Reby said with some fear, "It feels like a terrifying schedule."
Lucy nodded, "Yeah, luckily we didn't sign up."
Mira asked with a smile, "Are you sure you don't want to sign up?"
The two instinctively replied, "Of course not, with that kind of training volume..."
"But so many people signed up because of you two, if you don't participate..."
Mira placed her index finger on her chin, as if pondering Reby and Lucy's fate.
"..." The two shivered.
After a while, Reby realized the key issue and resignedly said, "Lu, we should go."
"Why?"
"Rhode specifically called us back yesterday, meaning we were already on the list."
Lucy opened her mouth for a moment, then dejectedly used Hapi's catchphrase, "Aye..."
Mira watched them leave with a smile and immediately set her sights on the next targets.
At that moment, Macao and Wakaba were casually critiquing the unlucky ones.
Macao shook his head, "Young people today really can't handle any hardship."
Wakaba nodded in agreement, "Yeah, if I were their age, I'd definitely give it a try."
Mira had quietly sat across from them but was choked by Wakaba's smoke, waving her hand.
"Oh, Mira, you're here, sorry." Wakaba apologetically put out his cigarette.
In fact, ever since Mira got pregnant, Wakaba was banned by Rhode and Elfman from coming within ten meters of her while smoking.
Putting out the cigarettes allowed a little leniency—it permitted him to find Mira for tasks.
Sitting across like this even made Wakaba feel a bit nostalgic.
"Are you feeling okay? Why not rest more at home?"
For a moment, Wakaba asked something like what one would say after a long time apart.
"I'm fine. Being in the guild feels more secure than being home alone." Mira asked with a smile, "Aren't you two signing up for the training camp?"
Macao sighed, "It would be fine if we were younger, but unfortunately we're getting on in years, I can't handle that intensity of training."
These two are now 43 years old, looking quite weathered, so saying this seems entirely fitting.
Mira comforted them with a smile, "It's okay, even if you can't go, there's still Romeo. As expected of your son, he boldly signed up."
"Hahaha, of course my son..." Macao froze, "What? Romeo signed up?!"
Mira said, "Yes, look."
Macao mechanically turned his head, just in time to see Natsu patting Romeo on the head, seemingly offering encouraging words.
Mira leveraged this momentum, saying, "He admires Natsu so much, and maybe Rhode will arrange for him to train with Natsu... That would make Romeo happy, right?"
Macao's vision went dark. Training with Natsu? That's dangerous!
Romeo is only 13, after all, he doesn't have Natsu's physique!
Macao slammed his drink on the table, dashing to Rhode like a purple lightning bolt, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him:
"I don't agree! Romeo can't participate, cancel the registration!"
Fried placed a hand on Macao's shoulder, "Rules are absolute, once you sign, you can't back out."
Rhode blinked, "But isn't Romeo quite happy about it? Don't worry, once in the training camp, I'll have Natsu look after him."
"Leaving it to Natsu makes me even more worried!"
Rhode said helplessly, "Then who can it be left to? Romeo and Natsu are best buddies... Unless his father participates as well."
Macao's expression changed, feeling like something was off, but couldn't quite figure it out.
Rhode added fuel to the fire, "I understand how you feel. When I become a father, I'd definitely be as concerned about my child as you are. But in such circumstances, I would be there with my child."
Macao felt a bit dazed for a moment. I've been a father for so many years, am I really not as good as a soon-to-be father?
He grabbed a registration form and quickly scribbled his name, "Who said I'm not participating? I'm joining too!"
Rhode accepted the registration form with satisfaction, "As expected of our guild veteran, good luck."
"Then in that case..."
Wait!
After calming down, Macao suddenly realized he seemed to have been led astray.
He came over to get Romeo out, not to discuss who would look after Romeo in the camp!
He gritted his teeth, "Rhode, you bastard..."
"No need for such bitterness." Rhode slung an arm around Macao's shoulder, whispering in his ear,
"Now that you're here, and can't back out, why not help me find a few others who can do as much or are in worse shape than you are."
"Why should I help you?"
"Because you definitely don't have more stamina than these young folk, you wouldn't want Romeo to see his dad come in last, right?"
Macao stepped back two steps, pointing a finger at Rhode, lips even trembling a bit.
What a wicked plan!
This Fairy Tail Strategist is using his intelligence not for external challenges but against his own kin?
Nevertheless, this move struck precisely at his weak spot.
Now he had no choice but to drag others into the water.
In such circumstances, the first person Macao thought of was indeed his good buddy.
Rhode watched with a smile as he left.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, Wakaba slapped the table and shouted:
"Who are you calling a coward?! Whatever you can do, I can definitely do better!"
Mira nearby made a peace sign towards Rhode, and Rhode gave her a heart.
Then the couple set their sights on their next target.
Under their relentless efforts (of conning and coaxing), aside from those not yet returned, everyone at the guild had signed up, either willingly or otherwise.
Including Laki and Ginanna, the service staff.
Even Li Li and Carla weren't spared.
Hapi was part of the first batch, plunging into the trap with Natsu.
Although the training camp was not exactly what many imagined, some impatient ones were very enthusiastic.
Due to their urging, training commenced directly on the day.
...
By evening, the Alzack and Bisca couple returned to the guild, pushing open the door:
"Why is it so quiet today? We came back early..."
"Why is there no one around?"
The duo walked in suspiciously, Bisca tried calling out, "President? Mira? Erza?"
"Seems like there's noise behind the guild."
The pair walked through the backyard out the door, only to see dozens of water splashes moving toward the shore at varying speeds in the lake.
There were a few chairs on the shore, Makarov and Mira sat under a parasol.
Rhode stood a bit forward, holding a megaphone: "Push yourselves, swim faster! Is this distance really too much for you?
"Can that even count as a Mage? Even the old lady selling popsicles at the door swims faster than you!"
Alzack and Bisca looked at each other in amazement: "Are they holding some kind of swimming competition?"