Rhode focused intently on documenting Gray and Natsu's mission, and just as he finished, he heard Lisana's voice:
"Sister Mira, brother-in-law, I'm heading out!"
As soon as she finished speaking, she was gone.
And disappearing with her was Natsu, with Hapi flying behind munching on a fish.
Rhode wondered aloud, "Where are they going?"
Mira replied, "They said they're going to learn Dragon Slayer Magic."
"Learning magic... why not go to the backyard?"
"Because Natsu said Dragon Slayer Magic has to be learned in the mountains."
"..." Rhode had never heard of such a notion.
This is just typical Natsu; if it were anyone else, Rhode might suspect they have designs on Lisana.
Gray's voice was a bit hoarse, "Hey, there aren't more missions with that flame idiot, right?"
Seeing Rhode reviewing the task book after registering missions, he couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"Hmm? The clients seem to really like your partnership with him," Rhode said with a smile, "What, not happy teaming up with Natsu?"
Gray showed a disgusted face, "Wasn't I obvious enough?"
"Haha, relax, there's none today, but there's no guarantee for the future."
Gray begrudgingly ordered a Galamet hot dog and a mug of cold beer, looked around, and cozied up to Elfman and the others.
When the hot dog arrived, his shirt was also off.
In the afternoon, people returned in dribs and drabs; some chose to take a break, like when Alzack and Bisca came back and took Asuka out to play.
Others cherished this downtime from endless tasks, like Bigda and Lidas, sifting through the bulletin board, choosing to continue working outside.
By evening, Makarov returned to the guild.
He looked stealthy at times, then proud as he walked, reminiscent of someone guilty but trying to act nothing was wrong.
Mira greeted him as usual with an impeccable smile: "Welcome back, President."
"Uh... *cough*, uh-huh." Makarov seemed a bit disoriented, "You've worked hard while I was away these few days."
Rhode replied generously, "Don't mention it, President, you're always keeping us busy even when you're here."
"..." Makarov was left speechless, "I'll go sit upstairs, just prepare some food and drinks for me."
Mira and Rhode exchanged a glance, chuckling, "With such an appetite and wanting drinks, you must have completed the task smoothly!"
"Well... of course, just a gigantic sea monster, a few punches to settle it."
Mira, smilingly, placed a letter on the table, "Oh? So the thing about the destruction of the Westrea Bridge has nothing to do with you?"
"Hey~ don't talk like that, as if the President would casually break things," Rhode said merrily to Mira.
"Even if something was broken, with the President's resolve, he'd certainly confess it directly. Because the President always teaches us this way..."
Mira nodded, "Yes, yes, I must've wrongly blamed the President."
Makarov was silent, contemplative, sweating, bowing at ninety degrees, shouting, "I'm sorry! It was me who accidentally stepped on the big bridge while transformed into a giant, really sorry!"
The unprincipled couple burst into laughter.
Others in the guild also heard Makarov's loud apology and cheered him:
"That's why you're the President!"
"Even able to step on the Westrea Bridge till it collapsed!"
"That's the bridge between Belrum and Sean Kingdom, right?"
"Could actually cause international issues."
"The President is just too strong!"
Makarov's face turned red, "You idiots! Aren't you cheering because I admitted my mistake?"
"Why cheer for admitting a mistake?"
"Yeah, we always own up to our mistakes."
"But if even the President is involved in such things, won't I avoid scolding for ruining a small pasture?"
"I broke the client's carriage too."
"And I..."
The kids all confessed on their own, leaving Makarov's blood pressure soaring, angrily, "Damn it, do you have any shame? Reflect properly!"
"..." Everyone stared at him.
Makarov's tone softened, he sighed, "I understand, I'll reflect as well."
"Oh!!!" A bunch of troublemakers clapped and celebrated.
Normally, mistakes warrant a scolding from the President; it's rare to reflect alongside him.
Hence, everyone in the guild except Makarov couldn't help but chuckle while 'reflecting'.
...
Lisana returned home looking dejected.
When questioned by Mira, she put on a woeful look.
The reason was Natsu's teaching method was overly unique.
First, he demonstrated the 'Fire Dragon's Roar' to Lisana, then boldly pointed at a small mountain, saying that if she can blast the peak flat with her breath, she'd have mastered Dragon Slayer Magic.
Lisana told Natsu that she couldn't yet use the Dragon-Slaying Magic Crystal within her body and needed to learn some basics first.
Natsu claimed it was simple, just follow his moves like Iron Fist, Wing Strike, Hooked Claw, Sword Horn, then fight him.
If she didn't learn today, they'd continue fighting tomorrow.
Lisana, resigned, tried to ask for more detailed knowledge.
But Natsu, for some reason, couldn't remember the specifics of learning magic as a child, only recalling how Igneru practiced with him in a simple, rough manner.
Anyway, either spar with him, strike stones, or hit mountain tips.
Lisana attempted to follow Natsu for half a day, practicing combat stances, smacking stones, and close combat, but Dragon Slayer Magic remained elusive.
Elfman listened to Lisana's tale, nodding in agreement, "That's the training a man should undergo!"
Evidently, he was siding with Natsu.
The kind-hearted Lisana gently asked, "Brother Elf... could you please make dinner? I'm really hungry."
"Cooking for a sister is also a man's duty!" Elfman promptly went to the kitchen.
Mira laughed, "Wasn't Lisana fond of romping with Natsu like this all day as a child? It's nice occasionally."
"But I really want to learn magic now..." Lisana looked to Rhode for help.
"I think your sister is right."
"Brother-in-law~"
"Alright, but it indeed also makes sense," Rhode said, "Perhaps the first generation of Dragon Slayer Mage learned magic like this, keep training with Natsu and maybe you'll manage without Dragon-Slaying Magic Crystal.
"It's just that perhaps some crucial step is missing, requiring exceptional talent to master, and learning the true Fire Dragon Slayer Magic from the Fire Dragon King."
Lisana woefully said, "Even if I'm a genius, learning like this... would render my surgery meaningless..."
"Natsu's teaching might indeed not fit you, better go find Laxus tomorrow." Rhode calculated the timing as he spoke, "He should be returning soon."