The Royal Demon Rose, enveloped in an immense amount of star magic power, shot forward like a bullet.

It was receiving treatment far beyond what it deserved—a basic attack skill being used like an ultimate move.

But this single rose was indeed worthy.

Even after being infused with so much of Marco's magic power, it remained intact—something even the finest magic crystal couldn't withstand.

Dark magic power filled the banquet hall, clashing violently against Makarov's expanding magic circles.

The explosions lit up the air like fireworks, and amidst the chaos, the Royal Demon Rose suddenly burst through, streaking straight towards Jose Porla's chest.

WHOOOOOM!!!

The sound of its flight was like the shriek of some monstrous creature.

By the time Jose Porla—still reveling in his momentary triumph—noticed it, the rose was already inches away from him.

His pupils contracted sharply.

At this moment, Jose Porla could have dodged if he forced himself.

He specialized in short-range teleportation magic and even caught off guard, he could have activated it without injury.

But he knew he couldn't dodge.

This attack came from the old dog's grandson.

If he dodged, that damned geezer would never let him live it down!

Not only could he not dodge—he had to effortlessly neutralize it!

And Jose Porla was confident he could.

The kid was undoubtedly a genius, already possessing such strength at a young age.

Given time, he might even become one of the Ten Wizard Saints.

But right now? Against him? That level of power was still far from enough.

BOOOOM!!!

Jose Porla erupted with a terrifying surge of violet magic power.

He reached out and grabbed the incoming magic power orb—he could sense something inside it.

How best to show his superiority?

By catching it mid-flight and throwing it back to injure the brat!

Jose Porla had a clear plan in mind, and he executed it without hesitation.

A surge of malevolent magic power erupted, crashing directly into the magic power orb encasing the 'Royal Demon Rose'.

The collision produced a deafening explosion—a result of two terrifying forces of magic power clashing.

Although Marco's magic power was far stronger than Jose Porla had anticipated, he still managed, albeit with some difficulty, to shatter the protective orb and seize what lay within.

It was a red rose.

Jose Porla was utterly stunned.

What kind of rose is this? How can it withstand such immense magic power?

Holding the rose, he withdrew his hand and examined it closely.

At first glance, it seemed unremarkable.

Unable to resist the urge to show off, he brought the rose to his nose and took a deep inhale.

The scent… doesn't seem unusual either.

After a long sniff, that was his conclusion.

"Pfft—"

Seeing this, Marco couldn't hold back his laughter.

"What are you laughing at, kid? That move didn't work. It was probably too much to expect it to take down someone of Jose Porla's caliber," Makarov said, baffled by Marco's reaction.

He could tell that Jose Porla had expended considerable effort to counter the attack, despite his composed demeanor.

In truth, Makarov was already quite impressed with Marco's performance.

After all, Jose Porla was one of the "Ten Wizard Saints," renowned for his overwhelming magic power—essentially a living magical artillery.

It was only natural that he could dismantle Marco's concentrated magic power technique.

In a way, it was a perfect matchup for his expertise.

"No, I just—"

Marco stifled his laughter, trying to explain.

Jose Porla had genuinely tickled him—sniffing the 'Royal Demon Rose' was such an over-the-top move that it had backfired spectacularly.

Marco never expect his magic power to overpower Jose Porla in the first place.

He had merely hoped the Royal Demon Rose would help him land an assist.

But now, after Jose's legendary deep inhale, it seemed things had escalated beyond just an assist.

Watching Jose Porla, Marco figured the effects should be kicking in any moment now.

"Don't be discouraged. Give it another ten years—no, five—and you might just knock him flat," Makarov reassured, mistaking Marco's silence for disappointment.

He wasn't just being kind.

Makarov genuinely believed Marco would surpass Jose Porla sooner rather than later.

"Gramps, look at him."

Instead of arguing, Marco gestured toward Jose Porla.

"Hm?"

Makarov turned his gaze—and his eyes widened.

Jose Porla was frozen in place, his expression vacant, still clutching that vividly red rose in his hand.

"Star Rose—a lethally toxic flower. Even a slight prick from its thorns or inhalation of its pollen causes complete sensory deprivation and rapid physical deterioration. The victim dies painlessly, fading away without realizing it. Seems like Guild Master Jose took quite the deep breath just now." Marco spoke up, having renamed the 'Royal Demon Rose' to something else.

The original name sounded a bit odd with both 'Royal' and 'Demon' in it, making it hard to explain, so he simply changed it to 'Star Rose' when referring to it publicly.

"Huh?"

Upon hearing Marco's explanation, Makarov's eyes widened even further.

"Where did this Star Rose come from?" Makarov stared at Marco, swallowing hard.

Such an overpower flower—how had he never seen it before?

"It's part of my Celestial Spirit Magic abilities." Marco explained.

Celestial Spirit Magic was like a bottomless pit—you could throw anything into it as an excuse.

Moreover, this was a clever way to keep people guessing.

No one could be sure if he had more 'Royal Demon Roses' up his sleeve.

"Your Celestial Spirit Magic... really has all sorts of tricks." Makarov couldn't help clicking his tongue.

He hadn't expected to underestimate Marco like this—the kid was full of surprises!

"BOOM!"

At this moment, Jose Porla finally reacted.

Magic power surged violently in his hands as he completely crushed and obliterated the Rose, leaving not even a speck of dust behind.

"My senses are fading..." Jose Porla had already realized he was poisoned.

Though the toxin wasn't fast-acting, it was exceptionally potent, immediately targeting his five senses.

He could already feel them deteriorating.

He quickly channeled his magic power, circulating it through his body in an attempt to halt the toxin's advance.

Magic power was closely tied to life force and could indeed offer some resistance against foreign invaders.

Otherwise, Mages wouldn't live such long lives and rarely troubled by illness.

"What's wrong with Jose? Why is he just standing there?"

"Did Marco's move just stun him?"

"Was that a rose the kid just threw? Why a rose? What kind of weird attack is that?"

"It must be some kind of magical artifact. A normal rose couldn't withstand that much magic power! Did Jose get hit?"

Jose Porla's sudden stillness naturally sparked discussion.

The guild masters, with their sharp eyes and vast experience, immediately sensed something was off and began speculating—some of their guesses weren't far from the truth.

"..."

Jose Porla gritted his teeth but remained motionless, focusing all his magic on fighting the toxin inside him.

Right now, he almost wished his hearing would go first.

"Jose, not feeling too great, are you?"

When Makarov's annoyingly smug voice reached his ears, Jose Porla's desire to lose his hearing grew even stronger.

"Who would've thought? The great Jose Porla, one of the Ten Wizard Saints, guild master of Phantom Lord, in the prime of his life at thirty-something, taken down by a trick from a kid barely in his teens. Tsk tsk tsk~"

Though Jose Porla kept his mouth tightly shut and ignored him, Makarov wasn't about to pass up this chance to mock him.

He circled around Jose, clicking his tongue repeatedly, his words dripping with sarcasm.

Marco could see Jose Porla's body beginning to tremble—clearly, the taunts were getting to him.

"Master Jose, don't get agitated. Emotional excitement will accelerate the toxin's spread. You wouldn't want to become a cripple who's lost all their five senses, would you? And there'll be even worse symptoms later. If you don't properly resist the toxins, you could die."

Seeing the agitated Jose Porla, Marco kindly reminded him.

This promptly stopped Jose Porla's trembling—proof that the man still knew fear.

"Kid, can't you help our dear Master Jose out? We're all allies here. You went a bit too hard on him." Makarov spoke up again with his signature cheeky tone.

By now, everyone had gathered around, staring at Marco in astonishment.

None of them had expected Marco to actually subdue Jose!

Jose Porla was one of the Ten Wizard Saints afterall!

Though the process had been somewhat absurd, the result spoke for itself—he'd been subdued!

And this kid was only thirteen years old!

-------------

Demon Roses are a special kind of flower which grows naturally near the Pisces palace on the Sanctuary.

Demon roses are divided in three types:

The Royal Demon Roses, which have a potent poison, which may easily kill almost anyone who touches its thorns.

The Piranha Roses, which may eat away anything that touches its thorns.

The Bloody Roses, which may absorb liquids in an amazing speed.

The royal demon roses also cause blood poisoning at long-time exposions, which renders the Pisces Saint a poisonous blood.

--------------------------------

Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.

patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator