The people in the lake were desperately swimming, while Rhode gleefully shouted through a megaphone:
"Come on, Gray, Jubia is about to catch up to you, and she's not even using any Magic!"
"Natsu, you're now two meters behind Gray!"
"Gajeel, can you do it? Even Natsu, who plays with fire, is faster than you in the water!"
"Jet, Troy, didn't you say you'd never lose to Gajeel in pure physical stamina? What's with those sluggish movements... er, Troy's cramping, quick, help him!"
Alzack and Bisca had just listened to Mira explaining what had happened.
Alzack asked, "It sounds interesting, but why suddenly set up a training camp?"
Makarov explained, "The situation is tense, and there's a high possibility of war in the future. Rhode thinks everyone's current strength is insufficient and needs to be increased."
Looking at the patch of red hair in the lake, Bisca exclaimed, "Even Erza's strength isn't enough?"
Mira laughed, "I think Erza is here out of interest."
But Makarov countered, "It's not just that; in light of potential future enemies, Erza's strength also needs improvement."
"What?" Bisca was taken aback, "Who exactly are the enemies?"
Makarov shook his head, "I'll explain in detail later, I also have something to ask you guys.
"In the meantime, aim to get as strong as Rhode or Laxus."
"..." This target seemed a bit high, and the couple didn't know what to say, "… Do we have to join too?"
Mira skillfully pulled out a registration form, "Everyone joined voluntarily. Sign here and give it your all, today you just need to swim to the other side and back."
"..." A cold sweat appeared on Alzack's forehead, "Um, I want to go see Asuka first."
"Ah, yes, we left Asuka at a friend's house, need to hurry and pick her up."
Mira smiled, "It only takes a few seconds to sign, right?"
Alzack looked towards Makarov for help, "President, is everyone really joining voluntarily?"
Makarov hesitated for half a second, then nodded, "… Of course."
In the end, Mira didn't push the couple any further, letting them pick up their child after signing.
By the time the family of three returned, everyone's stamina training was complete.
A small portion of people were still bouncing around, but most were sprawled out on the lakeshore.
Hapi weakly complained, "Why do we have to join too?"
Lucy casually replied, "Because you signed."
"I'm exhausted, it's all Lucy's fault, Lucy must treat me to fish."
Lucy avoided the topic of her 'intelligence issues' and instead teased,
"Why are you so tired? You've been clinging to Natsu the whole time, I'm the one who's exhausted..."
"I swam really far too!"
"Ugh… My shoulder…" Macao rubbed his sore left shoulder, not forgetting to add, "But I'm definitely not completely old yet, I finished two seconds faster than Wakaba."
Wakaba was in roughly the same condition as Macao, but upon hearing this, he immediately retorted, "What are you talking about? My head clearly crossed the finish line first!"
Macao sneered, "Nonsense, do you still think you have the same hairstyle as 7 years ago?"
"You bastard..."
The two old rivals seemed to suddenly forget their fatigue, ready to get up and confront each other at any moment.
Following Rhode's instructions, Romeo, despite being tired, persisted in doing stretching exercises, while advising:
"Let it go, Dad, Uncle Wakaba, there are other activities later."
The two instantly lost their energy, sitting back-to-back.
Macao complained, "That guy Rhode, I'm going to report him for abusing the elderly."
Wakaba snorted, "Report to whom? His wife?"
"Sigh..." The two sighed in resignation simultaneously.
Rhode shouted, "Erza, take those who are in good condition for another lap, draining their strength before stopping!"
Erza made a preparation gesture before entering the water, smiling, "Got it, leave it to me."
Some people's expressions changed, but it was already too late.
Erza tossed Natsu Gray into the lake one by one, and kicked Gajeel and Elfman in as well.
Seeing these four as examples, others who still had energy, like Jubia and Kana, reluctantly went in.
Kana even sneakily took a couple of gulps of wine, no one knew where she hid that bottle earlier.
Rhode was very satisfied with Erza's work, and then shouted, "Everyone else rest for an hour, next training after dinner!"
"Oh..."
"Ah..."
On the shore, there was a pile of weak, indistinguishable sounds, uncertain if they were cheers or wails.
Asuka, seeing some older brothers and sisters entering the water, cheered, "Mom, I want to swim too!"
Bisca looked troubled, thinking about who to ask for help to watch over Asuka.
"You're here?" Rhode welcomed them kindly, "Do you want to chat first or dive in?"
Alzack weakly said, "Let's chat first..."
He pondered, trying to stall for a bit.
Mira stood up, "Asuka, why don't you come with me to change into your swimsuit first?"
"Okay~"
Asuka followed Mira away, while the gunslinger couple went with Rhode and Makarov to the Guild Master's office.
"President, what exactly is the situation?"
Makarov said, "Nothing major, just want to learn about the Western Continent from you two."
Alzack was puzzled, "The Western Continent?"
Thinking of the previous topic, Bisca asked, "The possible war you mentioned... Could it be against the Western Continent?"
Makarov nodded, "Hmm... So we need as much information as possible from all sides."
Rhode said, "Um... Considering this concerns your hometown, would asking like this..."
Alzack shook his head, "It's okay, my hometown has been gone for a long time, all because of war."
Bisca forced a smile, "My old home has probably turned into a desert by now."
"But now, this is our home."
The couple held hands, as if comforting each other.
After a while, they began to share basic information, starting with their own experiences.
Between the Western Continent and the Ishujal Continent, there's 2000~3000 kilometers of sea separating them. Previously, the only mode of transport was via old-fashioned sailing ships, taking at least 10 days.
The continent over there is of a similar size to Ishujal, and it's hard to say if resources are better over there.
These are common knowledge.
Bisca began by describing her family's situation.
"I seem to have lived on the edge of a desert since I was little. My family raised horses, cattle, and sheep, and sometimes I could see a large herd of zebras running by from the house's entrance. So I loved all kinds of animals from a young age.
"But not everyone was like this. When animals passed by in herds, there were often people with hunting rifles.
"Some people dressed like Hunters, but carried guns to rob. To protect themselves and their families, most people in our small village had rather... fierce personalities.
"Later, the environment deteriorated more and more, with the desert nearly reaching our doorstep, and frequent sandstorms. So everyone began moving away one after another.
"My parents passed away during the migration. I... barely managed to pull myself together, it might not even be pulling myself together, just wanting to escape.
"One day, when I wandered to a port, I suddenly decided to spend most of my money on a ship ticket, and then I left the Western Continent and came to Ishujal."