Half a month later.
Beyond the eastern border of the Kingdom of Fiore lies a no-man's land surrounded by the territories of four nations.
Unlike Twilight Town, which is also a no-man's land, the forces on this piece of earth are coveted by every nation, yet none dare to issue commands there.
Even the Council, which prides itself as the guardian of magical order, is merely polite.
Because this is the sacred ground of magic on the Ishugal Continent, revered for centuries.
—Mildian Magic Academy.
After hundreds of years, the land has been fully developed.
Passing through the picturesque outskirts, Hope and Erza saw a city whose scale rivaled Magnolia; had they not known beforehand, they might truly have thought it was a city rather than a magic academy.
Novel magecraft technologies interspersed among the magically styled buildings gave the place a sophisticated vibe.
Looking at the lofty, upscale structures, Erza couldn't help but exclaim, "What an impressive place."
No sooner had she spoken than a ripple like water spread before them, and an elderly man in a deep‑blue Mage robe, his beard and hair all white, stepped out of thin air.
Three orbiting stars were set into the badge on his chest, symbolizing his status as a three‑star senior mentor.
"Distant guests."
The elder stroked his beard with a smile, his gaze lingering on Hope for a moment, "I am Glaston, the teaching elder of Mildian Magic Academy. I heard the successor of President Makarov had arrived, so the Headmaster asked me to welcome you here."
Erza returned the courtesy, "Elder Glaston, we are here because..."
"To shatter the ridiculous arrogance of some of our academy's members." Glaston brushed his snowy beard.
Erza was a bit surprised; she hadn't expected such bluntness. She had assumed the academy's elders would be more concerned about the school's reputation.
After all, "magical exchange" sounds far nicer than "challenging a guild." Clearly, Elder Glaston also wanted to change the academy's snobbish atmosphere, and he said gently, "No need for further words. Please follow me; the Headmaster is waiting."
If you set aside the aloof attitude toward outside Mages, Mildian Magic Academy is truly an excellent institution.
Students discuss magic earnestly, and mentors teach with enthusiasm and humor without being dull.
In combat courses, mentors personally guide from the sidelines; when students work, mentors lend a hand, and when mentors encounter trouble, students step in to help.
What a harmonious teacher‑student scene.
Hope and Erza, dressed differently from the academy's uniform and bearing the Fairy Tail guild emblem, instantly became the most eye‑catching pair on the academy's paths.
If they weren't stared at with contempt as two foreign "country bumpkins," they might have enjoyed the visit more; but without Elder Glaston's presence, Hope feared the teachers and students would have come looking for trouble.
"Your academy is really exclusive."
Hope couldn't help but retort, "What exactly are they pulling?"
Erza opened her mouth to ask Hope to be more polite, but recalling the barrage of side‑eyes they'd received since entering, her good impression of the academy shattered.
Glaston sighed helplessly as they walked, "Actually, thirty years ago our academy wasn't this exclusive, until the previous Headmaster..."
"He issued many regulations, accelerating the shift toward a negative atmosphere, and two years ago his most proud student—current Headmaster Hyberion—broke his legs and forced him to step down."
"Ah…" Hope and Erza exchanged a glance, unsure what to say.
Just moments ago they were thinking the academy was harmonious, then the elder dropped such a bombshell.
The current Headmaster, who invited them to spar, actually sent away the former Headmaster himself—clearly he wants to change Mildian Magic Academy's bad vibes.
Indeed, if they keep acting like they're above everyone else, trouble will eventually find them.
Being taught a lesson by the outstanding youth of a legitimate guild is far better than later being trampled by those Dark Guilds in a filthy ditch.
Unfriendly gazes around them drained Hope and Erza's interest in admiring the academy's scenery; under Elder Glaston's guidance they soon arrived at the Headmaster's main building.
The Headmaster's standalone building truly lives up to the reputation of a millennial school—impressively grand.
The three entered the building and made their way to the top floor.
Glaston pushed the door open and, to the person inside, announced, "Headmaster, the guests have arrived."
"Teacher, I told you we don't need such formalities. Please, come in." A middle‑aged voice called from the office.
The three entered the president's office; it was far less luxurious than imagined, simply furnished with a desk, chairs, a large bookshelf, and a set of sofas and a coffee table for reception.
Hope looked at Headmaster Deguros Hyberion.
His attire resembled classic vampire garb, yet he lacked the gloomy aura; he held a tall goblet filled not with crimson blood but with a milky white liquid.
Seeing Hope's puzzled stare, Hyberion swirled the goblet and, without a hint of headmasterly pretension, said, "Milk—would you like a glass?"
Hope almost slipped on the floor.
A vampire‑dressed person serving milk instead of blood is understandable, but at least some wine would be expected—milk? Watching Hope's uncontrollable expression, Erza barely covered her mouth, lest she burst out laughing.
Regaining composure, Hope produced the invitation that had brought them here, "Headmaster Hyberion, I'm Hope, and this is Erza. The guild president sent us to engage in three days of magical exchange with your academy."
Hyberion nodded, pleased with the people Makarov had sent to spar.
He had long heard of the "fairy queen's" reputation.
He also knew of Hope—a young talent who once trapped demons like Karabaina with a single exquisite construct and, during the Council's trial, defended Fairy Tail brilliantly, earning victory and acclaim.
Hyberion smiled, "If there are no issues, we can arrange the arena tomorrow—not a magical exchange, but an arena match."
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