So Chen Fan immediately puffed out his chest, held his head high, and dramatically patted his chest, his voice filled with pride. "A child's eyes are the purest, they speak the truth. Just for that one word, 'good person,' I, your big brother, will address this matter!" After speaking, he looked around, his nostrils pointing skyward, as if he had just won a major battle, challenging everyone in the room.
"Hey, hey, are you really capable? I haven't seen you kill a chicken since you were little..." Gray said from the side, with a clear tone of skepticism.
"You still shouldn't go. You don't know Attack Magic at all. Even though your body has become much stronger, your body is still too weak!" Another person said from the side, with a genuinely worried tone.
"Yes, yes." "Yes, yes." Other Guild members chimed in, nodding in agreement, a murmur of concern spreading.
"I didn't expect that Brother Chen Fan doesn't know Attack Magic. I can't let Brother Chen Fan go on an adventure!" With that, Romeo cried and ran out, tears streaming down his face, his wails breaking out.
Seeing Romeo rush out, Chen Fan also felt a burning wave of anger, the energy around him rippling slightly. He roared at them, his voice echoing, "Look at all of you! It's fine if you don't want to go yourselves, but when others say they'll go, you still belittle them, huh?! Don't talk to me about that boring pride! In my eyes, life is more valuable than pride! What is pride?! It's all rubbish! I don't even know which trash can I could have thrown it in long ago!"
Chen Fan's words silenced them, their heads bowed, shadows of shame clouding their faces. At the same time, they thought, "Yes, exactly as Chen Fan said." Although they were somewhat concerned, they only thought of Macao's pride as a Mage but didn't carefully consider Macao's current safety.
Seeing them like this, Chen Fan also felt his tone was a bit harsh, so he slowed his breathing and calmly said, "From now on, you no longer owe me money, and I will no longer intercede with the Magic Council. Just like you are now, whoever makes a mistake will bear the responsibility themselves. You all have pride, right? Pride needs to be honed. You should hone it well."
Makarov watched all this without saying a word, his gaze sweeping across the hall. He also felt that this Guild had been too comfortable for too long. As Guild Master, he couldn't order Guild members to do something for a specific person. That wasn't something a Guild Master should do. What a Guild Master should do is ensure the interests of everyone in the entire Guild. He couldn't abuse his power just because he was Guild Master, but the people in the Guild could do what they wanted. However, they remained indifferent, which deeply disappointed him.
Chen Fan walked up to Makarov and said, "Guild Master, you might be scolded by the Council later. I'm truly sorry."
"It's not your fault, kid. It was my oversight. I thought protecting these kids under my wing, but I didn't expect it to harm them! You're absolutely right, a Mage should have pride, but it must be secondary to life. Human lives are at stake," Makarov said with a hint of emotion, his eyes showing the burden of a leader, his gaze distant.
At this moment, Natsu punched the bulletin board, a loud thud reverberating, then turned and walked out of the Guild with determined steps, resolve burning in his eyes. Lucy, seeing the situation, followed him out, somewhat worried.
Seeing this state of affairs, Chen Fan told Makarov, "Guild Master, I'll go check on Romeo. That kid is always sad and might do something impulsive."
"Please do, Chen Fan," Makarov told him, a slight nod. "The child's mother is gone, and his father's condition is unknown. He might be crying somewhere right now."
At this time, Chen Fan was indeed not suitable to stay in the Guild. He had just scolded many people in the Guild, and the atmosphere had become somewhat heavy. It was also time for the Guild members to reflect. Living comfortably for many years had indeed eroded many things. According to their old selves, even if they didn't want to go, they wouldn't stop Chen Fan from going. Macao's pride was pride, but wasn't Chen Fan's pride also pride? After all, he was also a Mage from Fairy Tail, and a very formidable one. Were they looking down on him just because Chen Fan didn't use Attack Magic? He was someone who could even influence the Magic Council, something even Makarov, the Guild Master, couldn't do.
Could an ordinary Mage achieve something like this? They realized that they had indeed underestimated Chen Fan. They had been misled by Chen Fan's usual chaotic, silly self, and Chen Fan who liked to play small tricks, making an almost unforgivable mistake.
"Chen Fan, wait a moment!" Suddenly, Mira called for Chen Fan, her voice slightly softer than usual.
Chen Fan turned around, a little confused. Didn't Mira usually ignore him? He saw Mira holding some food and handed it to Chen Fan.
Chen Fan said, moved, his eyes sparkling, "Mira, is this for me?"
"No, I want you to give it to Romeo. His father hasn't been around for the past few days, and he probably hasn't eaten well. Take this to him and make him eat something so he doesn't starve," Mira said softly to Chen Fan, her smile warming, full of concern.
"Oh... leave it to me!" Chen Fan said, clenching his right fist and placing it on his chest, looking very childlike, as if he were a knight receiving an important mission.
"Then I'm off!" With that, he ran out, as fast as lightning, disappearing from sight.
Mira returned to the counter, wiping glasses with a graceful motion, a faint smile on her lips.
At this moment, Makarov, sipping beer from his mug, said to Mira, "Mira, don't you dislike Chen Fan? And do you think Chen Fan is very weak?"
"Why do you ask, my Guild Master?" Mira said with an innocent smile to Makarov, her eyes slightly narrowed, a mysterious glint.
"I just want to know if you share the same thoughts as them." Makarov said, waving his hand as if he didn't care, his gaze unreadable.
"No, I don't dislike him, in fact, I even like him a little, although every time he confesses his feelings or proposes to me, it's just a joke to him. I can deeply sense that there's a part of his heart that's always out of reach... Like an unrevealed 'Last Arc'," Mira seemed about to continue, but Makarov interrupted, "Why are you only talking about your feelings for him and not the other aspects?"
Mira's face turned a faint red, looking adorable, and she said rather eerily, "Master...!"
Makarov was very happy to see Mira's expression. Since Lisanna's departure, Mira had become like this. Although she appeared cheerful every day, Makarov was deeply heartbroken. After all, these were his children, and he didn't want Mira to be like this.
Seeing Mira had calmed down, Makarov continued, "Now, tell me about Chen Fan's strength."
"I don't know, I truly don't know about it. He seems to have no magic power at all, but sometimes the pressure he exudes is stronger than when I'm at my peak. After all these years, there have been a few times when the pressure he released was even unbearable for me. It felt like facing a top-tier Mage or even a Wizard Saint!" Mira's face was no longer flushed with embarrassment; she looked very serious, her brows furrowed, her gaze sharp.
"So you think so too? Let me tell you, there have been a few times when the pressure he gave off was even unbearable for me," Makarov said mysteriously in a low voice to Mira's ear, then, without waiting for Mira's surprised expression, he walked straight up to his room, leaving Mira in confusion, her eyes still wide.
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