At that thought, a knowing smile appeared on Blanc's face once again.
"Iron Dragon-Gajeel, I know you! Council Member Belno mentioned you to me once. She said you were just a good kid who'd lost his way."
At those words, Gajeel's smile froze. Then he spat in utter disgust.
"Tch, that meddling old hag!"
Blanc folded his arms, his expression growing even more mocking. He slowly raised a finger and casually pointed at the steps in front of Gajeel.
"For Council Member Belno's sake, I'll make an exception today and give you a choice, Gajeel."
"See that step in front of you? If you choose to step up onto it, that means you're making yourself my enemy once and for all!"
"But if you choose to back away now... I wouldn't mind showing you some mercy and letting you become my comrade. What do you say?"
Blanc's words made Gajeel laugh in anger. The man was so arrogant that he dared look down on him, Phantom Lord's ace, the Iron Dragon-Gajeel.
He wasn't like the other spineless small fry in Phantom Lord. His deep-seated pride wouldn't let him hesitate for even half a second. He stomped hard onto the step in front of him!
Through gritted teeth, he snarled:
"Don't underestimate me, you Fairy Tail bastard!!"
Yet barely had the words left his mouth when Gajeel caught sight of Blanc's expression and suddenly froze.
He'd expected his unhesitating rejection to make Blanc lash out in humiliated rage. Instead, the man remained exactly where he was.
Only his breathing seemed a little quicker, his shoulders shaking as though he was desperately holding back laughter.
Then he seemed to regain control. A mocking smile returned to his face, and he spoke in a low voice.
"So that's how it is. Heh! Gajeel,