The guild fell silent in an instant.
Everyone's attention was drawn to the cursed remix clip Hope had edited.
As Natsu's uncontrollable laughter rang out, the previously quiet guild was filled with a cheerful atmosphere within seconds.
"Hahahaha! I'm gonna die laughing."
"So lame—Laxus really made a fool of himself this time!"
"Never thought I'd see him cry that hard."
"Cry? Crying still counts against the clock…"
"…"
Everyone laughed heartily; even Makarov, who had been racking his brain over how to punish his grandson and the Thunder God Tribe, cracked a smile. He hadn't seen the boy show any expression besides a scowl in ages.
To be honest, Hope's editing skills were on point. The remixed Laxus was clearly bawling, yet it came off as pure comedy—impossible not to laugh.
As for the star of that remix… Laxus's face was scarlet, veins bulging on his forehead; shame and rage made his whole body tremble.
He'd never imagined that a bit of stubborn lip would lead Hope to broadcast that tear-streaked illusion scene and turn it into a savage parody.
No wonder Hope had shown up holding a Recording Magic Crystal—he'd planned this all along. He must have read Laxus's true feelings long ago and knew exactly what he was doing… "You despicable bastard!"
"How can anyone be this sadistic?!"
Laxus ground his teeth so loudly Hope could hear. Hope just smiled, digging in his ear. "Thought I heard someone who whiffed his ultimate talking. Laxus, did you catch that?"
The mockery was naked, and every word was true—no embellishment. Laxus's vision blackened; he nearly fainted from sheer frustration.
Laxus's defeat was so hilarious Hope had to run through every tragedy in his life to keep from bursting out laughing.
Seeing that everyone had seen enough, Hope shut off the Recording Magic Crystal and grinned at Makarov. "Master, you must be torn over what to do with Laxus, right?"
Of course he was—his own grandson, raised from childhood. What old man wouldn't have a headache?
Makarov sighed inaudibly.
A guild is where comrades gather, where jobs are found, and where homeless kids can call their last refuge.
Built on trust, the bonds between its members make the guild unbreakable.
But Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe… they'd abandoned those bonds and even threatened their comrades' lives.
Though their schemes had been stopped before they began, without a punishment everyone could accept, Makarov himself couldn't live with it.
He was Laxus's grandfather, yes—but first and foremost he was the master of Fairy Tail.
He had to answer to every member of the guild.
Just as Makarov steeled his resolve, Hope drifted to his side. "Master, I've got a half-baked little suggestion for punishing Laxus…"
Listening to Hope's whisper, Makarov's expression flickered before he finally accepted the plan.
Standing before Laxus, Makarov spoke with a pained look. "Laxus, what you did is unforgivable. Have you anything to say?"
"Nothing. Just get it over with."
Laxus lowered his head, unable to meet his grandfather's eyes.
He knew full well he'd nearly sparked a civil war; expulsion would have been lenient.
Makarov closed his eyes and nodded to Hope.
Under everyone's gaze, Hope stepped forward. "All right, folks, I'll carry out the punishment on Master's behalf. Enjoy the show… the toddler educational song 'Family Titles Song'!"
The next second, a cramped little Rocking Car sprang up beneath Laxus, locking him inside.
Laxus's face changed drastically. After losing to Hope once, he'd rather be expelled than fall into his hands again—but before he could protest, the car began its rhythmic back-and-forth sway.
"What do you call Dad's dad?"
"Dad's dad is called Grandpa~"
"What do you call Mom's mom?"
"Mom's mom is called Grandma~"
"…"
To bystanders the nursery rhyme sounded harmless, yet as punishment it was mortifying for Laxus.
Worse, as a powerful Dragon Slayer Mage, Laxus suffered severe motion sickness.
A Rocking Car is still a vehicle.
Laxus was glad he'd skipped breakfast; otherwise he'd already be wearing it—but he still had to talk tough.
"Damn… urgh…"
"Hope, you'd better… urgh… not fall into my hands!"
Hope's expression didn't change; still grinning, he pulled another Recording Magic Crystal from his pocket.
Cold sweat poured off Laxus. Realizing Hope meant to record every humiliating second, his voice turned frantic.
"Y-you… damn bastard…"
"Y-you… you can't… you mustn't… noooo!!"
"Why can't I?"
Hope cheerfully activated the Recording Magic Crystal. "I'm going to copy hundreds of these and send them to every resident of Magnolia, alongside the earlier footage."
"Laxus, this is your punishment—enjoy it! Hahaha…"
"NO!!!"
"No use! Tee-hee-hee…"
That was the "little suggestion" that had changed Makarov's mind—a punishment Laxus would remember for life.
Watching Hope circle the Rocking Car, shoving the crystal in Laxus's face, everyone wanted to laugh yet felt a chill.
Never cross Hope again—the guy's pranks never end… Erza shook her head.
Ever since awakening that so-called Magnetic Field Power, Hope had only gotten weirder—whether it was his true nature finally showing or something else.
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