Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master-Chapter 270: Don’t tell anyone else
Chapter 270 - Don’t tell anyone else
Rhodes often found his thoughts drifting toward things like his personal safety, random, practical concerns for a wizard living in a world full of chaos.
At first, he figured that if he could just match Natsu or Gray in terms of strength, he'd be safe enough. But then he remembered Erza was also part of their core group. Maybe aiming for her level was the real safety benchmark.
He hadn't quite reached that level yet, but somehow, he'd ended up dating someone who had.
It was ironic. The sense of security he'd hoped to gain by becoming strong enough to protect others had shown up in an entirely different way, because now, the person he wanted to protect was probably capable of protecting him instead.
It was a strange feeling. Reassuring, but strange.
Still, Rhodes was determined. He didn't want to fall behind Mira, especially if something serious ever happened. He needed to be able to stand beside her.
And while digging through the guild's historical records, he'd stumbled upon a few fascinating things that got him thinking even more.
For instance, Warrod Sequen, the same Warrod listed as one of Fairy Tail's founding members, was also one of the current Ten Wizard Saints.
The Master had once told him that Warrod used to be a member of Fairy Tail and now lived in quiet seclusion.
But wait, the guild was founded 98 years ago.
Judging by the old black-and-white photos in the archives, Warrod looked like he was already in his twenties at the time. Which meant he had to be over 120 now.
That got Rhodes wondering if wizards actually got stronger as they aged.
And then there was Precht, the second Guild Master. According to the archives, he stepped down voluntarily and left on a journey. If he and Warrod were the same age, was he still alive out there somewhere?
An unknown "fifth founding member." Two century-old powerhouses. The more Rhodes read, the more he realized just how terrifyingly deep Fairy Tail's strength really ran.
He got so wrapped up in his reading that he didn't even realize night had fallen.
It wasn't until a pair of soft hands gently covered his eyes that he blinked back to reality.
Rhodes reached up, gently pried the hands away, and smiled. "Mira?"
Her voice answered playfully, "It's dinner time."
...
The next day, the two of them went on their long-awaited movie date.
In Magnolia, theaters didn't use traditional projectors. Instead, they used "movie magic crystals," arcane devices that functioned like a combination of videotape, projector, and speaker. No screen was needed. The crystal could project images and sound into thin air with just a flick of magic.
Because these crystals were expensive, most people simply bought tickets to see a movie rather than collecting the crystals themselves.
Of course, there were always exceptions.
Take Wan Chanzi, for example, a slightly eccentric wizard in the guild who had once partnered with Mest during an S-Class trial. Wan Chanzi was a full-blown cinephile. The first thing he did after getting paid was rush to buy another rare movie crystal for his collection.
If Rhodes had to describe him, he'd say, "That guy's wall of crystals is worth more than a house in Crocus."
Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.
Seriously, if Wan Chanzi ever sold his whole stash, he'd be richer than half the guild.
Rhodes and Mira picked an old classic to watch, 'Steady Hardcore.' Supposedly, it had once won the Best Picture Award.
Mira hadn't really been into movies before, so this was her first time watching one properly, just like Rhodes.
They bought a large bucket of popcorn and a big drink to share and found their seats in the couple's row, the kind designed so people could cuddle up a little while watching.
Two hours later, the movie came to an end.
Rhodes leaned back with a satisfied sigh. The popcorn was great, the drink was refreshing... and Mira's hand had been really soft the entire time.
Kidding.
Actually, the movie itself was surprisingly entertaining. It was a time-traveling action flick where a gunslinger from the future ends up battling a medieval knight over a mysterious fortune.
The plot was clever, the pacing kept things exciting, and the fight choreography was top-notch.
From Rhodes' perspective, this had to have been made by pros.
And the special effects? Even better. There was no post-production trickery here, every fireball, explosion, and magical illusion had been cast live during filming.
Either the actors were magic users themselves, or the crew had hired actual wizards for the shoot.
It gave Rhodes ideas. Maybe someday, if he had time, he'd take on a job in the film industry just for fun. He could be a stunt double or help with magical effects... or even pass himself off as a screenwriter by borrowing plots from the movies he remembered from his old life.
He chuckled to himself. "I've really turned into a jack-of-all-trades."
Then he noticed Mira snoozing on his shoulder, her breath soft and even.
"Mira, wake up." Rhodes gave her shoulder a gentle tap.
"Hmm?" Mira rubbed her eyes, blinking slowly like a drowsy kitten.
"Here." He handed her a tissue.
"Huh? What's it for?"
"You drooled a little."
"Wha—" Mira let out a small yelp and snatched the tissue, covering her mouth while frantically checking his shoulder for any damage.
Thankfully, nothing had leaked onto his shirt.
She let out a breath of relief, cheeks pink with embarrassment.
Honestly, she was overthinking it.
At this point in their relationship, even if she picked her nose or snored, Rhodes would probably still call her cute.
"Come on," Rhodes said, getting up and stretching. "Since you came with me to watch what you're calling a boring movie, let me make it up to you. Dessert, my treat?"
Mira looked hesitant. "I just had cake yesterday... If I eat sweets again today, I'm going to gain weight."
"Will you eat it?"
"Yes."
...
Mira didn't regret going for dessert, in fact, she felt downright lucky.
Because if she hadn't come to the dessert shop with Rhodes, she wouldn't have gotten to witness the juiciest gossip of the day:
Macao, yes, that Macao, the scruffy uncle with a six-year-old son, was on a date!
Mira and Rhodes were crouched behind a large tree outside the shop, spying like a pair of giddy teens. Mira had even brought along a compact mirror for stealth reconnaissance.
Peeking at the cheerful couple through the mirror, Rhodes whispered, "How long's it been since Macao got divorced?"
Mira squinted thoughtfully. "Hmm... I think about three years now."
"You think he's trying to find someone to help raise Romeo, or is he just... lonely?"
"Hard to say. But I did hear him mention wanting a girlfriend not too long ago."
The "not too long ago" Mira referred to was around the time she and Rhodes were growing closer, before they officially started dating.
And apparently, Macao wasn't just talking. He'd actually followed through.
Staring at Macao's date, Mira tilted her head. "What do you think of her?"
Rhodes gave an honest answer. "She's... kinda plain?"
"That's what I thought!" Mira whispered, baffled. "Isn't it weird?"
The Macao they knew was always cracking lewd jokes and flirting with barmaids. You'd expect him to chase after someone with a bit more... spark.
But maybe they'd misunderstood him all along. Maybe the flirtiness was just a front.
Before she could dwell on it, Mira yanked the mirror back. "Oops. I think we've been spotted."
Rhodes shrugged. "Should we run? If they don't catch us, it doesn't count as getting caught."
"Alright, let's go."
They snuck away like two kids caught playing pranks, making it back to the guild in one piece.
Rhodes was just catching his breath when he saw Mira already whispering conspiratorially into Laki's ear.
It probably started with something like, "Hey, you know what I saw? Macao..."
And ended with, "Don't tell anyone else, I only told you."
"Got it!" Laki nodded seriously. Then immediately told someone else.
Within the hour, half the guild knew Macao was dating.
Laki, trying to look innocent, nervously tugged at her sleeve as she confessed to Mira, "Sister Mira, I swear, I only told Sally!"
...
Bonus Chapter @400 PS
Read upto 40 Chapters ahead @patreon.com/Keepsmiling818
