Watching Hope's dry chuckle, Erza shook her head helplessly.
A person's magical power only increases with the development and growth of their body; once they pass their peak, it slowly declines.
She had never heard Makarov mention any other way to increase magical power, and if there truly were one, it was impossible for Makarov not to have told them.
Unless that method was unsafe.
But Makarov would never let his 'children' fall into danger... Just as Erza was about to say something, Makarov's energetic voice drifted down from upstairs. "Everyone is here, I see. Well? The guild looks quite good now, doesn't it?"
The short figure leaped down from the third-floor railing, landing lightly on the counter.
Makarov was still holding a cup of steaming tea. Seeing the brand-new guild, he stroked his beard with satisfaction, feeling exceptionally cheerful.
However, seeing Hope's exhausted state, Makarov rubbed his nose awkwardly. "Stupid brat, this old man didn't tell you to push yourself to this extent."
Hope waved his hand weakly. "Master, the thing you promised me..."
"Don't worry, this old man keeps his word."
Makarov pulled an opened envelope from his robe and slapped it onto the counter.
Hope picked up the envelope with a look of confusion. The exterior was very exquisite, made of luxury materials that clearly belonged to the upper class. Inside was a piece of stationery about half the size of an A4 sheet.
Seeing Hope spread the letter out on the table, Erza leaned in curiously as well.
It was actually an invitation letter.
〖Respected Mr. Makarov Dreyar:
You are a preeminent Mage on the continent of Ishgar, possessing great magical power and noble character. Over the decades, you have eliminated many Dark Mage Guilds, leaving an indelible mark of merit upon the magical world.
Yet beyond strength, proper education is also an indispensable part of the magical world's flourishing development... Providing instruction for children with exceptional magical talent and instilling correct values is precisely the responsibility borne by my Mildian Magic Academy.
However, since the birth of the first Mage Guild in the Northern Continent—and the world—one hundred years ago, the atmosphere of this school has gradually deteriorated.
Because they rely on the academy's thousand-year heritage, the teachers and students here, deeply influenced by the philosophy of 'elite education,' are filled with arrogance and prejudice toward 'crude' Mage Guilds.
This seriously violates the original intention of Mildian Magic Academy.
Although I have the honor of serving as the Headmaster of Mildian, attempting to reform the school's atmosphere from within has proven to be fraught with difficulties.
For the reasons mentioned above, I venture to request that Mr. Makarov send two outstanding members of your guild's younger generation to engage in a three-day magical exchange with our students in mid-September.
Only through true combat can they recognize who they really are inside their ivory tower.
I shall present a token of gratitude in person at that time.
Sincerely, Draculos Hyberion〗
Upon reading the contents of the letter, both Hope and Erza subconsciously sat up straight in shock.
Hope: "The Mildian Magic Academy?!"
Erza: "It's actually him! Hyberion!"
The two looked at each other, both seeing the excitement in the other's eyes.
Erza's dream was to become one of the 'Ten Wizard Saints,' so she paid close attention to the members on the list.
Although the Council claimed on the surface that there was no ranking among the 'Ten Wizard Saints,' almost everyone in the magical world knew that the higher the rank, the stronger the Ten Wizard Saints.
Makarov was ranked fifth among the 'Ten Wizard Saints,' and Jose, whom he had defeated, was ranked sixth.
And Hyberion's rank... was second.
Makarov, at fifth, could completely crush Jose at sixth when using his full strength. By analogy, one could imagine how terrifying Hyberion's strength must be.
However, the objects of Hope's and Erza's excitement were completely different. That so-called second-ranked Saint didn't interest him nearly as much as the Mildian Magic Academy.
Mildian was a magic academy that had existed for nearly a thousand years, possessing an extremely rich magical foundation. It was said that over 400 years ago, Zeref, before he became the 'Dark Mage,' had studied at Mildian.
But Mildian had also suffered because of this; one day, Zeref's magic took the lives of everyone in the academy. Fortunately, a portion of the teachers and students escaped because they were away at the time, and they later rebuilt Mildian.
These legends were fine to listen to, but what mattered to Hope was that Hyberion was asking Makarov to send people for a 'magical exchange' with the academy's students—in short, a fight.
Mildian Magic Academy only accepted students with high magical talent, which meant those students likely mastered many excellent spells. It was simply the best place to collect magic.
But... "Master, what does this have to do with the method to increase magical power?" Hope put down the letter and looked up at Makarov with a suspicious face, suspecting he was being used for free.
And Old Makarov wanted to use him for free a second time by having him go and fight those students.
"You aren't lying to me, are you?"
"Nonsense, am I the kind of person who doesn't keep his word?"
Seeing Hope's skeptical gaze, Makarov continued with righteous indignation, "Mildian Magic Academy has recently been researching a subject—regarding the 'second magic source' within a Mage's body."
Hearing Makarov's words, both Hope and Erza became somewhat surprised; it was a term they had never heard before.
"second magic source? Master, can you be more specific?"
Hope asked. Although he didn't know what the second magic source was, he could guess a thing or two just from the name; it was likely something that could increase the upper limit of magical power.
Makarov shook his head. "This old man isn't too clear either. I only know that those scholars discovered through research that most Mages only develop a portion of the magic in their bodies."
"They named the undeveloped magic the 'second magic source,' believing that those powerful Mages might have developed the latent magic in their bodies in addition to their naturally strong magic."
Hope understood. This was just like the development of the brain.
It was said that the human brain is only 10% developed. Some believed that the higher the degree of development, the smarter one becomes, and that one could even obtain incredible powers with further development.
But that was ultimately just a hypothesis.
Yet this was a world of magic; perhaps it truly was possible to unlock hidden potential in the body through certain methods or means.
"Hope, Hyberion asked this old man to borrow two people to fight his students. Are you willing to make the trip?" Makarov spoke with a smile.
Hope was, of course, a hundred percent willing. Even if the 'second magic source' turned out to be just a hypothesis in the end, being able to openly fleece those top students for their magic was already a win.
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