No doubt that Fairy Tail just made quite a ruckus upon returning to the guild.
Although they've been somewhat restless outside these days, there's nowhere as comfortable as their own guild compared to outside taverns.
Besides, since the guild's going to be renovated anyway, might as well go a bit overboard... right?
So when the designer from City Hall came the next day to do some measurements, they asked in confusion: "Are you sure the guild is just being renovated, not completely rebuilt?"
"Of... of course..." Makarov replied, not very confidently.
In any case, the renovation plan is being designed, and the guild has resumed its operations.
Actually, everyone was originally planning to hold a celebration for three days and nights in one go, but alas, there are just too many commissions.
Among those who welcomed them back yesterday, quite a few came specifically to visit the champion guild and also intended to issue commissions.
Rhode and Mira were busy registering various tasks early this morning, even Lisana, Laki, Ginanna, and others were roped in to lend a hand for two days.
The tasks were as diverse as ever:
From commonplace tasks like subjugation of magical beasts, magic performances, magic class substitution, to convoy protection, ruins exploration, as well as recaps and explanations of the Great Demon Fighting Martial Arts, backstage stories of contestants...
All sorts of tasks were available.
There were also many designated tasks, for stars like Laxus, Erza, Wendy... these star contestants had one designated task after another.
There were relatively fewer designations for Rhode – specifically designating a Ten Wizard Saints is just too expensive.
There were also commissions for Mira, but considering that the guild would be busy lately and Mira's body isn't suited for intense battles, she directly rejected them or recommended suitable candidates to the clients.
In the following days, everyone in the guild was in a busy state.
Due to the urgent tasks and designated commissions being quite numerous, practically everyone was back at the guild only to take on another task and head out again.
Makarov looked on gratefully at the busy kids, feeling awkward at being the only one with nothing to do, so he simply took on an urgent task to get some exercise.
Rhode looked on with satisfaction as Makarov left; the old man finally forgot about retiring, very good.
Mebius suddenly appeared at the counter, swinging her legs, and said with a smile: "Even Makarov has gone out?"
Rhode nodded: "Yeah, the guild suddenly feels empty, it's a bit unsettling."
Now, only Rhode, Mira, Asuka, and Ginanna, the waitress who rarely takes commissions, were left in the guild, along with... Baggs.
Since everyone knows Fairy Tail has been busy lately, there weren't any customers in the tavern—Baggs, that drunkard, had been lounging here for almost a week.
This guy's drinking capacity is quite extraordinary; on the first day, he drank Kana under the table and even managed to knock out several others who usually have a high tolerance.
Then Kana, unwilling to accept defeat, took the opportunity when returning from completing a task at dusk to drink all night with Baggs.
According to the agreement, the loser had to treat—thus, the prodigal child spent all her bonus on just two rounds of drinking and had to continue working.
Baggs didn't mind being unattended; he shamelessly settled in the tavern, drinking when awake, sleeping when drunk.
Of course, now he's spending his own money.
This guy is indeed worthy of being an S-Class Mage; his savings are quite substantial and able to sustain this kind of extravagance.
Mebius looked at the empty guild, then glanced at the notice board filled with commissions, smiled, and jumped off the counter.
She spun around and looked up at Rhode and Mira: "The guild is doing well, so I might as well return now."
Mira paused from her play with Asuka: "So sudden? Aren't you going to say goodbye to everyone properly?"
"No need, everyone's busy now." Since she could come back at any time, Mebius didn't feel sad at all. "When I'm bored on the island, I'll come running again."
Asuka tried to hug Mebius, feeling reluctant, but couldn't reach: "First Generation big sister..."
This somewhat strange title was specially taught by Mebius to Asuka, and every time she hears it, she feels very happy.
She symbolically patted Asuka on the head: "It's okay, when you have free time, you can come to Celestial Wolf Island and find me to play."
Mebius bid farewell to the waitstaff and ran out of the guild like a little girl going out to play, gradually disappearing.
Mira watched her leave and then turned to Rhode: "About that matter, does the First Generation disagree?"
Rhode nodded: "Yeah, not yet."
Asuka was curious and asked: "What? What?"
Mira picked her up and started telling some old stories about Bisca and Alzack, quickly diverting Asuka's attention.
"The curse…" Rhode fell into thought.
Earlier, he tried to talk to Mebius about the 'revival' proposal.
But was rejected.
Mebius's soul status is extremely good, and her body, preserved by Second Generation's magic, is even stronger than in her lifetime, with magic power nearly endless.
As long as her soul is returned to her body using the right method, there's a great chance of 'revival.'
Maybe it shouldn't be called revival, for Mebius's body hadn't actually died.
Unfortunately, the curse on her remains; once her soul and body unite, she would be like Zeref, bringing death wherever she goes.
As soon as she feels 'love' towards life around her, she would immediately take away the lives surrounding her.
By then, Fairy Tail might be the first to be gone.
For Mebius, living in such a condition is worse than death.
So until the curse removal method is found, Mebius firmly refuses to 'revive.'
Rhode looked up at the ceiling, considering to break the curse of the god, either study stronger magic or… find a way to finish off Ankseram?
Yet where could you find him, and how could you kill a god governing life and death?
As dusk approached, a weary voice was heard at the guild entrance: "We're back..."
It was Elfman and Lisana.
Mira greeted them with a smile: "Welcome back, was the task successful?"
Since Lisana preferred being a waitress, the siblings rarely teamed up on a task.
"A man's mission is perfectly accomplished!"
Rhode laughed as he recorded: "Didn't beat up the client, did you?"
Elfman replied awkwardly: "That was a long time ago."
"I'm exhausted..." Lisana slumped onto the table, "Brother-in-law, hurry up."
Rhode kept writing: "Soon, everyone's been complaining like this when they return lately."
Mira poured them water: "You worked hard, would you like to dine at the guild or wait for me to cook at home?"
Lisana immediately said: "I want Mia's cooking."
Elfman hesitated: "Maybe I should cook? Sister, you need to rest more."
"There'll be plenty of time for me to rest later." Mira felt she wasn't at an age to need such care yet, "But tomorrow you two can take a day off."
Lisana was surprised: "Really?"
"Really." Rhode said, "The urgent tasks are almost all solved, resting a few days is okay. Plus, it's time to perform your surgery."
"Eh..." Lisana's expression turned grim; the operation to implant the Dragon-Slaying Magic Crystal sounded a bit scary, but since they had decided, what's bound to come will come.