Fairy Tail: You Call This Celestial Spirit Magic?!

Looking at Wendy, who was smearing her face into a little mess, Marco couldn't help but chuckle.

Hum!

The Saint Armor on Marco's arm dissolved into motes of light, revealing his bare arm.

He then took out a tissue from his bag and gently wiped Wendy's face.

At five years old, children were at their most adorable—every little gesture exuded an irresistible charm.

Wendy sniffled, her quiet sobs continuing.

She was clearly heartbroken over being separated from Jellal.

After losing her mother, the Sky Dragon Grandeeney, Jellal was the first person she had met.

He had protected her, taking her away from danger and giving her a sense of security in her confusion.

"Don't be sad, Wendy. Life is like this—constant goodbyes and reunions. Today's parting is just so you can meet again under better circumstances."

Seeing the little girl's sorrow, Marco spoke softly to console her.

"When you grow up, when you become a great Mage, you can go out into the world and find Jellal."

Worried that Wendy might be too young to understand such words, Marco quickly added something more easier to understand.

"R-Really?" Wendy stopped sniffling, her big eyes widening as she looked at Marco.

"Of course, Wendy. Have confidence in yourself. You're a dragon's daughter—you'll definitely become an outstanding Mage one day."

Marco smiled warmly, gently patting Wendy's head.

Even with her little mushroom-cut hairstyle, she was still incredibly cute.

"Mhm! I will! And I'll find Grandeeney too!"

Hearing Marco call her a "dragon's daughter," Wendy finally perked up.

Fighting back the urge to cry, her expression grew resolute—she didn't want to keep shedding tears so easily.

"Would you like to come back with me? To Fairy Tail? It's a warm family, with lots of kids just like you."

Seeing Wendy gradually calming down, Marco seized the moment to extend an invitation to join the guild.

Who knew where Jellal had run off to?

For now, the priority was to win Wendy over.

After all, he had helped her and Jellal before, and the girl clearly had a good impression of him—so his chances of success were decent.

As he finished speaking, Marco glanced at the old man, standing behind them.

He didn't necessarily have to rush things, but that old man was clearly his direct competitor!

The conversation between Roubaul and Wendy when they went out earlier had struck a chord in Marco's heart, sending waves of shock through him.

The old man had created so many Thought Projections and his goal was actually to make Wendy willing to join his guild?!

For a moment, Marco was truly dumbfounded.

This old man was terrifyingly strong!

But the stronger the opponent, the more Marco was determined to rise to the challenge.

Thus, Marco decided to abandon any gradual approach and decisively launched the Offensive on Wendy!

"Huh?"

Marco's invitation caused Wendy's brain to short-circuit for a second.

Her eyes widened as she stared at him in a flustered, bewildered daze.

"But... but..."

Wendy wanted to speak but didn't know what to say.

Her thoughts were tangled, and she had no idea how to make this choice.

"No rush, Wendy. You can take your time to think it over. Of course, you can also refuse. I'll wait for you—and maybe go look for Jellal in the meantime."

Seeing Wendy so flustered and at a loss, Marco couldn't help but chuckle.

He spoke up to help ease her nerves.

Wendy was truly a very sensible child.

Though only five years old, she clearly wasn't the self-centered type, which was why she found herself in such a dilemma.

With Marco's reassurance, Wendy gradually calmed down.

She turned around to look at Roubaul, who stood hunched over with his hands behind his back at the entrance of the shabby little hut.

At that moment, Roubaul wore a smile on his face, seemingly unbothered by Marco's invitation to Wendy—even though he had gone to the trouble of creating so many Thought Projections for her.

'This old man... he's got tricks up his sleeve!'

Seeing Roubaul's demeanor, Marco gritted his teeth inwardly.

To remain unfazed even when someone was poaching right in front of him? Truly a formidable rival!

"Wendy, are you going to leave with this boy?"

Before Wendy could say anything, Roubaul spoke up with a smile.

"I... I don't know..."

Faced with Roubaul's question, Wendy's little face scrunched up in obvious distress.

She wasn't the type to make decisions easily and after all, she was only five years old.

"I'm sorry, Wendy. I can't let you go with him just like that."

Looking at the conflicted Wendy, Roubaul shook his head.

His words surprised Wendy and made Marco frown.

'This old man... he really isn't so easy to deal with after all.'

Marco grumbled inwardly, feeling as if Wendy were a top-scoring college entrance examinee while he and Roubaul were school recruiters vying for this promising talent.

In fact, this analogy fit perfectly.

Wendy wielded 'Sky Dragon Slayer Magic' and was a Dragon Slayer—this alone made her absolutely top-tier talent worthy of elite guilds!

"Roubaul, shouldn't Wendy have the freedom to choose whether she stays or leaves?"

Seeing this prized talent about to be forcibly recruit by Roubaul—and realizing none of his mission conditions might be met—Marco couldn't hold back.

He immediately voiced his challenge, demanding an explanation.

It was universally acknowledged that Mages possessed the right to freely join or leave guilds, as Mage guilds weren't particularly restrictive organizations by nature.

The Fairy Tail Guild naturally permitted members to resign.

According to Makarov, many powerful Mages had left Fairy Tail over the years, with some even founding other renowned Mage guilds.

Roubaul's stance was a violation of mages right.

Even if Wendy hadn't initially intended to leave, his approach had already undermined his position.

"I know nothing of Fairy Tail, nor of you, young man. That lad Jellal entrusted this girl to me—I can't simply let you take her away."

Roubaul spoke unhurriedly, his words sounds sincere.

"..."

Wendy opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words.

Marco felt similarly checkmated.

Even holding the 'Natsu the fire dragon slayer' card in reserve would now be futile, as he privately acknowledged the validity of Roubaul's reasoning.

Putting himself in the old man shoes, he'd have done the same thing and newfound respect for the powerful old man welled within him.

"Roubaul-san, are you saying that if I can help you understand Fairy Tail better—or bring Jellal back—then Wendy may leave. Is that correct?"

After a pause, Marco calmly posed the question.

Roubaul regarded Marco with surprise, unprepared for such persistence.

Though the youth had just emphasized Wendy's right to refuse, his determination now seemed absolute.

"Correct."

Despite his astonishment, Roubaul raised no further objections.

If Marco could prove both himself and the Fairy Tail Guild trustworthy—or to bring Jellal to personally rescind the guardianship—then Wendy's departure would be permitted.