Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master-Chapter 129: Never Drinking So Much Again

"This is the same feathered headdress worn by Guild Master Roubaul of the Cait Shelter. Wear this, and you'll be the chieftain of our Fairy Tail!"

After putting away anything dangerous, Rhodes opened up his large travel case.

"Is this how you wear it?" Makarov asked with childlike curiosity as he placed the extravagant headdress atop his head, trying his best to strike a few regal poses.

But only a few seconds later, he burst out laughing and began twisting his body left and right to show off the gift.

"Bwahaha! Look at me, everyone! What do you think, Guild Master-worthy, right?!"

"Guild Master, that's ridiculous!" someone laughed.

"Are we doing a comedy skit now?"

Makarov, being already tiny in stature, looked even more hilarious with the giant feathered headdress towering over his head—it was practically bigger than the rest of his body. Combined with his gleeful dancing and exaggerated poses, it wasn't long before the entire guild was laughing along.

"Rhodes, do you have anything for me?" Laki asked eagerly. "Something unique from the Cait shelter, perhaps?"

"Don't get your hopes up too high. I've got something for you, but no, it's not a torture device," Rhodes said with a grin as he pulled out a wooden mask with sharp, demon-like teeth—the most sinister-looking item he'd found in the entire village.

"Whoa! The craftsmanship is incredible!" Laki said, immediately captivated. As a user of wood magic, she instantly picked up on the detailed artistry of the mask.

Though not exactly a torture tool, the creepy demon mask actually suited her aesthetic quite well. It would fit right in on her wall back home.

Rhodes continued pulling gifts from his case, handing them out one by one.

Reedus received a set of finely crafted old brushes.

Levy was given an ancient parchment inscribed with Nerubian script.

Droy got a pouch of plant seeds.

Jet received a pair of hunting boots used by the local tribes.

Erza was given a ceremonial wooden armor set—more decorative than practical, typically worn during village celebrations.

For Elfman, he gifted a necklace made of beast fangs.

For Nab, tribal-style facial paint.

For Cana, a bottle of the local brew.

Alzack received a handcrafted bow and arrows.

Rhodes had clearly taken the time to pick out something meaningful for everyone he was close with. Even those he wasn't as familiar with received thoughtful trinkets—bracelets, headscarves, veils, and small ornaments.

For Mirajane, though, he presented something extra special—a beautiful summer dress complete with matching accessories: bracelet, anklet, earrings, and hair ties. Knowing the weather was already turning chilly in autumn, he even included a soft shawl to complement the outfit, both for warmth and style.

Mira smiled warmly and cradled the gift in her arms. She clearly loved it.

Laki noticed the exchange but didn't bother teasing. She just gave Rhodes a meaningful glance.

"Don't look at me like that," Rhodes said, feigning innocence. "I don't know everyone's clothing sizes, okay?"

But that excuse only invited more teasing.

"Sure, sure," Laki smirked. "You two go shopping together often, right? I bet you know exactly what size Mira wears."

Mira gave Laki a gentle nudge but felt a strange flutter in her heart. She wasn't quite sure what to make of her growing closeness with Rhodes.

She remembered telling him she'd treat him to a meal during the Harvest Festival.

Just thinking about it made her cheeks flush—and her heart skip a beat.

As the gift-giving wrapped up, Laki suddenly spotted something strange at the bottom of Rhodes' box.

"What are those weird chunks of wood?"

Rhodes said, "It's just regular wood... and a flint. I'm saving it for Natsu when he gets back."

Natsu wasn't at the guild today. Apparently, after finally recovering from the side effects of his last mission two days ago, he couldn't wait to jump into action and had already taken up a new job.

Laki blinked in confusion. "What is that supposed to be?"

"Well... think of it as 'fire' brought from outside," Rhodes offered, having come up with the idea after some serious thought.

The wood and flint were from the Cait Shelter, after all—so surely they counted as imported fire, right?

"I just hope Natsu appreciates it."

"And what about that fishbone you brought back for Happy?" Laki added teasingly.

"That was a handcrafted fishbone ornament," Rhodes clarified. "Counts as art. Besides, anything from Carla's guild is bound to make Happy happy."

He'd originally wanted to ask Carla to craft something herself for Happy... but she flat-out refused.

It didn't feel right to give Happy something another cat had made, especially not if it was meant as a gift from him. So in the end, he let it go. Poor Happy.

"To celebrate Rhodes and Gray's safe return—and my recent praise from the Magic Council—I say it's time for a party!" Makarov announced, raising his tiny arms with grand energy.

"Ohhh!!!" the guild erupted in cheers.

Naturally, the suggestion got an enthusiastic response. Most members of Fairy Tail loved a good celebration, and with spirits high, a party was the perfect excuse to let loose.

"Another party?" Rhodes muttered, bemused. "Feels like we've been having them back-to-back lately."

"That's because we have," Gray called out as he casually waved a hand, and—poof—his shirt vanished as usual. "We had the send-off party for the Magical Parade, and then the welcome party at the Cait Shelter. We're basically on a roll!"

"Anyway—cheers!"

Gray immediately merged into the rowdy crowd, grabbing a drink as if it were tradition.

Mira gently pressed a wine glass into Rhodes' hand. "Try not to overdo it this time, okay?"

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Easier said than done.

Once the mood caught on, it all escalated quickly. One toast led to another, and then another, and soon it became a wild series of cheers, clinking glasses, and laughter echoing through the guild hall.

Makarov was in a particularly good mood. He grabbed both Rhodes and Gray, practically parading them around the guild.

Naturally, everyone in the guild was like family, so Rhodes had no idea what Makarov was trying to prove by showing them off like trophies.

Still, after a few grand words and a few more cheers, all their glasses were full once more.

Laughter echoed through the hall, voices rising and falling in joy, and just as expected... the celebration lasted well into the night.

And yes—Rhodes got drunk again.

In his fuzzy haze, he thought he saw Mira wearing the outfit he had gifted her, twirling in front of him and asking with a smile, "How do I look?"

"Good... Beautiful!" he remembered replying, or at least hoped he did.

...

The morning sun crept in through the window, casting its golden glow over his face. Groaning, Rhodes sat up and rubbed his aching forehead. "Ugh... I swear I'm never drinking that much again..."

"Hot milk or warm water. Which would you prefer?"

His bleary eyes blinked open—and then widened.

Standing before him wasn't a dream or a drunken vision from last night. Mira was actually there, in the Nirvit tribal outfit he had brought back.

"I'll take both!" he blurted out, forgetting the hangover for a moment as he took in the sight.

Mira had indeed changed into the outfit—though the top was a little light for the season, she wore a soft shawl over her shoulders to compensate. Still, it couldn't hide the graceful curve of her waist, which the outfit displayed generously.

She had swapped her usual crystal pendant for a subtly ornate gold necklace, and tied her hair into a loose braid that perfectly matched the tribal style.

The sleeves were slit, showing glimpses of her arms beneath the drape of the shawl, adding just the right balance of elegance and allure.

Her skirt's hem lifted slightly as she walked, allowing a peek at her Fairy Tail guild mark. Her socks barely reached her ankles, their purpose seemingly to highlight the delicate silver anklet she wore, drawing attention to her pale instep and toes that shifted restlessly with every hesitant step.

"This is the first time I've worn something like this," Mira said, a little awkward as she fidgeted. "It feels a bit... unfamiliar."

Rhodes, hangover or not, felt instantly refreshed. "It's beautiful. Honestly, it looks even better on you than it did on the actual Nirvit tribeswomen."

"Really?" Mira turned slowly on the spot, her smile warm and genuine. "Then I guess it was worth trying."

But after a moment, she added, "Still, it's probably time to change."

"So soon?" Rhodes asked, a little disappointed.

"Well," she said with a soft chuckle, "it is late autumn. Summer clothes do feel a little out of place right now..."

She glanced toward the guild hall. "And besides, everyone's about to wake up."

...

Stones💎💎💎