In a gloomy corridor within the Magic Council.
Siegrain leaned against a cold stone pillar, watching the Guild Master of Phantom Lord emerge from the Criticism Meeting.
"Long time no see, Guild Master Jose."
"Hmph, brat."
Jose paused briefly and shot him a disdainful sideways glance. Seeing the young Siegrain, who already ranked alongside him among the Ten Wizard Saints, filled him with resentment.
That old fossil Makarov was one thing, but now even a brat like this dared to stand on equal footing with me? Absurd.
Jose snorted, not even bothering with perfunctory pleasantries, and walked straight past him.
Siegrain did not get angry. Instead, he turned sideways, gazing at Jose's retreating back as he continued in an amused tone:
"It's quite a shame, really. Phantom Lord has always dwarfed Fairy Tail in size, yet they've completely overshadowed you in recent years. Your reputation gets worse with every passing year."
"Brat, are you trying to provoke me?"
Jose stopped dead at those words. His anger surged, and suffocating, sinister magic power radiated from his body.
Siegrain calmly denied it.
"No, you've misunderstood. I was merely reflecting on things."
Siegrain spread his hands and continued as though making casual conversation.
"After all, compared to that rowdy bunch at Fairy Tail, Phantom Lord might actually give us less cause for concern. It's just a shame..."
He deliberately paused.
"It's just a shame they're riding so high right now. I hear even the young lady of the famous Heartfilia Family has joined Fairy Tail."
Jose's pupils abruptly contracted.
"Once the Heartfilia Family starts pouring funds into them, I'm afraid Phantom Lord's only advantage-its nationwide reach-will disappear as well..." Siegrain casually delivered the killing blow.
Those words struck Jose precisely where it hurt most.
Ever since Makarov had humiliated him at a regular