Chapter 68: Heir
"This is incredible! Absolutely incredible! Being one of the Ten Wizard Saints feels completely different!"
Natsu immediately glared at Laxus angrily. "Laxus, you bastard! If you're so envious, go earn the title yourself! Why are you being such a jerk about it?!"
"I'm not interested in the Ten Wizard Saints."
Dino looked at Laxus evenly. "Laxus, if you're planning to help rebuild the guild, you're welcome to stay. If you're not going to help, then get lost. And if you just came here looking for a fight with me, name the time and place. Won't take long anyway."
The arrogant expression on Laxus's face finally shifted, his eyes locking onto Dino. Dino was the only person in this guild he truly regarded as a rival—Erza, Mystogan, and Natsu barely registered on his radar.
But Laxus had never once seen that same recognition reflected in Dino's eyes. The guy was several years younger than him, yet acted like Laxus didn't even exist as competition. It was humiliating.
Laxus stood up. "I'm not interested in moving bricks. If I were in charge, the guild would never have ended up like this in the first place."
"When I inherit this guild, all you weaklings will be gone! Anyone who dares to resist me gets kicked out!"
"I'm going to build the strongest guild! Stronger than any other guild—the strongest in history! Hahahaha~!" Laughing, Laxus turned and walked away.
Levy crossed her arms, looking utterly unsurprised. "That guy starts up the moment he gets back."
"Ugh! Way to kill the mood!"
Lucy asked curiously, "Laxus? He's one of the S-Class mages in the guild, right? He seems to really have it out for Dino!"
"Laxus doesn't get along with most people in the guild," Levy explained. "As for why he and Dino have issues… well, everyone knows Dino gave him a beating he won't forget about five years ago."
"Thank goodness Dino's here to keep him in check. Otherwise, who knows how insufferable he'd be."
Levy approached Dino, looking embarrassed. "Dino… we're really sorry about—"
Dino placed his hand on Levy's head, ruffling her hair with a warm smile. "What's done is done. If anything, you got dragged into this mess because of me. We're all family in this guild—how could I just ignore what happened?"
"Don't take Laxus's words to heart. You know what he's like. Guy's a full-grown adult but acts like a bratty kid. The strongest guild? What a boring dream!"
"He's been getting way too cocky lately. One of these days I'll knock some sense into him, then he'll settle down for a while." He shadowboxed playfully.
Levy and the others couldn't help but laugh. Dino was probably the only person in the guild who could casually talk about beating up Laxus.
Lucy slumped in a chair at the counter, frowning. "He wants to inherit the guild? How would that even work?"
Mirajane smiled gently. "It's not impossible. Laxus is the Master's grandson, so if the Master ever retires, there's a chance Laxus could succeed him. Though these days, Dino's the more likely candidate."
"Maybe that's why Laxus has always been so hostile toward Dino."
Lucy sighed dramatically. "A Wizard Saint! I never imagined I'd have one right here in the guild."
Everyone knew Laxus had a terrible attitude—always looking down on those weaker than him. He wasn't popular in the guild, so soon everyone returned to their work.
Natsu hauled a massive stack of wood, moving slowly but steadily, his spirit burning bright. "Oh yeah! At least I'm definitely stronger than Happy when it comes to this! This is training too!"
"Natsu refuses to lose at anything, huh?"
"Hmph! Natsu, I can carry one more plank than you!" Gray staggered past with an equally ridiculous pile of wood.
"Gray's taking this seriously too!"
"Guess the title of Wizard Saint got him fired up!"
"Actually, I think Dino told them this was good strength training. They're total idiots. Pretty sure he just wanted extra labor."
"You two have no backbone!" Erza marched past Gray and Natsu steadily, carrying about twice as much wood as either of them.
Everyone sweatdropped. "Erza…" Well, make that three idiots.
—
That evening, a large space in the middle of the half-built guild was cleared out for a bonfire party celebrating Dino becoming one of the Ten Wizard Saints.
The atmosphere was lively and warm. After the Phantom Lord attack and then being dragged before the Magic Council, it felt like forever since things had been this cheerful.
As for the title of Wizard Saint, Dino himself honestly didn't care much about it.
Sure, the Ten Wizard Saints weren't just famous in name—they had real power to back it up. Unfortunately, in Dino's experience, the so-called Wizard Saints had a habit of getting their asses handed to them. The title felt… underwhelming.
Besides, Dino had traveled to many places over the years and encountered countless beings far stronger than any Wizard Saint.
But seeing how happy Gramps was, and how excited everyone in the guild seemed, Dino felt satisfied.
Makarov sat on the highest beam, drinking sake and watching the festivities below with a contented smile.
He couldn't help but think about what his old friend Yajima had told him recently—that he should step down and let someone younger take over. After all, he was already eighty-eight years old.
"Dino's become a Wizard Saint… he's definitely qualified to lead the guild. But that kid's never even thought about it. If he actually became Master…"
Makarov suddenly imagined Dino smashing up the Magic Council building on a regular basis—it had already happened twice—and shuddered.
"Better to wait. I'm not so old I can't move yet. I can still handle these reckless brats for a few more years."
In Makarov's mind, Dino had long been chosen as the next Guild Master, even if the kid was unreliable and prone to causing massive problems.
Any guild would consider him the perfect candidate for a successful Master. But becoming Guild Master at such a young age would rob him of so much fun in life.