Clap, clap, clap— Suddenly, crisp applause rang out through the long, gloomy passage. "Very good reasoning..."
"Who's there?!" Levy cried, startled.
"If those magic inscriptions outside really had been put there at old man Makarov's specific request, then your reasoning would undoubtedly be correct. Flawless, even. Unfortunately..." As he spoke, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows ahead. Achill smiled faintly. "Those inscriptions weren't old man Makarov's work. Or rather, the person who wrote those magic inscriptions..."
"Was me..."
"Y-y-y-you're A-A-A-Achill?!!" Hearing that all-too-familiar voice and seeing Achill standing fully revealed before him, Gajeel was dumbstruck! How could this be happening?!! Wasn't he supposed to be in Magnolia?! Gajeel had specifically come here to help someone take the S-Class Exam so he wouldn't be left alone at the guild during the exam, with no familiar faces around to rescue him from this guy's torment!! Why was he here?!! Had he deliberately followed him here just to mess with him?!
"Y-you demon! What do you want?! I-I'm warning you, we're taking the S-Class Exam right now!! If you dare interfere, Guild Master Makarov will come after you with everything he's got—" Gajeel stammered out a loud warning. Apparently feeling that it wasn't quite enough, or perhaps realizing that even Makarov coming after him might not scare Achill, he hastily added, "Even Erza and the others will blame you—"
Despite his loud voice and seemingly imposing manner, anyone could see that he was all bluster, with nothing to back it up.
Levy, who had just felt a little admiration for his fighting spirit and courage, immediately regarded him with contempt... Who was it that swore he wanted to fight a powerful wizard just now? One really scary guy shows up, and he immediately folds.
"Is there something you need, Mr. Picasso?" Although