ushernet Chapter 681: Sparring
Chapter 681: Sparring
"Now I understand why Grandpa kicked you out, you bastard father."
Laxus had just come from battle.
Over forty Raven Tail mages had bombarded him with dangerous spells. Fortunately, while their magic was flashy and dangerous, their skill was weak.
Laxus crushed them all, then glanced at their insignias. Only then did he realize these were his father Ivan's subordinates.
He had assumed that with his father's underhanded style, Ivan would hide in the shadows, let him fight, then ambush him at the opportune moment.
But when the Thunder God Tribe arrived as reinforcements, Laxus learned Ivan had actually taken his "elite" troops to ambush Rhodes instead.
A weight lifted from his shoulders.
He didn't know exactly what his bastard father was after, but at least it was he and Rhodes who had been targeted.
Ivan scowled. "Those useless fools... Over forty of them couldn't even deal with you?"
Laxus smirked at him strangely. "Didn't you fail when you personally made a move?"
"..."
Ivan fell silent. He hadn't known Fairy Tail had become this strong.
He had thought now was the perfect chance to strike, when these mages had just returned from six years sealed away. Surely they'd be vulnerable, still adapting to a new era.o the other, unsure how to respond. "Um... Mr. Rhodes? May we..."
"Just kidding," Rhodes waved them off with an easy grin. "Please wait outside a moment."
"Oh, right," Mira turned back to Jenny. "What about your mission?"
Jenny tilted her head, thinking hard. "I guess it's... more or less completed?"
She had been tasked with investigating Raven Tail's movements, and now they had been thoroughly exposed. Whether her findings would still hold value, she wasn't quite sure.
A short while later, Makarov and Laxus came out with Ivan in tow, handing him over to the Council without hesitation. He needed time to reflect properly in prison.
Kuro and Flare were also escorted away.
Flare insisted she had nothing to do with dragons, had never seen one before, didn't understand Dragon Slayer Magic, and certainly didn't know Natsu. When asked about her origins and where she learned her magic, she clammed up completely.
Rhodes could only shake his head. He'd just have to wait until Natsu returned and then go visit her in prison together. If Flare truly hadn't committed any great evils, then, like Gajeel, she might be given a chance at redemption after some "re-education."
Jenny stayed at the guild for a while before saying goodbye, promising to take her father's carriage home. Before leaving, she bowed deeply to Gajeel, apologizing profusely for attacking him, thanking him for freeing her, and then beaming:
"You must come visit Shining Sun sometime! We also have people who love to challenge others!"
"What do you mean 'also'?!" Gajeel roared. "Don't lump me in with that Fire Dragon idiot who picks fights with anyone he sees!"
"Anyway, we do," Jenny said cheerfully, not knowing who this "Fire Dragon" was, but guessing he must be just as hot-headed and combative. "Bring him along too, when you come!"
"He's not my friend!" Gajeel snapped.
After dinner, Rhodes and Mira took a quiet walk together, then returned to their routine training.
It wasn't just them. Among the Tenrou Team, aside from the few still missing, nearly everyone had already resumed training the moment they got back from their missions.
Even Gildarts had dragged Cana up into the mountains for special training. He felt he'd lingered in the guild long enough; it was time to wander again. But since he still worried about his daughter, he wanted to sharpen her skills as much as possible before leaving.
Cana, of course, told him not to fuss, that he should do whatever he liked, just like before they acknowledged each other. But Gildarts couldn't shake the feeling that this new era was more dangerous than before, and as a father, he wanted to pass down a few more tricks.
When Mira suggested resuming training, Rhodes naturally didn't refuse. After all, this had always been part of their lives.
The only difference was that their roles had flipped. Now Rhodes had become the ultimate sparring partner: guiding, supporting, healing, helping with recovery, and even offering encouragement.
And he came free of charge.