There are quite a few people in the guild who can substitute in, even my brother-in-law or sister-in-law could.
But looking at them, it's clear they would prefer to stay with Mira right now.
Rhode calculated for a moment; Fairy Tail B Team doesn't really lack combat power, basically anyone would do.
"Wendy, come with me."
Without receiving a response, Rhode directly tucked the brain-frozen Wendy under his arm and took her, like carrying off a large doll.
He's going to let Wendy show her face, earn some bonus money, which is a little bit of favoritism.
Carla wanted to say something but stopped, finally shouting a cheer for Wendy.
While voting hadn't started yet, Rhode hurriedly dragged Wendy to find the event official for temporary registration.
Unexpectedly, the person responsible today was a familiar face: "Yukino?"
"Lord Rhode?" Yukino was also somewhat surprised, "Do you need help with something?"
Rhode nodded, "Yes, personnel change for Fairy Tail B Team, replacing Mirajane with Wendy."
"Now?" Yukino said hesitantly, "It's best to change personnel in the morning, now it's a bit late, and the battle between the Demon and the Fairy Queen is this year's voter favorite..."
Rhode said, "Then we definitely have to change."
If Erza and Mira were to fight, it would definitely be a rough battle.
"Why?" Yukino thought of something and asked, "I just saw you take Mira away, is she injured?"
"No, it's just been discovered she's pregnant."
"Preg... huh?" Yukino's expression turned a bit blank, and after a while returned to her senses, "Ah... congratulations?"
"Thank you, so can you please make an exception?"
"I'll go tell them immediately." Yukino stood up and quickly found... Pumpkin Man.
Pumpkin Man seemed rather regretful, but eventually nodded.
Yukino quickly returned to tell Rhode the result, and Pumpkin Man called someone else to inform the announcer.
"What's the matter?" Yukino noticed Rhode watching Pumpkin Man.
"I'm curious about Pumpkin Man's identity... could it be Princess Jade?" Rhode felt Yukino and the guards' attitude towards Pumpkin Man was suspicious.
"How, how could it be..." Yukino was startled, Lord Rhode almost guessed the secret. She hastily explained, "The height and voice don't match at all."
Rhode shot her a strange look—in a world with Transformation Magic and Voice-Changing Magic, fretting over height and voice.
But since she didn't want to say, forget it, whatever.
At this time, the announcer also announced the personnel change in Fairy Tail B Team, reminding them not to vote for Mirajane anymore.
The four at Team A found it odd—Natsu was carried into the resting room, so there were only four.
Erza glanced concernedly towards their guild's spectator seats, relieved to see Mira was fine.
Lucy said, "Quite lucky, Wendy is easier to deal with than Miss Mira."
Gray laughed, "Indeed, and I know Wendy's weakness."
Kana felt it wasn't that simple, "There might be some trick."
...
On the other side, a dazed Wendy followed Rhode to the waiting area.
Laxus directly asked, "Confirmed?"
Rhode nodded with a smile, "Uh-huh, in another 8 months, I'll be a 'father level' person."
Even Gajeel, as dense as he was, knew what happened: "No way? You and that woman..."
"Why would that be surprising? We've been married for half a year." Rhode previously worried if he'd face reproductive isolation with people from this world.
Gajeel shook his head, "No, I mean... what kind of child would come from two monsters like you?"
Rhode chuckled, assuming he was being praised.
Laxus, however, frowned and said, "Rhode, I need to remind you of something."
"What?"
Laxus said seriously, "A child born from extremely powerful mages might possess immense magic power right from birth. You must be careful."
Gajeel was puzzled, "Careful? Isn't strong magic power good?"
"Maybe it's good for a mature mage. But for a newborn, immense magic power only brings pain and sickness,"
Laxus pointed to himself, "I inherited my grandfather's abilities, I'm the example. So you need to be prepared."
Rhode nodded seriously; Laxus had a poor health as a child due to magic power.
Even Porlyusica had no real solution.
Apart from him, there's also Ultear's example.
This made Rhode take it seriously, he needed to start thinking of solutions now.
The group temporarily ended this topic, Wendy asked anxiously, "Is it really okay for me to go on stage?"
Rhode encouraged, "Be more confident, your power is almost ready to take the S-Class exam."
Gajeel said, "You're a Dragon Slayer Mage, and a real dragon has trained you for so long. Show some spirit, small fry."
"Yes!" Wendy clenched her fist, motivating herself.
Rhode comforted again, "No need to be so nervous, you might not need to go on stage today."
After waiting for quite a while, the announcer finally received the battle table.
Jabadi announced, "For the second day of the Great Demon Fighting Martial Arts battle portion, first match, Fairy Tail A Team, Gray, against Lamia Scale, Leon!"
Leon gave a confident smile, "To fight Gray? Perfect for settling the score from the first match."
Team A sighed in relief, thankfully it wasn't Natsu.
Gray also smiled confidently, "I've been looking forward to it."
In a small village near the Royal Capital, Ultear paused before a large screen while conducting investigations.
It's a showdown of Ice Shaping Magic, and both are her mother's disciples.
She decided to watch this match before continuing her work.
The two entered the field calmly, with Jabadi explaining the characteristics of Shaping Magic from the announcer's platform.
Yajima praised the duo's magic and showed anticipation for Gray.
Jason could not stop yelling 'COOL' in excitement.
Pumpkin Man, as usual, announced the start and quickly left the stage.
Leon smiled at Gray, "How long has it been since we had a serious duel?"
"Hmm? What are you talking about?" Gray said with a cheeky smile, "Didn't I beat you in the first match already? That thing called Hidden Competition."
Leon's forehead bulged with veins, losing to Gray, that junior, was unacceptable, "That match where hitting once meant victory, couldn't show off my magic at all!"
"Alright, alright, I know, third from last place." Gray spread his hands, calmly stating Leon's rank then.
"Bastard..." Leon's mouth twitched, immediately started, "Ice-Make: Kite!"
With opposing palms, a flock of vividly animated ice kites flew towards Gray, each beautifully crafted.
"Ice-Make: Fishnet!" Gray mimicked his posture, spreading out a large net, ensnaring the flock, then dropping them to the ground.
The net and flock vanished, Leon laughed, "I thought you'd use a shield to block."
"Hmph..." Gray laughed too, digging into Leon's past, "I thought you'd use one-handed shaping for a quick assault."
Leon responded calmly, "One-handed shaping is incomplete, stability is poor, taught by Ultear."
Gray responded in kind, "Using a net or shield should adapt to the situation, as shaping magic is free magic, also taught by Ultear."
The siblings gave each other bright smiles, their spirit growing stronger.
Watching this scene, Ultear seemed to see her mother's shadow in them, smiling as tears flowed down.