Eric's mouth twitched, this bastard, even though he didn't say a single threatening word, he was clearly threatening him in his mind!
He heard it all!
Clearly, he hated this almost mind-reading ability, yet he could use it so flexibly in reverse, this guy...
Eric fumed for a few seconds, and then he got a little nervous.
Quiberius was once his closest partner, he knew she was human but could never turn her back.
Now she had resumed human form, but rumor had it she had lost her memories from her time as a snake.
This was certainly a good thing, but Eric didn't know how to face her now.
For the first time, his tangled mind made his ears fail.
The girl was already standing in front of him, but he hadn't noticed the sound of her footsteps at all.
"You... I..." Eric stammered, unable to speak.
Ginanna stared at him for a while and suddenly asked, "Is it you? I've heard your voice before."
"What?" Eric looked at her, puzzled.
Ginanna said a little frustrated, "I often seem to hear you calling me in my dreams, you said you wanted to hear my voice."
He had indeed said that.
That was even his wish when he was in the Oracion Seis, he followed the leader and initiated Nirvana for this reason.
"Now I'm here." Ginanna stood briskly in front of Eric, "I feel like I've remembered a little something."
Eric felt a bit of joy, but at the same time, he was also heartbroken hoping she wouldn't remember.
"Our relationship should have been very good, right?" Ginanna looked at the flustered young man in front of her and said gently with a smile, "Aren't you going to say something? Now... I want to hear your voice."
Eric had already heard what she wanted to say in advance, but this was the time he doubted his ears the most.
Also the time he most wanted to hear her truly say it out loud.
He heard it.
This must be the most beautiful voice in the world...
"I'm Eric, and before... I called you Quiberius, we were the best, best friends."
The leader was already dead, Nirvana was destroyed.
But his wish had come true.
Today, at this very moment.
...
"Don't push..."
"You stepped on me!"
"Let me see!"
"You're too loud, you'll get noticed!"
"Ah, she's back, she's back!"
Ginanna walked into the courtyard and saw a row of small heads beside the door quickly retracting.
Red, gold, green, blue, purple, white...
So, everyone's hair comes in so many colors, she almost thought she saw a rainbow.
Thinking about the personalities of the sisters in the guild, Ginanna could almost guess what would happen once she walked in.
A bit troublesome, yet also very happy.
Sure enough, once she entered, most people pretended to do their own thing.
Only Laki came up and hugged her immediately, "How was it, how was it?"
"What do you mean how was it?"
"Who was that person? A boyfriend?" Laki glanced at Rhode discontentedly, "That guy just wouldn't say anything."
Ginanna saw Rhode's smiling face and directly left her best friend, running to him and solemnly saying, "Thank you!"
Rhode laughed, "You're welcome, I'll give you some extra training later to celebrate."
Ginanna puffed her cheeks, "Can't you say something more pleasant for once?"
"Sure, why not?" Rhode corrected himself, "I'll give you some extra training later to celebrate, make you a bit happier."
Ginanna: "..."
How does Sister Mira put up with this guy?
Laki pulled Ginanna away, "Don't mind him, quickly tell me about that person just now!"
"Him..." Ginanna involuntarily broke into a smile, "We've known each other for a long time..."
The ones who had been eavesdropping now started pricking up their ears to listen.
Even Mira moved a bit closer.
Rhode whispered, "Didn't I secretly tell you already."
Mira made a shushing gesture and whispered, "It's different."
Let her be. Rhode shook his head, got up, and went to organize the Black Magic Sect's material, preparing to send a copy to the Council.
When he returned, Wolian suddenly came up to him, "Rhode, I'd like to take some time off."
"What's the matter?"
"Over at the institute, they are preparing to develop a law enforcement version of the communication magic crystal, and asked me to help out."
"Oh, I know about that. It's quite important, good luck."
"The basic stuff is already developed, the adjustments this time shouldn't be too hard, so I'll try to be back soon."
"You better be, we plan to have you spar with Marcus later on, don't want you getting stomped into the ground."
"Uh..." Wolian showed a troubled face, eventually sighed, "Seems like I can't completely skip training even while outside."
"Haha." Rhode laughed, "No need for too much pressure, in a few days everyone will take turns going out for work."
As Rhode said, the Fairy Tail training camp was being organized orderly, and everyone gradually got used to this lifestyle.
But occasionally, someone would take time off to take on a task.
Either to earn a living or to tackle an urgent task that can't be avoided.
Rhode would note down the schedule and adjust it upon their return depending on the situation.
People would also rush back to complete their tasks quickly, afraid of delaying training and being surpassed by their rivals.
Time unknowingly reached late November.
Rhode had just accompanied Mira for a check-up, six months pregnant, the good news was Mira's physical condition and the development of the fetus were excellent.
However, from now on Mira's movements would become increasingly inconvenient and her body might show some adverse reactions, requiring extra care.
The two slowly walked back, treating it as a stroll.
Rhode's communication magic crystal suddenly rang.
Taking out the magic crystal, Rhode thought of a classic rumor, "This thing shouldn't have radiation, right?"
"What?" Mira asked puzzledly, "Why aren't you answering?"
"Oh, nothing, must be something from the Council." Rhode answered the call, and Mest's image appeared on the screen.
The cooperation between the Council and the institute was progressing smoothly, the law enforcement version of the communication magic crystal had already gone into production.
Of course, Wolian played a significant role in it and made a hefty sum.
Mest wasted no words and directly said, "We're ready to move, can we request Wendy's assistance?"
"Of course, we can also bring along a few extra helpers for you."
"This..." Mest was a bit troubled.
Generally speaking, having a few more powerful helpers is good, but this time the operation also requires stealth, and that gang in the guild...
Rhode said, "Rest assured, Natsu is out working. I'll assign some reliable ones, mainly to protect Wendy."
Mest visibly breathed a sigh of relief, "Alright, we'll set off in half an hour, gathering at the Fiore branch of the Council."
"No problem."
...
Reby pointed at herself in surprise, "Me?"
Rhode nodded, "You, Gajeel and Li Li, mainly to accompany Wendy, you're also familiar with the Council there, it's easier to talk if anything comes up."
Reby nodded, "Alright, but Gajeel doesn't like the Council, does he?"
Rhode said, "Just tell him there's going to be a fight, and there will be temporary Council uniforms to wear, you can even take a photo to scare Lady Beluno later.
"If he performs well, during the celebration, the members of the Strong Detention Team would be willing to listen to him sing his new song."
"Uh..." Reby was at a loss for words, "It's a good idea, but not very friendly to those eager to join the team."
"It's a mental workout, they've been doing special training recently, I guess old man Uluuf must have neglected mental training."
"Alright..."
Reby thought, even if no one else besides her appreciated the song, it shouldn't result in Gajeel getting detained.
Three people and two cats gathered, Rhode transported them to the Council.
The Fiore branch of the Council also had his Hex Flying Gate left behind, which made transportation very convenient.
Lahar came to greet them, "This time, I'm counting on everyone, especially Miss Wendy."
"I'll do my best." Wendy knew her task was to tackle that disease magic, she was confident in this area.