"Since it's a competition, today I'll change into outfits rarely seen. The theme is—Evening Gown Series, Transform!"
Mira activated her Transformation Magic, and her clothes instantly turned into a white floral bud-style wedding gown. Even her hairstyle changed into a sweet half-updo that matched the outfit.
"Ooh!"
"So beautiful!"
"She's just like a princess!"
The audience was pleasantly surprised. Although it wasn't the swimsuit many had hoped for, this gown was even more gorgeous and highlighted her elegant and gentle temperament.
Mira walked a few steps and waved to the audience. Then, a flash of light enveloped her: "Transform!"
This time, she wore a one-shoulder evening dress, with a short sleeve only on the right side. A blooming flower adorned and covered the left side of her chest.
The asymmetrical skirt trailed on the ground on the left side, revealing her beautiful leg on the right. It was both dignified and sexy.
"Transform!"
"Transform!"
Mira changed into seven evening gowns in a row, each paired with different hairstyles and accessories.
The only constant was that every outfit amazed the audience.
Rhodes was also among the spectators.
But while appreciating the beauty, he also had to restrain the overly excited guild master.
He realized that the master genuinely loved young and beautiful girls.
Erza and Levy peeked from backstage, watching Mira's performance.
Levy's eyes were full of envy—not just for the popularity but also for Mira's perfect figure that could pull off any outfit:
"Sure enough, I can't compete with Mira. It feels like it's become her personal fashion show."
Erza, however, was stroking her chin thoughtfully: "So this is how to win the competition. Hmm, hmm!
As expected of Mira. But next year, I'll definitely win!"
"You're taking this too seriously, Erza." Levy looked at her. With that serious demeanor, she was just short of taking out a notebook to jot down notes.
Looks like it'll be hard to have a chance to win next year too, Levy sighed softly in her heart.
Under the audience's regretful gazes, Mira ended her transformation, bowed gently, and stepped off the stage.
Several more girls with average popularity but equally high beauty took the stage afterward.
But because they came after Mira, the response was lukewarm.
Fortunately, the guild members—especially the master—enthusiastically cheered for everyone who went on stage, boosting the atmosphere so they wouldn't feel disappointed.
"And thus, this year's Miss Fairy Tail contest comes to an end. Please don't forget to vote for your favorite contestant!"
Marcus still spoke with full enthusiasm, delivering the closing remarks. "Next, please exit in an orderly manner, and look forward to tonight's Magical Parade!"
Rhodes first went to cast his vote, then found a hidden spot to perform a Take Over of the Canyon Swift Crab. He leaped high, hanging onto the guild hall's ceiling.
He wanted to use the crab's 360-degree vision to strictly prevent any possible stampede incidents during the exit.
At the slightest sign of trouble, he could immediately flip down to help.
"This kid really is..." Makarov noticed that Rhodes might just be someone who loves to worry.
The audience exited smoothly, and everyone restored the tavern to its original state.
Some guild members went out for a stroll, while others stayed and drank and chatted as usual.
Rhodes was about to help move the ballot boxes but was shooed away disdainfully by Laki: "Avoid suspicion! I feel like if you move them, you'll throw away other people's votes."
"Fine, I won't move them. If you talk nonsense, I'll sue you for slander." Rhodes was happy to relax. Does Mira need to cheat to win this kind of competition?
Especially after Erza pulled that stunt.
Rhodes hugged Wurm and found Mira. "Want to go out for a walk?"
"Sorry, I have a little something to do. Can we go later?"
"Sure, then I'll go out for a bit first." Rhodes had promised to take Wurm out to stroll and eat, originally planning to go with Mira.
Now, it's fine to go separately.
So, on the bustling streets of the Harvest Festival, a normal handsome guy wearing a T-shirt with the Fairy Tail emblem, holding a basketball-sized fluffy creature, wandered among various food stalls.
"Pururu~~"
"Buy!"
"Pururu~~"
"Buy!"
"Pu..."
"Buy!"
Rhodes became an unfeeling money-spending machine, buying whatever Wurm wanted, and he himself also tasted various delicacies.
If he liked something, he'd eat more; if not, he'd give it to Wurm.
Anyway, the little guy wasn't picky, and everything was something it said it wanted.
Everything was harmonious; the only problem was... a wallet crisis!
"I just got paid a few days ago!"
Although the snack prices weren't high, there were simply too many varieties.
Wurm's appetite was really good; Rhodes was almost full, yet it still seemed unsatisfied.
Could the inside of a Plue be, except for the outer skin, all stomach?
He touched Wurm's heart-shaped belly; it seemed already hard.
"Pu... burp!" Wurm tried hard to cover its mouth with its two front paws.
"I thought your appetite had grown; turns out you're forcing yourself!"
Wurm's little paws pointed at a stall selling candied haws: "Puu~~~"
Rhodes was both angry and amused: "Still eating? Do you really want to burst?"
Wurm's little horns drooped, and its watery eyes looked at Rhodes.
"Don't give me that look! It won't work!" Rhodes didn't look at it but felt his lapel being tugged.
Wurm: pitiful look
Thinking carefully, candied haws have hawthorn berries; maybe they can aid digestion?
Rhodes gritted his teeth: "Alright, one last time!"
At worst, he'll have to take on a low-difficulty mission later.
"Pururu~" Wurm was overjoyed. Rhodes felt that with his soft-heartedness, he definitely couldn't raise a child in the future.
After getting the candied haws, Wurm opened its mouth but didn't bite.
After thinking, it first held it to Rhodes's mouth.
"At least you have a conscience." Rhodes smiled and bit into one. The sweet and sour taste made his mouth water.
It wasn't the kind where the whole hawthorn berry was soaked through with syrup, making it overly sweet, but ordinary hawthorn coated with a layer of crystal sugar—the kind sold by street vendors.
It was the taste of childhood.
Then Wurm demonstrated the wrong way to eat it: sticking out a long tongue and slurping off all the sugar coating.
When only the hawthorn was left, every time it ate one, its facial features scrunched up.
Wurm tentatively handed the remaining half to Rhodes. It wasn't picky, but that didn't mean it couldn't taste sour, sweet, bitter, or spicy.
"Don't even think about it. You have to finish what you bought yourself; no wasting food."
Wurm looked distressed. Even if it was sour, it was still food; even if he let it throw it away, it couldn't bear to.
It closed its eyes and opened its mouth wide: "Ahh!"
Rhodes held Wurm and watched various street performances for a while and also strolled by stalls with small games like shooting targets, fishing, and ring toss.
Almost every ordinary game had a signboard that read 'No Magic Allowed.'
Of course, some people used interesting magical tools to design games for ordinary people to experience, but still 'Wizards are forbidden to use magic.'
Rhodes saw Erza and Bisca together, playing a game where you shoot targets with air guns to win prizes.
Poor Alzack, still couldn't muster the courage.