"Because it's a competition, today we'll be trying on some outfits that aren't usually seen. The theme is—Gown series, Transformation!"
Mira activated her Transformation Magic, and her clothes instantly turned into a white, bud-like wedding dress, her hairstyle also changing to a sweet half-up style that matched the attire.
"Oh!!"
"So beautiful!"
"She's just like a princess!"
The audience was astonished with delight, even though not many had expected swimsuits, this gown was even more gorgeous and better showcased an elegant, gentle temperament.
Mira took a few steps and waved to the crowd, then her body flashed with light again: "Transformation!"
This time it was a one-shoulder evening gown, with only a short sleeve on the right side, and a blooming flower adorning the chest on the left side.
The slanted hem trailed on the ground on the left side, revealing her beautiful leg on the right, both dignified and seductive.
"Transformation!"
"Transformation!"
Mira changed into seven different gowns in succession, each paired with a different hairstyle and different hair accessories.
The only thing that remained the same was that each outfit could astonish the audience below.
Rhode was also among the audience.
However, while admiring the beauty, he also had to hold back the overly excited President.
He had figured it out—the President truly adored young and beautiful girls.
Erza and Reby peeked from backstage to watch Mira's performance.
Reby's eyes were full of envy, not just for the popularity, but for Mira's perfect figure that looked stunning in anything:
"Sure enough, I'm no match for Sister Mira. It feels like it's completely turned into her personal fashion show."
Erza, however, rested her chin on her hand, looking thoughtful: "So that's how the decisive method of this competition works, hmm, hmm!
No wonder it's Mira, but I'll definitely win next year!"
"You're too serious, Erza." Reby looked at Erza, who seemed so earnest, as if she was just short of pulling out a notebook to take notes.
It seems it will be hard to have a chance to win next year as well, Reby sighed quietly in her heart.
Mira ended her transformation under the audience's regretful gaze, bowed gently, and stepped off the stage.
Afterwards, a few more girls with average popularity but considerable looks took the stage.
However, because they followed after Mira, the response was lukewarm.
Fortunately, the Guild's members, especially the President, would cheer enthusiastically for whoever took the stage, which helped maintain the atmosphere and kept the girls from getting disheartened.
"So this concludes the Miss Fairy Tail Contest, please don't forget to vote for your favorite contestant!"
Marcus said with relentless enthusiasm in his closing remarks, "Next, please exit in an orderly manner, and look forward to tonight's Magical Parade!"
Rhode went to cast his vote first, then found a hidden spot to receive the Gorge Swift Crab, leaping up high to hang from the Guild hall's ceiling.
He intended to use the River Crab to provide a full perspective, to closely guard against any potential stampede incidents during the exit.
If anything happened, he could instantly flip down to rescue someone.
"That kid..." Makarov realized Rhode might just have a worrying nature.
The audience smoothly exited, and everyone worked to restore the tavern to its original state.
Some Guild members went out for a stroll, while others stayed behind to drink and chat as usual.
Rhode was about to help move the voting boxes, but was scornfully driven away by Laki: "Avoid suspicion! If you move them, it feels like you'd throw out someone else's votes."
"Fine, I won't move them. Talking nonsense, I'll sue you for slander." Rhode was happy to relax; does Mira really need to cheat to win this kind of competition?
Especially when Erza had made such a grand entry.
Rhode, holding Warm, found Mira: "Want to go out for a stroll?"
"Sorry, I still have a little something to do, can we go later?"
"Sure, then I'll head out for a bit first." Rhode had agreed to take Warm out for a food tour and thought of going with Mira.
Now it's okay to be apart as well.
So on the bustling festival street, an average-looking handsome guy in a Fairy Tail logo T-shirt walked between various food stalls, holding a basketball-sized fuzzy ball.
"Hoho~~"
"Buy!"
"Hoho~~"
"Buy!"
"Ho..."
"Buy!"
Rhode became a mercilessly paying machine, buying as Warm wished, while he also tasted various dishes.
He ate more of what he liked, and shoved what he didn't to Warm.
After all, the little fellow wasn't picky, and every item was something it claimed to want.
All was harmonious, the only problem being... the wallet crisis!
"I just got paid a few days ago!"
The prices of the snacks weren't high, but there were simply too many varieties.
Warm's appetite was indeed impressive; Rhode was almost full while it still looked eager for more.
The inside of Poro's structure, could it be all a stomach aside from just being a fur ball?
He patted Warm's heart-shaped belly, which already felt quite firm.
"Hoo... hic!" Warm used its two front paws to quickly cover its mouth.
"I thought your appetite had grown; turns out you were just forcing yourself!"
Warm's little paw pointed at a stall selling candied hawthorns: "Hoo~~~"
Rhode was exasperated: "Still eating? Do you really want to explode?"
Warm's little horns drooped down, with watery eyes looking at Rhode.
"Don't give me that pitiful act! It's no use!" Rhode didn't look at it, but he felt his coat being tugged.
Warm: Pitiful.jpg
Upon thinking, hawthorns might help with digestion?
Rhode gritted his teeth: "Last time!"
At worst, take a low-difficulty task as a risk.
"Hoo~" Warm chirped, and Rhode felt his soft-heartedness would prevent him from ever raising a child.
Upon acquiring the candied hawthorn, Warm opened its mouth but didn't bite into it.
After thinking for a moment, it first offered it to Rhode.
"At least you have a conscience." Rhode smiled, biting into one, the sweet and sour taste refreshing his mouth.
It wasn't the kind where the whole hawthorn was marinated through with syrup, which was overly sweet, but an ordinary hawthorn coated with a layer of icing sugar, the kind hawked in the street alleys.
It's the taste of childhood.
Then Warm demonstrated the wrong way to eat it: stretching out its long tongue, slurping up all the candy coating on the outside.
As it was left with only the hawthorn, each time it ate one its entire face would scrunch up.
Warm tentatively handed the remaining half back to Rhode, it wasn't picky, but could taste sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy.
"Don't even think about it, you must finish what you wanted to buy, no wasting food."
Warm was troubled; even though it was sour, it was still food, and it wouldn't be willing to discard it.
It shut its eyes, opened its mouth, and chomped down!
Rhode, holding Warm, watched a few more various street performances, and also wandered around stalls for games like shooting, fish scooping, and ring throwing.
Almost every regular game had a sign stating, 'No Magic Allowed'.
Of course, some had designed games using interesting magic tools for ordinary people to try, but they too were marked as 'No Mages Allowed to Use Magic'.
Rhode saw Erza and Bisca paired up, playing a game of shooting targets with airguns for prizes.
Poor Alzack, still not able to muster the courage.