The Empty Guild

Riyao sat at the bar, elbows propped on the counter, looking at the empty guild hall.

The usually noisy hall was now so quiet that you could hear birds chirping outside the window.

The authorization column was completely empty; not a single authorization form remained.

"It's that time of year again."

Riyao swung his legs, speaking in a lazy tone.

"No one has succeeded in the past few years, I wonder if anyone will succeed this year?"

Mirajane stood behind the bar, wiping glasses.

The glass spun around in her hand, polishing it until it was so smooth it could be used as a mirror.

"Lisanna also went to do a quest with Elfman. They left very early this morning."

"Everyone's fighting tooth and nail for a spot." Riyao smiled.

Lucy leaned against the bar, her head resting on her arm, looking completely bewildered.

"What are you talking about? What success or failure?"

Wendy and Carla sat on the chairs next to them, also looking puzzled.

Carla crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly.

Riyao casually ruffled Wendy's hair; it felt nice, like a kitten's.

"You're new here; they didn't say, probably because they don't want to increase their competition. The S-Class Mage exam is coming up soon."

"S-Class Exam?" Lucy's eyes widened slightly.

"Yes, to participate in the S-Class Exam, you first need to get a spot. How do you get a spot? By doing as many commissions as possible, showing off your skills, and then seeing if the old man will approve. So now everyone is rushing out to do commissions, not a single one is left."

"I see... no wonder the request field was empty."

Lucy's head slid off her arm, and she slumped on the bar like a wilted eggplant, her hair all drooping.

"I don't know how I'm going to pay this month's rent, sob sob."

Riyao looked at them, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Why don't you give it a try? If you become S-Class Mage, the rewards for S-Class commissions are very generous. One commission can cover a year's rent and you'll still have some left over."

Lucy rolled her eyes, changed her position and continued lying down, this time burying her face in her arms.

"I can't even complete an A-level commission on my own, S-Class? Dream on."

Wendy shook her head, her twin ponytails swaying back and forth.

"We've only been here a short time, are we eligible to participate in the S-Class Exam?"

"Sure."

Riyao shrugged, his tone as casual as if he were discussing what to eat tomorrow.

"As long as we get the old man's approval, that's fine."

Makarov sat on a high stool at the bar, took a sip of his tea, and then spat out the tea leaves from his mouth.

"My Coco easily obtained. Over the years, only a very small number of people have been able to participate in the S-Class Exam."

Mirajane rested her finger on her chin and blinked.

"Really? I took the S-Class Exam very quickly back then."

You're different!

Makarov blew on the tea, causing his white beard to flutter.

"When you first joined the guild, you were already capable of receiving a powerful Satan Soul, and your magical power far surpassed that of your peers. If I weren't blind, how could I not acknowledge that?"

"That's right. Don't you even know whose wife she is?"

Riyao patted his chest, and together with Mirajane, they raised their little heads, their lips curling into a wide smile.

"I have such good taste!"

The two of them were in the same pose, at the same angle, even the curve of their heads tilted back was exactly the same.

Lucy looked at the two of them, her eyes filled with envy.

It's not that I envy their relationship, but rather Mirajane's magic.

Is there any way to quickly increase magic power?

She was slumped over the bar, her voice muffled.

"Yes, yes, activate the Second Origin. After activation, not only will your magic power double, but your magic will also undergo a qualitative change. Look at my Azure Dragon Form; the obvious change only occurred after activating the Second Origin."

Lucy's eyes lit up, and her head bounced off her arm.

How do I turn it on?

"It's very simple. As you continue to cultivate, once your magic power accumulates to a certain level, you will naturally be able to unlock the Second Origin."

"..."

Lucy slumped down again, lying even flatter than before.

"You're basically just wasting your breath."

Riyao shrugged, indicating that it was none of his business.

"That's how training is supposed to be. How many people do you think can get stronger just by eating fire like Natsu?"

He thought for a moment, then added more.

"Oh, right, there's a little-known fact about magic power. Magic power doesn't decline with age; in fact, it increases over time. You see, the old man is a perfect example. His magic power is among the highest in the guild, it's just that his physical abilities have declined, so he can't quite unleash it."

Makarov kicked Riyao in annoyance.

Can't you say something nice about me?!

"Are you going to kick me again?"

Riyao looked down at the old man's short legs.

"If you kick me again, I won't treat your body anymore. Go find Granny Porlyusica."

Makarov's expression changed.

"Oh dear, what kind of relationship do we have? How can we let such a small thing ruin our friendship?"

He chuckled and withdrew his foot, his expression changing faster than turning the pages of a book.

"Heh." Riyao sneered, "I haven't settled the score with you for stealing my wine yet."

"I suddenly remembered I still have some official documents to process!"

Makarov jumped off the bar stool, his short legs moving swiftly, and dashed into the office.

The door slammed shut.

Mirajane grinned from ear to ear, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

Wendy covered her mouth and laughed out loud, while Carla's lips twitched.

Lucy lay on the bar, laughing so hard she was exhausted, and punched the table twice.

"The old man ran way too fast."

"He always gets like this when the topic of stealing alcohol comes up; he's a repeat offender."

Riyao shook his head, picked up the juice Mirajane had poured for him, and took a sip.

Just then, the guild door was pushed open, and a tall figure walked in, letting out a long yawn.

"Ha... why is it so quiet today? There's not even anyone to brag to."

Gildarts scratched his head and lazily walked to the bar.

"The S-Class Exam is almost here, everyone's out doing commissions," Riyao said.

"Oh right, it's that time of year again. I forgot."

Gildarts plopped down on the bar and waved to Mirajane.

"Mira, give me a curry chicken chop rice, extra curry. I'm starving."

"Okay, just a moment."

Mirajane turned and walked into the kitchen, her apron straps tied into a pretty bow at her waist.

Riyao looked at Lucy and Wendy, then pointed to Gildarts's back.

"Let me tell you, this seemingly strong, smelly old man only knows one spell."

Wendy blinked, sizing up Gildarts' tall figure, and tilted her head in confusion.

"Isn't Mr. Gildarts an S-Class Mage? I even heard he's the strongest in the guild, yet he only knows one spell?"

Gildarts' ears twitched; he heard Wendy's words and quickly turned around to wave.

"Don't listen to their nonsense! I just used the Crush Magic as a basic spell, not that I don't know any other spells, okay?"

He protested loudly.

Riyao completely ignored Gildarts' protests and continued to educate the two juniors.

"That old geezer's Crush Magic is a super-high-level magic, isn't it terrifying? The difficulty of learning it is no less than Lucy's physical skills surpassing Leo's."

"His total magical power is terrifying. You don't feel it now because he usually suppresses it. If he were to release his full magical power, you standing this close wouldn't be able to breathe at all."

Lucy swallowed hard, and the way she looked at Gildarts changed completely.

"According to the old man..."

Riyao's tone shifted to a storytelling style.

"Back then, the old man was young and couldn't control his Crush Magic at all. Everything he went shattered; he crushed the pavement when he walked, smashed doorframes when he pushed open doors, and broke bowls while eating. Everyone around him was terrified and chased him away, treating him like a monster."

"Later, the old man found him in an abandoned town and brought him back to the guild to train him slowly. It took a long time to help him learn to control himself. But..."

Riyao glanced at Gildarts.

"I still haven't gotten rid of my bad habit of getting distracted. When I get distracted, I forget to suppress my emotions, and when I forget to suppress them, things break down."

"Hey, you brat!"

Gildarts slammed his hand on the bar, making a loud cracking sound.

"What nonsense are you spouting in front of your juniors? You're making this up completely!"

"I'm just adding some embellishments."

The two started playfully fighting back and forth at the bar.

Bang!

A muffled thud.

Riyao was completely shattered.