Laki tasted the delicious new dessert.
Although it wasn't quite to her taste, she still had to thank Rhode for remembering her.
Wendy tasted the delicious dessert.
Of course, she shared it with Carla, who was contemplating making something in return next time.
Mira also naturally enjoyed the delicious dessert, and because she was worried about gaining weight from eating too much, she shared it with Rhode.
"Why does Lisana look so down?" Mira couldn't understand, how could shopping with Rhode not be enjoyable?
"It's quite fun, just encountered something interesting."
Rhode recounted today's experiences to Mira.
Mira sympathized with her sister, then burst into laughter.
Just as she was thinking about comforting Lisana, Lucy entered the Guild, looking quite worn out.
She habitually slouched over the counter: "Miss Mira, could you please get me something to eat? I'm starving."
"Sure~" Mira asked Mr. Cook to make a bowl of ramen, then returned to ask, "Was the journey smooth? Is Mr. Jude doing well?"
Lucy feebly replied, "He's okay, almost wasn't."
Mira poured Lucy a glass of water: "Did something happen? Take your time to explain."
Lucy took a sip of water to soothe her throat, then began, "Dad started his business from scratch again, yesterday he was hauling goods back to Agalifa from out of town, and encountered robbers on the way."
"How could that happen?" Mira covered her mouth, "Was Mr. Jude hurt?"
"When I got to the Business Guild, someone just delivered a message saying the robbers demanded a ransom." Lucy looked visibly shaken, "So I went straight there, intending to rescue him and beat those robbers to a pulp."
Although not particularly powerful in the Guild, Lucy was more than capable of handling a group of robbers.
So Mira felt relieved: "So you succeeded?"
"No. By the time I arrived with the Business Guild members, the robbers had already been dealt with by someone from our Guild." Lucy pouted and shook her fists, "I wanted my dad to see how strong I am."
Mira laughed: "Isn't that a good thing? As long as he's safe, you'll have plenty of chances to show him your magic."
Rhode was puzzled: "So who took care of the robbers? I don't recall anyone going near Agalifa."
Lucy replied: "It was someone named Mest, he said he hardly returns to the Guild and just happened to be passing by."
Neither Mira nor Rhode found anything unusual, nodding in realization: "Oh, it was him, that guy is as mysterious as Mystogan, always wandering outside."
Lucy thought, if he's like Mystogan, then it's normal she didn't know him, the Guild isn't short on strange types.
She asked: "Eh? Could he be from Edolas too?"
Mira confidently declared: "No, his magic is ability-based, and he's very strong. Last year he was even eligible to participate..."
At that point, Mira abruptly covered her mouth, almost letting it slip in front of Lucy.
Seeing this, Lucy indignantly slapped the table: "I remember now, the thing you've been hiding from me is the S-Class exam! How could you all keep such an important thing from me?"
"Oh dear, we thought it would be more exciting to tell you later since it's still early for you to participate in the S-Class exam," Mira regretfully explained, "Such a pity, I didn't get to see your reaction. Was it Mest who told you?"
"If it weren't for him, I'd still be in the dark. He even said he'd invite me to be his partner..." Lucy, still huffy, felt everyone in the Guild loved teasing her.
"Don't be mad, come on, have something to eat." Rhode placed a large bowl of ramen in front of Lucy.
Lucy was truly hungry, and started eating without caring about appearances, reminiscent of Natsu's ravenous style.
Once she finished, Lucy's anger mostly subsided: "What did Mest mean about 'partner'?"
Mira asked: "Didn't he explain it in detail?"
Lucy nodded: "Yeah, he left in a hurry saying he had other matters. We barely had time to thank him."
Mira explained: "Every year, for the S-Class exam, candidates need to choose a partner to assist them.
The specifics vary since the exam site and questions change yearly, even I don't know the details now."
Lucy's eyes widened, unsure: "For such an important exam, am I really suitable as a partner? Natsu and Gray are stronger than me, aren't they?"
"Perhaps because Natsu and Gray are both promising this year, and choosing a partner isn't solely about magic power, compatibility matters too."
Mira said, "With all your Star Spirits, Lucy, you could be crucial in certain exam segments."
Lucy's smile became harder to suppress, her expression revealing her thoughts.
Mira continued: "Besides, Mest doesn't have many close connections in the Guild, perhaps he heard someone say you have a kind heart, which is why he invited you."
"I'm not that exceptional… haha… hahaha..." Lucy, amidst Mira's praise, started losing herself.
Rhode thought if he were to ask Lucy for help now, she wouldn't refuse.
So he spoke up: "I happen to need help from a kind soul, but it's hard to ask."
Lucy proudly patted her chest: "Feel free to ask anything!"
"Since Kana is out, the tavern's drink sales have been poor lately. If someone could dress up as a bunny girl to attract customers, that'd be brilliant."
"Leave it to... no way!" Lucy suddenly realized, shouting at Rhode, "What kind of request is that?!"
Rhode ignored her change of heart: "Alright, you said it, leave it to you."
Mira punched Rhode gently, then laughed endlessly, thinking he was being too mischievous.
Moreover, it seemed like everything she said before was in cahoots with Rhode to trick Lucy, it was just too... too funny.
Lucy strongly opposed: "I refuse, no way!"
"Okay, okay." Rhode was just teasing her, he couldn't really force her to change clothes.
Lucy took a short break, checked the bulletin board briefly, and came back to sit down, speaking with some embarrassment: "How long will this situation last?"
She was referring to the mad scramble for jobs, and that Natsu and Gray were reluctant to team up.
Mira blinked: "Oh? Is Lucy short on money? Maybe consider..."
"Absolutely not!"