Those who heard it couldn't help but give a look of shock. After all, they didn't know much about that mage but knew very well about his guild Grimiore Heart.
One of the top 3 dark guilds known to exist, alongside Oracion Seisze and Tartaros. Each one is capable of dominating a large portion of Ishgar, and every other dark guilds operate under at least one of them.
But one of the two greatest problem about them is that each of them have about a dozen mages being s-class, which surpass Fairy tail and Phantom lords, both top legal guilds having the highest number of s-class being 5 each.
The second one is that they're completely incognito. No one, not even the smaller dark guilds know anything about their location nor members, making them completely mysterious.
Due to those, they're considered to be ghost, bougie men, threats so dangerous you'll need to be a wizard saint, the highest level in Ishgar, to challenge at least one of them.
Which brings to the current mission.
It was the reason why Makarov went and meet the other guild masters. A member of the runic knights named Lahar and a council member named Yajima came came to inform them about the bandit leader known as Zoldio before asking for their help.
Of course, after hearing it, Makarov volunteered to personally take care of it. After all, he was a wizard saint, one of strongest mage to exist. So he was qualified enough to handle the mission.
But then, Jose, another wizard saint, and the guild master of Phantom lords, interjected. Claiming no one from Fairy tail could get it done, as they're all nothing if not useless brats who can't do a simple, ordinary mission perfectly just like their guild master.
Of course, Makarov did not let it lying down. Soon, their entire building ended up being completely wrecked by the two short, old angry men by the time they were separated by the others.
By the end, Yajima decided to let the two go on a competition alongside the newest wizard saint, Jura of Lamina scale.
The rule was simple. Whoever defeat the targeted mage first will gain recognition and a favor from the magic council. They can also bring other mages to deal with the bandits.
When Jose heard it, he didn't waste any time. He immediately left for the hunt. Hoping to get the reward before anyone else.
Of course, being the idiot he is, he didn't stay back and wait for Yajima to discuss Zoldio location.
But no one thought of even letting him know, for ' reasonable causes'.
So Makarov came back, hoping to at least get someone to tag along with him, but the one he was looking for wasn't around.
"Ezra and Mystogan aren't back from their quests. And Laxus refused to take part in anything that involves you." Mirajane gave her report after listening to Makarov description of the current meeting.
Seeing both their troubled faces, Kate could pretty much guess that the reason was Laxus Dryar, Makarov Dryar grandson.
From what she could remember, Laxus was a dragon slayer - a lightning one in particular - had a pretty wild personality.
He was the type of person who likes facing strong people and was always direct. He's also known for his arrogant attitude, despite him being caring. Reminding her of a certain explosive blond from MHA.
Though Hinata claimed he was kicked out of the guild, every appearance shown him as a member. 'Or was it the future?' She silently asked herself.
In the end, she still got nothing concrete, which annoyed her 'It's times like this I wish I watched every god-damned anime.'
Makarov wasn't happy either. True, he got the same number as Jose, but his serious s-class mages situations are just pitiful.
Gildart took a 100 years quest, which is the definition of suicide.
Mystogan hardly show himself nowadays.
Laxus was in his rebellious phase.
And finally, Mirajane got the earliest retirement.
The only one left is Ezra, who unfortunately is still green.
Sure, he got Natsu, Gray and Elfman. But like Ezra, still green.
'I wonder who else I can pick?' he thought to himself when he saw Kate looking at him with those star eyes of hers.
Seeing the look on her face, Makarov started to feel uneasy. 'If I say no, she'll start throwing a tantrum. I did promised that mission after all. Besides, seeing how strong she is, facing those bandits won't be a problem.'
After a while of pondering, he finally relented "Fine brat! You can tag along."
"YES!" Kate jumped in the air while pumping up her fist in victory. Hello, bonus points.
"But under no reason must you go against Zoldio. That mage is to powerful, so I'll deal with him. If anything happens, run away as fast as possible. Got it?" Makarov warned.
Kate didn't think too much about it. Sure both Makarov and Zoldio are A-ranks, but the only thing that makes that goat so dangerous is him teleporting people around him.
And his mind control magic wasn't even that dangerous cause if it was, he'll have brainwashed the entire fairy tail mages in the Tenrou island arc. Therefore, against a someone with a wizard saint caliber, that goat has no chance.
Besides, the mission must be at least A-rank, which might pay 1,000,000j or higher which will be more than enough to get a modest house and a decent meal for a month.
And the bandits must all be at least experienced thugs with each being worth 4 exp points each. Combining a dozen of them and she'll gain the remaining 19 exp points needed to reach level 3 and gain a free draws.
"Don't worry boss. I'll make sure no one interrupt your spar. You can count on me." She assured him. Cause seriously, loosing the chance to fight that guy who might give her only a 5 exp points doesn't seem like a lost. Let the old geezer deal with him.
Makarov just gave her a questioning stare. "From that tone of yours, you're doubting my strength aren't you?"
"I mean, obviously gramps, you're way too old for this. Why not leave it for the young ones while you sit back on your rocking chair."
"WHY YOU....?" Makarov had enough. He enlarged his hand to smash her, but she dodged at the last moment.
"COME HERE AND PROVE TO ME HOW OLD I AM TO NEED A ROCKING CHAIR!" Makarov started chasing her with both hands enlarged.
"HA HA! MAKE ME, OLD MAN." Kate just teased him while dodging his hands.
Throughout the whole play, the entire guild was filled laughter as the grandfather and the grandchild duo were playing their cat and mouse game.
"Gotta admit, this scene feel kinda nostalgic." Cana said to no one in particular as she kept on drinking her barrel.
But Mirajane heard it. And when she looked back, she didn't see Kate but someone else.
A tomboyish girl wearing a black sleeveless shirt, black leather short, thighs high boots, and her silver hair tied up to a high ponytail by a massive black ribbon.
That girl was no other than Mirajane when she was younger.
"Yeah. It is." That was the only thing the silver haired could say while giving a nostalgic smile.
Cana saw it but just smiled before looking back at the scene. Who knows? Maybe the new girl can bring the old Mira back.
But until then,
She's going to watch her trying not to get squashed by the old man.