Arc 3 - Choices We've Made: Chapter 2

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Cross-over from various games, books, anime, manga, and movies.

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"Speech"

Time*

Arc 3 - Choices We've Made: Chapter 2

A few hours later*

"Renato, I think you should've mentioned more about your girls in detail." Guild Master Bob said in a serious tone, but one could tell he was thrilled by the Sekirei joining his guild. "Eleven beautiful girls with their unique fashion style. Among them is a set of twins; even another two are almost like mother and daughter." He shakes his head, smiling in pure joy. "All of them are your lovers. You are one naughty and greedy boy, Renato."

"In my defense." I start. "It was Juvia's idea for this."

Was it wrong that I'm pushing all the blame on Juvia? Yes. But, am I wrong, though? I don't think so. Do I hate this? Hell no!

"If this were any other girl, I would think you're lying." Guild Master Bob takes a deep sigh. "But, this is Juvia we're talking about. She is anything like other girls. Funny enough, there would be other girls like Juvia. Don't think I didn't see how they all react around you, Renato."

"Be honest with me." I stare at Guild Master Bob in the eyes. "The Magic Council should learn about my return by now, right?"

"Oh, they knew after an hour you came back." Guild Master Bob rolls his eyes. "They have sent dozens of messages; well, more like demands for me to expel you from the guild and hand you over to them. The nerve of those people, even after an entire year of you being gone. They are still paranoid of you out to get them. Honestly, an entire year of you being gone and not causing problems anywhere should prove they should leave you alone since you wouldn't do anything to them."

"Eh, who knows." I shrug my shoulders.

Thinking about it now, I could easily make the Magic Council leave me alone with Failure Manipulation. Even making it so others won't question why the Magic Council suddenly stop wanting to mess with me.

Ah, fuck it. I don't feel like dealing with those crazy people—something I should have done early on.

100% failure of the Magic Council focusing on Juvia, me, and the Sekirei upon finding out what they could do. As they have something else important to focus on from this point on.

100% failure of anyone from the Magic Council, former members, and those that work for the Magic Council to continue to cause any problems for my group.

Hm. What else?

Yeah, I got nothing. Maybe I will think up something later.

"By the way. Did you pick someone to be a temporary or maybe a fixed position as the guild's Ace?" I glance over my shoulder to see if I can see any potential powerful Mage.

"Unless I've confirmed you're dead, retiring, or leaving the guild. You'll continue to be the Ace of this guild." Guild Master Bob let out a frustrated sigh. "Honestly, the lack of trust. It hurts a little. But I can't blame you for thinking that since you did leave for a whole year. No contact whatsoever. However, I would be a fool to think there would be anyone more powerful than you, Renato. Not anyone could perform so many jobs, and among that, no one would be able to do alone."

"When you put it that way, it is silly of me to ask such a thing." I rub the back of my neck, giving Guild Master Bob a sheepish smile.

"It is silly of you." Guild Master Bob agreed right away. "So, with you and Juvia back, including your addition of little love birds."

I nearly snorted at how close Guild Master Bob was to knowing the Sekirei's name and its meaning but kept quiet for now.

"Are you planning on doing any jobs? If so, mind putting it off for a week or possibly for a longer period of time?" Guild Master Bob places a new drink before me while taking the one I just finished to be clean.

"I don't mind not taking any jobs. Is there something that requires me to do something for the guild?" I raise an eyebrow.

"There is news that a Grand Magic Games will become the new things to determine the strongest guild in Fiore." Guild Master Bob begins. "No one has an idea when this event will start, but all we know is that Magic Council is part of it and that the Queen of Fiore is also part of this—making this a huge thing for all Mages. Especially with how Queen hasn't gotten involved with the Magic Guilds over the years."

Okay, I don't know if that was in canon, but it looks like Juvia and I came back on time for the beginning of the Grand Magic Games.

"So, do you want me to join this Grand Magic Game?" I asked, then got a laugh as an answer from Guild Master Bob.

"Oh, heavens no!" Guild Master Bob wipes the tears from the corner of his eyes. "Funny enough, the Magic Council banned you from attending because it would be unfair for everyone if someone of your level were to participate in the competition. It didn't matter if you were gone for a year or longer. Just the chance of your return made them put extra effort into banning you from the event."

Wow, that is something. Well, not that it matters to me since I'm not interested in the Grand Magic Games. I got my hand full with Juvia and the Sekirei.

"Right... So why do you need me not to take on any jobs?" I bring us back to the main topic before we proceed to a different conversation.

"I want you to train up a team of Mages in our guild to prepare for the Grand Magic Games. Don't worry; I'll pay you for your service." Guild Master Bob answered. "If possible, try to get Juvia involved too. Even if she can attend the event, but the chance is very low once she finds out you won't be part of it."

"Sure, I don't mind." I agreed. "But, quick question. Had Juvia and I didn't return today. Who would be the one training the team going to the event?"

"I would be the one to train them; however, it won't be much since I would be busy all the time. So it would be more advising them on things they have trouble with in their magic training." Guild Master Bob wiped the now clean glass dry and stored it under the counter.

"Alright, who am I training, and how many do I have to train?" I drank the new glass in one gulp, feeling a little buzz, but it only lasted a few seconds before disappearing under the influence of my Magic Power coursing through my body.

"Now, that would be a secret. You'll find out tomorrow. I have to gather them all and prepare them for you." Guild Master Bob giggles, causing me to shiver. "For now, just relax with your flock of little love birds."

"Will do." I nodded, got up, and headed over to where I saw Juvia talking with Miya and Tsukiumi while the rest was talking to each other or chatting with a guild member.

"Renato-sama!" Juvia pulled me next to her, then leaned against me instead of sitting on my lap like usual.

Then I remember that Miya and Tsukiumi are nearby, watching this display of affection. I can see the jealousy in their eyes, mainly with Tsukiumi than Miya. However, they didn't do anything like one would expect in this situation, with more than one girl in the picture.

"Juvia. Miya. Tsukiumi." I greeted all three, making the two Sekirei smile, no longer having eyes of jealousy. "So, how is the guild? Miya? Tsukiumi?"

"It's better than I imagine." Miya looks around the place. "The people here are nice and much stronger."

"I agree with Miya, but there is one thing I must ask since you're here now, Renato." Tsukiumi frowns a little. "Why is everyone questioning our relationship whenever some ask if we were single?"

Instead of asking her question, I look at Juvia as if that alone is enough to answer the question.

Juvia blinks, continues to smile, and tilts her head.

Seeing this caused me to sigh, but I knew Juvia wouldn't know that her past actions are why everyone was so surprised upon hearing the Sekirei telling everyone I'm their lover whenever they are asked. After all, Juvia has proved more than once that having other girls in my life isn't possible. Yet, here eleven new girls in my life, and Juvia didn't show any hostile intention toward them.

"It's because, in the past, a few girls wanted to become my lover, even if it meant sharing. However, Juvia didn't like that and chased them away. She even wanted to kill them just to prevent them from trying again later. Luckily for them, I managed to hold Juvia back before she could." I shake my head, then kiss Juvia on the lip, causing her to giggle. "Of course, I only had Juvia in my heart, but things change."

"What caused you to change your mind?" Miya looks very interested in my answer now.

Funny enough, everyone else nearby is also curious, trying their best to listen without being noticed but failing. Exceptionally, the room became quiet when all the conversations died out, besides the soft music playing in the background.

However, instead of answering this time, Juvia knew precisely why I was staring at her again.

Juvia coughed softly in her hand, straightening her back as she placed both hands on her lap. Afterward, she glares at those trying to eavesdrop on our conversations, excluding the Sekirei since they have the right to listen.

"L-Let's just say that after a while... Renato-sama has made it impossible for Juvia to walk the next day unless Juvia uses Healing Magic to speed up recovery. Otherwise, Juvia would be bedrest for a day or two. Maybe longer if Renato-sama is still in the mood to continue." Juvia blush. "Juvia wouldn't dare say no to Renato-sama's advance."

Nearly everyone is staring at me—no doubt connecting the dots in Juvia's comments. Soon, many female Mages are blushing like Juvia while many men give me envious looks.

"Oh, that's why." Kazahana leans forward from behind, wrapping her arm around my neck and bringing her face close to mine. I can smell the alcohol from her breath, and her cheeks have a pink hue to show how much she has drunk. "Yeah, I understand Juvia's reason for allowing us to be with you. In fact, I think it's good there are more of us because I can't handle you all on my own."

After saying her piece, Kazahana stood back up and took a good gulp from a large bottle that must contain lots of alcohol.

"What does Kazahana mean? And was Juvia injured by Renato somehow?" Musubi asks Yume, which causes the latter's mouth to twitch. "Were they sparring and got too into it that Renato hurt Juvia enough that she needed to be bedrest if she couldn't heal herself?"

"Let's just say that if Yume ever allows it. You'll understand Juvia's meaning by then." Uzume grins, ignoring the slight glare she is getting from Yume.

And just like that, I can feel the gazes of everyone in this guild. Most are giving me mixed signals.