Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master-Chapter 260: Strategist Secures S-Rank Girlfriend!

"No no no! Not just any fire!" Natsu puffed out his chest. "Black fire!"

Gray stared, gears slowly turning. "Wait, like the God Slayer magic Rhodes mentioned?"

"That's right! AHAHAHA!" Natsu laughed like he was already being awarded the Fire Gourmet of the Year.

Of course, in his mind, Gray was supposed to be super jealous. But reality had other plans.

"Oh wow. So you really could't handle that fire before, huh?" Gray smirked. "Guess someone finally realized other people's fire can be hotter. Who's the fire loser now?"

Natsu's hair practically sparked. He pressed his forehead to Gray's. "You ice jerk!"

Gray stood and leaned right back into it. "Wanna go, you flammable freak?"

"Bring it! I'll show you the results of my training!"

"You're not the only one who's been working hard!"

Ever since Rhodes posted those info sheets about the Seven Kin of Purgatory, a good chunk of the guild had been quietly upping their game. That sense of danger had sparked a competitive flame.

Credit went to Reedus. His illustrations of their magic were so vivid they looked like frames from a top-tier battle anime.

In fact, when drawing Tower of Dingir, Rhodes had even asked Reedus to include himself being trapped inside, looking dramatically helpless, clothes tattered and bruised from battle.

Mira had been distressed just looking at the drawing.

'Who let Rhodes look this beat up?!' she'd muttered.

Of course, the version sent to the Council omitted his face, gotta maintain some dignity.

But seeing even someone like Rhodes depicted so seriously pushed many in the guild to train harder.

Even if half would give up in a week, those who kept going would become stronger.

Gray was one of those people.

Which meant he wasn't about to be outdone just because Natsu figured out how to eat fancy fire.

The moment their argument escalated into full-blown brawling, a crowd formed instantly, cheering like it was Fight Night.

Meanwhile, Rhodes silently slipped away toward the counter.

He found himself wondering... did Mira still need him to be her human shield in public now?

Before he could dwell on it too long, Mira spotted him and, with perfect timing, pulled a huge bouquet of flowers out from behind the counter like it was a stage performance.

It was a large bouquet of white roses, wrapped in white paper and tied into a bunch with a white ribbon.

Mira walked out from behind the counter leisurely and handed the bouquet to Rhodes in front of his stunned expression. "For you."

Rhodes held the bouquet with both hands, still dazed, accidentally grasping her hand as well. His mind went completely blank. "Why?"

Mira seemed very pleased with his expression and smiled warmly. "Even though you probably already know, and you've expressed your feelings well... I haven't actually said it formally yet. The truth is..."

She took a deep breath, clearly steeling herself, and locked eyes with Rhodes.

"I like you, Rhodes. Will you go out with me?"

Squeak.

Click.

Clang. Clang...

All kinds of strange clattering echoed through the guild, and then everything went completely silent.

Even Natsu and Gray, who had been locked in a fiery forehead clash, froze mid-argument and turned their heads in unison to stare at the counter.

Erza, who was just about to aggressively break them up, stiffened like a rusty automaton. Her neck creaked as she turned her head slowly, jaw slack.

'Confession? Mira just confessed? Were they falling in love? Getting married next?'

Erza's mind was racing. Her cheeks flushed bright red, even more so than the two people at the center of the scene.

Girls like Laki, who had long been waiting for this moment, clapped their hands over their mouths to stifle excited squeals.

Although it wasn't quite the proposal they had imagined, considering Mira's old self, this felt totally on-brand.

Levy held both hands over her heart, blushing in admiration. Mira was so brave.

Jet and Droy imagined themselves in a similar scene, only to chew nervously on their sleeves and glare at Rhodes with envy.

Alzack snuck a glance at Bisca, only to find her looking back. Both of them immediately looked away in embarrassment, peeking again as the moment unfolded.

The sourc𝗲 of this content is freēwēbηovel.c૦m.

Bisca clenched her fist. If Mira could be that bold, then maybe she could too...

Elfman nearly shouted, "That's manly, Sis!" but realized if he did, he'd probably get his legs broken. So instead, he clenched his fists and trembled silently, his face red with emotion.

Nab, Vijeeter, and Max, who thought they understood Elfman's feelings, patted his shoulders sympathetically.

Warren felt like he'd been struck by lightning. He turned around, considering a dramatic exit.

Surprisingly, Loke didn't run away this time. He leaned against the guild's entrance with a smirk, arms crossed, silently cheering them on.

Warm didn't bother watching anymore.

'A confession? Romance? Blegh. Much better to go find something to eat.'

Nearby, Happy clutched a fish in his mouth, staring off into the distance. He missed Carla.

Macao, Wakaba, and a few of the other older members were quietly grumbling in their hearts. How does a kid like Rhodes score someone like Mira?

Cana casually sipped her drink, resting her chin on her palm. "Well, well. He really went and pulled it off. Gotta say, Mira deserves someone like him."

On the second-floor railing, Master Makarov peered down. When he heard the guild fall silent, he thought someone had caused trouble again. But seeing the scene unfold, he just smiled and puffed out a relieved breath.

Reedus was already flipping to a new page in his sketchbook, brush at the ready. This moment deserved a full-color spread.

At that moment, it seemed like everyone in the guild was waiting for Rhodes to give his answer.

But Rhodes wasn't hearing any of it. The world around him faded. The only thing he could see was Mira, her smile, her hopeful eyes, and the blush rising on her cheeks.

He didn't care that the roles had flipped and she was the one doing the asking. Her words echoed in his heart louder than anything else ever had.

Faced with Mira's genuine, heartfelt confession, he stepped forward and answered softly, but without hesitation:

"Of course I'd love to."

Mira's eyes lit up. She stepped into him and pressed her forehead gently against his chest.

Rhodes shifted the bouquet to one hand and wrapped the other arm around her.

And just like that, the guild exploded with noise.

Cheers, screams, whoops, and loud whistles bounced off the walls like a party had just been announced.

The couple jolted slightly from the sudden chorus. Mira flushed bright red, burying her face in Rhodes' chest and trying to hide behind the bouquet.

Weren't Natsu and Gray just fighting? When did everyone start watching them?

Rhodes wasn't sure what to do either. He just held her close, smiling goofily, completely overwhelmed by the support.

It was the eleventh month since he'd arrived in this world.

And in early May of X784...

Rhodes found something truly priceless.

...

Bonus Chapter