However, the Fairy Tail guild already had one Wizard Saint, Makarov.
Plus, the new generation in the guild were always causing massive messes and property damage on missions, which meant the public opinion about Fairy Tail was pretty messy itself.
When these reports got back to the stiff, old-fashioned members of the Council, all they felt was suspicion and contempt for the guild.
Even though Ankh's accomplishments totally qualified him for the Wizard Saints title, the Council kept dragging their feet and postponing the decision.
But, you can't stop what's coming.
The Council simply couldn't pretend Ankh hadn't done all that amazing stuff over the years.
Makarov leaned on his staff, hands linked behind his back.
"The Council members are going to arrive soon to officially announce your appointment as one of the Ten Wizard Saints."
Ankh's eyes flashed with a hint of red as he sneered.
"Knowing the Council's usual garbage tactics, their personal visit... is definitely a move to try and put 'this young man in his place', right?"
A sneaky smile spread across Makarov's face as he leaned in and whispered.
"Then—let's give them exactly what they think they want..."
The two of them exchanged knowing, slightly sinister grins, making the small room feel like a center of conspiracy.
"Master! Ankh! The Council members are here! Mirajane is about to throw down with them!"
Just then, a frantic banging hit the door, followed by an urgent shout from one of their guildmates.
Makarov offered a small, calm smile.
"The stage is yours now."
"Got it." Ankh stretched lazily, pushed the door open, and walked out.
Just like their guildmate said, the main hall was already in total chaos.
The newly arrived Council delegation was scattered everywhere.
Several of the officials—who looked a lot like overfed toads—were squirming and groaning on the floor.
A group of Mages with magic staffs had rushed forward, surrounding a young man in white robes, their expressions tense and ready for a fight.
Blocking their way was the guild's "Demon," Mirajane!
Over the years, Mirajane had seriously grown up.
Her figure was full and curvy, tracing an alluring shape.
The once-bratty little girl had been transformed by time and experience into... a total bombshell, but with a fierce edge.
A sharp, dangerous glint was in Mirajane's beautiful eyes as she protected a softly sobbing Lisanna who was hiding behind her.
Her clear voice cut through the noise, ringing with pure fury.
"Apologize to Lisanna right now!"
A toad-man official in robes was kneeling, trying to act tough, even though panic was clear in his eyes.
"Fairy Tail! What do you think you're doing? The Council is here on official business!"
Mirajane's glare got even more intense, every word coming from her is dripping with ice.
"What kind of useless 'business' is that? Does that give you the right to hit Lisanna?!"
The toad-man stiffened his neck, refusing to back down. "She barged in and interfered with our official procedures!"
"First you call it 'business,' then 'enforcement'..."
"Trying to act all important... who the hell do you think you are?!"
Mirajane's fury completely exploded.
Golden streaks of light started swirling up from her feet, whipping into a strong, violent wind!
Her bright silver hair was swept up, her bangs pulled back to show off her stunning face and a battle intent that basically said, Don't even try to stop me.
"Satan Soul!"
Wrapped in golden light, Mirajane's body shimmered.
As the light died down, she instantly transformed into a terrifying Demon form, radiating a dark, sinister energy.
With a powerful stomp, Mirajane shot forward, her enormous, grotesque fist swinging down right at the toad-man!
Pure terror washed over the official's face.
'What the fuck!'
'What is wrong with this guild? That wild girl got my robes dirty, so I slapped her in frustration...'
'Who knew this woman would just attack us without warning!'
'We represent the Council—she can't just hit us!'
Dark purple energy flared around Mirajane, surging toward the official at full power.
But before the blow could land, the dark energy instantly dissolved, turning into harmless magical ripples.
Mirajane paused, surprised, her anger held in check as the toad-man stood there, completely fine, clutching his chest and gasping for air after the near-death experience.
"Miss, even when you punish a dog, you have to think about its owner. If you act so recklessly, then maybe the top guild in Fiore isn't so special after all..."
A clear, pleasant voice rang out from the crowd.
The Council Mages quickly moved aside, opening a path for a handsome young man in white robes who walked out.
His speech and manner felt as cool and light as a spring breeze, but his words managed to piss off everyone in the guild!
The sound of a wine barrel shattering echoed through the hall.
Cana, totally drunk, grabbed a bunch of cards and yelled at him.
"What?! You looking to start a fight?!"
Gray ripped off the shirt he'd just put on, slammed his right fist into his palm, and released bone-chilling cold from his hands—looking completely ready to scrap, no words necessary.
"BOOM!"
Natsu, who Ankh had knocked out earlier, suddenly punched the floor under him, supporting his body as he slowly stood up while engulfed in roaring flames...
Natsu snapped his head up, veins popping on his face, his face was full of fury.
With fire practically shooting out of his eyes, he growled.
"You dared to hurt Lisanna? Even if you're the Council, I'm going to beat you to a pulp!"
The second he finished that threat, waves of Magic Power erupted all over the guild, one after another, brilliant magic circles lighting up everywhere at the same time.
Every single member had unleashed their Magic, letting all kinds of power overflow as they uniformly targeted the Council representatives.
Seeing this, the Council members were so scared their legs felt like jelly, shrinking back in shock and fear.
'These people are Mages from a guild! Don't they understand what happens if they attack the Council?!'
'One slip-up and the whole guild could brand as dark guild!'
The young man was surprisingly cool.
He kept his smile, simply waving his hand in the air and muttering softly.
"Shadow Flow."
A black magic circle suddenly lit up the floor, instantly turning the entire guild hall pitch black, as if it had been swallowed by shadow.
Following the young man's gesture, the shadows on the ground surged up like flowing water, rushing right at everyone in the guild!
Natsu, consumed by rage, tried to charge forward but suddenly found his feet tangled up, completely unable to move.
To his shock, Natsu realized his entire body was immobilized.
And it wasn't just him—the young man's shadows had covered the shadows of everyone present. With one move, he had pinned them all down!
The young man couldn't resist a little dig, "Fairy Tail, why are you all frozen? Come on and try to hit me perhaps?"
"YOU BASTARD!!"
Natsu's roar shook the guild hall, his sharp eyes blazing with rage as the flames covering his body grew more and more violent.
Struggling against the shadow's iron grip, Natsu managed to lift one foot with immense effort, like he was trying to walk through thick tar.
The young man raised an eyebrow, a little surprised, but he wasn't planning on giving Natsu a chance.
He raised his hand, and shadowy water extended from his palm, instantly forming a sharp blade.
"Wait!"
Just as the young man prepared to strike, Ankh, who had been watching everything from the side, finally stepped forward.
No one caught the subtle flicker of amusement that passed through the young man's eyes...
Immediately after, the shadowy water all over the guild receded, and everyone was suddenly free again.
Mirajane was surprised for a second, then rushed joyfully toward Ankh, canceling her Demon Takeover as she exclaimed with a huge smile.
"Ankh! You're really back?!"
Ankh looked at the super-enthusiastic girl hugging him tight and said, slightly uncomfortable.
"Yeah, just got here."
Mirajane, who had been clinging to Ankh, suddenly went rigid when she remembered they had an audience, and quickly let go.
Mirajane looked at the young man with pure annoyance, openly complaining to Ankh without holding back.
"Ankh, this guy's goons bullied Lisanna. You need to teach him a lesson right away!"
Ankh felt a pulse start throbbing in his forehead.
He motioned to the tense group behind him and said, "Stand down. Cancel your magic."
Huh?
The guild members were completely confused for a second.
They hadn't expected Ankh, the guy with the most brutal reputation in the guild... to say something like that!
If this had happened a few years ago, those Council guys wouldn't have even had a chance to cause trouble—Ankh would have wiped the floor with them already!
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Who is this councilman, can you guess ?