"That's what I heard, and now you've heard it too. Hurry and help me reduce the swelling."
"You better handle it yourself slowly."
Mira folded the gauze several times, soaked it in the potion, and then taped it onto his face with medical tape.
Actually, wrapping the gauze around the back of the head in a circle would work too, but it wouldn't look good. This looks a bit better.
"Next time if I get hurt on the face, you have to do it this way too, remember?"
"That depends on your performance. Maybe even for a one millimeter wound, I'll wrap you up like a mummy."
"You dare!"
Rhode's gaze drifted upwards, "Or maybe I'll just make you look as ugly as possible."
Mira looked around, seeing that no one was paying attention, gently kissed the newly applied gauze.
The touch wasn't pleasant at all, it even hurt a bit. Medically speaking, this wasn't sanitary.
But he couldn't be happier.
"Alright, I remember." Rhode took the bandage from her happily, "Your turn now."
After fussing for a while, helping Mira bandage her injuries, Rhode looked her up and down, "How can you still look so good even when you're hurt?"
Mira chuckled, giving him a playful slap, "Stop flattering, we need to go save someone."
"Save who?"
Mira pointed behind him, "Of course it's Gajeel."
It's unknown how Erza managed it, but Gajeel's neck was wrapped with several layers of bandage, and it was so tight his face was turning purple.
His left foot was raised and tied to his left hand, despite being the Iron Dragon, he demonstrated remarkable flexibility.
"Good, though a bit challenging, all the injured spots are covered." Erza was quite pleased with her work, "You take your time healing, I'll see if anyone else needs help."
Gajeel wanted to speak but couldn't say a word. He felt Erza's "fix-ups" hurt more than Laxus' hits.
In the end, Reby couldn't bear it anymore and cut the bandages open — Erza's craftsmanship was too good, undoing them wasn't an option, only cutting.
Rhode was just about to stand up when Mira pulled him back.
"What's wrong?"
Mira whispered in Rhode's ear, "Do you think... Reby might..."
"...No way, right?" Rhode felt Mira was back to her usual self, seeing a couple in everyone getting close.
"Why not? Look at Reby and Gajeel, don't they look a bit flushed? And also..."
Mira rattled off several reasons, some of which were quite impolite towards Jet and Troy.
Although they were baseless speculations, they sounded reasonable enough and almost convinced Rhode.
"Rather than guessing about Reby, why not guess who Erza matches best with."
Mira was instantly energized, "The most suspicious with Erza, of course, are Natsu and Gray! They've been 'Erza Faction' since they were small, and I've heard they even bathe together. And last time, that Simon, he was obviously different towards Erza..."
"Wait, wait, what's 'Erza Faction'?"
"..." Mira was a bit embarrassed, "Because we often fought with Erza when we were kids, we called those close to her 'Erza Faction', and didn't let Elfman play with them..."
"Haha." Rhode chuckled, not expecting Mira to be this childish, "Then I'm part of the 'Mira Jean Faction'?"
"You're also Erza Faction!" Mira ticked off on her fingers holding old grudges, glaring as she continued, "You teamed up with Erza, shared a room, and almost got taken by her to bathe together!"
Rhode held Mira's hand, pressing her fingers back one by one, "I've already defected. Now, I'm firmly in the Mira Jean Faction; we also teamed up, shared a room, and bathed together!"
Mira rolled her eyes at him, "Keep dreaming."
"Hmm hmm." Rhode was nonchalant, it was bound to happen sooner or later.
...
Despite some commotion, most people were still functional, so the Magical Parade had to go on.
The guild mages' resilience was truly remarkable; fighting to the death in the morning, and by evening, mostly able to jog.
The Thunder God Tribe had it a bit tougher, although awake, they were barely able to sit up.
Biguslo, having a weaker constitution to begin with, would need quite some time to recover after being slashed by Erza. Ibarglin and Fried purely got beaten up too badly.
At that moment, Rhode and Mira were both acting with the Crown of Embers.
Laxus also woke up, but had yet to leave the infirmary, lying alone on the bed staring at the ceiling, his right leg in a plaster cast elevated, a crutch beside the bed just in case.
Makarov had already spoken with Laxus about his punishment, which would be officially announced the following day.
Laxus accepted everything without much to say, needing some time to calm down.
The others, unaware of what happened in the infirmary, were bustling around preparing for the Magical Parade.
When Makarov finally came out, complaints erupted, "You're too slow, President. If you don't come, we'll leave you behind!"
Makarov's face broke into a smile, "Fools! When does a Magical Parade ever leave the President behind? Quick, check if there are any costume issues!"
"We checked already..."
Jubia was slightly anxious, "Um... Can Jubia really participate?"
Lucy also asked, "What about me? I'm still new here."
"Of course, it's an event for the whole guild, as long as you're mobile, you participate," Rhode said, "I performed last year."
Lucy asked curiously, "Oh? What did Mr. Rhode perform?"
Natsu immediately replied, "Oh, Rhode performed the act of drilling... Ow!"
Rhode's fist landed squarely on Natsu's face, smiling as he corrected, "Nothing much, just some ordinary magic."
"Definitely not ordinary magic." Lucy could tell from his reaction it wasn't, or else why hit anyone?
Natsu jumped up, "Rhode, you jerk, want to fight more?"
Before Rhode could respond, Natsu swung a punch at him.
Rhode didn't hesitate, fight then, no mention of last year's performance, still good friends.
As good friends, you must aim for the face in a fight.
The two clashed with loud thuds, and the scuffle was starting to involve others.
Standing close, Lucy had already received a punch, holding her forehead with tears silently flowing, "Why am I the unlucky one every time?"
"This is retribution for trying to seduce Gray," Jubia slid away after squatting beside Lucy, delivering her line.
"Who's trying to seduce him!" Lucy silently moved further away.
"You two need to stop!"
"No more fooling around, Rhode."
The ones trying to break it up were Erza and Mira, who resorted to fists since words failed.
Rhode watched dumbfounded as Mira's punch joined Erza's in landing atop Natsu's head.
Natsu flopped to the ground, two large bumps forming on his head.
"Oops, aimed wrong." Mira smiled sweetly at Rhode.
"..." Rhode suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
He'd treat Natsu to some fire later.
"Alright, it's about time, let's get ready to go!"
"Oh!!!"
Trumpeted by everyone's cheers, crackers popped around Magnolia.
Colorful fireworks shot into the sky, blossoming against the night background, their light and sound drawing the public's attention.
A few minutes passed till the fireworks paused, revealing the Fairy Tail Magical Parade on the street!
Like the previous year, dance teams, music ensembles, and floats alternated, freely showcasing joyful dance steps, lively music, and unique magic.
Lucy had the honor this year as a newcomer, standing at the front car C-position, dancing a cheerleading number she hadn't managed to perform in the beauty contest with Reby and Bisca.
This year, Gray teamed up with Jubia, dressed in prince and princess costumes, collaboratively conjuring a beautiful ice crystal castle.
The people shrieked, cheered, thoroughly enjoying this magical feast provided by Fiore's top guild.