Damn, It Was a Trap!

Sitting opposite Hughes, Makarov naturally heard Hughes's sarcastic remarks and felt inexplicably tired. He reached into his pocket and rummaged around.

"Here's 7 million J, your reward for handling Dojigiri Ezel in Thunder Valley!" Makarov pushed the money forward and handed it to Hughes.

Hughes showed no politeness whatsoever and immediately put it in his pocket.

"Now, can you listen to what I have to say?"

Hughes nodded obediently. Money makes everything easier, even though he was entitled to the money.

J. Hughes didn't intend to use the 7 million to pay off Makarov's debt. After using up his psychic potions over this period, he only had five left, so he needed to go to Granny Porlyusica to stock up.

With medicine on hand, I'm not afraid to do anything reckless!

Seeing that Hughes had finally stopped causing trouble, Makarov sighed and said, "I want the two of you to capture a magical beast with the strength of S-Class Mage to serve as your opponents in tomorrow's Laxus S-Class Exam."

After saying that, Makarov took out a mission request form and a map and placed them between Hughes and Gildarts.

"Here's the information on this S-Class magical beast. I've also marked the location where it appeared. You two go and capture it alive. Remember to be quick; you need to be back in Magnolia Town by tomorrow!"

"If we capture this S-Class magical beast, we'll consider it completing an S-Class Mission. Which of you two wants to go?"

Hughes immediately shook his head. Although the commission was high, he wasn't going. Mira was back, and her family would definitely be cooking something delicious tonight.

Money can be earned anytime, but we can't neglect our stomachs.

Gildarts shook his head as well, casually uttering a boastful statement. "Old man, I'm a bit tired. I'm afraid I won't be able to control my strength and might accidentally kill them."

Hughes curled his lip. Damn it, I hate pretentious people the most.

... Damn it, why didn't I think of that sentence?

Makarov slammed his fist on the table in fury. "You can't expect an old man in his eighties like me to catch it, can you?"

Those two bastards are inhuman. Laxus can't go, so what he has to do is defeat this S-Class magical beast Admiral in front of everyone.

Instead of capturing it and bringing it back to Magnolia Town first, and then defeating it in front of everyone.

If word gets out, people will laugh at Fairy Tail guild.

Hughes thought that letting the old man capture this S-Class magical beast was a perfectly feasible method. The old man always used his age as an excuse, but he was actually incredibly strong.

S-Class magical beasts were no different from chicks in his hands; he could take them down with a single slap.

"Old man, I believe in you. You'll definitely be able to bring this S-Class magical beast back perfectly!" Hughes gave Makarov a thumbs up, stretched, and got up.

He's very busy. He'll go back and lie down for a while, then eat dinner and lie down again. In the evening, he'll take Mira to meet with Kailinfu.

Hmph, he'd like to see what tricks Kailinfu can pull next. Bullshit, no girl would joke about her chastity!

Seeing that Hughes was about to leave, Laxus hurriedly got up and pressed Hughes back down.

He had been waiting for this day to become S-Class Mage for a long time and really didn't want to delay it any longer.

Hughes turned to Laxus with a puzzled look. "What? I really don't have time!"

"Let's vote among the four of us, and whoever gets the most votes goes!" Laxus suggested.

Makarov naturally had no objections!

Gildarts thought about it and realized that it was really inappropriate to let Makarov personally capture S-Class magical beast, so he agreed to Laxus's suggestion.

Everyone looked at Hughes...

"No, I really won't go. Tonight I'm taking Mira to settle accounts with Kailinfu. If this isn't resolved soon, my reputation as a scoundrel will spread to other towns in a couple of days!" Hughes shook his head and refused repeatedly.

Makarov glanced at Laxus.

Laxus, understanding the unspoken message, said, "Four people voted, and it's not necessarily you who will capture the monster in the end; as for the matter of Kailinfu, I'll be your witness later; and don't forget, you made me lose a rocking chair last night."

"Let me tell you, that's not just any ordinary rocking chair; it's the chair that's been with me for five years, a full five years..."

Hughes was getting a headache from his nagging. Thinking that with four people voting, it might not even be his turn, he waved his hand to indicate that he agreed.

"However, I'm worried you might try something underhanded, so I'll have Mira supervise you!" Hughes said seriously.

Makarov nodded and beckoned Mira to come over.

A moment later, Mira, who knew what was going on, stood aside and handed out paper and pens to everyone in turn.

"Fairness and impartiality are essential. No underhanded tactics allowed!" Hughes added as he finished writing.

It was just a few words, and it didn't take much time. Soon, Mira had four folded ballots in her hand. To ensure there was no cheating, Mira unfolded the papers one by one, facing everyone.

"Hughes, one vote so far!"

Hughes: That's normal, it's only one vote.

"Gildarts, one vote so far!"

Hughes slowly sat up straight from his reclining chair; there were still two votes left.

Mira continued to open the third ballot sheet, the words "Hughes" clearly visible on the transparent paper.

Mira glanced at Hughes and continued, "Hughes, two votes so far!"

Hughes frowned and stared at Laxus, whose handwriting was unique to Laxus.

Bah! He didn't even vote for Laxus, but that bastard Laxus voted for him!

Laxus quickly turned his head to the other side, avoiding Hughes's gaze.

"You just wait!" Hughes growled at him.

Laxus silently plugged his ears... As long as he didn't see or hear anything, nothing had happened!

Moreover, the next sheet was the old man's ballot, and based on his understanding of the old man, there was a 100% chance that the old man would write Hughes.

With that in mind, Laxus moved back a few steps to avoid Hughes taking his anger out on him.

Sure enough, as Mira opened the fourth ballot, the familiar name "Hughes" appeared on it.

The atmosphere fell silent instantly...

Hughes stood up angrily and overturned the table in front of him. "Damn it, four people voted, and you all voted for me!"

They still say there was no collusion!

Hughes, furious, reached out with his right hand, hoping to grab something easy to vent his anger, but his right hand grasped nothing.

Laxus, who had anticipated this, shrugged at the stunned Hughes and moved a few feet away.

Hughes: Damn it, when did Laxus become smart?! So annoying!!

"This is unfair! This vote is completely unfair. There are only four of us voting; it's too easy to rig it!"

Hughes shook his head violently; he was shameless and refused to accept the voting results.

Mira rearranged the table and said softly, "I think you should just draw lots! It'll be fairer, and those who don't get a lot can just go!"

Hughes' eyes lit up. Mira's idea was brilliant, so he forced Laxus, Gildarts, and Makarov to play another round.

Little did he know, this was a game that would cause him even greater despair.