Chapter 723: Lucy’s Letter
Mom,
It’s been a while since I last wrote to you. Not because I forgot, never that, but because I’ve just been so tired. So many things have happened lately that I hardly know where to begin.
Thankfully, today is one of those rare days off, so I can finally sit down and tell you everything at once, haha. I hope you don’t mind if this letter ends up a little thick.
Let me think... I believe I told you in my last letter that we suddenly lost six whole years, just like that. Everyone’s still working hard to adapt to this strange new reality.
Not long after that, Rhodes and Mira got married! The whole day was incredibly lively, and Levy and I even helped write the wedding script.
Of course, it didn’t go exactly according to plan. Plenty of the "important moments" we wrote down were completely ruined by those guys. But in the end, Rhodes and Mira didn’t mind. They just smiled through it. Maybe I should be calling her Mrs. Rhodes now... or Mrs. Strauss? I’m honestly a little confused, since Rhodes’ doesn’t have any surname.
What was your and Dad’s wedding like, back then? I’m a little curious.
The only regret I have is that I didn’t manage to catch the bouquet. And as for Natsu, ugh, don’t even get me started. That guy can do something touching one moment and then immediately ruin the mood the next. It’s infuriating! I really don’t want to talk about him. I just hope that my future boyfriend will be more... normal.
Still, if I’m honest, I feel a little sad sometimes. I dress myself up nicely, but it’s like boys never notice me, and the only ones who do are the strange ones. That definitely includes a certain Celestial Spirit.
He always brags about being the most reliable Spirit, but he pops out whenever he pleases. Just two days ago, when I was taking a bath, he appeared right in the bathroom! I swear, I’m going to file a complaint with the old man with the beard.
Oh, but Capricorn and I are getting along very well. He told me he followed you for a long time and that he can see your shadow in me. Hearing that makes me really happy.
He’s been guiding my training lately. If things keep going this way, it won’t be long before I can open two gates at once, just like an enemy I once fought.
But training has been exhausting. That’s another reason I haven’t written in a while. Every day I come home so tired that I can’t even lift my arms.
It feels like ever since Rhodes and Mira left for their honeymoon, I’ve been training and working with Natsu and the others nonstop.
Not only do we train here in Magnolia, but we also have to push our limits on missions, keeping up our stamina, building our strength, and sharpening our magic.
Rhodes left us with detailed notes on the Second Magic Source. He even marked which books to check if we get confused. As expected, Rhodes is the most reliable person in the guild.
Laki mentioned that the Master is considering Rhodes to succeed him as the Fourth Guild Master. I don’t know if it’s true, but if it is, I feel like the guild’s future is in good hands. Still, I’d be a little sad to see Master retire. What will he do afterward? I can’t help being curious.
Ah, I’ve strayed off topic. Mom, you probably don’t know what the Second Magic Source is, right? It’s a recent discovery, it basically means.....
Erza mastered it in just a few days. We were all stunned, but then again... it’s Erza. Honestly, even if she said she’d activated it long ago, I wouldn’t doubt it for a second.
Natsu and Gray both seem unwilling to be outdone, so their training lately has become downright inhuman.
Which means... I’ve got to work hard too.
Oh, and Wendy and Carla have been joining our team now and then. But honestly, Natsu and Gray’s reckless antics leave them a little overwhelmed.
Even though this is the calmest I’ve ever seen those two, probably because of their debts, they’re still a handful.
It’s understandable that Wendy and Carla feel out of place. After all, they used to team with Rhodes. He’s the kind of teammate even Erza, Natsu, and Gray all praise without hesitation.
Come to think of it, am I the only one who hasn’t teamed up with Rhodes yet? Ugh, I really want to know what it feels like to fight alongside someone like that.
Maybe I should ask him next time.
The guild itself is as noisy as ever. Sure, plenty of people are training hard, but the last time I dropped by, Laki was busy fixing a broken table... so nothing’s really changed.
Dad’s doing well too. He doesn’t have the wealth he once did, but I think he’s happier now. I’ll go visit him again soon.
Oh, and I saw Princess Hisui not long ago. She told me you and Dad once looked after her. When you knew her, she must have been just a child. Now, though, she’s grown into a stunning young woman, and she doesn’t carry that haughty aristocratic air at all. Talking with her was surprisingly pleasant.
It’s a shame she didn’t say more about you. I really wish I knew how you taught her magic.
Before I realized it, I’d written so much. Forgive your daughter for being so chatty.
But don’t worry, of course I’m taking care of myself, and my friends always look out for me.
Your daughter, Lucy
January 25, X791
Lucy set down her pen, carefully folded the letter, slipped it into an envelope, sealed it with wax, and stretched.
"Alright... it’s been a while since I cleaned. I’ll tidy up today..."
She froze mid-turn, eyes going wide. "My room!!!"
Natsu was sprawled across her sofa, munching from a bag of snacks.
"Yo, Lucy! Want some?"
"Those are my snacks!"
"Don’t be so formal, Lucy," Erza said matter-of-factly, emerging from the kitchen with a tray of tea. "Make yourself at home."
"Shouldn’t I be the one saying that?! And no, you guys should be formal with me!"
Gray casually opened her closet. "Hey, got any underwear that fits? I, uh... misplaced mine."
Lucy slammed the door shut with a shriek. "Absolutely not! Don’t go rummaging in my house half-naked! I’m calling the enforcement squad!"
From the corner came the sound of claws scratching the wall. "Lucy, did you get new wallpaper? Looks nice."
Lucy punted Happy across the room. "Do you think I’d change wallpaper just so you could claw it up, you stinky cat?!"
Wendy peeked timidly from the doorway. "S-sorry, Lucy... Erza said it’s our day off, so we should... celebrate at your place."
Lucy sighed in defeat. "Wendy, come sit down too. But really, what does ’day off’ have to do with ’party at my house’?! And you guys, stop dragging Wendy into your chaos!"
"I told you not to listen to them," Carla said primly, sitting properly at the table. She delicately held her cup as Erza poured. "Is this Darjeeling? I much prefer Darjeeling black tea."
"Hey!" Lucy groaned. ’Why does Carla sound more excited about this than Wendy herself?’