The promise of a coveted competition spot, and those tempting bonus points toward the upcoming S-Class Exam, had worked wonders.
From that day on, a good number of Fairy Tail members threw themselves into training and missions with renewed passion.
Even those who had started to relax after awakening their Second Magic Source were now back to grueling, high-intensity practice.
Every day, the guild buzzed with energy. Members who normally couldn't be bothered with minor tasks now scrambled to accept even low-paying jobs.
Makarov couldn't have been happier.
The number of completed requests had skyrocketed, while the number of "self-reflection reports" he had to review had… only slightly increased.
That alone was a victory.
He could see it clearly: everyone genuinely wanted to represent the guild this time.
Still, Makarov couldn't help but sigh wistfully.
'If only each guild could send more participants…'
Meanwhile, Rhodes was proudly showing off his latest report to Mira.
"See? With the right incentive system, productivity soars, higher enthusiasm, better results, faster completions. Perfect example of behavioral reinforcement."
Some of the requests that were on the verge of becoming backlogged had now been handled smoothly.
Mira leaned closer with a soft laugh.
"Yes, Husband is the best~"
She always knew how to add the perfect dose of "emotional encouragement."
Rhodes's grin widened, but before he could bask too much...
Mira's eyes glinted mischievously. "But, dear… have you considered what happens when the Master's evaluation of you keeps rising higher and higher?"
Rhodes froze mid-smile.
Mira smoothly traded his lost grin for her own victorious one.
"We'll deal with that when the time comes," Rhodes muttered with a sigh.
Mira covered her mouth to hide her chuckle.
Just then, Lucy approached the counter, pulling a request slip from the nearly empty notice board.
"Mira-nee, I'd like to take this quest."
Mira accepted it and glanced over casually. "Hmm, is it another one related to Celestial Spirits?"
"No, just a regular bandit subjugation." Lucy smiled. "It's been so long since we heard anything about the rebellious Celestial Spirits. Do you think they've finally given up?"
"What do your Celestial Spirits say?" Mira asked.
"They said it's not over yet, that we can't let our guard down."
Mira nodded approvingly. "Smart spirits. That's exactly what Rhodes says too."
Lucy puffed her cheeks. "Oh, not just says, he acts like it. I don't think I've ever seen him relax."
She wasn't wrong.
Lucy had been training diligently herself, but her freedom was still heavily restricted under guild protection protocols. Every evening, a few female members would accompany her home, and then stay the night.
Thanks to that, Lucy's friendships with the other girls had grown warmer than ever. Even Juvia and Evergreen, whose personalities could be… complicated, seemed to be getting along better with her lately.
It had become such a daily ritual that Lucy's bedtime gossip sessions with her roommates were now one of Mira's favorite "intel sources."
Of course, Lucy didn't mind sharing.
After all...
"I'm only telling you. Don't tell anyone else, okay?"
If there was one downside, it was that Lucy had grown so used to company that she now had trouble sleeping alone.
Macao, ever the teasing uncle, often joked privately that Lucy had "slept with all the girls in the guild."
Which, naturally, made several people both laugh and jealous.
At the counter, Rhodes flipped through a new report.
"The latest news from the Celestial Spirit side came from Blue Pegasus. One of their members apparently found the Key of Pegasus during a mission."
Lucy slammed her palms onto the table, eyes sparkling. "Pegasus?! Isn't that one of the ultra-rare Silver Keys?!"
She leaned forward so quickly that the words I want it! might as well have appeared above her head.
"N-N-Now, Mr. Rhodes.."
Rhodes didn't even let her finish.
"No need to ask, they're not giving it up. It's Blue Pegasus, remember?"
Lucy slumped, disappointed.
He continued, "They don't have a suitable Celestial Spirit Mage yet, but they're planning to use it later, maybe as a recruitment incentive. A reward for any talented Spirit Mage willing to join their guild."
Mira tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Mmm… I also heard they're planning to groom the eventual holder of that key into one of Blue Pegasus's signature stars. You know, like a mascot mage for their public image."
"That's too bad." Lucy sighed. She'd actually been considering buying the key, even if it cost her a fortune.
Unfortunately, aside from minor observational Spirits like Canis Minor, Silver Keys weren't exactly easy to come by.
While Mira filled out the quest paperwork, Rhodes asked casually, "So, Lucy, are you planning to compete for one of the tournament spots too?"
Lucy waved her hands quickly. "I mean, I want to, but that's not why I'm taking this quest. It's just, lately it's been training, training, and more training! I'm going to forget what being a mage actually means."
"Ah!" a voice squeaked nearby.
Wendy had just fired a toy gun, the bullet sailing harmlessly past the target.
"Wendy-nee, I won!" Asuka cheered, bouncing with joy.
"Yes, yes," Wendy smiled, producing three lollipops from her pocket. Like a doting big sister, she said, "These are for Asuka, but remember, not all at once, okay?"
"Mm!" Asuka nodded, solemnly pocketing two and unwrapping the last, her face lighting up with pure happiness.
"Carla, stay with Asuka for a bit, alright?" Wendy said, then ran over to the counter. "Lucy! Can I come with you on that quest?"
Lucy blinked. "Of course you can! But… why? It's just a simple bandit-hunting job."
Wendy scratched her cheek. "Because… I realized I've been doing the exact same thing as you. Training all day, and when I'm not, I'm playing with Asuka."
Playing with Asuka was adorable, of course, but Wendy suddenly remembered she was still a working mage, and maybe it was time to, well, do mage things.
Mira asked, "Carla will come too, right?"
"Mm!" Carla nodded proudly.
"Then it's settled," Mira said, stamping the papers with her flourish.
"A four-person temporary team is officially formed!"
Lucy tilted her head. "Four people?"
Mira smiled sweetly. "Because this time, I'm coming with you."
Rhodes sighed dramatically. "Oh, those poor bandits."
He took Mira's hands with mock sincerity. "Go, and come back safely. The house just won't be the same without you."
Wendy's cheeks turned faintly pink, while Lucy, well-acquainted with the couple's antics, squinted playfully. "Such an affectionate husband and wife~"
Rhodes replied earnestly, "It's mostly because Elfman isn't home, and Lisanna's cooking is… questionable."
"Brother-in-law! I heard that!"
Lisanna stomped out from the kitchen, tray in hand, glaring daggers at him. "You can look forward to undercooked rice tonight!"
Mira hid a giggle behind her hand, her eyes saying: 'You brought that on yourself.'
But Rhodes was undeterred. "Actually, Lisanna, the other day when your sister and I were shopping, I saw a dress. It didn't quite suit Mira, but I think it'd look beautiful on you."
Lisanna crossed her arms. "If that were true, Mira-nee would've bought it already."
Rhodes leaned in conspiratorially. "Ah, but you see, your sister didn't buy it because she was worried your radiance would outshine hers. Don't worry, though. Your thoughtful brother-in-law will buy it for you… in secret."
Lisanna faltered, her skepticism giving way to reluctant amusement, and maybe the tiniest bit of flattery.
Mira, however, just hugged Rhodes's arm and smiled sweetly."Husband~ eat properly while I'm gone. When I come back, I'll make you something delicious."
Rhodes froze.
'She's talking to me like I'm a kid… and why does that sound like a threat?'
He smiled weakly as Mira waved goodbye.
'I was careless. Truly careless. Am I… am I destined to be poisoned to death by the Strauss family?'