Makarov, having a high reputation in the guild, always had his orders echoed—especially during feasts.
However, today's atmosphere wasn't as lively as usual.
Natsu, Gray, Elfman, Kana, Gajeel, Jubia... a group of mages stared eagerly at Makarov, particularly those who were the most combative among them.
Makarov asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
"President, it's that, that," Mira quietly reminded, "Everyone's waiting."
Makarov didn't understand: "'That'? Wasn't this good? We don't need to use 'that' as punishment, right?"
It's well-known that the scariest punishment in Fairy Tail is 'that', and Makarov thought Mira was referring to 'that.'
"It's the selection for the Great Demon Fighting Martial Arts," Mira had no choice but to speak directly,
"You mentioned deciding the participants 'two months later,' and everyone has been training hard for a long time."
Recently, everyone in the Celestial Wolf Group had been training diligently for two months.
In fact, it wasn't just two months; to be precise, since Rhode and Mira's wedding, people were already working hard to catch up with the times.
But these two months had been especially rigorous.
Many people had undergone significant changes, with Elfman and Jubia showing the most noticeable transformations.
Elfman had become a complete hulk, growing at least half his size larger than before, with one arm thicker than his sister's or brother's waist.
And the significant change in Jubia's words was self-proclaimed.
She claimed to now be the Jubia version 3.0, more charming while having an even more passionate love for Gray.
But in others' eyes, it was just a change in attire.
Everyone else had changed a bit to some extent as well.
Except for Wendy.
Her hair had only grown a little longer.
Makarov finally remembered the selection of participants.
He looked at the kids with relief, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Rhode, what do you think?"
Rhode: "?"
Makarov cleared his throat, speaking somewhat guiltily, "Two months haven't passed yet, so my observations are not over!"
Natsu jumped out: "Old man, you must've forgotten!"
"Natsu, you've just come back from a long journey, take the opportunity to rest for a few days or train a bit more. Perhaps Gajeel has surpassed you while you were away?"
Lucy retorted, "He definitely forgot."
Makarov loudly: "Lucy!"
"Yes!" Lucy was startled and instinctively stood up straight.
Makarov said with a smile, "Actually, I see great potential in you, and I don't want you to fall behind because you were delayed for a few days, so work hard."
"Yes!" Lucy felt flattered.
Makarov barely managed to placate everyone with questions, gaining some more time.
Subsequently, the guild finally had some fun as per Makarov's intention.
But today, there was no all-nighter, and by evening, many really went back to training harder.
Then, Makarov asked the same question: "Rhode, what do you think?"
"What do I think? Natsu, Gray, Gajeel, and Jubia all seem suitable. Fried's magic is great for teamwork, and Ibarglin's Petrifying Eye might work wonders. Kana and Elfman are capable, and so are Lucy and Wendy..."
Rhode counted on his fingers, feeling that the options were too many.
"Isn't this just like saying nothing..." Makarov had similar thoughts.
The kids were all excellent, which was good, but everyone had their strengths, and their skill gap wasn't that big. Even the stronger ones were not as ahead as S-Class, making it difficult to choose.
Rhode said, "Let's wait a little longer. Soon, new rules will be out, and we'll see who's more suitable then."
Makarov nodded, "That's all we can do."
Time hurried by, and the days in the guild were calm yet slightly tense.
During this time, Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy, the three Dragon Slayer Mages, all proactively approached Rhode, requesting additional training help.
Rhode understood their intention, arranging for one or two dragons to 'tutor' them each day.
Natsu and Gajeel were in pain and pleasure every day.
While Wendy sometimes felt troubled by the special care she received.
When more than half of June had passed, Loki suddenly came to the guild with Lucy.
Mira saw Lucy's expression and instantly knew Loki must have popped out while Lucy was taking a bath in the morning again.
"Good morning, Mira is still as pretty as ever, and Rhode is really..."
Mira smiled, "Long time no see here at the guild. Want a drink?"
"Just water's fine, been a bit busy lately." Loki naturally put his arm around Lucy's shoulder, "Lucy was so upset, blaming me for not taking the time to accompany her."
Lucy shook off his paw, angrily said, "Who gets angry over that! And don't say such misleading things!"
"Hahaha," Loki laughed happily, always finding it amusing to tease Lucy.
Mira watched them with a smile, mimicking Hapi's accent, "Having an affair~"
"No way!" Lucy vehemently rebutted, then whined, "Miss Mira~ don't imitate him!"
Mira held her cheeks, "It's just too amusing."
Loki looked around and asked, "Rhode isn't here?"
"He's in the back reading materials. The new rules for the Great Demon Fighting Martial Arts arrived; it's a thick book." Mira showed with her hands the rough thickness.
"I'll go find him, have a little something to discuss." Loki waved and threw a seductive glance, "Lucy, wait for me to come back and date you~"
"You don't need to come back!"
...
"The Star Spirit King has a message? What is it?"
Rhode temporarily closed the thick competition rules, took off Wind's Glasses, and looked at Loki.
"Mainly expressing thanks." Loki said, "We originally planned to gather you and everyone who participated in this event to the Star Spirit Realm... but due to time considerations, we've decided to delay it slightly."
Rhode laughed, "It's indeed impossible to visit the Star Spirit Realm recently."
No matter how simple the banquet, it'll take at least two hours, which translates to about a week in the Human Realm.
By then, they'll have completely missed the Great Demon Fighting Martial Arts.
"Aside from this, there are some other things, considered as gifts."
"So polite?" Rhode didn't directly refuse, as he was curious about what the Star Spirit Realm was planning to send.
Loki raised a finger, "First is an opportunity to consult any information in the Star Spirit Realm."
Rhode: "!"
Loki was very happy with Rhode's expression, which, according to his estimation, could be considered a perfect match for his expectations: "The Star Spirit Realm's library and databanks record a myriad of knowledge and information so secret that they could be classified as secrets.
"But you should know, many things are not allowed to be disclosed externally. The Star Spirit King is willing to offer this as a gift, bearing much pressure."
Rhode had to admit, this was very tempting and completely irresistible.
Moreover, this was just 'first'?