"There's nothing special to prepare," Rhodes said thoughtfully. "The most important thing is building teamwork with your partner."
He paused, then glanced at Wendy and asked, "Are you and Carla running low on money lately?"
Wendy shook her head gently. "No, we still have plenty of savings."
That reminded Rhodes, Wendy and Carla had a few million saved up. In fact, Wendy was quietly one of the guild's little rich ladies. Even if she didn't take on a single mission for the next two years, she'd still live comfortably.
"Good," Rhodes nodded, reassured. Given Wendy's nature, she probably wouldn't be rushing to take missions anytime soon.
"In that case, want to train with me for the next few days?"
"Sure!" Wendy's eyes lit up. "What kind of training?"
"I haven't decided yet," Rhodes admitted, glancing around. "Why don't we start by beating up Mira together?"
Wendy froze. "Beat… beat up Mira-nee?"
Back when she stayed at Cait Shelter, Wendy had trained with Mira for a day or two. Just that brief experience left a deep impression, this big sister was scary when she got serious.
A year ago, Wendy would have burst into tears just hearing that suggestion.
"It's alright," Mira said sweetly, smiling as she leaned on the counter. "I only hit him hard."
Even if Wendy trusted her, Carla was clearly unconvinced.
She still remembered the rumors from Edolas, how Mira had gone berserk and leveled half the capital when she heard something had happened to Rhodes. And now she expected them to believe she'd just lightly smack him around?
"Don't give me that look," Rhodes said, noticing Carla's skeptical glare. "She really does go all out in training."
He reached out to pat Carla on the head, but she sidestepped with elegant disdain.
Rhodes retracted his hand with a small sigh. Warm used to let him pet him as much as he liked. Unfortunately, the little guy had grown up and was now a puffball with opinions.
"It's alright," Wendy said firmly, puffing out her cheeks and balling her fists. "I'm not afraid of getting hurt. I want to get stronger, so I can help everyone more."
Wendy wasn't just thinking about the exam. Deep down, she hoped that one day, she could stand beside everyone, not as someone being protected, but as someone who could protect.
Ever since returning from Edolas, she sometimes wondered… if she had been as strong as Natsu or Gajeel, maybe things would have gone smoother, maybe fewer people would've gotten hurt.
"Alright," Rhodes said with a proud smile. "Then it's settled. Once we finish up for the day, we'll start training."
Rhodes still felt a bit of pressure. After all, Gildarts was going to be one of the examiners this time.
"Cana!!!"
Just as Rhodes thought of him, Gildarts's unmistakable voice rang out through the guild.
It wasn't exactly a cry of agony, more like the dramatic wail of a father discovering his child had run away from home.
"Cana! My daughter! Where did you go?"
Gildarts dashed through the guild like a whirlwind, lifting tablecloths, peeking behind doors, even opening every barrel lid like a desperate man searching for treasure.
He paused by the storage corner and cracked open a large wine barrel, peering inside with exaggerated concern.
"Not here either? What if she got drunk and climbed into a barrel? Or worse… into a wine glass?"
Lucy nearly tripped over herself trying to respond. "No one could fit in a wine glass! What are you even talking about?!"
Mira leaned in and whispered, "Cana took a mission and left."
Gildarts zipped across the room in an instant. "What mission? Where is she? Who let her go?"
Mira raised her hands in a calming gesture. "Relax. It was a normal mission. She can handle it on her own."
But Gildarts slumped over dramatically, clutching his head. "You don't understand. If kids aren't supervised, they start picking up bad habits. They start drinking, gambling, dressing..."
He shot a teary glance at Mira.
"like Mira!"
Wham!
Mira's fist planted itself into Gildarts's face with terrifying precision, sending his expression into a deep concave mold.
Blood trickled from Gildarts's nose, but he didn't seem to mind. He kept mumbling, face still squished.
"She'll learn to drink… gamble… wear short skirts… and worst of all, she might fall for a scumbag like me…"
Lucy frantically waved her hands. "No, no! You really don't need to worry about the first few things!"
Because honestly… Cana was already like that.
Rhodes and Mira silently exchanged a glance. The last concern might still be valid. After all, she really had almost been swept away by a shady older guy once.
If Gildarts ever found out about that incident… even though Macao never realized what was happening, he might not survive Gildarts's wrath.
The group tried to talk Gildarts down for a long time, but it was no use. He was completely lost in his own world, deaf to everything they said, and insisted on going out to find Cana.
In the end, Master Makarov had to step in and punch him into the floor to shut him up.
Looking down at the man now embedded in the ground, Makarov sighed, "Didn't Cana tell you already? Just act like you used to. If you've got so much free time, come with me and help handle some guild matters."
Gildarts got up, rubbing the back of his head. His eyes were a bit more focused now. "Where are we going?"
"To the Council. The Edolas report may have been submitted, but there are still things we need to clarify in person.
"Also, it seems they have some other things they want to discuss with me, either way, you're the one who knows the most about the battle in the capital, so you're coming with me."
Makarov carried several letters of apology. He figured the Council probably wanted to press him about those issues, and bringing Gildarts might help ease some of the pressure.
"I don't want to go to a place like that," Gildarts grumbled. If he had that kind of time, he'd rather go hang out at Blue Pegasus. "Why not take Rhodes, Mira, or Erza instead?"
Makarov nodded. "Sure. In that case, you'll be in charge of guild discipline, process all the mission registrations, and on top of that..."
"I'll go! I'll go with you!" Gildarts cut him off immediately.
He'd much rather be scolded at the Council than take on all that responsibility.
Makarov let out a sigh.
If only Gildarts were a little more reliable, he would've handed the position of guild master over to him long ago. With his power, it wouldn't even be hard for him to become one of the Ten Wizard Saints.
What a waste. Why did he have to be so unreliable?
Makarov could only hope that now, after finding out Cana was his daughter, Gildarts might finally grow up a bit, at least act a little like a real father.
Lucy watched Gildarts's retreating figure with a pensive look until someone called for her. She quickly returned to work, serving drinks and food.
But a little while later, she came back to the counter.
"Mr. Rhodes, Ms. Mira, I'd like to request a day off."
Rhodes looked at her helplessly. "Already? It hasn't even been two days. You tired out already?"
"No, that's not it." Lucy said, a little embarrassed. "I want to visit my father tomorrow, I haven't heard from him in a while. He hasn't sent any letters."
Maybe it was seeing Cana and Gildarts that made her feel this way, but Lucy suddenly missed her father a little.
She wondered if his new business was going well.
More importantly, he'd always been the type who couldn't take care of himself. Was he sick? Was he eating properly?