov's expression became more serious than ever before.
"Listen up, you brat! You're about to discover Fairy Tail's biggest secret, and you absolutely cannot tell anyone, not even Erza or Mira! You can't utter a single word!"
Jiang Bai blinked, teasing him deliberately, "Grandpa, is it too late for me to say I don't want to know anymore?"
"No!"
Makarov, veins bulging on his forehead, roared with a fierce expression.
"It's too late now!"
He stretched out his thin, bony hand and placed it on the metal door, infusing it with his unique magic as the guild leader.
The heavy metal door slowly opened with a rumble.
Behind the door was a huge circular space, and in the very center of the space stood a massive Magic Crystal that emitted a soft glow.
Sealed within that crystal-clear Magic Crystal was a petite girl, seemingly trapped in an eternal slumber.
Makarov led Jiang Bai to the Magic Crystal, his tone filled with Infinity respect and emotion.
"This is a sanctuary known only to the successive guild masters of Fairy Tail."
"And sealed inside is our guild's first guild master— Mavis Lyon."
"At the same time, she is also our guild's ultimate secret, surpassing the three great magics, 'Lumen Starlight,' also known as 'The Fairy Heart.'"
"An eternal source of magic with Infinity power."
"If this secret falls into the wrong hands, the whole world will be in huge trouble."
"Therefore, the most important task for each successive president is to protect the First Generation's body from outsiders at all costs."
Makarov paused, looking at Jiang Bai with a complicated expression.
"Actually... someone's already eyeing this place. I've been the chairman for so many years, and my health is deteriorating day by day, so..."
"Stop!"
Jiang Bai interrupted him without any politeness.
Makarov was caught off guard by his question, almost unable to catch his breath. "Wh... what?"
"Grandpa, you don't need to say anything more," Jiang Bai waved his hand.
"I know what you want me to do."
He said with a look of disgust, "But I don't want to."
"You brat, how dare you say no?!" Makarov's eyes widened like saucers.
"That's not what I meant," Jiang Bai explained.
"Isn't it a bit too early for me? According to the order, it should be passed to Gildarts first, and then it's my turn."
"You know what Gildarts is like! You never see him all year round. Passing the leadership to him is no different than disbanding the guild!"
"Grandpa, why are you in such a hurry?" Jiang Bai walked over and patted Makarov on the shoulder. "You're still in good health. I think you can work for at least another twenty years."
He grinned and offered a compromise. "How about this, when you're really too old to do it anymore, and Gildarts happens to be out of the guild, I can take over then."
Makarov looked at Jiang Bai's nonchalant yet incredibly serious demeanor, and his tense face finally relaxed. He nodded in satisfaction.
Actually, he didn't intend to hand over the heavy responsibility of guild leader right now; he just wanted to leave the guild's future with the most secure and powerful backup plan.
It now appears that this goal has been achieved.