Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master-Chapter 290: Dragon Soul

"It's just Fairy Tail causing trouble again."

The short sentence spread quickly from the crowd, reaching the ears of every resident who had rushed outside.

After hearing it, everyone grumbled a little but simply turned around and went back home.

They were used to it by now.

Before Magnolia even developed "Gildarts Mode," incidents like this used to happen way more often, and back then, someone always ended up having to rebuild half their house afterward.

This time, since no real damage was caused, most folks just treated it like an unexpected disaster drill.

In fact, there were even Fairy Tail members scattered among the crowd.

After spotting the guildmaster's massive figure and hearing his sheepish apology, they all yawned and shuffled back home too, as if nothing unusual had happened.

At most, some of them muttered things like:

"Tch, even at midnight they're going on a date riding on the Master's shoulder... So shameless!"

"I'm sorry for causing trouble, Master," Rhodes apologized sincerely.

"No, no," Makarov shook his head warmly. "I should be the one thanking you. Good thing you insisted we go far enough out of town."

Mira smiled, hands behind her back, "If we had only listened to the Master and stopped just outside the city, we might have caused a real panic."

"Alright, alright," Makarov said, waving them off with a chuckle. "I need to head back. I'll have to apologize to the mayor tomorrow. As for Rhodes..."

Mira raised a hand lightly, smiling: "I'll take him home."

"Good. Have a proper rest, you two," Makarov nodded and strolled away, hands tucked behind his back. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Mira turned to Rhodes and opened her arms playfully.

"Want me to carry you back?"

Rhodes gave it a thought, then smirked.

"Okay"

Mira without hesitation, crouched down a bit, grasped Rhodes' thighs with both hands, and lifted him easily onto her back.

To her, it wasn't difficult at all, whether carrying or hugging him, it felt just as natural.

But very quickly, Mira noticed something suspicious.

"Don't let your hands fall somewhere weird!" she scolded lightly.

"...Oh."

After a few steps, Mira asked over her shoulder, "Are you planning to 'Take over' that dragon too?"

"It's different this time," Rhodes answered honestly.

"I don't need to do a formal take over. The mountain dragon already gave me something called a Dragon Soul. With it, I can tap into its power directly.

Basically, it's like I completed the initial contract when I summoned it."

Mira's eyes lit up happily.

"That's amazing!"

"But judging from today's summoning," Rhodes muttered with a tired sigh, "it's ridiculously draining. I'll show you tomorrow, maybe it'll look cool enough to make it worth it."

Mira laughed softly. "Then I'll be looking forward to it."

As she spoke, she tilted her head slightly to glance back at him, and Rhodes took the opportunity to plant a kiss on her cheek.

"Hmph~" Mira let out a soft, playful grunt, then leaned her head back and lightly bumped his forehead with hers.

Rhodes grinned and tightened his arms around her a little, enjoying the quiet moment.

After a bit, Mira finally set him down gently. Her face had a faint, adorable blush.

"Ahem," Rhodes coughed, feeling a little awkward.

"Maybe... maybe I should just walk on my own."

Mira shook her head mischievously.

"No need. I have a better solution."

"Huh?"

"Satan Soul!"

"Hey.....

She hoisted Rhodes up onto her shoulders, spread her wings, and;

whoosh—flew straight back to Magnolia in under a minute.

She didn't even bother using the door, she blasted straight through the second-floor window!

Glass shards rained down everywhere. Mira casually shook off the fragments and then tossed Rhodes onto the bed.

Rhodes lay there staring up at the darkened ceiling, feeling... conflicted.

The lights flickered on, and Mira, now back to her usual appearance, entered the room with a slightly guilty expression, glancing at the damage she'd caused.

"Are you hurt?" she asked hurriedly. After all, a wizard low on magic could easily get injured.

Rhodes, seizing the moment, pointed dramatically to his chest and then tapped his lips:

"It hurts right here. I need special treatment to recover."

"I'm sorry, but who told you to—" Mira pouted, cheeks flushed, but still leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on his lips.

Just as she was about to pull away, Rhodes reached up and gently wrapped his arms around her.

"Ah—!" Mira yelped softly as she tumbled into his embrace. In the next instant, Rhodes smoothly flipped them over, switching their positions, now he was on top.

Seeing her slight panic, Rhodes reached out and stroked her cheek gently. When Mira shyly closed her eyes, he lowered his head and kissed her again.

Mira's arms wound around his neck, clinging tightly. Their kiss deepened, the world melting away.

Rhodes' hands began to move instinctively, caressing her back with care, but also... a growing boldness.

Mira's cheeks grew rosier, her breathing grew quicker.

When Rhodes' hand started tugging at the belt around her waist—

Snap!

Mira grabbed his wrist firmly.

"No!" she cried, her voice soft but urgent.

She flipped him back over with surprising strength, pinning him down by the shoulders.

"You... you need to rest properly!"

"I'm not tired!" Rhodes argued, refusing to back down.

"You are!" Mira insisted, her face burning.

Before he could protest further, Mira scrambled off the bed and rushed toward the door, only to realize... it was still locked from the outside. They had entered through the broken window.

She froze, tiptoed awkwardly back into the room, and sat down.

Rhodes remained sitting on the bed, staring at her, unsure if she was angry, shy, worried, or all three.

Mira fidgeted, clearly struggling with herself.

She couldn't just storm out, he might misunderstand and think she was upset. But what should she say?

"Um..." "Um..."

They both spoke at the same time, then awkwardly paused.

Rhodes finally stepped forward and gently took her hand.

"I was too impatient," he said sincerely, gazing into her eyes. "I'm sorry. Please don't be mad at me."

"I didn't..I didn't mean that, I...today... we, tomorrow... no! I mean next time...no! I mean sometime in the future...anyway... ahhh!"

Mira was completely flustered, her face growing redder by the second.

She couldn't believe she was saying something so embarrassing.

"Anyway, anyway... I'm leaving! See you tomorrow!" she blurted out, voice rising like a panicked bird.

It sounded like she hadn't said anything concrete, yet somehow, it also felt like she had said everything.

Rhodes smiled warmly and gently helped straighten her tousled clothes and messy hair.

"See you tomorrow."

With a whoosh, Mira spun around and bolted for the window. Her exit was particularly dramatic, flying out with a flurry of wings.

"I'll find someone to fix your window tomorrow!" she called back hurriedly as she disappeared into the night.

Rhodes chuckled, sprawling back on the bed.

...

At a quiet house on the other side of Magnolia, Elfman was busy with his late-night training. Sweat dripped down his brow as he pushed himself harder.

Suddenly, he froze. A strong wave of magic pressure was approaching fast.

He rushed to the door, threw it open, and saw a very familiar figure floating down with dark wings: Mira, still in her Satan Soul form.

"Sister?!" Elfman blinked, confused. "Are there enemies around?"

He paused, narrowing his eyes. "Wait... why's your face so red?"

Mira stiffened. She resisted the urge to cover her burning cheeks.

Instead, she scanned Elfman up and down. Seeing how sweaty he was from training, she gave a mischievous little laugh.

"Training, huh? Good timing," Mira said sweetly.

"It's been a while since I personally guided your practice."

"S-Sister?" Elfman stammered, alarm bells ringing in his head.

He tried to close the door.

Too late.

Mira grabbed his wrist, effortlessly tossed him into the courtyard, and declared:

"Come on, Elfman. Bring out the Beast King's Soul."

...

The next morning Rhodes and Mira were back in the guild, handling their usual daily tasks behind the counter.

Mira glanced at him nervously, her fingers twisting the pen until it almost snapped in half.

"Are you feeling better now?" she asked carefully.

Rhodes smiled reassuringly.

"Yeah, fully recovered. My magic's back to normal."

Mira fidgeted a little, then asked in a tiny voice:

"Then... why didn't you come over for breakfast this morning?"

She was a little worried. Had he gotten mad about last night?

Rhodes scratched his cheek, looking a bit sheepish.

"Ah... that... I might've slept in a little too late. You know... tired from yesterday."

He couldn't exactly tell her the truth: That he spent all morning washing clothes, cleaning up broken glass, and fixing his room because of someone's dramatic entrance.