Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master-Chapter 286: Erza, Let’s Fight When You Have Time

Rhodes shook his head firmly.

"No. I don't think I did anything wrong. Growth is important, but only if you live long enough to grow."

His voice grew quieter but steadier.

"What I'm trying to do is help everyone avoid unnecessary dangers, to buy them more time, more chances to get stronger."

At this point, Rhodes could no longer cling to any naive thoughts like, "We're all together, just having fun and adventuring."

These guildmates, his friends, his family, weren't just names or faces.

They were people who laughed with him, fought beside him, shared drinks, cheered, cried.

He didn't want to ever stand at someone's grave, regretting,"If only I had warned them a little more..."

He wouldn't risk that.

Erza crossed her arms, unyielding.

"That's supposed to be the responsibility of every independent wizard! And Mira, why didn't you stop him from doing this sooner?"

She thought that if she couldn't persuade Rhodes, maybe Mira could.

But Mira's response was gentle, and very different from Erza's expectation.

"There's no need to stop him," Mira said softly, smiling. "I think Rhodes is doing the right thing."

"Because the most important thing, is that everyone comes back safely, right?"

Strictly speaking, her view wasn't exactly the same as Rhodes'. To Mira, it wasn't about "growth" versus "safety". If given the choice, she'd choose safety every time.

She and Elfman had grown, become stronger, tougher, wiser. But if she could trade all that back just to avoid the pain they had suffered, she would In a heartbeat.

Erza frowned, conflicted. "That's true, but..."

Mira turned and smiled toward Makarov, who had been quietly listening the whole time.

"Master, what do you think?"

Makarov chuckled, stroking his short beard.

"I think it doesn't really matter."

He gave a carefree shrug. "After all, Rhodes's efforts haven't exactly reduced the number of self-reflection reports I have to file to the Council."

Rhodes stared at him, exasperated. "Your standards are seriously weird, Master."

Makarov laughed heartily.

"What I'm saying is, even though Rhodes gives all kinds of advice, in the end, everyone still does whatever they want."

He waved a hand at the lively guild hall, full of noise and chaos despite everything.

"Whether they fully follow Rhodes's advice, think for themselves, or half-listen and half-forget, that's their choice."

"This guild is full of idiots who are stubborn to the core. No matter how hard Rhodes tries to steer them, he can't turn them into little copies of himself."

Makarov laughed even louder, full of warmth.

He pointed toward the tavern where Cana was downing drinks, Natsu was wrestling Gray under a table, and Happy was stealing fish from the kitchen.

"Just like Erza, no matter how much you discipline them, scold them, or train them, they'll still be the same wild bunch the moment you turn around."

Erza furrowed her brows. "Then... you're saying both of us are wrong?"

Makarov shook his head with a fond smile.

"No, neither of you are wrong."

"Rhodes, you're right to want to protect them. Erza, you're right to push them to grow stronger. And Mira, you're right to want to shield the people you love."

He leaned back, looking proud.

"All you're doing... is caring about your family in your own ways."

"And they trust you because of it."

Makarov felt a deep, quiet pride as he watched them.

The children had grown. They had their own beliefs now, beliefs they were willing to defend, even against Erza. It filled Makarov's heart with both relief and joy.

Especially Rhodes.

He wasn't just the smart kid who quietly blended into the guild anymore. He stood tall, voiced his ideas clearly, and fought for what he believed in.

If they had actually started brawling just now, well...That would've been even more like Fairy Tail.

After all, the style of a guild always reflected its Master. The Fairy Tail Makarov led had its share of chaos and heart. If Erza ever led, it might be stricter, more honorable. If Rhodes led... it might be steadier, safer, cleverer.

Different leaders. Different dreams. But either way, Makarov realized, Fairy Tail would be in good hands.

Unknowingly, these kids had grown strong enough to shoulder the future. frёewebηovel.cѳm

Maybe one day soon, he could finally step down and let them fight it out. Whoever won would be the next Guild Master.

Wait, no, that's too violent. Whoever won would inherit the guild!

Makarov smiled fondly.

"Although we're all companions," he said warmly, raising his mug, "we each have our own ideas. We debate, we clash, and yes, sometimes we even fight!"

"But through that, we come to understand each other, and move forward together."

"That... is Fairy Tail."

"So go on. Speak your minds!"

Erza smiled back at him, her usual seriousness softening.

"In that case..." she said sweetly, a dangerous glint in her eye,

"Rhodes, it's been a long time since we sparred, hasn't it?"

Rhodes blinked.

Technically, they'd only fought once before. And that "fight" had been more of a one-shot defeat.

Still, he nodded calmly.

"Yeah. And I just happen to have a new move I've been dying to try out. If you're free in a few days, let's have a match—"

WHOOSH!

"Aghh!"

Rhodes barely caught a flying bottle out of pure reflex, but the master wasn't so lucky.

A barstool came sailing through the air and flattened Makarov against the counter.

Mira stood sweetly behind Rhodes, hands folded in front of her, voice as gentle as spring rain:

"Oh no, Master! Are you alright?"

Makarov sprang up, face red, yelling:

"What the hell are you kids doing?!"

Mira only smiled angelically.

"They're just 'communicating and understanding' each other, Master."

Erza nodded solemnly, as if she were discussing sacred guild doctrine:

"I understand now. That's exactly what you meant."

"That's not what I meant!!!" Makarov wailed, tears flying everywhere.

He tried to order Erza to get things under control, but Erza was already too caught up in the "lesson."

Rhodes casually hugged the mischievous Mira to his side and chuckled:

"Come on now, the Master's getting old. Let's show a little mercy."

Mira stuck out the tip of her tongue playfully.

"Tehee~"

The entire guild burst into warm applause as Rhodes and Mira returned. The hall filled once more with familiar noise, laughter, magic sparks, and the occasional small explosion.

Even though Erza still stayed near the counter, the heavy sense of pressure she had once given off had lightened considerably.

They were finally back.

"Mira! Rhodes! This job here!"

Natsu and Happy bounded up, shoving a mission form into their hands.

"Arrest the thieves rampaging between Frigia and Rubinas." Mira read aloud, smiling.

"Thieves again? Are you planning to level two towns at once this time, Natsu?"

Natsu puffed up indignantly:

"It's not destruction! It's mission work! This time we're gonna do it right, I swear!"

Rhodes asked curiously, "Didn't you two just earn two million Jewel recently? You're taking on another job already?"

"Aye... Natsu and I are saving up to build a little treasure stash," Happy explained, fluttering around. "But we barely made anything from the last mission."

Rather than saying "barely made anything," it would be more accurate to say "it's a miracle we made anything at all," Rhodes thought to himself.

After all, considering they wrecked several houses and even demolished a clock tower, the fact they had anything left after paying for the damages was impressive enough.

"Happy! The treasure stash was supposed to be a secret!" Natsu barked, flailing.

"Aye, I let it slip!" Happy squeaked, quickly covering his mouth, then pointed accusingly, "But Natsu, you said it even louder, so everyone heard anyway!"

"Oh no!" Natsu clutched his head, looking like his world had ended.

Rhodes couldn't help but wonder why Natsu could be so sharp sometimes... and so utterly hopeless at others.

While Rhodes and Natsu started talking over the mission details, Happy turned his attention to far more important matters: food.

"Mira, Mira!" Happy tugged at her sleeve. "The water monster you caught in the lake, was it a fish monster? Was it tasty?"

Mira covered her mouth to hide a giggle. "That 'water monster'... was actually Rhodes."

"Huh?!" Happy froze in midair, stunned.

"Whether he is delicious or not...you have to judge for yourself."

A few seconds later, he clambered onto Rhodes' shoulder, poking and prodding him seriously, as if trying to judge whether Rhodes might actually be tasty.