Kana along with Leo, the head of the Zodiac, aren't just reckless brutes; handling a small guild together should be no problem for them.
"Lucy has found a gem; that guy's magic power is strong." Just after a simple move, Rhode had a bit of an appraisal of Loki's strength.
"Loki relies on his own magic power to come to the Human Realm, so his abilities are somewhat restricted. If Lucy were to summon him instead..." Mira thought for a moment and snickered, "maybe he'd be even more restricted."
"That's a bit disrespectful to Lucy... although it's true." Rhode corrected slightly, but didn't fully correct.
Lucy's current magic power indeed doesn't quite match up to the Zodiac's Star Spirits.
The two chatted and laughed for a while, handled some trivial matters, and before they knew it, half the day had passed.
"Wasn't the President coming back with you? Why hasn't he come in yet?"
"He stumbled at the door when we got back, but it shouldn't take this long, right?" Rhode asked Laki, who had just come in from outside, "Did you see the President?"
Laki said, "The President drank a few cups outside and hurriedly left, seems like he remembered something urgent."
What urgent matter could there be at this time? All important matters are noted in Rhode's little notebook.
If he doesn't know, let him be. He'll tell us about important things when he gets back.
Close to evening, Reby and Lucy walked in together from the backyard; they seemed to have been playing at the pool all afternoon.
The two were chatting and laughing like vibrant high schoolers.
Their hair wasn't completely dry yet, casually draped, and although they weren't in swimsuits, they somehow seemed more alluring than if they were.
Here we have to specifically criticize Lucy.
It's forgivable that Reby's collar was untidy, with not much to see anyway. But Lucy following suit, that's just too much familiarity among friends.
Jet and Troy followed them all the way from the backyard to the tavern.
"Rhode (Mr. Rhode), you're back?"
"Yes." Despite two beautiful girls sitting in front of him, Rhode averted his eyes, "Had several meetings with the President for days, it was such a hassle. You guys seem pretty laid-back."
"Because it's so hot, and it's rare for the guild's pool to be open."
Lucy felt a little guilty, after all, everyone went out together, but they came back to play first and left Rhode to help the President.
"I just finished a task myself," Reby said to show her diligence,
"By the way, I bought a really interesting novel, I'll lend it to you when Lucy finishes it."
"Really? What's it about?"
"It's an adventure story with some suspense elements, the key is the author's writing is excellent, it feels like you're really there."
"That's just my type. As thanks, let me treat you," Rhode said, turned to Mira, "How about it?"
Mira rolled her eyes at him, not enough to get jealous over.
"Then I won't hold back!" Reby happily ordered her favorite stuff.
Jet and Troy were wide-eyed, why can Rhode say it so casually?
And Reby easily agreed!
It seemed like even if Rhode asked Reby out, she'd probably agree—as long as Mira doesn't kill him.
Darn it.
Jet and Troy frustratedly ordered beer, gloomily watched Rhode from the beer table.
Lucy, however, looked at him expectantly.
Rhode mercilessly said, "Don't look at me like that, you're not included, hurry up and pay."
Lucy was shocked, "Why the double standard?"
"Because I'm short on cash, recently Mira and I covered the hotel's losses, so get your share back quickly."
Though the main damage to the hotel, arcade, and causing chaos was by the Three-Plumed Crow and Xiu, in the end, they bore the costs.
Rhode's already tight account was snowed under.
"I forgot!" Lucy covered her head with her hands, as if struck by lightning, "No wonder I suddenly feel flush, I thought I didn't have to worry about rent anymore!"
Mira, smiling, said, "Don't worry, hasn't Loki already gone out to work for you?"
Lucy was surprised, "Loki? Since when?"
Mira curiously asked, "You didn't know yourself?"
Lucy quickly checked her keychain; Leo's key was still there. She resisted the urge to summon Loki:
"I was thinking he should take a few days off, but he ran out on his own! Why'd he suddenly go working?"
Mira laughed, "Because he still has some unresolved matters in the Human Realm, and he happened to meet Kana looking for teammates."
"What kind of free-spirited Star Spirit is that..." Lucy quipped, without a hint of irritation.
After all, Loki had his own life in the Human Realm and various friends, and Lucy didn't want to interfere.
"Ah... so I also need to get working." Lucy resigned to not rely on Loki's task payment; that guy might have his purposes.
Rhode suggested, "There are several subjugation tasks posted in the guild today; you might consider them."
Lucy, dejected, said, "I can't do subjugation tasks alone."
Reby puzzled, "Why not? Isn't Lucy part of the Strongest Squad?"
"Because Erza's serving as a guild employee for a week, Gray's out working with Jubia, and Natsu claims he isn't fired up enough, so he's training with Hapi. Leaving just me..."
Partly to blame for Natsu training after being easily swatted away by the Mountain Sub-Dragon, Rhode nonetheless felt no guilt chasing debts.
Lucy wasn't someone who'd dodge debts either. She grimaced, "Miss Mira, are there any tasks suitable for me alone?"
"Let's see..." Mira thought and pulled out a uniform that Rhode had set aside, "Ta-da, the best task is this, the guild's waitress has good perks, and I think Lucy would look great in this uniform."
"...I'll think about it." This time, Lucy didn't outright refuse.
After a few months at the guild, she'd experienced all the thrilling adventures, and perhaps trying ordinary work every now could be nice too.
Lucy and Reby soon sat down to dinner.
But halfway through, the guild suddenly fell silent.
From the counter, people watched—Lucy showed surprise, Reby covered her mouth, Mira and Rhode looked puzzled.
The President had returned, and behind him came an "unexpected guest"—Gajeel, the Iron Dragon Slayer Mage, formerly Ghost Demon Dominator's ace.
Several recognized the culprit of previous guild destruction; those who didn't were quickly reminded by companions.
The tavern was still; some had stood up. If the President wasn't there, a brawl might have already begun.
Facing the unusual looks, Makarov chuckled, "This is Gajeel, from today he's a member of our guild!"
His words were like a stone thrown into a calm sea, turning the quiet guild into a raucous uproar.
"What?"
"President! What are you saying?"
"How can you let such a person join!"
Confusion, questioning, even table-banging, echoed from every corner—the one who destroyed the guild and ambushed the Lane Engine Squad, how could he be allowed in just like that?