Rhode thought for a moment and asked, "President, is the S-Class exam held every year? If I don't participate this year, will there be a chance next year?"
"Of course..." Makarov nodded, "Are you planning to participate next year?"
"Yeah, I feel my strength and experience aren't enough to become S-Class. Even if I pass the exam, it won't mean much. I'd rather train well for another year."
Rhode thought clearly, S was just a title, a permit to take on S-Class tasks; it wouldn't enhance his actual ability at all.
As for using brains to make up for a lack of strength, who wants to think so hard when they're strong?
Even if he has to take the exam, he hopes to deserve it a bit more. Anyway, he's not in a hurry to take on S-Class tasks, so taking it slow is fine too.
Makarov said, "There's only one qualifier for the S-Class exam each year. Waiting another year might mean facing stronger opponents, with how fast some guild members are growing..."
"President." Mira was a bit upset, "Why must you persuade Rhode to take the exam?"
Makarov said, "Because Rhode truly has potential."
Just the fact he can refuse an opportunity right within reach shows he's already passed in a certain aspect.
Of course, on the flip side, he might have some issues with self-confidence, but that needs observation.
"He's only been learning magic for four months; it's really too early." Mira looked worriedly at Rhode, "Let him decide for himself."
Makarov understood what Mira was worried about, but Rhode wouldn't face that problem.
This kid would have over a 90% chance of not daring to take on S-Class tasks even after passing the exam, or if he did, he'd look for other S-Class members to team up.
"Alright then, decide for yourself." Makarov sighed and went upstairs, hands behind his back; he had other matters to attend to.
Mira looked at Rhode and bit her lip lightly, "Rhode, I... I'm sorry."
Rhode laughed, "Don't worry; I understand what you mean. For things like this, it's best to let nature take its course. I won't act recklessly."
Mira nodded and gave him a smile.
Then she lowered her head and scribbled on the register. She wrote Rhode's name wrong, crossed it out, rewrote it, then crossed it out again.
No, you don't understand.
I'm worried you might think I'm questioning your abilities.
"Is this some new type of curse ritual?" Rhode was creeped out by her actions, "Mira, Rhode's not guilty enough to deserve this!"
Mira rolled her eyes at him, annoyed, "Go mind your own business."
"Alrighty." Rhode ran to the backyard, preparing to continue practicing ground-gliding and advanced flight maneuvers like a mother hen scaling a wall.
Thinking, he summoned Warm, "I'm giving you a challenging task, and there's a big Golden Ticket reward if you succeed."
After fixing the messy register, a white fluff ball appeared in front of Mira, drooling silly as it charmingly tried to get her attention.
Seeing her look over, Warm rolled over, revealing a pink heart-shaped belly, looking for pats.
Mira glanced at the hall door; although she didn't see anyone, she could guess who was causing trouble.
She smiled knowingly, gently patted the counter, "Why not come up here?"
Warm flipped and stood up, looked at the counter then at the stool, deciding to take up the challenge.
It retreated a few steps, rushed forward, and jumped hard, bumping into the stool with a thud, rolling down.
Though not hurt, Warm had plenty of cushioning, it felt rather embarrassed.
Its eyes gradually turned aggrieved, the small horn on its head drooped down, then it turned and squatted on the floor.
Poro angry.jpg
Squatted for a second, felt tired, and simply lay down again.
Poro still angry.jpg
"Ah, ah... Sorry, I forgot you couldn't jump up." Mira laughed and stepped out of the counter, picking Warm back up.
"Phew..." Warm's eyes were sly; while angry, it sneakily kept an eye on Mira's reaction to check if it completed its task.
Its anger couldn't interfere with earning a meal.
Mira, giggling, stroked Warm's head, then combed its fur, scratched its chin, and rubbed its belly, "Want to eat Poro Delicacies?"
"Hulu-hulu~~" When there's food, anger doesn't have to be felt.
Who gave who the task to placate whom, anyway, in the end, everyone was appeased, except Rhode's wallet took the hit.
...
By the time Rhode was able to flap his wings and hover above the guild, five or six days had passed.
He made a beautiful dive in from outside into the guild's doors.
Just misjudging the height a bit, landing was unstable, but to avoid embarrassment, Rhode quickly adapted, striking a hero landing pose.
Amid laughter and applause, as he stood up, Rhode realized—the others struck this pose because they couldn't land steadily.
Hapi flew over and circled around Rhode a few times, "Rhode, want to compete with us? Bet a fish."
"Sure, let's compete in the landing pose I just struck, see who does it better."
"Aye!" Hapi, with a 'cat landing,' tried hard to mimic Rhode's pose.
After some efforts, Hapi felt something was off, "Why are we competing in pose rather than flight speed?"
Cat wasn't so easy to fool. Rhode thought and said, "Speed can't attract female cats, but a cool pose can."
Female cats? Hapi's fighting spirit reignited, "Aye!"
Thought too much; cat was still easy to fool.
Happily bored, the Lane Engine Squad joined in voting for the competition, and Rhode earned a fish.
Hapi squatted in the corner, enveloped by low pressure.
Not mainly because of losing the competition, but Natsu refused to buy him another, telling him to win back what he lost.
Mira reproachfully said, "Tricking even Hapi out of his fish is too much. Though seriously competing and losing makes him adorable."
Rhode looked at her, "Is 'though' really needed here?"
Mira smiled sweetly, "What else?"
Who's really being excessive here.
Rhode held the fish by its tail with a bit of disgust; Hapi's taste was a bit strong for him to enjoy.
"Warm, go compete with Hapi, the bet's a fish." Rhode planned to lose the fish back.
With Warm's four tiny short legs, competing in such high-difficulty poses was a sure loss, right?
But a few minutes later, Hapi owed Warm a fish.
Seeing Rhode's gloomy expression, Mira laughed even more merrily.
Rarely witness a competition where winners and losers aren't happy, except Warm.
Rhode complained, "Who's judging here anyway?"
Isn't Hapi the cutest kid in the guild anymore?
"I'm one of the judges!" Laki returned cheerfully, "You have no idea how cute Warm looks trying to hold that pose!"
Ha, ha, guess who Warm's owner is?
I don't know how adorable Warm is, just like Kishimoto doesn't understand Fire Shadow, Oda doesn't understand Pirates, and Aoyama doesn't understand Conan, right?