Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master

Sure enough, the next morning, Lucy walked into the guild full of energy, eager to ask about the upcoming Harvest Festival, especially the Fairy Tail Miss beauty pageant.

"You already know about it? Did Natsu and Happy tell you yesterday?" Mira asked.

Lucy nodded. "Yeah! Though all they mentioned was the prize money. They didn't give me many details."

In truth, Natsu had barged into her place, trying to nap in her bed and use her shower after sweating all day, so she kicked him out. Happy, however, stuck around long enough to spill the details.

"Five hundred thousand Jewels! That's seven months of rent!" Lucy's eyes sparkled as she mentioned the prize. Just winning this one contest would give her financial peace of mind for a long time.

"Well, since we're on the topic, let me introduce last year's champion." Rhodes lifted his hands theatrically. "Ta-da~!"

Mirajane gave a cheerful wave.

"That's right. Standing before you is the reigning champion, Miss Mirajane Strauss!"

"..."

Lucy suddenly felt like five hundred thousand Jewels might be a bit harder to win than she thought.

Trying her luck, she asked, "Miss Mira, are you planning to enter again this year?"

"Of course," Mira replied with a playful smile. "I'm saving up for the wedding, after all. That prize money would just about cover a month's salary for us."

Lucy blinked. "Wait... being a waitress pays that much?"

Mira laughed, but Rhodes stepped in to clarify, "We're not your average waitstaff. Laki and the others earn even less."

"That's amazing," Lucy said, half-considering the career switch. But deep down, she still preferred going on adventures.

Rhodes shook his head. "No way. Compared to the payout from missions, our salaries are peanuts. You could earn what we make in a month in just a few days."

Honestly, with the strength Mira and Rhodes had, a monthly salary of a few hundred thousand was low. If they worked hard for a month, all they'd earn could barely cover Erza's rent.

Still, there were perks. It was safe and comfortable. No harsh weather or unexpected danger.

Lucy didn't quite agree. "But if a mission fails, you might come back empty-handed."

Rhodes gave her a strange look. "We don't just go around wrecking everything.

If you had teamed up with me for your past missions, you'd already be swimming in Jewels. No more stressing about that seventy-thousand rent."

"What do you mean by 'swimming in Jewels'... Lucy is already—" Mira caught herself mid-sentence and looked at Lucy apologetically.

"It's fine, really," Lucy said, trying to keep her tone light. She already knew what Mira was referring to.

The Heartfilia Group had gone bankrupt. But Lucy had long let go of any plans to rely on her family's wealth.

Since she'd left home, she'd never expected to lean on her father again. So it didn't matter what became of the company.

As for her dad... The only thing she knew for certain was that the man was capable. Her mother had always admired and trusted him.

If anyone could bounce back, it was him. Lucy figured he'd build something new in time.

Still, she intended to visit her mother's grave soon. Maybe she'd ask around for news of him while she was at it.

Putting those thoughts aside, Lucy asked about last year's contestants and the magic parade.

Rhodes and Mira described everything in detail, and Lucy soaked it all in, filled with anticipation.

Time passed quickly, and before long, October arrived. Magnolia grew more festive by the day.

For Rhodes, October meant one thing: payday.

He dragged Mira into a jewelry store, but she quickly pulled him back out.

"You really aren't going to exchange it?"

"Nope. This one's special. I want to keep it forever."

She narrowed her eyes. "You made it yourself with magic, didn't you? It's one of a kind, right?"

"Absolutely," Rhodes swore. "I won't make another."

"Good." Mira stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. "That's your reward."

Rhodes gave her a playful look. "Not enough."

"Then too bad."

"Fine, I'll give the ring back."

"Don't even think about it!"

They chased each other all the way to the bank. On the way, they spotted Cana slumped against a wall, clearly drunk.

She had a bottle beside her and her shoulder bag was half-open on the ground.

Her hair was messy, and she was only wearing a bra as usual.

Cana was a famous wizard after all, and the residents of Magnolia were used to it, but those who were not familiar with her found it very exciting.

The beautiful facial features, the innocent drunken state, the round roundness, and the slender waist made it easy for people to have criminal thoughts.

But the emblem on her waist had a certain dissuading effect, so people dared not act rashly.

Rhodes shook his head: "It's a pity that she can fall asleep and not be afraid of being picked up by others."

"What?" 

"Just take advantage of her being drunk and... "

Speak of the devil. There are always many tourists from other places before and after the harvest festival, and there are also some bold guys among them.

At this moment, two people strolled in front of Cana, one with yellow hair and one with green hair.

The yellow-haired one skillfully touched Cana's messenger bag, and the green-haired one was eager to reach out.

"Hey, this is a wizard from Fairy Tail, don't wake her up."

"How can she wake up so easily when she is so drunk?" The green-haired one stretched out his hands with a clear purpose.

Before Rhodes and Mira could make a move, the wine bottle on the ground was already in Cana's hand, and smashed on the green-haired head with a bang.

The green-haired young man rolled his eyes and fell down, glass fragments flew, and the remaining wine and water splashed all over his head and face.

The yellow-haired one who was rummaging through the bag seemed to have touched a card, and a golden electric light enveloped his whole body.

The young man twitched and fell down, and the yellow-haired hair turned into curly hair in an instant.

Cana acted as if nothing had happened. She raised the neck of the bottle in her hand and poured it out, muttering "No more wine, give me another bottle" and fell asleep again in a daze.

Rhodes now knew why Cana dared to sleep on the street.

But it was not good to leave her alone like this: "Send her home, or take her to the guild?"

Mira thought for a moment and took out a stack of banknotes from her bag: "You go save the money first, I'll take care of Cana."

"Okay." Rhodes nodded.

It was indeed more convenient for Mira to take care of Cana, and there was no need to worry about her being unable to move.

It felt a bit subtle to take money from Mira in a scene other than salary distribution: "Hey, passbook..."

Mira had already picked up Cana and was too lazy to look through her bag: "Deposit it in your account, it's the same anyway."

...

In the bathroom of Cana's house.

Mira soaked Cana's clothes in a basin, and went outside to boil water to make tea.

She also went to the closet to find a set of clothes.

Cana herself was soaking in the bathtub, and she looked much more sober.

"Mira, will he come back this year?"

"I don't know, there is no news at all."

Mira knew she was talking about Gildarts.

Cana had previously told Mira about her relationship with Gildarts and asked Mira to keep it a secret.

Mira was still very tight-lipped about such important matters, so she didn't even tell Rhodes about this.

"Is that so." Cana hugged her legs and let her long hair fall into the water and float gently.

The most well-informed person in the guild, besides the president, was Mira. If even she didn't know, then there was nothing that could be done.

Mira comforted her, "I think he should be back soon. After all, it's been three years."

"Yeah," Cana replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Silence lingered between them.

After a moment, Mira asked gently, "What will happen when he comes back? Will things be the same?"

"He's such a powerful and respected wizard. If I can't become an S-class wizard, I won't feel qualified..."

"Blood ties aren't something you need to qualify for. They exist from the moment you're born."

Mira had said something similar before, but Cana only shook her head.

Years of hesitation, missed chances, and shrinking away from the truth had made it hard for her to speak her heart. She used to dream of reuniting with him once she became an S-class wizard. But she had failed the exam four years in a row.

Worse still, she hadn't heard from Gildarts in three years.

Being a wizard meant facing danger at every turn. No matter how strong you were, accidents could still happen. Cana tried not to worry, but the unease never left her. It lingered under the surface, missing him, feeling unsure, even dealing with heartbreak earlier this year. Everything seemed to pile up.

Drinking was the only way she could push it all aside for a little while and breathe.

Mira could only watch with concern. From her perspective, Cana had the strength and experience to succeed. But the timing was poor.

Rhodes had just said he wanted to pass the S-class exam this year and celebrate with a double joy, his advancement and their future together.

And with his current strength, Mira knew it would be hard for anyone to stop him.

He had also been Cana's partner in last year's exam, so he was already familiar with her magic and her fighting style. Unless Cana made a breakthrough soon, she wouldn't be able to win.

Mira couldn't ask her to give up, but she didn't want to hold Rhodes back either.

All she could do was try to encourage Cana or wait and see how the exam turned out.

The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became. At one point, she even imagined Gildarts returning, and her punching him first, just to ask why he had never acknowledged his daughter.

Though realistically, even she would have a hard time winning that fight.

Her mind spun through a dozen ideas. She wished she could talk it all over with Rhodes.

Cana had calmed down a little by then. She stepped out of the bath, dripping wet, and squatted beside Mira with a sly look.

"You've only been apart from your fiancé for a little while, and you're already thinking about him?"

"I wasn't!" Mira answered quickly. "There's nothing to think about."

"But you were muttering his name just now," Cana teased.

Mira tossed a towel at her. "Dry off and get dressed. We're going to the guild later."

Cana dried herself lazily and started wringing the water out of her hair. "Tsk, tsk... The mighty demon of the past has become a bashful bride-to-be. If it were you back then, you'd have..."

She began mimicking Mira's old mannerisms and tone with exaggerated expressions.

Having been one of the earliest members of her generation to join the guild, Cana had watched everyone grow. She had seen what Erza, Natsu, Gray, and Mira were like when they were young. She remembered all the awkward stories and knew everyone's embarrassing moments.

Mira laughed, rising to her feet. "Then let me show you that the demon hasn't gone anywhere!"

She reached out her hands like claws, playfully lunging at Cana.

Cana, who had stood there confidently just a moment ago, suddenly became a little shy.

She tried to dodge. "Why are you so good at that? Don't tell me someone's been..."

Mira blushed and grabbed her. "I told you to stop talking nonsense!"

"Aah."

It wasn't surprising to see them play-fighting like this.

Time passed quickly in the guild, full of laughter and chatter. As October rolled in, the festive spirit grew stronger. Everyone naturally gave themselves a break from missions, choosing instead to drink, talk, and spar while waiting for the Harvest Festival to arrive.

Gray hadn't gone on any jobs lately. He had been teaming up with Juvia, but said it was getting too troublesome and that he would return to his old team after the festival.

At this point, more than half a month had passed, and he'd already brought Juvia along on many missions, enough to count as the end of her rookie period.

After all, she had been one of the four elemental members of Phantom Lord. She didn't need too much hand-holding.

Still, Juvia was clearly upset. She'd occasionally mutter things like, "Don't seduce Gray-sama," to nearly every girl in the guild who talked to Gray.

She was convinced someone was trying to steal him away.

Naturally, her biggest concerns were Erza and Lucy from the strongest team.

Erza didn't pay it much attention. If she was in a good mood, she'd ask what was going on. If not, she'd respond with a glare that sent Juvia reeling.

But Juvia would then imagine a whole dramatic scene in her mind, convinced that Erza's reactions were some kind of provocation or romantic warning.

Lucy, on the other hand, didn't have the same kind of patience.

Being stared at so intensely made her feel uneasy.

"What should I do, Miss Mira?" Lucy asked with a troubled look. "Is there any way to make Juvia stop staring at me like that?"

Mira didn't seem interested in solving the problem. She just found it amusing. "Juvia sees you as a rival. Did you ever try explaining things to her?"

"I told her I don't have those kinds of feelings for Gray..." Lucy groaned and ran her hands through her hair. "But she still calls me a rival every time she sees me."

Mira paused to think, then smiled mischievously. "Well... maybe Gray does have feelings for you."

"Huh?" Lucy's face flushed. "No way. That can't be true!"

Mira grinned. "Of course it could. You are very cute, after all."

...

Bonus @2400

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