As the last figure crumpled inside the sea of thunder, the storm dissolved. The lightning faded, the winds stilled, the clouds dispersed, and the rain cleared away, leaving behind a brilliant, cloudless sky.
Rhodes touched down lightly, brushing the dust from his coat. The emblem of the Ten Wizard Saints blazed proudly across his back, and the Saint Ten medal on his chest caught the sunlight like a flare.
From the hotel windows, countless eyes were fixed on him. Many of the guests had heard the rumors, that one of the Ten Wizard Saints had died six years ago. Yet here he stood, alive, stormbreaker and dragon-blooded, summoning wind and rain with a single gesture and commanding thunder with a flick of his hand. The image seared itself into their minds.
'Such power at his age… what will he be like when he reaches Master Jura's years?' they wondered.
As they watched, strange and fearsome magical beasts appeared around Rhodes, answering his silent call. At a wave of his hand, they scattered across the hillsides, searching out any stragglers.
Turning back toward the hotel, Rhodes raised a hand in apology. "Forgive me for disturbing your holiday. Some Dark Guilds decided to make trouble. My companions will finish sweeping the area. Please, enjoy your stay without worry."
Reliable. Unshakable. To the guests, he was no monster, but a hero.
Some whispered about the emblem on his coat.
'Fairy Tail… wasn't that the guild said to have vanished six years ago, only to return?' Perhaps, they thought, such a guild could be trusted with even the most difficult requests.
Makarov's heart nearly burst with pride, though he kept his face calm before the other Saints. Still, his mind was already racing. 'Maybe Macao shouldn't attend the next Guild Alliance meeting… No, better, maybe I'll take back the Guild Master's chair for a few months. Just long enough to show Rhodes off, and then retire again once everyone's jaws are on the floor. Yes… that's the plan.'
The smug little scheme was already written all over his face. Rhodes noticed and felt too awkward to even greet him.
Jura, more practical, asked gently, "You promised to capture them alive. They really aren't in danger, are they?"
Rhodes lifted a finger glowing with soft green light. "No. They're still alive. If it's needed, I can even heal the worst of their injuries."
Jura's eyes widened. "You know Healing Magic too?"
Healing mages were rare as ever. Technology had advanced, medical equipment was better than before, but true healing magic remained a treasure. Lamia Scale had only recently gained Sherria, a Sky God Slayer. To hear that Fairy Tail now held not just Wendy, but Rhodes, and even Porlyusica still in their circle, Jura couldn't help feeling envious.
"Wahahaha!" Warrod finally moved toward the charred hillside, his cheer turning oddly solemn. "The young ones today are truly impressive… but the trees and flowers scorched by lightning are unforgivable."
Makarov immediately rushed to defend Rhodes. "Master Warrod, that was..."
"Just kidding, just kidding! Wahahaha!"
Makarov: "…" Again?!
Warrod found Makarov's reaction amusing and chuckled. "This sort of thing is unavoidable. Don't worry, I'll make sure everything grows back."
"Excellent work. Let's take a short break now." Hyberion emerged from the entrance, his cloak swaying as he spoke. "I've already contacted the Council. They'll send a team to handle the aftermath and oversee the investigation. Of course, if any of you wish to be directly involved, you'll be allowed to participate."
Makarov tuned out everything after the word excellent. That was the only part he cared about. His chest swelled with pride, and he laughed, hands on his hips. "Isn't he remarkable? The young man from our Guild!"
Jura nodded warmly. "Perhaps before long, the rankings of the Ten Wizard Saints will need to be adjusted."
"Tch. Too slow, and far too flashy. Why waste time learning Magic like that?" Wolfheim scoffed. "If it were me, I would have finished the job much faster—like you did with the flying machines."
Rhodes smiled easily. "You might not understand the way our Guild works. For us, this was the best method."
Of course, Rhodes had many other ways to take down three hundred opponents, some quick, some slow, but this one suited Fairy Tail best. Summoning dragons or other monstrous beings would terrify the crowd. Releasing wild beasts to wear them down would make him look weak. But unleashing a spectacular storm, a dazzling show of sound and light that crushed them all in one strike? That built both fear in enemies and admiration in bystanders.
'Hopefully', Rhodes thought, 'that couple with the cameras caught it all on film.'
Wolfheim scowled. "For the Guild? Hmph." He couldn't quite follow the logic, but this young man clearly thought things through.
Afterwards, everyone but Warrod returned to the banquet hall. The hotel staff had already cleaned away the shattered table and crockery, replacing them with a fresh spread of food and drink.
The Bosco Council branch wasted no time. A massive flying ship soon descended, its banners flapping proudly. The Captain of the Magic Council's Binding Squad greeted the Saints respectfully before leading his unit up the hillside to collect the defeated Dark Mages.
"Captain, what about those monsters?" one of the soldiers asked nervously, pointing at the hulking purple crabs and twin-headed wolves still prowling the slopes.
The Captain waved it off, clearly more informed than his men. "No need to fear. Those are Saint Rhodes' summoned beasts. He must have stationed them here deliberately to ensure no one escapes."
"Ah...how thoughtful."
The squad member nodded quickly in understanding. But when he noticed a massive crab lumbering toward him, his face went pale.
Thankfully, the creature only glanced at him before fading away. One by one, the other magical beasts vanished as well.
The Captain clasped his hands behind his back, nodding sagely. "I see… Saint Rhodes has entrusted this place to us. It's a sign of his confidence in our work. Move quickly, and don't you dare slip up!"
"Yes, sir!" The team scattered into action, some binding the fallen Dark Mages with sealing stones, others gathering confiscated magical tools.
But only a few minutes later, another alarmed voice rang out: "Captain! There's still one summoned beast left!"
The Captain's expression stiffened. 'Left behind deliberately? Does that mean one of the enemies requires special watch?'
He rushed over, only to find… a towering figure that looked suspiciously like a great tree.
"!!!"
Cold sweat ran down the Captain's back. He slapped the nervous rookie across the head. "You fool! That's not a summoned beast, that's Saint Warrod Sequen, the fourth-ranked Wizard Saint!"
Flustered, he bowed low before the elder, who was happily watering a potted plant nearby. "My deepest apologies, Said Warrod! He didn't mean any offense! He's just new and didn't recognize you!"
Warrod tapped his chin thoughtfully, then said in a solemn tone, "Actually, I am Rhodes' summoned beast."
The soldiers all exhaled in relief, until the Captain stiffened. "Wait… what? He really is?!"
Warrod broke into laughter. "I'm just kidding."
The soldiers blinked. "So he's not?!"
"Wahahaha! No, no, the last thing I said was the joke."
"!!!"
"Or perhaps the one before that."
By now, the soldiers were utterly numb. 'What on earth is with this Wizard Saint…?'