Chapter 174: New Year Is Coming

After listening to Mira share all sorts of small, everyday things, Rhodes went from just responding with expressions, to occasionally joining in, and finally to discussing things like whether Erza's armor designer must have a tough time—all with a smile on his face.

His mood had visibly improved.

Having someone by your side to lighten your worries at times like this was an immense blessing.

"Thank you."

Mira leaned on the counter, one hand supporting her cheek as she looked at him, playfully asking, "Thank me for what?"

Did she know how beautiful she looked like that? Rhodes held her cup and smiled. "Thank you for the juice."

"Hmm." Mira pressed on, "Is that all?"

Rhodes asked, "Did the guild master and Erza tell you about the S-rank exam?"

"Oh, they mentioned a few things. The master said you two did great." Mira thought for a moment and asked, "Are you thinking that maybe there was something you didn't do well enough, and that's why you couldn't help Cana pass?"

Rhodes pondered a bit, "Well... not entirely."

Mira continued, "In that case, another reason might be that… Even though you were mentally prepared, you still felt a bit defeated after confirming firsthand that you gave it your all but couldn't beat Laxus, right?"

"A little, but that part's fine," Rhodes replied. "I have a clear goal for my training progress and for getting stronger in the future. I don't think I'll be brooding over that for too long."

After just half a year of learning magic, being able to hold his own against an S-rank wizard for even a moment was something Rhodes could be content with.

Even if it wasn't enough yet, it wasn't like he wasn't trying.

"In that case..." Mira glanced at Cana, who was hugging a barrel of alcohol, "The final thing must be that you're worried about Cana's state—afraid she'll never recover, right?"

Rhodes looked at her. "Can you read my mind?"

"I don't know that kind of magic," Mira replied, "But isn't it just obvious?"

As long as you paid attention to him.

"Mostly, I'm worried about Cana's mental state. If she, like Warren and Miki, could find a way to vent, it would be okay. But just drinking all the time... It worries me, and I don't really know how to help her."

Rhodes still remembered Cana's expression during the exam. He knew she didn't blame him for anything but kept searching for reasons in herself, leading to an internal struggle.

And when that internal struggle became unbearable, she numbed herself with alcohol. If he tried to persuade her, it would probably backfire.

Before coming to this world, Rhodes had heard of people who took their own lives because they were unhappy with their college entrance exam results...

Cana was just 17 years old now.

In that sense, it was like she had failed college entrance exams every year since she was 14, and this year she almost made it but fell short.

How could anyone not worry about her in this state?

"Have a bit of faith in Cana. Besides, there are plenty of people in the guild who care about her." Mira pointed toward the bar. "Look."

Rhodes turned to see Macao sitting across from Cana with a glass in his hand, talking to her gently.

Cana didn't respond much. When she tried to drink more, Macao stopped her by holding the barrel down.

She drunkenly complained.

Macao just kept smiling and talking to her.

After a while, Wakaba came over with his pipe in his mouth.

Cana waved her hand, showing her dislike of the smoke, and Macao acted like he was on her side, starting to berate Wakaba along with Cana.

The two soon fell into their usual pattern of bickering, escalating into a little fight before sitting back down again.

Mira smiled, saying, "Those two uncles… Although they're usually, well, like that, sometimes they become pretty reliable. You know, Cana joined the guild eleven years ago—they've watched her grow up. They probably think of her as their daughter.

"So she'll be fine. Just give her some time."

Maybe… She was right.

Rhodes watched Macao and Wakaba. Those two might be reliable... at least today.

A tiger-like paw tapped on his shoulder. "Rhodes, fight me!"

"Miki?" Rhodes looked puzzled, "Why?"

"Because I'm pissed! Why did we get eliminated in the first round, while you guys made it to the third? And now you're looking all miserable? No way—you've gotta fight me today!"

Rhodes sighed. "Wasn't it Warren and Marcus who eliminated you guys?"

"I'll deal with them after I take you down! Now come on!" Miki marched off toward the courtyard, assuming Rhodes would follow.

Mira gave him a cheerful smile. "Good luck."

Rhodes shook his head. "You just want to watch the fun."

"Maybe," Mira said, blinking playfully, "But also, you know—it's not just me who cares about you."

Did she mean Miki?

Rhodes thought for a moment, then smiled. "I should repay her well, then."

A few minutes later.

Rhodes, without much mercy, had defeated Miki.

She had asked for it.

At first, Rhodes used the Ancient Stone Beetle form to fight her, but she wasn't satisfied, thinking he was underestimating her.

Then he switched to the Shadow Wolf form, but that still wasn't enough—she wanted to experience the form he used against Laxus.

With no other option, Rhodes activated the Azure Inscription Golem form and punched her from the courtyard to the lake behind the guild.

Luckily, he had held back and warned her in advance, so she wasn't seriously hurt.

Miki was unbothered, patting Rhodes on the shoulder before turning to find Warren for a rematch.

Rhodes was about to say something, but she shimmered briefly, and her wet clothes were instantly replaced with a dry set.

Instead of using some spell to dry her clothes, she had simply changed them entirely.

As Mira had mentioned, many girls in the guild knew some transformation magic because it was truly convenient.

A few days ago, it had snowed heavily, and it was already late December. The year X783 was about to end.

The snow on the streets hadn't completely melted. When Rhodes brought Wurm downstairs, he could still see the snowman by the front door on the first floor.

The snowman had been built by Biel when she came to visit the day before yesterday. It originally had a scarf and hat, but they seemed to have been taken away by Mrs. Molly yesterday.

Honestly, whenever he saw other people's snowmen on the street, Rhodes sometimes had the urge to kick them.

But he could restrain himself, and even stop Wurm from making trouble.

Over the past two weeks, Rhodes had taken Elfman on a couple of missions again.

He chose clients who had at least two kids—carefully picked missions.

Mira had hesitated when she saw the ones he chose, but in the end, she had let them go.

In the end, the missions were all quite ordinary—Rhodes had no way to control how things unfolded, nor did he try to force any emotional moments—he simply continued paying attention.

He wasn't sure if Elfman had noticed anything unusual, but Rhodes had the feeling that Elfman was getting stronger, little by little.

"Grrr~~"

Rhodes saw Mira opening the guild's door from the inside as he arrived at the entrance, prompting Wurm to run over for affection—Mira was second only to Cook when it came to feeding it, so Wurm had to stay on her good side.

"Good morning," Mira greeted Rhodes, squatting down to pet Wurm's head.

Wurm had grown heavier, and she wasn't as eager to hold it anymore.

"Morning." Seeing Mira in a coat and scarf as if she was heading out, Rhodes asked curiously, "Am I late?"

"No, it's almost New Year's, and the guild's planning to celebrate a bit, so I thought I'd go buy some things."

"Oh~" Rhodes obediently patted Wurm, letting it wander off inside the guild.

Then he accompanied Mira to the marketplace.