Chapter 67: Shut Up While I'm in a Good Mood
"What did you say?!!!"
Everyone who was working froze and stared at the Magic Council envoy with their mouths hanging open.
Makarov's angry voice boomed across the construction site: "Oi! You brats! Slacking off again! Get back to work!"
"N-No, Master! It's an envoy from the Magic Council!"
When Makarov heard it was the Magic Council, his stomach immediately dropped. Well, the reason was simple—whenever the Council showed up, nothing good ever followed.
"Which one of you damn brats caused trouble this time? They chewed me out just a few days ago! Are you trying to give me another earful?"
"No, they're not here for you, Master. They're here for Dino."
"Looking for Dino?"
At that moment, Dino walked over carrying several wooden beams, still wearing his work clothes.
Dino said with complete seriousness: "What's this about? The Magic Council looking for me? If it's about compensation, I'm broke. No money, no life—take your pick!"
Everyone sweatdropped at Dino's words. You've got the presence of someone who killed a Wizard Saint, but the attitude of a deadbeat who won't pay his debts!
The Magic Council messenger straightened up: "Fairy Tail Guild S-Class Mage Dino Maxim—after extensive evaluation and assessment of your abilities, you are hereby appointed as one of the Ten Wizard Saints, ranked seventh!"
"Gweh?!" Before Dino could react, Makarov nearly collapsed from shock.
"Master!!"
Makarov scrambled to his feet: "Y-You said Dino was named a Wizard Saint?!"
"Correct. Dino Maxim defeated former Wizard Saint and Phantom Lord Guild Master Jose Porla in single combat. He clearly possesses the strength befitting a Wizard Saint. This is the official appointment letter."
Makarov grabbed the letter with trembling hands. Seeing it bore the seals of every Magic Council member, he dropped to the ground and burst into tears.
"Thank the heavens! Finally! Dino, you brat, you've finally made something of yourself!"
Dino waved dismissively: "Oi, old man, why are you crying? It's just a fancy title—can't pay the bills with it."
BONK!
Before Dino could finish, Makarov's fist connected with his skull.
"You brat! What are you saying?! This is an honor! AN HONOR! Fairy Tail now has two Wizard Saints!"
"Do you realize how incredible that is?! How many more job requests we'll get?! Think about it!"
"More jobs means more money—we won't have to rebuild the guildhall ourselves!"
Dino replied flatly: "Still no."
"You little—! Ahem!" Makarov suddenly turned to the Council envoy with a pleasant smile. "Would you like to come in for tea before heading back?"
Dino glanced at the guild "construction site"—currently just a foundation, a few support beams, and open air on all sides. Where exactly would they go "in"?
"No need. We came only to deliver the appointment. We must report back immediately. Within two days, news of Dino Maxim becoming a Wizard Saint will be published in the papers." With that, the messenger and his escorts departed.
"Whoa! It's real! Dino's actually a Wizard Saint!"
"Just like the Master!"
"With Dino's strength, becoming a Wizard Saint makes sense!"
"Yeah!"
Makarov carefully tucked the appointment letter away like a priceless treasure: "I'm framing this and hanging it in the new guildhall the moment it's finished."
"Tell everyone—tonight we're throwing a celebration party for Dino becoming a Wizard Saint!" He practically skipped away, humming cheerfully.
"YEAH!!!"
"Awesome!"
"I haven't seen the Master this happy in ages!"
"Because nothing good's happened lately!"
"…That's true. Ever since Dino came back, it's been one disaster after another. The Phantom attack was the worst—he really lives up to that 'walking disaster' nickname."
Mirajane smiled warmly: "Parents are always happiest when their children succeed." She was genuinely delighted for Dino.
Erza looked at Dino thoughtfully: "I thought I'd closed the gap between us… but now it's even wider. Congratulations, Dino."
"Dino! Fight me right now!" Natsu roared, literally breathing fire.
"Oi! Natsu, you got a death wish?! Dino's a Wizard Saint now!"
"That's exactly why I wanna fight him! Here I come!" Natsu charged forward.
The wooden beam in Dino's hand swung up and—
CRACK!
Natsu hit the ground, eyes spinning.
"K.O.!!"
"Sit down and get back to moving bricks. If this guild falls apart before we finish building it, you're dead. Or did you forget—your punishment for taking that S-Class job without permission hasn't been carried out yet."
Natsu's face went pale. He immediately scrambled back to work, whistling innocently.
Suddenly, cutting through the cheerful atmosphere, a sneering voice rang out.
"Heh. A Wizard Saint? What a prestigious title. So why couldn't this 'prestigious' mage defend his own guild? Why are so many people injured?"
"Laxus!"
Everyone turned toward the voice. There sat Laxus Dreyar—an S-Class mage like Dino and Erza—perched arrogantly on a supply crate.
"Want me to tell you why? It's because this guild is full of weaklings!"
Laxus pointed directly at Levy, Jet, and Droy: "What were your names again? Sorry, I don't bother remembering weaklings. Because one person got captured, the entire guild was destroyed. What good did you do? What's the point of members like you?"
Team Shadow Gear fell silent, their faces burning with shame. They knew exactly what had happened.
Erza glared at Laxus furiously: "Say that again!!"
"Fine, I'll spell it out—this guild doesn't need dead weight!"
Dino's calm voice cut through the tension: "Shut up, Laxus. While I'm still in a good mood."