Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master-Chapter 163: Reflecting on Oneself Three Times a Day

Sometimes, knowing more wasn't always a good thing—especially when it messed with your mindset.

Just going from maybe facing an S-Class wizard to definitely facing one changed everything for Cana. The pressure was completely different now.

After all, she had already lost to two out of the three examiners.

Rhodes was handling it better. He had mentally prepared for the worst-case scenario from the start.

Now he simply had more detailed knowledge about the three S-Class wizards.

Laxus, with an overwhelming Thunder Magic. Mystogan, the mysterious illusionist. And Erza, the one Cana least wanted to run into.

Erza was terrifyingly versatile, mastering both close-range and long-range combat. With her arsenal of armor and weapons, she could call upon various elemental magics and even combine them for complex attacks.

To put it bluntly, Erza was like an all-around, powered-up version of Cana.

And if they had to face her, Cana's only real advantage was her teammate, a teammate who, five months ago, was flattened by Erza in a single punch.

Just remembering that moment was enough to make Cana's confidence waver again.

"Yeah, the opponents are monsters," Rhodes admitted. "But to become S-Class, you've gotta be ready to become a monster yourself."

He tried to keep things optimistic, speaking like a strategist while encouraging his partner. "If the Master chose you to take the exam, it means you have the potential to stand among them. You may not be there yet, but your partner is there to help close the gap."

"Whatever you can't do, your teammate will do for you. I think that's why the Master requires everyone to bring a partner—it's not just to test your synergy. It's a fundamental part of what it means to be in Fairy Tail."

"To become, a monster like them." Cana repeated softly. "And rely on companions to cover the rest."

She hadn't thought about any of that. She never asked herself how strong she wanted to be or what it truly meant to be S-Class.

She just wanted to pass the exam so she could stand before Gildarts and finally call him "Dad."

She never gave a second thought to what it meant to carry the title of S-Class wizard.

Was someone like her really worthy of it?

"A REAL MAN!" Elfman suddenly shouted, so full of emotion that tears glimmered in his eyes. "Only someone who reaches S-Class is a true man, Cana!"

Mira, ever smiling, gently reminded, "Cana's a girl, you know."

And besides, what did being manly have to do with being S-Class?

Elfman blinked. Then, as if struck by genius, he recovered, puffed out his chest, and declared:

"My sister is a man too!"

Mira kept her smile, but her clenched fists trembled with dangerous intent. This brother of hers really couldn't be helped...

But for now, Cana was the focus.

Mira gently patted her on the back. "Getting lectured by the newbie, huh?"

Newbie? Cana glanced at Rhodes. Right, he had only joined the guild less than six months ago. She'd been here for eleven years. Whether it was her mindset or her skills, she shouldn't be lagging behind him.

He had put in so much time and effort because she asked him to be her partner. She couldn't let that go to waste.

Cana took a deep breath and straightened her back. "This time, we'll beat them. We're gonna pass this exam!"

"Alright," Rhodes grinned. "Then let's get to work. Let's start by simulating a fight against Mickey and Joey."

For training purposes, Mira and Elfman would be their sparring opponents.

Mira was skilled in close combat, making her a solid stand-in for Mickey's brawling style. Elfman's brute-force fighting was similar to Joey's, especially when he activated Take over magic.

Of course, it was just sparring, not a real battle.

Many times during training, Rhodes and Cana would pause after each move to predict how their opponents might react. Then Mira and Elfman would reposition themselves accordingly.

And just as often, Rhodes and Cana would suddenly change tactics and go in the opposite direction.

When simulating a fight against Mest and Wan, the routine was similar, except Mest's spatial magic made things much more difficult.

All they could do was analyze possible teleportation patterns and help Cana plan how to set up traps in advance. Dealing with someone who could appear anywhere was tricky business.

The rest, basic training, didn't need much elaboration. After three rounds of mock battles, they had a solid framework for how to approach the first stage of the exam.

Starting tomorrow, they would focus on the next critical goal: spend five days strengthening their magic reserves and preparing for the biggest challenge, facing the three S-Class wizards.

Today had been another productive day.

After wrapping up training and bidding everyone goodnight, Rhodes returned home, soaked in a hot bath, and sank into bed with a satisfied sigh.

"Warm," he called, half-lazily, to his companion, "lights off."

Warm obediently clicked its little pincers and turned off the lights.

Just as everything settled into quiet, Rhodes suddenly shot upright in bed.

"I must reflect on myself three times a day!" he declared aloud to no one in particular. "Have I been hit with mind control today? Have my memories been tampered with? Am I really still me?"

A pause.

"Yeah. All good."

He nodded to himself, lay back down, and pulled the blanket over his head.

In the corner, Warm blinked in the dark with its little beady eyes.

'Has the master finally lost it? Will there still be delicious Poro treats in the future?'

...

Time flew by in a whirlwind of intense training and anticipation. Before they knew it, the day of the S-Class Promotion Exam had arrived.

It was already mid-December, and the chill in the air had deepened. Rhodes walked into the guild proudly wearing his matching coat with Mira, showing off a little as he passed by the bar counter.

Afterward, he and Cana made their way to the station, ready to embark on their journey.

Before leaving, he handed the coat to Mira for safekeeping and changed into another set of warm clothes.

After all, an exam meant battles, and battles meant injuries. Rhodes could take a hit or two just fine, but if that matching coat got damaged?

Now that would really hurt.

Mira found it both funny and a little annoying, but still helped Rhodes fold up the coat and reminded him to be careful.

Truthfully, Rhodes had wanted to swing by the guild's storage room to pick up a few things before the trip—maybe to relax a bit, or maybe just out of habit.

Unfortunately, the warehouse door had four new locks added to it today, with a clear "No Entry" sign hanging prominently.

Rhodes sighed. Forced to leave empty-handed, he felt a little uneasy about what lay ahead.

He and Cana were the last team to arrive. Everyone else had already gone straight to the station and were standing in place, looking around with wide, anxious eyes.

Marx looked like he wanted to chat and lighten the mood, but Warren quickly clamped a hand over his mouth, afraid he'd accidentally reveal any details of their strategy.

New n𝙤vel chapters are published on freeweɓnøvel.com.

Makarov stood at the front, glancing down the line and counting heads. Once he was sure everyone was accounted for, he waved his hand. "Alright, everyone's here. Time to head out."

Cana raised a hand. "Aren't we waiting for Laxus and the others?"

"They left early to make arrangements at the exam site," Makarov replied. "If you've got questions, ask them now before we depart."

Rhodes immediately raised his hand. "Can I run back and grab—"

"No," Makarov cut him off flatly, not even waiting to hear the rest.

The items stored in the guild weren't meant to be used against fellow guild members, especially during the exam

"Next."

Rhodes pouted. "Why do I feel like the Master's picking on me."

The S-Class Exam was serious business. Couldn't he at least bring a few crystal balls to play a game and ease the tension?

Just then, Mest—who had been uncharacteristically quiet—suddenly stepped up to the station platform, leaned against the doorframe, and mumbled while chewing thoughtfully, "I wonder, I really wonder what train metal tastes like."

Rhodes stared at him, confused. What on earth? What is this guy even talking about?

Joey, the well-muscled brawler beside him, tilted his head in concern. "You'll crack your teeth doing that, y'know."

As if on cue, three of Joey's teeth popped loose and bounced across the platform with a clink clink clink.

"Joey, your teeth!" Mickey scolded with her hands on her hips. "Seriously, can you please stop losing your teeth in public?!"

'Wait, losing teeth is a habit?!' Rhodes blinked in disbelief.

"Hahahaha..." Max suddenly burst out laughing, clearly struck by an idea. "Hey, hey! If we strung together all the teeth Joey's lost, do you think we could make a necklace? Like, a whole tooth necklace!?"

Leaning closer to Makarov, Rhodes whispered with a straight face, "Master, you're really putting these people on a train?"