For Hisui, since she couldn't refuse the training assigned by her master, having someone to share the hardship with was definitely better.
"Hisui-senpai..."
Lucy wore a bitter expression as she looked at the grinning Hisui beside her—their contrasting expressions were striking indeed.
Human emotions truly aren't interconnected but instead follow the "Law of Transfer and Conservation."
Happiness is conserved—when one person loses their smile, it simply transfers to another's face.
Even when the banquet officially began, Lucy still hadn't recovered.
The fragrant dishes couldn't soothe her mood either.
Just thinking about the days ahead made her scalp tingle and her appetite vanish.
When the others who cared about her learned the reason, they all laughed heartily, as if it were no big deal.
Both Erza and Mirajane thought it was only natural—they had put in plenty of hard work in this area themselves.
Erza was naturally a close-combat specialist, and Mirajane also engaged in melee combat after demonizing.
Neither of them would slack off in such training.
As for the boys, needless to say, Marco had already put them through plenty of torment.
"Lucy is actually going to start that kind of training too?"
What comforted Lucy was that Levy and Juvia looked shocked and deeply concerned for her.
Living in the girls' dormitory with Hisui, they weren't as strong as Erza and Mirajane and mostly followed a "magic-based" combat style.
Seeing how exhausted Hisui was every day, they knew exactly how grueling training under Marco could be.
"Are you interested? You can join too."
Marco smiled as he glanced at Levy, Juvia, and the others.
"..."
Levy gulped and shook her head like a rattle drum.
She fought using word magic and rarely engaged in close combat.
Outside of magic practice, Levy mostly spent her time reading books, barely even exercising.
Asking her to train her physical abilities was simply too much—she was a bookish introvert who'd rather spend that time reading.
"I—I'm willing!"
However, what made Levy's eyes widen in shock was that Juvia, who had just been sympathizing with Lucy's plight like her, answered without hesitation the moment Marco asked.
She was actually willing to join the training!
"Good. Since you have such determination, you can come train together."
Looking at Juvia's earnest expression, Marco nodded approvingly.
This was how it should be.
Even for "magic-focused" fighters, it was best to train their bodies as a precaution.
Better that than being helpless the moment their magic failed.
Accelerator had a lot to say on this matter—if only he had put some effort into physical training, he wouldn't have been knocked out with one punch.
"W-Wait a minute!"
Levy immediately raised her hand, looking flustered.
"Marco, does 'you' in this case... include me? Shouldn't it just be Juvia going alone?" Levy stared at Marco seriously, trying to exclude herself.
She truly didn't want to go—close combat wasn't her fighting style at all.
"Well, what about Cana?"
Marco nodded, agreeing to Levy's request to withdraw, which made her sigh in relief.
Then she also turned her gaze toward Cana.
"I... I'm willing to go along too."
Cana frowned, seeming hesitant, but after wrestling with the decision, she ultimately chose to join the training as well.
"Huh?"
Levy was shocked—even Cana was joining.
"Good. I see your determination to grow stronger."
Marco nodded approvingly at Cana.
Though the idea of "only revealing her identity to her father after becoming an S-Class Mage" was rather absurd, if such a belief could push Cana forward and motivate her to strive for greater strength, there was no need to point it out.
"Can I come along too?" Wendy timidly raised her hand.
She also wanted to become stronger, to be a Mage as powerful as Marco.
"Wait until you're a little older."
Marco smiled and shook his head, refusing Wendy's request.
It was indeed too early for her—her current task was to grow up quickly.
"For now, focus on honing your Dragon Slayer Magic. Master it first, and when you're older, you can join the training. You'll have an advantage in that regard—Dragon Slayer Magic enhances your physical abilities."
"Mm! Got it, Marco-san! I'll work hard on my Dragon Slayer Magic!" Wendy obediently responded.
She knew her top priority was mastering her Dragon Slayer Magic.
Compared to the other Dragon Slayer Mages, she still had some catching up to do.
Of course, the age gap was a factor, so she didn't need to rush.
At the very least, she was already far more capable than her peers.
"Lisanna, don't think you can escape either. You're coming along for training."
Seeing everyone else volunteering while Lisanna shrank back, trying to avoid Marco's gaze, Mirajane immediately spoke up, calling her out by name.
"...Got it."
Lisanna, unable to dodge her fate, replied dejectedly.
"..."
Lucy's jaw dropped in astonishment.
In one fell swoop, nearly the entire girls' dormitory had decided to join her in training—an outcome she had never anticipated.
"Marco's going to have his hands full."
Erza was also surprised, but more than anything, she felt pleased.
They had all seen Hisui's performance after her training.
Despite knowing how grueling it would be, they gritted their teeth and chose to participate anyway.
It showed everyone had a strong drive to improve.
"This..."
Levy blinked, glancing between Lucy and Cana, her heart tangled in conflict.
She and Lucy got along well, sharing similar interests—they were even closer than Hisui and Lucy were.
As for Cana, they had been childhood friends and remained inseparable.
Now that both Cana and Lucy were starting training, and even Juvia and Lisanna were joining, she'd be the only one not participating—making her seem like an outsider.
"Then I'll join too."
Levy raised her hand, making a decision she was certain she'd regret.
"Just so we're clear—once training officially begins, unless there's a special circumstance, you can't back out easily."
Looking at Levy, Marco raised a finger with a smile and stated the first rule—that no one was allowed to give up halfway.
"Now you still have the chance to choose for yourselves. Does anyone want to quit?" Marco spoke, his gaze sweeping over the girls as he waited for their responses.