Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master-Chapter 266: Just This Time

Fwoosh...

A soft whirlwind of magic pulsed out from around Mira as her session came to a close.

She exhaled slowly, wiped the sweat from her brow, and opened her eyes to see Rhodes still sitting across from her in deep concentration.

He was cross-legged, posture straight and steady, lips drawn into a firm line. Sweat rolled down his face in the same way it did hers, but his expression remained completely focused.

Mira had seen him like this many times before, but somehow, it never got old.

In fact, lately, she found it... kind of captivating.

It might've been the determination in his furrowed brow. Or how seriously he always took things.

She had the urge to reach out and smooth the crease between his eyebrows, but she didn't want to disturb him.

So she settled for just watching quietly for now, resting beside him with a soft smile.

Before long, a gentle swirl of magical wind rippled around Rhodes, just like it had earlier with Mira.

He slowly opened his eyes, and immediately locked gazes with her.

Mira jolted and looked away in a fluster.

Rhodes' mind spun quickly. At that distance, with that look, could it be that—

He shut his eyes again on instinct. "Oh no. Something's off with my meditation. I'll need a bit more time."

"Stop pretending," Mira said suspiciously. "You were definitely awake."

"No, really. Just pretend I never opened my eyes. Otherwise, I'll lie awake all night regretting it."

"What regrets?!" Mira's cheeks flushed pink. "I wasn't going to do anything! Don't get any weird ideas!"

"Got it." Rhodes let out a tiny sigh of disappointment and stretched his arms.

They both needed a break anyway.

He shuffled over to stand beside her. "So? How are you feeling?"

"Not bad. Actually, pretty great." Mira smiled, brushing her hair behind her ear. "It feels more efficient than when I trained alone before. Like I'm finally catching up after a year's gap."

Training beside Rhodes made everything feel, easier. More natural. She didn't quite have the words to describe it, but it was warm, grounding. Just being next to him brought her peace.

Without thinking, Mira reached out and took his hand.

She opened his palm, gently spreading his fingers and comparing it to her own.

"What about you?" she asked.

"I'm doing pretty well," Rhodes said. "Maybe it's just that I'm in a good mood. Helps the training go smoother."

He watched her play with his hand, a small smile tugging at his lips. Then he suddenly curled his fingers into a fist.

Mira blinked. She tried to pry them apart, but stopped herself halfway. Honestly, it was kind of cute that he resisted.

So instead, she just held his closed hand and puffed out her cheeks in mock frustration.

Seeing that adorable pout, Rhodes chuckled and slowly opened his fingers.

Rhodes had a strong feeling that if he kept pushing his luck, his fingers might be broken next.

After a short break, the two jumped straight into the next phase of training: basic physical combat drills.

For Rhodes, it was all about gaining more practical fighting experience. For Mira, it was about regaining her edge.

To put it nicely, Rhodes was very good at growing under pressure.

Luckily, he really was improving, even if it came with a few bumps and bruises, and maybe a sliver of dignity left behind.

When the training finally wrapped up, they each took a long, well-earned shower in the guild's bathhouse, changed out of their sweat-soaked clothes, and strolled out hand in hand.

The plan for the next few days was to keep working on fundamentals. Actual combat training would wait until they found a bigger, safer area, preferably one that wouldn't result in property damage.

As they walked, Rhodes instinctively led the way toward Mira's house. It had just become habit at this point.

But at the fork in the road, he suddenly felt a tug pulling him in the other direction.

Mira pointed with a mischievous smile. "This way."

"Huh?"

"I'm walking you home today," she said, her eyes glinting playfully.

Rhodes blinked. "Why?"

"Because... I'm stronger now," Mira said with a straight face, then broke into a giggle. "And it's not safe for a boy to walk alone at night."

"..."

Rhodes stared at her.

That line... sounded very familiar.

Wasn't that his line from before?

'It's over,' he thought, staring up at the sky like a tragic protagonist. There wasn't even a single star. The heavens themselves were mocking him.

"Just this once," he muttered.

Mira beamed. "Okay."

And just like that, Mira escorted him, her arms looped around his as they walked, all the way to his doorstep.

Once there, she finally let go and gave him a soft wave. "Good night~"

"Good night." Rhodes lingered at the door, watching as she turned to leave.

But Mira only took a few steps before spinning back around and walking up to him again.

She placed one hand on his shoulder, looked into his eyes—and before he could say anything, she rose on her tiptoes and kissed him gently on the cheek.

Then she turned and ran off.

Rhodes stood at the door, completely stunned as he watched her back disappear into the night.

Liar. You said you didn't want to do anything!

Still, he couldn't stop smiling.

His heart felt light, ridiculously giddy, the kind of joy that made your cheeks ache from grinning too hard.

But after a few moments of blissful foolishness, a thought hit him like a bolt of lightning.

Wait... This can't go on.

I'm slipping.

Rhodes clenched his fists with dramatic resolve. "Alright. Add an extra hour of training tomorrow!"

He lifted a hand toward the direction Mira ran and summoned with a snap, "Scuttle Crab, Warm! Track her!"

...

The days that followed passed peacefully, almost idyllic.

Everyone at Fairy Tail gradually got used to the fact that their resident couple, who were always suspiciously close were now very openly affectionate. If anything, they'd just cranked up the charm to eleven.

Rhodes, meanwhile, had come to accept that, for the time being, his girlfriend was stronger than him.

And probably would be for a while.

That said, he wasn't taking it lying down.

He trained harder than ever, fueled partly by love, partly by ego, and a whole lot of quiet competition. But having Mira by his side kept him grounded. He felt comfortable, focused. His magic training was more efficient than it had ever been.

With time, his magic grew, and the last shadows blanketing the Summoner's Rift within his soul began to fade.

Rhodes finally saw it: a strange, glowing rune etched high into the mountain wall beside the dragon pit.

The drake was about to emerge.

Based on the mana it radiated, it definitely seemed to align with elemental forces. What Rhodes didn't know was if it matched the dragons of this world, or if it came from a different set of rules entirely.

Its power was immense. Its presence heavy.

Its size... likely enormous.

Releasing it recklessly might cause chaos, or worse, trash the guild again.

Rhodes scratched his cheek, thinking.

'Maybe I should call Natsu for backup...'