"But why did he suddenly... Oh~ it must be the President." Rhode figured it all out; indeed, he should find a chance to give him a beating.
For this year's S-Class exam, he specifically chose the path where Mystogan was the examiner, summoning the Purgatory Sub-Dragon upon meeting.
As for now, Rhode chose to complain to Wendy about Mystogan's peculiar habit of hypnotizing people.
Time passed by as they joked, when Carla suddenly asked: "Didn't you say you were here to work? Is it okay to keep chatting like this?"
Wendy remembered this matter too, and excitedly asked: "Oh right, do you need us to help?"
"We're already working." Rhode replied casually, "My adorable summoned beasts are already scouring the mountains for people; if he comes here, there should be news soon."
Carla retorted: "Your summoned beasts certainly don't think you're adorable."
…
While Rhode was 'working hard', the coalition of the Three Major Guilds had already gathered in a villa owned by Blue Pegasus President Bob.
Fairy Tail's Strongest Squad of four people and a cat;
Blue Pegasus was led by Mr. Yiye's Tri Men's Squad;
Lamia Scale was led by Ten Wizard Saints' Jura, including Jie Li (Shirley) and Gray's senior Leon.
In total, 11 people and a cat were assembled, among whom Erza was not adept at dealing with Mr. Yiye, and Lucy was still somewhat afraid upon seeing Jie Li because of the Demon Island incident.
The Blue Pegasus trio kept showering Lucy with attention, making Natsu and Gray quite displeased.
Everyone belonged to different guilds and were not particularly familiar with each other; many present were eccentric individuals, leading to inevitable minor conflicts due to mutual dislike.
Fortunately, Jura used his formidable strength and reputation to prevent the conflict from escalating, and everyone calmed down to prepare to discuss the strategy for the expedition.
Just as Mr. Yiye was about to speak, Erza stopped him: "We've received intelligence that among the Oracion Seis, there is a woman who may possess magic to disguise as others and know their thoughts.
Therefore, even if we're discussing battle plans, we should first find a way to verify our identities, especially those who were alone after leaving the guild."
"There's actually such magic, then the possibility of them infiltrating us does exist." Jura was the first to respond, "Indeed, it's necessary to verify our identities."
Leon crossed his arms and calmly said: "But if the opponent can even know the thoughts of their transformed targets, how do we prove our identities?"
If it were just Transformation Magic, we could say things only the individual and their companion know. But if even thoughts can be probed, this method clearly wouldn't work.
Jie Li placed a hand on her chest and said dramatically: "I can prove Leon's identity, and it's all because of... love!"
Lucy whispered: "Feels like she's become a mix of Hapi and Jubia."
Hapi: "Love."
Ive from Blue Pegasus suggested: "How about using magic? Just have everyone demonstrate their own magic."
Erza denied: "No, because the one we're worried about might be the Gemini, a Star Spirit who can proficiently use the magic of their transformation target."
"Is there really such a Star Spirit?!" Jura was shocked; he specialized in Earth Magic, and although he holds the Ten Wizard Saints title, being young, he might not be well-versed with Star Spirits.
Erza glanced at Lucy.
On the way, Lucy had already summoned Loki, but he couldn't identify Gemini's master, nor could he provide much information about Gemini's characteristics and weaknesses.
Jie Li looked at Lucy: "There's a Star Spirit Mage here, right? Shouldn't there be a way to distinguish between real people and Star Spirits?"
"I'm sorry." Lucy replied helplessly, "I haven't sensed anything off about anyone, not knowing if that's because the opponent hasn't infiltrated or because Gemini's disguise is just perfect."
Jie Li seized the opportunity to scorn Lucy: "It must be because your love isn't enough!"
"Yes, yes." Lucy responded perfunctorily.
Hibiki used his Ancient Document Magic, searching for useful information while saying:
"We can't fight effectively with this situation. When facing such strong opponents, if we constantly have to be wary of our teammates..."
Ren continued his sentence: "Then before the battle even starts, we've already lost."
"I've got a way!" Natsu boasted, "Don't move, I'll go knock all the Oracion Seis down, then come back and knock all of you down, then that woman will surely reveal herself!"
The Blue Pegasus trio and Jura all readied themselves to attack Natsu with magic, not really for other reasons—what he said was too much like something a spy would say, yet no spy should be this foolish.
Gray hooked his arm around Natsu's neck: "Ignore him, this guy's always been a fool. We've been together since leaving the guild, so there's no way someone could've infiltrated."
Lucy raised her hand: "That's right."
Having dealt with Natsu, Leon also said: "Mr. Jura, I can confirm that this guy is, indeed, a fool."
"Who are you calling a fool?!" Natsu protested angrily.
The others nodded in agreement; he is indeed a fool.
Jura said: "Speaking of which, the three of us from Lamia Scale have always been in each other's sight, so it's impossible for any silent replacement."
Everyone turned to look at the four from Blue Pegasus.
Hibiki continued looking for information, distractedly saying: "The four of us have also always been together..."
But Ive interrupted him: "No, Mr. Yiye said he was going to the restroom and was alone."
Ren remembered this and looked at Mr. Yiye in shock: "Mr. Yiye?"
Hibiki also found it hard to believe: "Big Brother Yiye?"
Due to the inappropriate timing, Lucy could only whisper her comment: "How many titles do you guys have for him...?"
"MEN..." Mr. Yiye struck a pose and said with an enchanting voice, "Could they even mimic my scent?"
Lucy couldn't hold back anymore and squatted down to talk to Hapi: "No matter how many times I hear it, it's always so weird. Why is it that only his voice is enchanting?"
"Love." Hapi didn't understand either.
Erza turned her head towards Mr. Yiye: "Regardless, so far you're the most suspicious."
"MEN~ if even Ms. Erza says so..." Mr. Yiye's expression became deep, his eyes looking melancholily at Erza, "Honey, I am willing to prove my innocence for you."
"Captain Yiye!" The three clowns of Blue Pegasus were deeply moved.
"This is my exclusive perfume never revealed to anyone; once you smell this scent, you can immediately verify my identity... MEN!"
As he spoke, Mr. Yiye took out a test tube filled with pink liquid.
Erza might have reacted a bit slowly due to disgust, but Jura was quick to stop him: "Wait! Don't move recklessly!"
However, Mr. Yiye disregarded him, and with a flick of his thumb, he snapped off the stopper of the test tube.
The liquid inside quickly vaporized, turning into a dense mist that spread around.
"Everyone move back! Hold your breath!" Jura yelled, tapping his staff on the ground.
The ground around Mr. Yiye immediately rose, forming rocky walls in a bowl shape, attempting to isolate Mr. Yiye along with the suspect object.
However, although the diffusion speed of Mr. Yiye's special perfume was too fast, the rocky walls only blocked part of it, with another part still escaping.
The others retreated quickly, their situation still manageable, but Hibiki, Ren, and Ive, who were closest, fell to their knees while covering their mouths and noses, feeling weak all over.
"Ice-Make: Ape!"
Leon placed his right fist on his left palm, creating an ice ape that appeared to come to life, rushing forward to grab Hibiki and Ive, one in each hand.
"Puppet Strike: Carpet Puppet!"
Jie Li used her Puppet Strike Magic, transforming the carpet into a puppet under her control, pulling Ren out of the mist.
The three weakly thanked Leon and Jie Li.
Hibiki weakly said: "It's Mr. Yiye's perfume; once you smell it, you temporarily lose the ability to fight."
Ive anxiously watched the overturned 'rock bowl': "They even managed to use Mr. Yiye's magic... Damn, what did they do to our master?"
Only Ren was not focused, looking at Jie Li for a few seconds before awkwardly turning away to say: "I... I didn't need you to save me... But thanks, not... not specifically to you."
Jie Li blushed, suddenly finding this dark-skinned handsome guy quite appealing and intriguing...
But she already had Mr. Leon, for her love for Mr. Leon was... was...