"Oh, I see. I haven't had the chance to congratulate you yet." Yukino's face showed little expression, and one could barely discern a hint of goodwill from her tone.
Mira was a bit disappointed, "Really now, give a little more reaction. Someone your age should be more lively."
Yukino said, "I've heard about you guys. Demon Mira is only a year older than me."
Mira puffed up her cheeks, but after thinking it over, being young wasn't so bad. She let go of Rhode and linked arms with Yukino, asking in a sisterly way,:
"Are you in the Royal Capital for a mission or fun? Have you found a place to stay? How about joining us for a meal? I could also be your tour guide for a few days~"
Yukino was a little unused to this kind of care, struggling to maintain a straight face as she answered one by one, "The mission is complete. I'm here for personal business, and I teamed up with a companion who's meeting me here."
Just as Mira was about to speak, a humanoid, colorful shadow suddenly appeared by Yukino's side.
Rhode raised his hand, ready to swat the strange thing away.
Yukino quickly said, "It's my companion."
As soon as she spoke, the light and shadow solidified into a figure clad in black, with a masked face like a ninja, appearing next to Yukino, "Yukino, we're late."
Just as he was about to explain, he noticed there were outsiders present, some of whom seemed familiar, "You are...?"
"They are mages from Fairy Tail, the Ten Wizard Saints' Rhode, and Demon Mira." Yukino introduced, "This is our guild's senior, Dobe Gal."
"So it's you." Dobe Gal recalled seeing them in the newspapers but hadn't paid them much mind.
He crossed his arms and turned to Yukino, "Didn't I tell you not to address just anyone as 'sir'? Did you forget what the President said?"
"I..." Yukino opened her mouth but couldn't speak.
The last time she completed a commission for Fairy Tail, upon returning to the guild, people immediately asked about Fairy Tail's current state.
Yukino's answer was, "Although the guild looks a bit old, the people inside are wonderful, and the atmosphere is great. It's well-loved in Magnolia."
Unfortunately, her colleagues had only listened to the first half, or perhaps just the keyword 'old,' and so they arrogantly expressed disdain for Fairy Tail.
Yukino wanted to describe Fairy Tail's true nature, to tell them about the strong mages there.
However, President Jerman overheard and scolded her for talking about such disgraceful things.
The idea of good people and a family-like atmosphere was merely the weak huddling together for warmth.
The strong-over-weak atmosphere of Sabertooth was the best, and it was this philosophy that took them to number one.
President Jerman intended to punish Yukino, but since she was a newcomer, he decided to give her a warning. If she exhibited such 'unbecoming' behavior or speech again, she would be expelled from the guild.
Recalling President Jerman's attitude from that day, Yukino found herself speechless.
Though Sabertooth wasn't the guild she imagined, it was indeed the 'number one in the country' guild she admired.
She had her reasons for not wanting to be expelled from the guild.
Rhode and Mira felt bewildered.
Apart from Yukino taking on that last commission, they had never had any dealings with Sabertooth.
Why would this random acquaintance hold such disdain for them?
Yukino's attitude was also strange, with all this 'senior' and 'junior' talk; could it be she's been bullied in the guild?
The former didn't matter; the attitude of strangers wasn't their concern, at most they'd settle it with a fight if need be.
But Yukino's situation was something they couldn't ignore.
Mira asked with concern, "Are you having any trouble?"
Yukino gently shook her head, "No, it's nothing."
"Even if there's trouble, we in Sabertooth can solve it ourselves. No need for your concern," Dobe Gal said coldly, "If you understand, don't get in the way. Yukino, let's go."
"If you're going to say that, I have to ask clearly." Rhode blocked his way, "Do we have a grudge with Sabertooth?"
Dobe Gal paused, looking at Rhode, "There's no such thing, but for someone left behind by the times to hold lofty positions is a mistake in itself."
Seeing the situation wasn't right, Yukino wanted to intervene, "Dobe Gal..."
Dobe Gal raised his hand, signaling Yukino to stay silent, then took an offensive stance, "What a rare opportunity. Since you blocked my way, let me see if you're worthy of being called one of the Ten Wizard Saints!"
This juvenile... is he coming at me? Rhode smirked and glanced at Dobe Gal.
Just as Dobe Gal was about to throw a punch, his arm began to tremble uncontrollably, sweat beaded down his temples, and his knees started to weaken.
His heart pounded against his will, and for a moment, he forgot to breathe.
Gulping instinctively returned his clarity, and his offensive posture became slack, his mouthpiece heaving as he took deep breaths.
Rhode chuckled lightly and gestured invitingly, as if nothing had happened, "Go ahead, I'm ready. Don't be shy."
Dobe Gal's face turned crimson.
Yukino hadn't noticed what transpired, only that Dobe Gal seemed to have a mental breakdown.
His chest heaved dramatically a few times, forcing words through clenched teeth, "Don't underestimate... Sabertooth's mages!"
With his teeth tightly clenched, Dobe Gal launched himself at Rhode, his fists shimmering with colored light, clearly using magic.
Rhode glanced at Yukino's troubled expression and decided to spare them some face, catching Dobe Gal's wrist with one hand.
Dobe Gal's wrist was restrained. He couldn't advance or retreat, using all his strength but unable to move a single millimeter.
"Impossible! Not even President Jerman... the gap can't be this wide!" Unable to accept the outcome, he reached for a weapon on his left side.
"Frog in a well, take a look at the sky beyond once in a while."
Then you'll see the gap between us is greater than you can imagine.
Rhode kindly didn't say this last part, instead giving Mira a pleading look.
Mira understood, and with a snap of her fingers released a Hypnotic Bubble, "We mean you no harm. Just need you to quiet down for a bit."
Dobe Gal drowsily lost consciousness.
Seeing Yukino's worried gaze, Mira comforted, "Don't worry, he's just asleep and should wake up in about an hour."
Rhode summoned the ugliest Shadow Wolf to carry him and asked Yukino, "What's with the people in your guild?"
Yukino explained, "Dobe Gal isn't a bad person, it's just... the same pride as everyone in the guild.
"And because Fairy Tail was once the strongest in Fiore, the guild always sees Fairy Tail as a target to surpass, so the attitude might be a bit..."
Rhode and Mira nodded, perceiving Yukino's effort to smooth things over.