What's a Young Man Without a Little Arrogance?

Makarov finally recovered from the emotional shock of Jiang Bai saying he wouldn't leave the guild. He looked at Jiang Bai and asked suspiciously, "Hey kid, weren't you off on a quest with Erza? What brings you here?"

"Oh! I almost forgot about the important matter."

Jiang Bai's relaxed expression vanished instantly, replaced by a serious one.

In a few words, he quickly explained the Eisenwald Guild, Erigor the Grim Reaper, and "Lullaby" to everyone present.

As he spoke, the cheerful atmosphere in the room, mixed with the smell of alcohol, dissipated at a visible speed.

A solemn expression appeared on the faces of all the guild leaders.

"'Lullaby'?" A rare serious expression appeared on President Bob's usually alluring face.

"Unexpectedly, the magic left behind by the dark mage Zeref has reappeared in this world."

"Zeref!"

The moment that taboo name was mentioned, the entire atmosphere in the hall froze!

Almost every president who heard this name tensed up instinctively, their eyes revealing undisguised tension and fear.

This name itself represents the dark history of the magical world, a nightmare that resounds throughout the land.

Even after four hundred years, this fear remains profound, a terrifying legend known even to ordinary people.

"W-what should we do? Should we go somewhere else for a bit?"

A timid member of the association suggested in a trembling voice.

"Great idea!" another president immediately chimed in.

"We can notify the Magic Council immediately to handle this! This kind of thing should be left to them!"

After all, not all guild leaders are like Makarov, Ten Wizard Saints who rank at the pinnacle of the continent.

Most of the people present knew in their hearts that they probably couldn't even beat "Shinigami" Erigor.

Makarov, however, was not nervous at all.

He slowly picked up his glass, took another sip, and said unhurriedly, "Don't worry. Zeref is a thing of the past. What we have to face is just a magic he left behind."

He glanced around at his restless colleagues.

"If word got out that so many of us, the leaders of legitimate guilds, would flee in fear of a mere underworld guild, it would be incredibly shameful."

Upon hearing Makarov's words, some guild leaders calmed down slightly, and embarrassed expressions appeared on their faces.

"Yes... yes! What's more, with Chairman Makarov here, and even the legendary 'Infinity' Jiang Bai, this is probably the safest place!"

Makarov nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze to Jiang Bai.

"Let the younger generation handle the things. You brat, are you sure you can handle it?"

"Old man, who do you think you are?" Jiang Bai curled his lip, looking completely self-righteous.

"If it were Zeref himself, that would be more like it. A mere toy he left behind isn't worth my attention."

"You brat! You've got some skill and you're already acting like a madman!" Makarov yelled, his beard bristling and eyes wide.

"What kind of young person wouldn't be arrogant?" Jiang Bai shrugged. "Besides, what I said is true."

Makarov decided to let the kid off the hook, but he'd have to teach him a lesson when they got back to the guild!

Zeref is universally acknowledged as the strongest being in the history of magic. This kid gets so arrogant just because he has some power; he'll suffer a great loss sooner or later!

Jiang Bai felt he had already thought highly of Zeref.

After all, while Zeref's talent was unparalleled, almost all of his talent was focused on researching magic. In terms of pure combat strength, he was definitely superior.

Anyway, we'll definitely have a chance to try it out in the future, and we'll see how it goes then.

"Hehe, it seems we're in for a treat today."

Goldmine, the president of the Quatro Cerberus club, said casually, treating the whole thing as just a bit of fun.

"Oh~ Xiao Bai Bai is Fairy Tail's ace!"

Chairman Bob swayed his hips and moved closer.

"I really want to see just how strong Xiao Bai Bai really is!"

Upon hearing the nickname "Xiao Bai Bai," Jiang Bai felt a wave of nausea wash over him.

Although Chairman Bob is actually a nice person, he really can't accept this title and mannerisms.

He simply couldn't understand why a handsome man in his youth would turn out like this in his old age.

Jiang Bai ignored the group of presidents with their own agendas and paid no attention to President Bob's burning gaze.

He walked to the long table laden with a sumptuous feast, picked up a clean plate, and began to slowly select the food that interested him.

It was as if what was about to happen was not a fierce battle, but an ordinary dinner party.

Makarov was still there, spitting as he boasted to the other presidents about his son's "glorious deeds." Whenever someone cast a look of awe at Jiang Bai, his small frame would straighten even more.

Jiang Bai glanced at the smug old man, then silently forked a piece of roasted meat and stuffed it into his mouth.

Let him be happy a little longer.

When the Magic Council sends over their complaint and bill about Erza and her group destroying an entire train station, the old man will probably have another heart attack and faint.

Time slipped away quietly in this strange atmosphere of leisure, boasting, and a group of people who were either tense or expectant.

Night fell, like black velvet, slowly enveloping the entire Clover Town.

The railway tracks outside the city reflected a cold, silvery light under the moonlight, stretching Infinity into the distance.

A dark figure was speeding along the railway tracks toward the brightly lit city center at an alarming rate.

It was Erigor who was taking a desperate gamble.

Finally, at the edge of his vision, he saw the brightly lit guild alliance building, the venue for their regular meetings.

"That's it!"

An uncontrollable mix of ecstasy and venom burst forth in Erigor's eyes!

"I've finally arrived! You bunch of bloated, senile old geezers, let me use this 'Lullaby' to play the final movement of your lives!"

"Ha ha!"

He let out a maniacal laugh, his speed increased again, and he transformed into a black whirlwind, rushing straight toward the building!

A moment later, Erigor had arrived directly above the meeting place.

He hovered high above, like a vulture in the night, looking down at the light below that, in his eyes, was about to become a death trap.

However, what he didn't know was...

The moment he saw the outline of the building as he followed the railway tracks.

Inside the venue, the young man who was leisurely carrying a plate and enjoying fine wine and food had already accurately detected his presence through his all-pervasive Mental Detection.