Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master-Chapter 147: Young People are Full of Energy

Rhodes didn't get to enjoy Mira's eye-compression treatment for very long.

Someone came in with a new commission, and Master Makarov passed the task off to Mira, leaving Rhodes to deal with his bruises on his own.

"Hey, Mira," Rhodes asked, eyeing the warm egg, "can you still eat these after using them for eye compresses?"

"Probably best not to," Mira replied with a wry smile. "But if you're curious, you can test your stomach's resilience."

Rhodes thought about it. Tossing it seemed like a waste. So, he gave it a quick rinse and stuffed it into Warm's mouth.

Naturally, Warm devoured it happily. That little guy could eat anything and never had an upset stomach.

In fact, Warm seemed downright grateful—and even looked at Rhodes expectantly for more.

"Wait until I get beaten up again," Rhodes said, tugging playfully at Warm's furry cheeks before tossing him through the serving window.

"Rhodes," Mira warned, "you're going to make the chef mad."

The wrath of the kitchen staff was no joke. Rhodes whispered, "Just don't tell him it was me. Warm can't talk anyway."

"Hmm..." Mira tapped her chin, then slid over a stack of guild tavern receipts. "Unless you help me finish these."

"Deal!" Rhodes straightened the papers and picked up a pen, immediately diving into the calculations.

But after a few seconds, he paused, got up, and slid onto the stool beside Mira.

She glanced at him, whispering, "Really."

"What?"

"Nothing."

Before the moment could go further, Jet rushed over and slapped a commission down on the counter.

"Mira! This one—can you process it quickly?"

She took a glance at the request. "This isn't too difficult. Are you going solo? Where are Levy and Droy?"

Troy rushed over with another request. "Mira, this one! Please hurry—we've temporarily disbanded Team Shadow Gear!"

"Oh! Right, it's that time again!"

"Hey! Jet and Troy are sneaking ahead!"

"I need to take a job too!"

The once-peaceful guild suddenly exploded into movement as everyone crowded toward the job board.

"Out of the way, Nab! You're not even working!"

"Who said that?! I'm looking for a job that only I can do!"

"No one cares! Move it!"

Poor Nab was lifted off the ground by the surge and slowly passed above everyone's heads before being tossed outside.

"What the heck just happened..." Nab groaned, rubbing his backside as he stood up. He slumped beside Macao, who was still calmly sipping his drink.

Macao nodded with the patience of a seasoned observer. "Ah... Starting early this year, huh?"

"Kids these days have too much energy," Wakaba added with a sigh. Then, turning to Nab, he asked, "You're not joining in? Don't forget, the S-Class exam's coming up."

"So that's it—it's the S-Class exam! Of course, I..." Nab jumped up dramatically, then immediately slumped. "But... without enough mission experience, I don't stand a chance."

"Then go take some jobs! That's what they're doing—last-minute cramming, trying to prove themselves."

Nab hesitated for a beat, then nodded with newfound determination. "No. I'll find a job that only I can do!"

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Macao groaned, rubbing his temple. "You're really stubborn."

Wakaba laughed heartily beside him. "Come on, isn't our entire guild full of people like that?"

Meanwhile, the space in front of Mira and Rhodes was steadily being swarmed. Alzack, Vijeeter, Warren, Max, and others crowded forward, each trying to be next to take a mission.

"No wonder you said things would be hectic," Rhodes muttered, eyeing the growing crowd. Without needing to be asked, he instinctively picked up the pen and started helping with the registry.

Mira was already swamped. "One at a time, please! No pushing!"

"I was here first!"

"No, I was!"

"Mira, can we just skip the paperwork this once?!"

"Absolutely not," she said firmly. "No one leaves without confirmation. Guild rules."

Frustrated, the crowd turned their complaints toward Rhodes instead:

"Come on, Rhodes, speed it up!"

"Seriously, who writes this slow?!"

Rhodes frowned, confused. "What's the rush? The S-Class exam isn't until next month."

"Exactly! Which means we're running out of time to build our resumes!"

"You just don't get it, rookie!"

"Move those hands!"

Rhodes rubbed his aching temple, overwhelmed by their shouting—then had an idea.

He called out loudly, "Erza!"

Sudden silence.

Moments later, her voice rang out clearly from the other side of the guild.

"Quiet down and line up properly!"

Whoosh!

In the blink of an eye, everyone snapped into a neat line. There was still some elbowing and light shoving, but at least Rhodes could work in peace now.

It's good to have a sister figure who doubles as a strict disciplinarian.

Of course, the people now stuck at the end of the line all glared daggers at him.

Why'd you have to call Erza?!

Rhodes scratched the side of his head and got back to writing.

Given how easily he attracted everyone's frustration, he figured if he didn't get stronger soon, his fellow guildmates were going to beat him senseless one of these days.

After finally sending off the swarm of S-Class exam hopefuls, Rhodes stretched his wrists. "Are they always like this every year?"

Mira thought for a moment. "More or less. Though it feels like they got an earlier start this time."

Laki chimed in, "I think Jet tried to sneak in some early prep, and once everyone found out, things got out of hand."

The guild hall was much quieter now. Those who remained were mostly veterans like Macao and Wakaba, who considered themselves past their prime and didn't want to get caught up in the frenzy.

Others, like Levy and Laki, lacked the confidence to rush into missions, feeling it was too late to make a difference.

Of course, Erza didn't need to join the scramble. She stood with her arms folded, watching her guildmates dash off with determination, pride evident on her face.

In the corner sat Natsu and Happy.

Happy gnawed on a large fish atop the table, while Natsu dozed against the wall, snoring audibly.

Not even a chaotic brawl or the job board stampede had stirred him.

"Should we take Natsu to the church?" Rhodes asked tentatively.

Mira shook her head gently. "Natsu doesn't go to mourn. But don't worry—they'll be back to normal tomorrow."

"Alright," Rhodes said, nodding before returning to his paperwork.

With Erza's usual companion off teaming with Alzack, she found herself without anyone to talk to and took a seat at the counter.

While many members were eager to prove themselves by going solo, Alzack was doubling down—building a team and tackling tasks. At least he was finally using his head.

"Rhodes, aren't you planning to go on a mission?" Erza asked as she ordered a small dessert.

"I heard from the Master that you've been doing really well. Even Bisca had a lot of praise for you. If you keep pushing, you might just make S-Class."

"I'm still a long way off," Rhodes replied humbly. "I'm not in a rush. Besides, what exactly is in the S-Class exam?"

"It's hard to say," Erza admitted. "The test is different every year, but one thing is constant—it's always difficult."

She clenched her fist with burning determination. "But! With perseverance, you will succeed!"

It sounded so resolute, so passionate, that Rhodes almost believed it.

...

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