The allure of potentially earning a spot and the bonus points for the S-Class exam was quite tempting.
Since that day, quite a few members of the Guild have thrown themselves into intense training and work.
Some who had slightly slackened after unlocking their Second Magic Source are now back into rigorous training.
A group of energetic young people are scrambling to take on tasks they usually overlook, shouting every day.
Makarov was quite pleased; the number of tasks completed by the Guild had risen sharply, but the number of review letters he had to write only went up slightly.
It was clear they genuinely wanted to represent the Guild in the competition.
If only each Guild could have more spots available, Makarov felt a deep sense of regret.
Rhode was boasting to Mira about his work results: "See, the right incentive system can boost everyone's enthusiasm and the quality of task completion."
Some tasks that were almost becoming 'backlogged' were now efficiently resolved.
"Yes, you're the best, honey~"
Mira knew how to provide emotional support, often making Rhode happy with just a sentence.
However, she had a little playful mischief: "But darling, have you thought about how the President's evaluation of you will get higher and higher?"
Rhode instantly performed a 'smile disappearing act' for her.
Mira in return performed a 'smile transfer act'.
Rhode sighed, "We'll talk about it then."
Mira chuckled sneakily.
At this moment, Lucy tore a task slip from the slightly empty bulletin board: "Sister Mira, I want to take this task."
Mira took it casually and asked, "Is it related to the Star Spirits again?"
"No, it's just a simple mountain bandit subjugation task," Lucy said, "It feels like it's been a long time since I heard any news about the rebellious Star Spirits. Could it be that they've given up?"
Mira asked, "What did your Star Spirits say?"
Lucy replied, "They said it's not over yet, so we can't let our guard down."
Mira smiled, "That's right, Rhode said the same thing."
"Oh~ he not only says it, but he also acts on it." Lucy has been working hard on her training recently but has been carefully protected just like before.
Every night, a girl from the Guild would accompany her home, then stay over.
Thanks to this experience, Lucy's relationship with the other girls got better and better — Jubia and Ibarglin's attitudes are hard to judge, but they should be getting better too.
Because of this, Lucy's bedtime chat content with everyone became something Mira wanted to inquire about every day.
Basically, as long as it wasn't something absolutely unspeakable, Lucy didn't mind sharing it.
After all... "I'm only telling you, don't tell anyone else."
If there was any downside, it's that with someone accompanying her every day, Lucy almost forgot how to sleep alone.
Macao often joked privately, saying that Lucy has 'slept with all the girls in the Guild', making others envious.
Rhode flipped through a record and said, "The latest information about the Star Spirits still came from Blue Pegasus yesterday, saying that one of their members obtained the Pegasus Constellation key during a mission."
"Pegasus Constellation? Isn't that an ultra-rare Silver Key?!" Lucy pressed her hands on the table, leaning forward, almost writing 'I want it' on her face, "Hey, Mr. Rhode..."
How could Rhode not understand Lucy's intention? He directly said, "No need to ask, they don't plan on transferring it, after all, they are Blue Pegasus.
"Although they don't have a suitable candidate yet, they plan to offer it as a reward or something else in the future to a Star Spirit Mage willing to join them."
Mira added, "Hmm... They also plan to groom whoever holds this key in the future to become a star representing Blue Pegasus."
"What a pity..." Lucy thought even if it was expensive, she would buy it.
It's a shame that other than ornamental Star Spirits like Canis Minor Constellation, Silver Keys aren't easy to buy.
Mira started registering while Rhode casually asked, "Does Lucy also want to compete for that spot?"
"Although I would like to go out, taking a task wasn't for that," Lucy said shyly,
"I've been training, training, training nonstop lately. It's really boring. If it continues, I'll forget what a mage's real job is."
"Ah!" Wendy exclaimed from not far away, the toy gun in her hand shot a bullet, completely missing the target.
And Asuka cheered, "Sister Wendy, I won!"
"Yes." Wendy took three lollipops out of her pocket and advised like an adult, "These are for Asuka, but don't eat them all at once~"
"Mm!" Asuka nodded obediently, treasured two, then tore open another's wrapper and put it in her mouth, showing a look of happiness.
"Carla, you keep Asuka company for a bit." Wendy entrusted Asuka to Carla and ran to the front desk, "Sister Lucy, can I go with you?"
Lucy said, "Of course, but why? It's just an ordinary task."
Wendy helplessly said, "Because I have the same worry as Sister Lucy."
The moment she heard Lucy's words, she realized that besides training, the thing she did the most recently was playing with Asuka.
Although playing with Asuka is quite fun, and always being called sister is delightful, Wendy remembered she is still a mage and should occasionally take some tasks.
Mira asked, "Is Carla coming along too?"
"Mm!"
Mira wrote down a few names and stamped it: "Alright, the four-person temporary team is now formed!"
Lucy puzzled, "Four people?"
Mira smiled, "I'm going out with you again this time."
"Oh, those poor mountain bandits." Rhode sighed with mock seriousness, holding Mira's hand tenderly, "Come back soon; I can't be home without you."
Wendy blushed a little, and Lucy, more resistant, smiled slyly and teased, "Such a loving couple~"
Rhode said in all seriousness, "Mainly because Elfman isn't home either, and Lisana's cooking isn't good."
"Brother-in-law! I heard that~" Lisana put down the tray she was holding and looked at him angrily, "Wait for undercooked rice tonight!"
Mira looked at him in amusement, a 'you're in trouble' expression on her face.
Rhode was confident, "Actually, I saw a dress when I went shopping with your sister the day before yesterday. It didn't fit her, but I feel you'd look gorgeous in it."
Lisana didn't believe him, "If that were the case, Sister Mira would have bought it back already."
Rhode mysteriously said, "No, your sister feared you'd outshine her in it, so she didn't get it on purpose. But don't worry, brother-in-law secretly bought it for you."
Lisana admitted she was a bit tempted, but Mira affectionately hugged Rhode's arm and laughed:
"Honey~ eat well these days, and wait for me to come back to make you good~~~ food."
"..." Treating him like a child, why take it so seriously?
A bit careless, am I destined to be poisoned by the Strauss family?