Mira changed back to her usual outfit, but with an extra bracelet.
Rhode also returned to his normal life, with a little more joy in his heart.
Once everyone sobered up, they set the tables and chairs that had been messed up back in order and fixed the broken things. Then, those who needed to go home went home, those who needed to work went to work, and those who wanted to chat continued chatting.
Makarov looked at the kids who went to check the bulletin board after tidying up the Guild, feeling both comforted and worried.
He thought carefully and tentatively said, "Rhode."
"What's up, President?" Rhode was trying to persuade Mira to go to the lounge to sleep.
She claimed she hadn't stayed up all night, but she definitely wasn't getting enough sleep.
"Do you want to form a team with someone else?" Makarov glanced at the problematic children in front of the bulletin board, "For example, how about Alzack?"
"President, I just got back, I want to rest for a few days." Rhode immediately saw through the President's little scheme; the old man's intentions were too obvious.
"You're right." Makarov also felt a bit embarrassed and sighed regretfully.
Rhode wondered, "Why are you so worried? I remember Alzack being quite stable and not causing trouble, right?"
Mira explained for Makarov, "It's because Alzack has had some issues recently.
After the Harvest Festival, he took on two tasks. Everything was going smoothly, but every time, at a critical moment, he got distracted and almost shot the wrong target.
Especially last time, the client complained that Alzack's Magic Bullet grazed past his ear, which was terrifying."
"That serious?" Rhode frowned, "If this continues, it might cause an accident, right?"
Mira wanted to yawn, but held it back and continued:
"It's not to that degree yet because Alzack usually uses Paralysis Bullets, so even if they hit, it won't be a problem, but this state isn't very good."
"Getting distracted at critical moments, unable to focus... I think maybe he needs more rest, like a good sleep." Rhode stared at Mira, "What do you think?"
Mira gave him a playful glare, "Yes, yes, after I finish calculating yesterday's revenue..."
"I'll help you calculate. I'm a science major, never scored below 140 in math exams." Rhode snatched the pen and the account book from her hand.
"..." Mira didn't understand what that scoring standard was, but judging by his expression, it must be impressive.
She blinked and didn't want to disappoint his goodwill, "President, I'll go rest for a bit, you should talk to Alzack."
"Ah, you've worked hard too." Makarov nodded, indeed, Alzack should try resting a bit.
He looked at Rhode and Mira, such reliable kids...
...
It's been more than a week since the Harvest Festival, and the festive atmosphere in Magnolia has faded.
Since most of the tourists from out of town have left, the customers in the tavern, as usual, are only Guild members and a few nearby residents. It wasn't as busy as before the festival, so even without Mira, they could manage.
Only when someone wanted to take on a task did the President need to decide whether to agree. Rhode was far from being able to review tasks and such.
He could help with registration, stamping, and gathering information, sharing some of the President's workload. He often watched Mira do these things and was very familiar with the process.
Makarov glanced at Rhode, who was working diligently.
Actually, besides him and Mira, others weren't supposed to casually look through those task materials.
But letting Rhode see them... didn't seem like a problem, so he didn't say anything.
Makarov suddenly realized this kid could do a lot of things, whether it was leading tasks or guild management, he seemed to be able to handle it.
And he did it well... no, not just well, he should be described as excellent.
He almost wanted to dump all the tasks on Rhode, Makarov had this thought.
Even if it might be a bit tiring... but with Mira around, if they each did half, it wouldn't be that hard.
Makarov fell into thought, and after a moment, suddenly asked:
"Rhode, do you know how to write a self-review?"
"What?" Rhode's pen momentarily paused. Why suddenly ask about a self-review out of the blue?
"You know, the kind of review that the President is required to submit to the Advisory Council when a Guild member causes trouble."
"There's no way I'm helping you write that, not a single word."
Rhode answered firmly, "I just accomplished something for the Guild, Gray just bled for the Guild, why should I write a self-review?"
"...I'm not asking you to write it for me now."
"It won't do tomorrow either." Rhode said, "I suggest you hurry up and start writing because there might be more reviews to write tomorrow, or the day after."
"..." Makarov gradually turned to stone; this kid's words were too piercing.
"President Makarov, hello! Rhode, you're back! Haven't seen you in a long time."
"Goodman! I just came back yesterday... because I had a party as soon as I returned, I've been in the Guild and haven't had a chance to go home yet."
Rhode was a bit surprised; Goodman occasionally came to the tavern for a drink, but not often. Counting this time, he'd only seen Goodman at the Guild twice.
"How come you have time to come here? Do you have a task to commission?"
"No, I've just been busy for a long time and want to take a break. By the way, you were very lively during the Magical Parade."
"Don't mention the Magical Parade; it was embarrassing." Rhode skillfully poured Goodman a glass of wine, "Oh, and I have a gift for you."
Rhode took out a delicate wood carving, a beautifully patterned piece of cloth, and a small toy resembling a bamboo dragonfly from his luggage.
"This... this is too valuable, isn't it?" Goodman made a living with wood carvings and woven goods at the Goodman family business, and he could immediately tell these items were valuable.
"I brought them back from the south; they're cheap there, just made with unique techniques. I thought you might like them."
Rhode rummaged in his pocket and took out a Peace Talisman hanging on his key, "Consider this a return gift for the one you gave me before."
"That was just an ordinary Peace Talisman; the value difference is too much..." Goodman toyed with the wood carving, too embarrassed to accept it but too reluctant to refuse.
Rhode gently shook his head, "In my eyes, their value is the same, no, this Peace Talisman might even have a higher value."
Goodman didn't know Rhode's background or understand Rhode's situation at that time.
So he wouldn't know how precious every little bit of kindness from strangers was to Rhode back then.
"Then, then I'll shamelessly accept it?" Goodman genuinely liked these things; he was pondering whether to lower the rent next month, "Molly and Bayer will definitely like them too. I'll bring them to thank you in a few days."
Rhode waved his hand, "They're just small gifts, no need to be so formal."
Goodman reluctantly set the items aside temporarily and holding his wine glass, asked Rhode about his trip away and chatted with the President about recent happenings in Magnolia.
Once he saw the two get busy, he went off to chat with Macao and Wakaba; the three occasionally talked about family and children.
After helping the two register for tasks, Rhode saw a somewhat scruffy man approach the counter:
"President Makarov, I want to join the Guild and also join Reby's Lane Engine Squad."