A group of people were having a headache over the opponent, Rhode, while Rhode was helping Marcus and Wolian with their registration:
"You two teaming up again, at this time of year? Feels like déjà vu."
Wolian stopped him: "Don't say it again, it only reminds me of last year's painful experience."
"Sorry, sorry, last year was my fault for dragging us down," Marcus apologized repeatedly, "Next time, next time for sure I will..."
"Forget about it, I feel like it's about time for me to join Macao and the others, watching the younger ones grow."
Seeing this year's candidates, the 23-year-old Wolian wanted to prematurely integrate into the 'mature older brother' group of 36-year-olds.
"Let's not do that; while they're watching the young ones grow, it's not just that simple growth, you know..." Marcus trailed off, suddenly recalling the rich inner world of this good friend of his.
—Whenever Wolian saw a well-built beauty, he'd show a hard-to-describe smile, sometimes even unknowingly broadcasting mysterious numbers to his companions using Telepathy Magic.
This person fitting into Macao and Wakaba's little circle wouldn't be difficult at all.
"Alright, take care on the road."
Marcus took the task sheet: "Thanks, and good luck with the exam."
Wolian said, "I think you should go a bit easy."
Rhode waved his hand: "A title doesn't increase combat power; I'm not that much stronger than everyone else."
"Yeah, right," The two waved goodbye and turned to leave.
Watching them leave, Rhode saw Bisca quietly sneak out with Alzack for a stroll.
After he registered tasks for Bigda and Lidas, he saw the nominees who had been having a meeting also dispersing.
Gray and Loki went out for special training and strategy discussion; those two were strong yet liked to use their brains sometimes.
They thought if they couldn't target Rhode, they'd target Wendy instead. Of course, they couldn't discuss this in front of Wendy.
Lisana dragged Jubia away, and Elfman looked like the sky was falling, mechanically turning his head to meet Ibarglin's gaze.
It seemed Fried chose Biguslo as a partner, leaving Ibarglin alone with not many friends to talk with.
Gajeel said something to Reby, and the two of them left together, leaving Jet and Troy petrified.
Kana was the least concerned, not the least bit anxious. She figured rather than rushing to find a partner, she'd have a drink or two first.
Seeing his drinking buddy like that, Macao thought she was giving up, pondering whether he should personally get involved and challenge these young ones.
Watching everyone go their separate ways, Wendy and Carla came to the front desk to talk to Rhode.
By doing so, Lucy appeared kinda clueless.
Her partner was nowhere to be seen from the start, and she didn't even know where to look.
Sitting there blankly for a while, Lucy casually moved to the front desk too, planning to eavesdrop on any secrets.
Rhode acted as if he hadn't seen Lucy, continuing to say, "What if the opponent is Lucy?"
Lucy perked up her ears, hoping to hear what strategies Rhode had against her.
"The simplest way is to steal her keys, preventing her from using Celestial Spirit Magic."
"But that's hard to do, right?" Wendy, listening intently, didn't notice Lucy coming over, "Miss Lucy always keeps her keychain on her waist."
Rhode waved his hand: "It's easy. Lucy is so careless; even if it's hanging from her forehead, she could easily lose it."
He hoped Lucy would figure out a way to stop losing her keys so easily; what's a Holder-type Mage doing losing their tools all the time?
Lucy jumped up, slamming the table: "No way!"
"Huh?" Wendy was startled, "Miss Lucy?"
Rhode nonchalantly said, "See, I told you she's careless. She can't even eavesdrop properly."
Lucy's face turned red as she stubbornly said, "I wasn't eavesdropping, I was just... Oh right, I just wanted to come and order a drink!"
"Sure." Rhode thoughtfully placed an order for Lucy, and also got drinks for Wendy and Carla, "Lucy, 2,000J, drinks on me for Wendy and Carla."
"Favoritism! Also, how does one drink cost 2,000J? Buying three would..." Lucy paused, angrily saying, "Who's paying for this exactly? If I'm the one paying, shouldn't I get some change?!"
"Ah, my mistake," Rhode said innocently, "I misread the price."
Lucy puffed out her cheeks.
Wendy and Carla giggled, and Rhode, after laughing, didn't take Lucy's money.
Too bad Mira wasn't here; it would've been even more fun.
"Oh right." Rhode extended his hand, using Requip Magic to conjure a pair of plain glasses.
He said to Wendy, "Try these on?"
Wendy obediently tried them, but they wouldn't stay on at all.
But she looked quite cute with the glasses askew.
"You should get some plain glasses when you have time, or even sunglasses."
"Why?"
Rhode said, "Ibarglin and Biguslo's Petrifying Eye and Styling Eye are quite tricky, better to be prepared with glasses."
Aside from wearing glasses, Rhode didn't really have a better way to counter those two's magic.
If they happened to get hit... who knows if Wendy's 'Lirejie' and 'Dispel' (magic to enhance resistance to abnormal status and remove abnormal status) would work.
Rhode then briefly analyzed others; not only was Wendy taking notes, but Lucy was secretly jotting things down too.
Rhode didn't mind; even if Lucy shared the information with Mest, Mest didn't want to win anyway.
And after the exam, he'd probably mess with his memory, maybe not even bringing back the useful intel.
This goof... Rhode felt weary even for the President.
"What are you guys talking about?" Mira and Erza finally finished discussing exam matters with the President.
"Of course, we're talking about the exam," Rhode said, "Do you two want a little hint?"
"No way," Erza said seriously, "No matter who asks, we won't say a word."
"Same here," Mira laughed, noticing her younger siblings weren't around, "Did Elfman and Lisana go to train?"
"Yes, but they're not partnering with each other," Rhode explained the current pairing to Mira.
"This year, every team seems strong," Erza nodded with satisfaction, "The guild's getting stronger and stronger."
But Mira's focus wasn't there.
"Elfman and Ibarglin?" Mira covered her mouth in surprise; she knew her sister was close with Jubia, but Elfman...
Mira's eyes sparkled, she wanted to skip work to watch her brother!
Rhode immediately saw what she was thinking and suggested, "Let them get used to it first; in a few days when they're less cautious, we'll go."
Mira hesitated, "But in a few days, we'll have to leave first."