The two of them finished their coffee and went to buy the things Mira mentioned.
Just an ordinary stroll and shopping, nothing special happened, and they didn't meet anyone special.
Rhode thought this was nice.
Mira turned her head to look at him, "Why are you smiling so happily?"
"I was thinking that having a heater for winter will be really cozy."
Mira didn't believe him, "You're lying."
"Hmm-hmm." Rhode smiled, "Then take a guess?"
Mira thought for a moment, "I'm not guessing."
Rhode felt she had already guessed it and continued to laugh.
Mira wanted to kick him.
Macao watched the two, holding a pile of items and laughing as they walked in the door, feeling like they were a newlywed couple buying things for their new home.
He recalled a time when he and his girlfriend, now his ex-wife, had been in a similar phase.
Unfortunately, they eventually went their separate ways.
Sitting across from him, Wakaba puffed out smoke, "Why suddenly show such an expression? It's disgusting."
"Who are you calling disgusting, you bastard!" Macao slammed the table and stood up, then sat back down, deflated.
Wakaba just rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight, almost twisting his back as he prepared, "Hey, what do you want?"
Macao sighed, "It's been quite lonely since the divorce, I'm suddenly thinking about getting a girlfriend."
Wakaba advised, "Romeo is already 5 years old, don't mess around."
Macao looked at him strangely, "What's Romeo's age got to do with me finding a girlfriend? I'm not finding one for Romeo… Oh? Are you jealous that being single is more convenient?"
"Who would be jealous of you, you stinking drunkard!"
"What did you say? Old smoky!"
Bang bang slap!
Rhode and Mira leaned against the counter watching the fight, "Even with most people not around, this guild still manages to be noisy, huh."
…
Peaceful days always pass quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it's the end of November.
Since that day, Rhode has seemed busier than usual.
Every day, aside from finishing his work at the tavern, he also takes small tasks during his breaks.
Including but not limited to finding lost items, delivery, catching vicious dogs, handling rat infestations, and more.
Everyone thought these small tasks didn't really showcase their abilities, so some piled up recently.
Rhode usually also found their pay too low, preferring to train at the guild rather than take these tasks.
But, needing money, he had no choice but to take them as part-time jobs.
However, doing these tasks does have benefits.
Since these tasks often require running around town, he is now more familiar with the layout of Magnolia and surely won't be disadvantaged if there's ever a need for street combat.
Moreover, due to his efforts, many residents now know there's a reliable mage in Fairy Tail who doesn't wreck the granaries when exterminating rats.
Most importantly, due to his efficient handling of piled-up tasks, Mira's affection increased by one.
"Economic crisis resolved!" Rhode completed his last planned task, collapsed onto the counter, his face squashed in relief.
"Well done." Mira put away the task list and poured him a glass of water.
Rhode perked up, "Not too hard, we're getting paid in a few days, life is looking more promising."
Laki reminded him, "But you'll soon have to pay rent too."
"Let's save those harsh words until I'm happy for a moment." Rhode noticed Laki's mischievous smile and said unhappily, "Anyway, my rent's reduced, only 60,000 J, half of what you guys pay."
Now it was Laki's turn to be indignant, "Damn it! Why do you have such a nice landlord?"
"Oh-ho? Laki said her landlord's bad, I've noted this down and will tell Qico later."
(Qico is the daughter of the women's dormitory landlord.)
"I never said that! Besides, tattling is despicable!" Laki exclaimed, "Sister Mira, stop just smiling, come condemn him!"
Mira smiled sweetly, "I also think Rhode's being too mean; he's only paying 40,000 J less than Laki, not half."
"That's not the point!" Laki suddenly remembered these two were in cahoots.
With chats and laughter, the day turned into night, and Rhode still trained with the siblings.
"Has Elfman gotten stronger?" Rhode rubbed his forearm.
He felt Elfman's punches were getting heavier, both normally and after using Receiving Magic.
Even blocking them still hurt.
But he couldn't tell if this was a personal vendetta or if Elfman's magic power had increased.
Elfman flexed his muscles, "That's because… manliness!"
Asking him was pointless, so Rhode looked at Mira.
"His magic power has increased a bit." Mira thought for a moment and said, "Rhode, haven't you become even stronger?"
"I think I've only gotten a little stronger."
Just a little bit.
…
On December 8th, 783, light snow drifted over Magnolia.
On this day, Rhode and Elfman went to the tailor shop to retrieve two coats.
When Rhode and Mira wore coats of the same color and matching style, Elfman finally realized Rhode's 'scheme'.
"You, did you plan this?"
"What are you talking about? I'm just a poor guy who couldn't afford winter clothes, so I had to hunt for materials and ask the tailor for help."
"…" Who's he kidding? That tailor shop is so expensive; the tailoring fee isn't any cheaper than buying a regular winter coat.
"Don't be like that, Elfman. Sister really likes the clothes you gave." Mira smiled, "How about I give you one in a few days?"
"No need, Sis, I already have enough clothes." He felt Sister might use buying clothes for him as an excuse to shop with Rhode.
Elfman thought of going to the snowy mountains to hunt a Laban again.
Mira only tried it on and, finding it fitting, took it off and put it away; the guild has a new heater and is warm enough.
Rhode took his off too and discussed with her whether they should print a guild emblem on the back, a chest print would be nice too.
People in the guild were increasing; members who had been rushing around lately were all gathered today, their numbers akin to the Harvest Festival.
People as relaxed as Rhode, Mira, and Elfman were few, most were nervous and kept stomping their feet.
Because today they were announcing candidates for the S-Class exam.
Bang!
A sound like holding a party popper, a guild flag unfolded from the second-floor loft, colorful ribbons danced down.
The audience's gaze shifted to the flag, President Makarov stepped out.
Behind him was the serious-looking Erza, masked Mystogan, and a slightly frivolous Laxus.
There was some commotion in the crowd; such a scene of three S-Class Mages and the President standing together was rare.
Once the crowd quieted down, Makarov said loudly, "In accordance with Fairy Tail's ancient rules, I will now announce the participants for the S-Class Mage promotion exam."
"This year's participants are four, the first one… Kana Alberona!"
"Alright!" Kana was somewhat happy, though a bit disappointed not to see Kildas.
"The second one, Mest Gryder!"
"It's Mest, he's indeed selected."
"The third one, Mickey Chickentiger!"
Members of the Youth Million Dead Squad were happy for their captain, "Awesome, Captain Mickey!"
"The fourth one, Wallen Raccoon!"
Wallen was surprised, "I was selected!?"
(The list isn't random, explanation at the end as the author said.)