Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master

Seeing Erza's flustered reaction, Mira's spirits lifted.

Even though she lost the match, this little victory felt like she'd won back something important.

She gathered the scattered strawberries, those prized "Top Sweet Strawberries", gave them a rinse, set them aside, and tidied up the broken dish. Then she cheerfully nudged a dazed Erza toward the kitchen to fulfill their cake-making bet.

Mira trusted Rhodes to handle things at the front desk while she and Erza baked.

But that afternoon, someone with a not-so-sunny expression stepped into the guild.

Rhodes glanced at the long green hair and narrowed his eyes. "You're... Fried, right?"

The man gave a small nod and placed a mission request on the counter. "Where is Mirajane? Or Master Makarov?"

"They're busy," Rhodes replied casually. "I'll handle it."

He reached for the sheet, but Fried firmly held it in place.

"The rules are absolute," he said flatly.

Rhodes blinked. "Huh?"