Raizel flipped through the menu and immediately saw the shop recommendations written in bold: Selene Latte and Belserion Latte.
At least there were pictures beside them.
The corner of Raizel's mouth kept twitching.
Even the coffee names were chosen way too casually.
The tea names, on the other hand, were perfectly normal. Wherever the tea came from, that was what it was called.
Tea produced in Acalypha was simply called Acalypha Tea.
Still, Irene's shop did have its good points. It carried tea from every continent, including the oolong tea Raizel preferred.
There were also daily handmade desserts. They were not listed on the menu, but whatever was displayed in the glass case counted as the day's selection.
Although Irene and Selene acted as if they were not especially invested, everything that needed to be done had been done properly.
Raizel did not choose tea.
Since the shop name had "café" in it, he naturally had to try the coffee.
Fortunately, while the names were careless, the taste was quite good. The prices were not expensive either.
Even if Raizel, Erza, and the others stopped coming to support it in the future, the shop would have more than enough business to support itself.
...
Fairy Tail now required someone's recommendation to join.
For example, Yukino had been brought in by Raizel some time ago.
Sherry and Sheria had been introduced by Lyon. Otherwise, applicants had to pass a practical test before they were allowed to join.
They needed to receive approval from Max, Lisanna, Alzack, or Bisca, or defeat one of them, before gaining the qualification to join the guild.
That's right.
Only the qualification.
The final assessment still had to be approved by one of the following: Mira, Raizel, Ur, Ultear, Erza, Laxus, or Makarov.
The reason there were so many possible examiners was because many of them were often away from the guild.
After these two rounds of screening, most people could be filtered out. After all, the second round depended heavily on the personal judgment of the member doing the assessment.
But if they did not do this, the guild would probably be flooded with applicants in no time.
Thanks to the Grand Magic Games and the Harvest Festival Battle, two major events that had pushed Fairy Tail's fame even higher, along with its reputation as the number one guild in Fiore and even Ishgar, more and more people wanted to join Fairy Tail.
Every day, a steady stream of people came to take the entrance assessment.
If the guild tavern had a proper threshold, it would have been trampled flat by now.
Even with so many applicants, though, the number of people who had passed was still zero.
Raizel had already made it clear that Max, Lisanna, and the others were not to go easy on anyone, unless the applicant was a child like Cana had been back then, in which case they could handle it with some discretion.
Raizel had just rejected someone who had defeated Alzack but was far too arrogant.
He did not pay that person much attention and continued talking with Makarov.
"You've decided to go?"
Makarov looked at the 100 Years Quest request slip Raizel had taken from the very top of the request board, his expression serious.
"That request has remained unfinished since the founding of the Mage guild system."
Raizel nodded.
"Of course. I don't like going back on promises I've made."
After all, he had promised the Law Dragon that he would take the 100 Years Quest within two years.
Of course, there was another important reason.
Selene.
Makarov's thick brows drew together, and his slightly cloudy eyes fixed firmly on Raizel.
"I don't know what the details of this 100 Years Quest are. I asked Gildarts, but he refused to say anything. Even so, you've still made up your mind?"
Raizel nodded without changing expression.
"I already know the general situation. No matter how you look at it, it won't compare to the battle against Acnologia. Don't worry."
Since Raizel had already said that much, Makarov's stiff posture relaxed.
He sighed softly and spoke in a slower voice.
"No matter what, it's on the northern continent, not Ishgar. Be careful. Whether the mission succeeds or fails doesn't matter. Your lives are what matter most."
"Master, I want to go too."
Mira, who was not on duty today, pressed her lips together and hesitated for a moment before speaking.
Her hesitation came from the fact that she truly liked her work as the guild's poster girl, but the challenge of the 100 Years Quest also interested her.
Besides, it could more or less count as traveling together with Raizel.
Makarov looked as if he had expected this and nodded.
"I figured as much. You can go too. You've worked hard acting as guild master these past few years."
Raizel glanced at the two people and one cat not far away, all of them staring at this side with hopeful eyes, then turned back to Makarov.
"This time, I'll also bring Natsu, Wendy, and Lucy."
"I know."
Makarov waved it off carelessly.
Even if Raizel took those three along, there were still people like Kurnugi, Gray, Lyon, Juvia, Gajeel, Cana, Laxus, and the Thunder God Tribe around to take jobs.
On top of that, Yukino and Chelia were growing quickly as well, so there would not be a shortage of manpower.
Besides, it was only right to bring more people for the 100 Years Quest.
Makarov even thought Raizel should have called Laxus along too. Unfortunately, Laxus had gone out on a job.
Ur was also reminding Ultear, Mira, and the others.
"All of you are strong now. Some of you may have surpassed me long ago, but I still have to remind you to be careful. Also, you're all older sisters here, so take good care of Wendy."
At the end, Ur gently rubbed Wendy's head.
"Don't worry, Ur. I'll take good care of myself."
Wendy's lips curved slightly, and she nodded hard.
After taking a sip of wine, Makarov suddenly said to Raizel,
"Oh, right. Take the guild's ship. If you can come back before the end of the year, we'll hold the S-Class exam on Tenrou Island. If not, I'll take them to Fiore Garden Plaza for the exam instead."
"Okay. Thanks, Gramps."
Raizel raised his teacup and clinked it lightly against Makarov's cup.
After that, he went to Irene and Selene's café.
Both of them were sitting on the first floor drinking coffee, looking very leisurely.
Raizel explained why he had come.
It was almost time for him to depart for Guiltina and accept the 100 Years Quest.
Selene had been living quite comfortably in Ishgar.
"We won't go over for now. Let's keep in contact. I can use spatial Magic to go there anytime anyway."
Raizel had come for another reason as well. He wanted to ask Selene's opinion.
"About the Law Dragon Elefseria—should I tell him about you first?"
After all, the mission Elefseria issued was to seal the Five Dragon Gods, and Selene was one of them.
The fact that she wanted to become human rather than remain a dragon would have to be told to him sooner or later.
Selene gently set down her coffee cup, then shook her head.
"Let's not say anything for now. With his current personality and mindset, he probably won't listen to you. He might even say I've bewitched all of you."
Raizel nodded in understanding.
"That works. I'll follow your lead then, maybe one day, when you and the Law Dragon sit down together, explaining it yourself will be more effective and more convincing than anything I can say as an outsider."
Selene's hand paused around her coffee cup.
Then she raised an eyebrow, her eyes brightening slightly, and her voice carried a hint of excitement.
"Is that so? That sounds rather interesting. I'm actually looking forward to that day now. Whether the Law Dragon feels the same way is another matter."
Irene had not said anything from beginning to end.
Only when Raizel was about to leave did she give one reminder.
"If you need help with anything, contact us anytime."