Rhodes thought for a moment and asked, "Master, the S-Class exam is held every year, right? If I don't participate this year, will I still have a chance next year?"
"Of course..." Makarov nodded, "Are you planning to take the exam next year?"
"Yeah, I feel that my strength and experience aren't enough to qualify as an S-Class. Even if I were to pass the exam, it wouldn't mean much. I'd rather train for another year and take my time."
Rhodes had thought it through clearly. Being an S-Class mage was just a title, a license to take on S-Class missions; it didn't enhance his actual abilities. As for compensating for his lack of strength with brains—who would want to go through all that hassle if they already had the power?
If he were to take the exam, he wanted to do it with undeniable strength. There was no rush for him to take S-Class missions; slow progress was just as fine.
Makarov said, "There's only one S-Class candidate who can pass each year. Waiting an extra year might mean facing even stronger opponents next time, as many young members of the guild grow quickly..."
"Master." Mira seemed displeased. "Why must you insist that Rhodes take the exam?"
Makarov replied, "Because Rhodes truly has a chance."
Just the fact that he could decline a close opportunity showed that he was mature in some respects. Of course, on the other hand, confidence might still be an issue, which would need further observation.
"He's only been learning magic for four months—it's far too soon." Mira looked at Rhodes with a hint of worry. "Let him decide for himself."
Makarov knew what Mira was concerned about, but he was confident that Rhodes wouldn't face such issues.
Even if Rhodes passed the exam, there was a more than 90% chance he wouldn't dare to take on an S-Class mission by himself; or if he did, he'd want to team up with other S-Class mages.
"Alright, think it over yourself." Makarov sighed, putting his hands behind his back as he ascended to the second floor—he still had other things to take care of.
Mira looked at Rhodes, lightly biting her lip. "Rhodes, I... I'm sorry."
Rhodes smiled, "Don't worry, I understand what you mean. For things like this, just let nature take its course. I won't act rashly."
Mira nodded and gave him a smile. Then she bent down, scribbling in the guild registry. She wrote Rhodes' name incorrectly, scratched it out, rewrote it, then scratched it out again.
No, you don't understand.
I'm worried that you think I doubt your abilities.
"Is this some kind of new cursing ritual?" Rhodes felt a chill seeing her actions. "Mira, Rhodes didn't do anything that deserves death!"
Mira rolled her eyes at him. "Mind your own business."
"Alrighty." Rhodes ran off to the backyard, ready to resume practicing advanced flight maneuvers like gliding close to the ground and hopping over obstacles like an old mother hen.
After some thought, he summoned Vorm. "I've got a high-level mission for you. If you succeed, there's a big reward."
Mira had finished tidying up the messed-up registry book when she saw a fluffy white creature wagging its droopy tongue at her, trying to look cute.
Seeing Mira's gaze, Vorm rolled over on the ground, revealing his pink, heart-shaped belly—a clear plea for some pats.
Mira glanced at the hall's entrance; though she couldn't see anyone, she knew who was behind this prank without needing to guess.
She smiled knowingly and patted the counter softly. "Why not come up here?"
Vorm got up, looked at the counter, then at the stool, and decided to take on the challenge.
He stepped back a few paces to gain momentum, jumped up—and landed with a "thud" against the stool, tumbling to the ground.
He wasn't hurt—he had plenty of cushioning—but it was still embarrassing.
Vorm's eyes took on a look of sadness, his tiny horns drooped, and he turned away to sit on the ground.
Poro is mad.jpg.
After one second, he felt tired and lay back down.
Poro is still mad.jpg.
"Oh dear... I'm sorry, I forgot you can't jump up here." Mira chuckled, stepped out from behind the counter, and lifted Vorm back up.
"Woof..." Vorm's eyes glinted with mischief; though he was still pretending to be angry, he kept sneaking glances at Mira's reaction to see if he had completed his mission.
After all, staying "mad" shouldn't stop him from earning his "treats."
Mira cheerfully petted Vorm, brushing his fur, scratching under his chin, and rubbing his belly. "Would you like some Poro Gourmet?"
"Woo-hoo~~" Food could definitely make his anger disappear.
No one knew who was supposed to comfort whom, but in the end, everything was fine—except for Rhodes' wallet.
…
By the time Rhodes could hover over the guild with his wings, five or six days had passed.
He executed a nice dive, flying straight through the guild's entrance.
However, due to a slight miscalculation in height, he landed rather unsteadily. To avoid embarrassment, Rhodes quickly adjusted and struck a classic "hero landing" pose.
He stood up amidst cheers and applause, suddenly understanding—it seemed those heroes struck this pose just because they couldn't land properly!
Happy flew over, circling Rhodes a few times. "Rhodes, wanna have a competition? Let's bet a fish."
"Sure, let's see who can strike my landing pose better."
"Aye!" Happy tried his best to mimic Rhodes' "hero landing."
After a while, Happy began to feel something was wrong. "Why are we competing on posing, not on flying speed?"
Looks like the cat's getting smarter. Rhodes thought for a moment. "Flying fast doesn't attract lady cats, but landing with style does."
Lady cats? Happy's motivation reignited. "Aye!"
Guess not—looks like the cat's still easily fooled.
The idle members of the Car-da Engine Squad joined in to cast their votes, and Rhodes won himself a fish.
Happy sulked in a corner, a low-pressure cloud hanging over the entire cat.
The main issue wasn't losing the contest—it was that Natsu refused to buy him another fish and insisted that Happy win back what he had lost himself.
Mira playfully scolded Rhodes, "Cheating Happy out of his fish is going too far. Although I must admit, Happy earnestly losing the match was rather cute."
Rhodes looked at her. "Is 'although' really the right word there?"
Mira smiled slyly. "If not, then what?"
Who's being mean here, really?
Rhodes held the fish by the tail, looking a bit reluctant. Happy's taste was too fishy for his liking.
"Vorm, go compete with Happy—the prize is a fish." Rhodes planned on losing the fish back to him.
With those four stubby legs, Vorm's chances of winning a high-difficulty pose-off were practically zero, right?
Yet, a few minutes later, Happy owed Vorm a fish.
Seeing Rhodes' frustrated expression, Mira laughed even harder.
It was rare to see both the winner and the loser be unhappy—except Vorm, of course.
Rhodes grumbled, "Who even was the judge?"
Has Happy lost his title as the cutest in the guild?
"I was one of the judges!" Lucky giggled as she returned. "You have no idea how cute Vorm looked trying so hard to strike that pose!"
Heh. Guess who Vorm's owner is.
Me not knowing Vorm's cuteness is like Kishimoto not understanding Naruto, Oda not knowing One Piece, or Aoyama not getting Conan, right?