Fairy Tail's Biggest Supplier of Material

Mirajane was wiping glasses behind the bar, a professional smile on her lips.

Riyao sat at the bar, legs crossed, holding a book in his hand, without turning a single page for a long time.

Max walked by, stopped, turned his head to look twice, and clicked his tongue.

"Riyao reading? That was so many years ago."

Warren stroked his chin, pondering the question carefully.

"I don't quite remember. I think I haven't seen him open a book since he passed the S-Class Exam. I remember the last time he looked at a book was to cut out a picture of Mira."

"Hello, I can hear you."

Riyao closed the book and placed it on the table.

"Warren, why are you back?"

"I only managed to grab two commissions, and came back as soon as I finished them."

Warren shrugged, his tone carrying a hint of resignation.

"These guys are ruthless. When I went to grab it, two-thirds of the task slots were already empty. Looks like I'm out of luck for this S-Class Exam."

Max picked up Riyao's book and read the words on the cover.

"Five-Year Techniques, Three-Year Textual Guide? You're tinkering with your Hundred Battles Spell Formula again?"

"Hmm, my magic power has increased, so I can maintain a larger Hundred Battles Spell Formula now."

Riyao leaned back, sighed, and tapped his fingers twice on the table.

"It's a pity that Freed is too busy lately, otherwise I could ask him to help me out and save a lot of brain cells. That guy solves spells faster than me; some formulas I spend ages working out, he can figure out the answer with just a glance."

Max put the book back and pursed his lips.

"Now that's what S-Class Mage should look like."

As soon as he finished speaking, a blue figure appeared from the side.

Juvia appeared at the bar at some point, her steps as light as a cat's, holding a service request form in her hand, which she handed to Riyao.

"Lord Riyao, please register me."

"Okay."

Riyao took the order form, flipped through it, and exclaimed in surprise.

"Juvia, you've only taken on two cases?"

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

Juvia tilted his head, looking completely bewildered, utterly unaware that something was amiss.

"You didn't know? The guild's S-Class Exam is about to start, and all the commissions are almost sold out."

Riyao pointed to the order section, where the orders Leila, like a locust swarm passing through.

Even weeding and mail delivery jobs that usually go unanswered are all snapped up.

"I don't know, Juvia just goes out and comes back as usual after accepting a job."

Juvia gave a straightforward explanation in a calm and even tone.

Riyao nodded and put the notebook away.

"Juvia seems to have a good chance."

Max crossed his arms, carefully considered Juvia's combat capabilities, and then nodded.

I think so too.

Juvia cupped her face in her hands and shyly twisted her body.

She glanced around the guild hall but didn't see Gray.

Then she leaned close to Riyao's ear, lowered her voice, and spoke mysteriously.

"Riyao, do you still have a picture of Lord Gray?"

"Isn't your notebook already full? Do you need more?"

Riyao raised an eyebrow.

"Juvia bought a new notebook."

Her eyes sparkled as she said this, as if she were sharing some remarkable achievement.

The two plotted in complete secrecy, and Max, who stood by and listened to the whole thing, rolled his eyes so hard they almost disappeared.

"I take back what I said before; I'm still just as unreliable."

"You also get your materials from me."

Without even looking up, Riyao the nail on the head with a single, precise sentence.

Max's smile froze on his face, then he burst into a guilty laugh.

"Haha, yeah, I spoke too quickly, I spoke too quickly, hahaha..."

He scratched the back of his head, his laughter growing drier until it turned into a dry cough.

Warren was trying so hard not to laugh that his shoulders were shaking, but he didn't dare to make a sound for fear of being noticed by Max.

Riyao pulled a photograph from his pocket and handed it to Juvia.

In the photo, Gray is lying on the ground, his face buried in the dirt, his butt sticking up high, looking as pathetic as can be.

"Gray's Defeat CG Collector's Edition."

Juvia took the photo, cupped it in both hands, pressed it against her face, her eyes narrowed into two crescent moons, and she seemed to radiate pink bubbles.

Mirajane peeked out from behind Riyao, resting her chin on Riyao shoulder and wrapping her arms around his neck from behind.

When was this photo of Gray taken?

"I've almost forgotten."

Riyao tilted his head and leaned against Mirajane's head, his eyes half-closed, and he relaxed completely.

"I only remember that I knocked him down, and his big butt sticking out was kind of funny, so I snapped a picture. Natsu was laughing next to me at the time, but he got knocked down halfway through his laugh too."

He took Mirajane's hand, squeezed her fingers, and gently stroked the back of her hand with his fingertips.

"Not busy anymore?"

"Ugh, I'm exhausted."

Mirajane buried her face in Riyao's shoulder, her voice muffled, her hair brushing against Riyao's neck, making it slightly itchy.

"There are so many customers today, it hasn't stopped since this morning, my smile is practically frozen on my face."

Riyao picked her up and carried her on his back, supporting her legs with both hands, and walked towards the infirmary.

"Then let's go take a nap. We'll leave this to Ur."

Ur stood behind the bar, holding a half-wiped glass in his hand. He opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, the two had already walked away.

She sniffed and felt that her nose was a little red.

"These two guys are getting more and more used to ordering me around."

Juvia carefully tucked Gray's photo into his pocket, stood up, and walked over to Ur.

"Lord Ur, I'm here to help you."

"Juvia is so virtuous."

Ur patted Juvia's shoulder with a relieved expression, the pressure neither too light nor too heavy, carrying the loving kindness of an elder.

"She would be perfect as my apprentice's wife."

Juvia felt lightheaded after receiving Ur's affirmation, as if he were walking on cotton.

She couldn't stop smiling; her mouth was practically stretched to her ears.

"Lord Ur, watch me now!"

She transformed into a stream of water, splashing out with a whoosh, the water droplets shimmering under the light.

The next second, when it reformed into human form, its clothes had changed into a maid outfit.

The dress features a black and white color scheme, with the hemline just reaching the knees. It has a small bow at the neckline and a large bow at the back.

"Not bad, you've got that trick up your sleeve."

Ur nodded in satisfaction, circled Juvia halfway around, and looked him up and down.

The two sat behind the bar, one experienced and the other attentive, working together quite well.

Juvia was incredibly quick and efficient, pouring water, wiping tables, and carrying plates.

Ur was in charge of taking orders and collecting money, occasionally talking about Gray's childhood.

Footsteps sounded at the guild entrance.

Wendy and Carla arrived at the guild at this time, each carrying a bulging bag, indicating they had taken a stroll in town.

Wendy looked around as soon as she entered, and paused for a moment when she saw Juvia dressed as a maid behind the bar.

Carla glanced at it and flicked her tail slightly.

"Looks like we missed something interesting."