Chapter 549: You Can Call Me Master Rhodes
Amidst a conversation that was neither too warm nor too cold, Rhodes finally received a "video call" from the Councilors at headquarters.
The image projected through the magic communication crystal was slightly distorted and grainy, making it hard to tell whether the Councilors looked pleased or upset.
Judging by their tone, however, it didn’t sound like they believed he’d acted disrespectfully or overstepped any boundaries.
That spared him a bit of trouble, which was always welcome.
It wasn’t until the Speaker and Captain Lahar exchanged a few words that Rhodes realized something odd: the Councilors had been forcibly disconnected before they even got to see the final output on the magic tester.
Lahar spoke up with conviction. "Yes, the reading was 6934. The time window was short, but my team and I saw it clearly."
"Mm." Gran Doma nodded solemnly. They had felt the force of that attack for themselves, and even if the number sounded extreme, it lined up with what they experienced firsthand.
Then he asked, "What do you mean by ’time window was short’?"
"Because the magic power tester shattered," Lahar explained, motioning for his soldiers to bring over a sealed case for the Speaker to inspect.
Inside were the fragments of the tester: shattered crystal shards, a charred and partially melted base, barely recognizable.
Gran Doma was speechless.
Had the manufacturing department cut corners? Weren’t these testers advertised as being able to withstand Super Magic?
And the theoretical upper limit was supposed to be 9999! It shouldn’t have been destroyed just from a reading of 6934... right?
"Er...my apologies," Rhodes said, feeling a bit awkward. "If compensation is needed, I’d be happy to cover the cost. Replacing damaged property is one of Fairy Tail’s... rare positive traits."
"Forget it," Gran Doma sighed, waving the matter away. "I did say not to worry about breaking it. It’s just a piece of equipment, no need to hold you responsible."
He straightened up and addressed the group formally. "As Speaker of the Magic Council, I hereby declare this evaluation valid. The selection process for the Ten Wizard Saints will now proceed to its final ranking stage. The official ceremony is tentatively scheduled for New Year’s Day, X785, which is the first day of next month. At that time, Mr. Rhodes will be awarded the Saint Ten Medal, and his official rank will be announced."
"Additionally, please provide your clothing size and preferred style. The Council will be commissioning two custom-made outfits to represent your new status, which will be delivered alongside the medal."
This decision had actually been finalized before the call to the branch office.
After all, their Thought Projections had been cut off for quite a while, and they needed a reasonable explanation if anyone questioned the delay.
The Council had its pride, after all.
Truthfully, even before seeing the final number, most of the Councilors had already acknowledged Rhodes as worthy of the title.
It just so happened that Org had heard that Rhodes was engaged to Mirajane, with the wedding scheduled for next month. So, they’d simply chosen New Year’s Day for the official announcement, both as a gesture of goodwill and to add to the celebration.
Rhodes thought for a moment before replying.
He asked for a white trench coat, one thick and one thin, styled similarly to Master Makarov’s.
The Saint Ten emblem featured a design of a white petal overlaid with a cross inside a blue circle.
Since Rhodes was already used to the Master’s signature color scheme, any other color would just feel off. Besides, it would look more uniform when he went out on official missions in the future.
"Congratulations. We have other matters to attend to. Lahar, please take care of Mr. Rhodes while he’s here. That will be all."
Gran Doma ended the call swiftly after taking note of Rhodes’s clothing preferences, sounding extremely preoccupied.
Rhodes understood, ever since the Council’s recent reorganization, they were bound to be buried in work.
He didn’t linger long at the branch office. After politely declining Te Lahar’s offer to escort him back, Rhodes left the premises riding on a giant crab.
Te Leiyin stood by the gate, watching Rhodes disappear into the distance, his thoughts heavy.
"That has to be the youngest Wizard Saint ever, right...?"
Technically, Jellal had also been nineteen when he was named one of the Saint Ten, but Lahar conveniently chose to forget that detail.
He could only sigh and lament how geniuses just kept emerging, one after another.
"All right! Back to training!"
"Yes, sir..." the soldiers responded half-heartedly.
They’d taken a serious hit to their confidence today.
No matter how hard they trained, it was hard not to feel like they’d never catch up to those privileged guild mages... the kind who had access to resources, mentors, and actual battles.
"What are those looks on your faces?!" Lahar bellowed. "You really think Mr. Rhodes got where he is just because others helped him?!"
He yanked out the training schedule Rhodes had handed over earlier and waved it dramatically.
"Look closely! Even if he had better conditions, he still completed every single one of these hellish routines with his own grit and sweat!"
He pointed furiously at the densely packed training notes.
"If you had the same conditions but not the will, you’d still be worthless! You’re not as talented, fine! But if you won’t even put in the effort, what right do you have to dream of the same results?!"
The soldiers lowered their heads in shame.
"Starting today, I want you to double your training! I’ll even apply to have medical professionals give you regular checkups and monitor your health!"
"YES! Double training!!"
After that fierce scolding, the soldiers’ morale finally began to bounce back.
Though deep down, Lahar let out another sigh.
He was honestly relieved that none of them could train as recklessly as Rhodes. If they could, things might be even more discouraging.
Sometimes, talent was the kind of thing that could break a man’s spirit.
Compared to the grand halls of the Magic Council, the guild building wasn’t anything special in terms of size or splendor.
But still... this was the place that felt like home.
Rhodes pushed open the double doors of the Fairy Tail guild with force and called out, "I’m back!"
"Rhodes!"
"How’d it go? How’d it go?!"
"Did you pass?!"
A flood of guildmates surrounded him at once, eagerly pressing in for answers.
There was no reason to hide anything from them.
Rhodes chuckled and smiled wide. "Everyone, I’ve got something big to celebrate!"
"If nothing unexpected happens, after the New Year... you may address me as Master Rhodes! Hahaha!"
Rhodes stood in the middle of the guild hall, hands on his hips, laughing heartily and without restraint. Surrounded by his friends, his family, he could show any emotion without holding back.
And right now, he was just... truly, genuinely happy.
The title of Wizard Saint itself didn’t matter that much to him.
What did matter was everything it represented.
It meant that he had grown, from someone once too weak to fend off even a wild beast, into one of the most powerful mages on the entire continent of Ishgar.
It meant he had survived, struggled, and risen.
And with that strength came something he’d longed for since arriving at this guild: a sense of security.
He now had power, recognition, wealth, loyal friends, and was about to marry the person he loved most in the world.
Rhodes couldn’t help but laugh. His life felt... complete.
"What do you mean ’Master Rhodes’?!" someone yelled.
"Stop being so full of yourself!"
"Such great news, you better treat us all to drinks!"
"Master, should we throw another party to celebrate?!"
One after another, his guildmates shouted teasing remarks, pretending to roll their eyes and act annoyed. But in truth, every single one of them was proud.
The initial shock had already passed yesterday. Now, with clearer heads, everyone was realizing just how incredible this was:
Fairy Tail had not one, but two members among the Saint Ten.
That alone was enough to make other guilds jealous.
And the best part? They’d watched Rhodes grow up right here, in front of them. Some of them had even beaten him up when he was just a reckless newbie.
Now?
Well... now they had a lifetime of stories to tell.
"When I was younger, I used to hang that Saint Ten kid upside down and beat the magic out of him!"
"When I was younger, I went toe-to-toe with one of the Ten Wizard Saints and came out even!"
The laughter that followed was explosive.
They weren’t just proud, they were ready to pass these tales down to their kids, their grandkids, and everyone who would listen.
...
Bonus @3200
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