Rhodes was busy recording the mission details for Natsu and Gray when Lisanna's voice suddenly rang out.
"Mira-nee! Brother-in-law! I'm heading out!"
The words had barely left her mouth before she vanished.
Natsu disappeared right along with her.
Happy, a fish clenched in his mouth, hurriedly flapped after them.
Rhodes blinked.
"Where did they go?"
Mira replied casually,
"They said they're going to learn Dragon Slayer Magic."
"Studying magic?" Rhodes frowned. "Why not in the backyard?"
"Because Natsu insists that Dragon Slayer Magic has to be learned in the mountains."
Rhodes had truly never heard that before.
Only Natsu could say something like that. If anyone else had suggested it, Rhodes would have suspected ulterior motives toward Lisanna.
Gray's voice, hoarse from yelling all day, drifted over.
"Hey, don't tell me I'm still stuck taking jobs with that flame-brained idiot?"
He watched Rhodes flip through the request ledger after logging the mission and suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
"Hm?" Rhodes chuckled. "Clients seem to love your duo. What's wrong, don't like teaming up with Natsu?"
Gray grimaced.
"Was I not obvious enough?"
"Relax. None today," Rhodes said lightly. "Can't promise tomorrow, though."
Gray ordered a GalaMet hot dog and an iced beer, glanced around, then slid over to Elfman's table.
By the time the hot dog arrived, his clothes were already gone.
People trickled back into the guild throughout the afternoon.
Some took advantage of the lull to rest. Alzack and Bisca scooped up Asuka the moment they returned and went out for a walk.
As evening fell, Makarov finally returned.
One moment he tiptoed in.
The next, he strode forward confidently.
Exactly like a kid who had done something wrong but was pretending nothing happened.
Mira greeted him with her flawless smile.
"Welcome back, Master."
"Ahem, yes." Makarov shifted awkwardly. "Thanks for holding down the fort."
Rhodes replied grandly,
"No need for thanks, Master. You work us hard even when you're here."
Makarov had no rebuttal.
"I'll be upstairs," he muttered. "Bring food. And booze."
Mira and Rhodes exchanged a glance.
"His appetite's back," Mira said softly. "And he wants alcohol. Sounds like the mission went smoothly."
"Of course!" Makarov replied quickly. "Giant sea monster. Few punches. Done."
Mira calmly slid an envelope onto the counter, her eyes curved into a smile.
"Oh? Then the destruction of Vistaria Bridge has nothing to do with you?"
Rhodes chimed in helpfully,
"Now, now. Master would never destroy public property randomly. And even if he did, with his sense of responsibility, he'd confess immediately. He teaches us that every day."
Mira nodded.
"Right. Right. I must have misunderstood you, Master."
Makarov froze.
Sweat poured down his forehead.
He suddenly bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle and shouted,"I'm sorry! I turned giant and accidentally stepped on the bridge. Really sorry!"
The wicked couple burst out laughing.
The entire guild erupted.
"That's our Master!"
"He actually crushed Vistaria Bridge?!"
"Isn't that the sea-crossing bridge between Bellum and the Kingdom of Syon?!"
"That could start an international incident!"
"Incredible!"
Makarov's face turned beet red.
"You idiots! You're cheering because I admitted it?!"
"Of course!"
"We all confess when we mess up."
"If even the Master can admit it, then me wrecking a tiny pasture shouldn't be a big deal, right?"
"I totaled the client's wagon!"
"And I…"
Confessions began pouring out one after another.
Makarov's blood pressure skyrocketed.
"You brats, have you no shame?! Reflect on your actions!"
Everyone stared at him.
Makarov's shoulders slumped.
"Fine. I'll reflect too."
"Yay!"
The offenders applauded.
Usually the Master scolded them.
Today, he joined them in repentance.
So naturally, everyone except Makarov was desperately holding back laughter.
That night, Lisanna returned home utterly dejected.
When Mira asked what happened, Lisanna looked completely aggrieved.
Natsu's teaching method was unique.
First, Natsu demonstrated Fire Dragon's Roar. Then he jabbed a thumb toward a nearby hill.
"Blow the top off with a roar and you've learned Dragon Slayer Magic."
Lisanna told him she could not even activate the Dragon Slayer magic crystal inside her yet. She needed to start with the basics.
Natsu waved it off. No problem.
"Just copy my moves. Iron Fist. Wing Strike. Hook. Sword Horn. Then fight me."
"If you don't get it today, we fight again tomorrow."
Lisanna tried to ask for more detail.
Unfortunately, Natsu could not remember how he had learned as a child. All he recalled was that Igneel's training had been extremely direct. Sparring. Smashing rocks. Cutting hilltops in half.
With half-belief and half-resignation, Lisanna practiced stances, smashed rocks, and grappled with Natsu all afternoon.
Dragon Slayer Magic remained completely unresponsive.
After hearing her story, Elfman nodded firmly.
"That's exactly how a Manly Man trains."
He clearly approved of Natsu's method.
Kind-hearted Lisanna spoke tactfully.
"Elf-man, could you make dinner? I'm starving."
"Cooking for my sister is also a man's duty!" Elfman sprinted straight for the kitchen.
Mira laughed softly.
"You used to play around with Natsu all day when you were little. Having a day like this once in a while isn't bad."
"But I want to learn magic now," Lisanna said, turning toward Rhodes for help.
"I think your sister has a point."
"Brother-in-law~"
"All right, but she's not wrong," Rhodes said. "Maybe first-generation Dragon Slayers really did learn like that. If you keep training with Natsu, you might eventually master Dragon Slayer Magic even without the crystal."
"Still, there's probably a key step missing. Something only a genius would notice. And if you learned it this way, you'd be getting the Fire Dragon King's authentic Dragon Slayer Magic."
Lisanna groaned.
"Even if I am a genius, learning like that means my surgery was pointless."
"Natsu's method probably just doesn't suit you," Rhodes said after a moment's thought. "Go find Laxus tomorrow. He should be back soon."
...
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