Laxus Expelled from the Guild?

The town of Magnolia, which had been bustling all morning, finally returned to some tranquility.

In the ward on the first floor, the air was so quiet that only the sound of even breathing could be heard.

Makarov's eyelids twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes. His cloudy gaze focused on the familiar ceiling for a long time before finally regaining a sliver of clarity.

He didn't get up immediately, but lay there quietly, as if gathering his last bit of strength.

In the corner of the room, another figure lay, breathing evenly, seemingly still unconscious.

Makarov didn't turn his head, but spoke slowly in an extremely weary voice.

"You brat, stop pretending now that you're awake."

The breathing in the corner paused slightly, but quickly returned to normal; Laxus remained completely still.

Makarov's chest heaved slightly as he turned his head, his voice filled with suppressed volcanic anger and sorrow.

"What? Are you only satisfied when you really drive this old man to his death?"

These words were like a red-hot branding iron, searing deeply into Laxus's heart.

He could no longer pretend and slowly opened his complicated eyes.

But he didn't dare look at Makarov, and instead awkwardly turned his head to the other side, as if there was something on the wall more worthy of his attention than his grandfather's gaze.

After the self-deceptive trial of "The Fairy Law," he finally saw his own heart clearly, those softest corners that were shrouded in layers of jealousy and arrogance.

It was precisely because he saw things so clearly that the belated shame and regret overwhelmed him like a tsunami.

Makarov propped himself up on the edge of the bed and sat up.

Looking at his grandson's evasive expression, he asked, word by word, "You brat... do you know what you've done?"

"Look me in the eyes, Laxus!"

The roar, filled with disappointment and pain, finally froze Laxus's body.

He hesitated for a long time before finally sitting up slowly, turning his head to meet the gaze that filled him with fear.

"The so-called guilds," Makarov's voice was soft, yet incredibly heavy, as if he were speaking with his very life on end.

"It's a haven where friends gather, a place where people take on jobs to make a living, and, more importantly, the only home for homeless children like Erza."

"It has never belonged to any one person, not to you, and not to me."

"The guild has been maintained to this day by the trust and loyalty among all its members. This bond is stronger and more precious than any magic!"

Makarov's eyes were bloodshot, and his disappointment was almost overflowing.

"And you, Laxus! You have trampled on this morality with your own hands!"

"Using the 'Thunder Palace' to threaten the entire town's inhabitants, turning swords against your own comrades whom you've spent every day with, making them hurt each other, turning this home... into a battlefield! This is absolutely, absolutely unforgivable!"

Laxus remained silent for a long time, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms. A voice, laced with regret, forced out through clenched teeth, "I know... I just... I was just jealous of that Jiang Bai guy!"

"Why is all your attention focused on him? I'm your grandson too! I also want to... I want to make the guild stronger..."

His voice grew softer and softer, and even he himself felt how pale and powerless his explanation was.

Upon hearing this, the anger in Makarov's eyes gradually subsided, replaced by endless heartache and pity.

He let out a long sigh.

"What a... clumsy child."

"I admit that I really like that kid Jiang Bai. Even biological parents find it hard to treat all their children completely equally, but I have never shown favoritism to anyone."

"He doesn't need me to worry about him," Makarov said with a wry smile.

"And do you think I gave him his power? I wanted to pass on the 'Fairy Law' to him, but that brat refused without even thinking about it."

"Aside from learning a few basic Space Magic at the guild at the beginning, all the other techniques he created by himself, locking himself in his room day and night!"

Upon hearing this, Laxus's eyes widened in surprise.

He knew that 'Infinity' was his own creation, but he never imagined that Jiang Bai's endless stream of terrifying moves were almost all his own creations.

"That brat's talent in magic is unlike anything I've ever seen in my life."

Makarov's evaluation was ridiculously high.

"I even believe that his talent surpasses that of Zeref, who was hailed as the strongest dark mage in history four hundred years ago. It may only be a matter of time before Jiang Bai surpasses him."

"More importantly, he possesses talent that even geniuses would look up to, yet he has not a trace of the arrogance of a genius."

"He was willing to humble himself, fool around with Natsu and the others, and get along with everyone in the guild."

"If you had been like him back then, you might not have had less prestige in the guild than him. This has never been about strength."

Makarov looked at his grandson, his eyes gradually softening with tenderness, as if he were looking at a child who had been lost for a long time.

"Laxus, try to take that heavy burden off your shoulders and relax a bit."

"That way you'll see scenery you never noticed before, hear the voices of your heart that you deliberately ignored, and life... will be much easier and happier."

"The greatest meaning of my life, this old man, is watching you grow up."

"I never expected you to be exceptionally strong or exceptionally intelligent. I only hoped that you... could live a peaceful, healthy, and happy life."

These words were like a gentle but powerful hammer, striking Laxus's heart again and again.

His body began to tremble slightly uncontrollably, and a hot tear finally slid down his cheek.

It turns out that all Grandpa ever wanted for himself was to be healthy and happy.

The jealousy that drove him mad, the reasons that twisted him, were all just figments of his own imagination—pathetic and laughable obsessions.

He wanted to make the guild stronger, but he used the wrong methods to push it into the abyss. In the end, he only deeply hurt the guild and the grandfather who loved him most in the world.

Seeing his grandson's remorseful and tearful face, Makarov forced back his own tears and closed his eyes.

With all his might, he uttered the most painful, yet most necessary, decision he had to make as chairman and grandfather.

"Laxus..."

His voice was hoarse and trembling.

"I hereby formally expel you from Fairy Tail."