There were quite a few people in the guild who could act as substitutes, his brother-in-law, his sister-in-law, and several others.
But judging from their expressions, it was clear none of them wanted to leave Mira right now.
Rhodes thought about it. Team B wasn't lacking in combat power. Anyone would do.
"Wendy, you're coming with me."
Without waiting for her response, Rhodes casually scooped Wendy, under his arm like a giant plush toy and walked off.
He wanted to bring Wendy out to show her face, earn her some prize money, and give her more exposure.
A little blatant favoritism.
Carla hesitated… but ultimately cheered Wendy on.
Before the voting began, Rhodes hurriedly pulled Wendy toward the event organizers for a last-minute roster change.
He didn't expect that today's staff member was someone familiar.
"Yukino?"
"Lord Rhodes?" Yukino was also startled. "Do you need something?"
"Yeah," Rhodes nodded. "Fairy Tail Team B is switching participants.Mirajane is being replaced by Wendy."
"Right now?" Yukino's expression tightened. "Roster changes are supposed to be done in the morning… And today's 'Demon vs Fairy Queen' match is a popularity vote."
"Then it's even more necessary to change it." Rhodes said firmly.
If Erza and Mira really fought, they wouldn't be holding back at all.
"Why?" Yukino hesitated. "I saw you carrying Mirajane-sama earlier, Is she injured?"
"No. We just found out she's pregnant."
"Pre…?" Yukino froze completely.
It took her a few seconds before she managed, "Ah...congratulations?"
"Thank you. So, can you bend the rules this once?"
"I'll go ask them immediately." Yukino stood up, hurried over to Pumpkin Man, and whispered the situation.
Pumpkin Man looked deeply disappointed, clearly he had been looking forward to that match, but eventually nodded.
Yukino rushed back to Rhodes with the confirmation, while Pumpkin Man moved to inform the commentators.
Rhodes, however, was still staring at Pumpkin Man.
"Is something wrong?" Yukino asked.
"I'm wondering…" Rhodes said thoughtfully, "if that Pumpkin Man might actually be Princess Hisui?"
Yukino almost jumped. Lord Rhodes had nearly hit the mark.
"Th-that's impossible!" she said quickly. "The height and voice don't match!"
Rhodes gave her a very strange look.
Height? Voice?
In a world with Transformation Magic, Illusion Magic, and Voice-Change Orbs, that was the excuse?
But since Yukino clearly didn't want to say more, he let it go.Whoever it was behind that pumpkin didn't matter much.
Soon, the commentators publicly announced the substitution and reminded everyone not to vote for Mirajane.
Team A's four conscious members found this change strange, Natsu was still being revived in the resting room.
Erza glanced toward the Fairy Tail stands, saw Mira safe and sound, and relaxed.
Lucy exhaled.
"How lucky. Wendy is a lot easier to fight than Miss Mira."
Gray smirked.
"Yeah. And I know Wendy's weakness."
Cana frowned.
"Something smells fishy. This might be a trap."
Meanwhile, Wendy, still dizzy, followed Rhodes into the participants' waiting area.
Laxus immediately asked, "Confirmed?"
Rhodes grinned.
"Yeah. Assuming everything goes well, in eight months, I'll officially become a father-type character."
Even Gajeel, dense as he was, understood what that meant.
"No way. You and that woman..."
"What do you mean, no way?" Rhodes snapped. "We've been married for half a year."
He really had worried whether cross-world genetics would cause reproductive isolation.
Gajeel clarified, "No, I mean, what kind of monster child will two monsters like you produce?"
Rhodes accepted that as praise.
But Laxus' expression grew serious.
"Rhodes, there's something you need to be careful about."
Rhodes blinked. "What?"
Laxus said solemnly:
"Children born to extremely powerful Magicians may possess enormous magic power at birth. You must be cautious."
Gajeel frowned. "Cautious? Isn't a kid with powerful magic a good thing?"
Laxus shook his head.
"Maybe that kind of magic power is good for an adult Magician. But for a newborn? Immense magic isn't strength, it's suffering."
He tapped his own chest.
"Look at me. I inherited my grandfather's aptitude. But when I was a baby, that power nearly killed me. Constant fevers, magic convulsions, unstable ether flow, it was hell. And there was nothing even Porlyusica could do."
Rhode understood immediately.
Ultear was the same, born with too much magic, her body collapsed under the pressure.
This wasn't something he could take lightly.
He nodded seriously.
"I get it. I'll start preparing now."
The group let the topic settle for the moment.
Wendy, still nervous, whispered,
"Is… is it really okay for me to participate?"
Rhode patted her head.
"Of course. Your current strength is more than enough, you're nearly ready for the S-Class exam."
Gajeel snorted.
"You've trained with a real dragon for years. Show some backbone, squirt."
"Mmh!" Wendy clenched both fists, taking a deep breath.
Rhode added, "Relax. You might not even need to fight today."
A few minutes later, the commentary booth finally received the match schedule.
Chapati announced loudly:
"Grand Magic Games, Combat Segment- Day 2, Match 1:Fairy Tail Team A's Gray vs Lamia Scale's Lyon!"
Lyon smirked confidently.
"A match with Gray? Not bad. I'll settle the score from last time."
Team A collectively breathed a sigh of relief. 'Thank goodness it wasn't Natsu.'
Gray cracked his knuckles with a smirk.
"Yeah. I've been waiting."
Meanwhile, in a small village outside the capital, Ultear paused mid-investigation when she saw the broadcast.
Her mother's two disciples. A battle of Ice-Make Magic.
Just this once, she allowed herself to stop working and watch.
In the arena, both men entered calmly.
Chapati explained the unique nature of Modeling Magic. Yajima praised their skill and said he expected great things from Gray.Jason repeatedly shouted, "COOOOOL!!"
Pumpkin Man announced the match's start and immediately scurried off.
Lyon smiled. "It's been a long time since we had a real fight, hasn't it?"
Gray shrugged with a teasing grin.
"What are you talking about? Didn't you already lose to me in the first event? 'Hidden,' remember?"
A vein twitched on Lyon's forehead.
"That was not a real fight! You can't show proper Modeling Magic in a tag battle!"
"Uh-huh," Gray said casually. "Yeah, I remember, you finished third from last."
"You bastard!" Lyon snapped, instantly attacking.
"Ice-Make: Great Eagle!"
He clasped his palms and fists together.
Beautifully crafted ice eagles materialized and swept toward Gray in a flock.
Gray mirrored the pose.
"Ice-Make: Fishing Net!"
A massive net spread across the arena, catching the entire flock.Both the birds and the net shattered into glittering shards.
Lyon chuckled.
"I thought you'd block with a shield."
"Hmph." Gray smirked. "I thought you'd be using one-handed Modeling for sneak attacks like you used to."
"One-handed Modeling is unstable, and incomplete," Lyon said coolly. "Ur taught me that."
Gray nodded.
"And she taught me Modeling Magic is freedom. Whether it's a net, a shield, or something else, you do what feels right."
The two locked eyes. Both smiling.
Both burning with competitive fire.
Watching this scene on the broadcast, Ultear suddenly felt her vision blur.
In those two stubborn boys, she saw her mother's teachings. Her mother's ideals.
She smiled, tears slipping silently down her cheeks.