"Then it's settled! I'll help you find the necessary materials and explain them to you, and you tell me about the Chinese language!"
According to Mira, Levy loves books and is probably the person most familiar with the guild's library.
Besides magic, Rhodes also needs to learn about the history, geography, culture, and various other aspects of this place.
He can ask Levy about these things; even if she hasn't memorized everything, she'll know where to find the information.
With Levy's help, Rhodes's learning efficiency can greatly improve.
And since she's interested in Rhodes's mother tongue, it's a mutually beneficial exchange.
The only ones unhappy were Jet and Droy. However, since Rhodes didn't show any special reaction upon meeting Levy, they didn't say anything rude.
But... then again, Levy is so cute, and he didn't react at all?
That's another reason for their displeasure.
At first, Rhodes didn't understand the random changes in expressions on these two's faces. Later, after Mira shared some gossip—
These three grew up together, and recently Jet and Droy have been investigating girls' favorite ways to receive confessions.
Rhodes suddenly realized:
So they are t... no, it's impolite to refer to one's companions that way; they should be called protectors of the flower.
However, the way Rhodes looked at those two was as if he were looking at scum.
Levy looks like a middle school girl, right?
"Isn't what they're doing considered a crime?"
"..." Mira covered her mouth and laughed. "Levy is already 16 years old. She'd be hurt if she heard you say that."
"..." Rhodes was silent for a moment. He remembered that Mira was 18; a two-year difference might make sense...
"But still, that's not right," Rhodes said. "Sixteen is still underage."
"Not here. In the Kingdom of Fiore, at 15 you can drink alcohol and... do all sorts of things."
Mira pointed to Cana, who was hugging a wine barrel, half-drunk. "For example, Cana started heavy drinking when she was 13."
"Oh..." Rhodes felt that Mira's example was full of points to critique.
But in this guild, it seems normal for people not to follow the rules.
The arrangement with Levy would, of course, start from tomorrow. She had just returned today, weary from the journey and needed rest.
Jet and Droy, however, were exceptionally energetic. Without going home, they started chatting in the guild with familiar people about their travel experiences.
Rhodes felt a bit envious; he needed to quickly learn magic so he could see this magical world with his own eyes.
Of course, the main point is that he could earn money faster to repay his debts.
As someone who didn't even dare to use credit services, now carrying a huge debt made him feel extremely uncomfortable.
During the bustling and noisy dinner time at the tavern, Rhodes helped wipe tables and sweep the floor, just like the day before, and then returned to his rented place with Worm.
The room was still as dark as yesterday, appearing somewhat desolate.
However, Worm sniffed around like a little puppy, adding a bit of life to the empty room.
Rhodes let Worm explore freely, while he sat cross-legged on the bed to meditate as he did during the day, diligently training his mental strength and increasing the magic within his body.
Only when sleepiness and fatigue overwhelmed him did he hastily wash up, extinguish the oil lamp, and go to sleep.
Before sleeping, he thought that oil lamps were inconvenient and that he would need to buy a magic lamp sooner or later.
Worm, like a small fluff ball, quietly nestled beside Rhodes's pillow. Until the early morning hours, its body gradually became transparent and disappeared.
That night, Rhodes felt warm in his sleep, exceptionally comfortable.
...
Early the next morning, Rhodes got up on time to wash up.
When he finished tidying his bed and was about to go out, he felt as if something was missing.
"Where's my Pororo?" Rhodes bent down to look under the bed. "Worm?"
After searching around the room, Rhodes remembered that he could determine Worm's location through their magical connection.
He closed his eyes and found that his magic power was much stronger than yesterday, and it didn't seem to have been consumed.
"Did the time limit expire, or did it automatically return when I fell asleep?"
Unsure of the situation, Rhodes decided to summon again:
"I am the one who connects the paths between two realms. You, creature from another world, respond to my call and cross the gate!"
The pendant emitted golden and blue light; magic gathered in the air. Rhodes gripped the pendant tightly and shouted the last phrase:
"Open, gate that connects to another world!"
A small amount of magic was drawn from Rhodes's body, and a tiny white figure appeared on the floor.
Worm was slightly confused for a moment, then immediately jumped into Rhodes's arms, nuzzling affectionately.
"Your jumping ability is really something." Rhodes caught Worm and gave it a good rub, then asked, "Were there other companions beside you just now?"
Worm shook its head; it had been sleeping in its nest all along.
"Just now, I felt that besides you, I could summon another... something."
Worm looked at Rhodes with its shiny black eyes, eyes full of pure... innocence.
"Looks like you don't know." Rhodes patted Worm's head, put it down, then picked up the pendant again. "If I try again, I'll find out."
"I am the..."
Just as the pendant started to glow, Rhodes interrupted the magic.
"Forget it. Trying this at home doesn't feel safe; better go ask the guild master."
He picked up Worm, locked the door, went downstairs, and left.
Today, Goodman had come earlier and had already set up his stall. "Good morning, Mr. Rhodes..."
He noticed Worm, who was sticking out its big tongue. "Is this your pet?"
Rhodes realized an important issue: landlords usually dislike tenants keeping pets, right?
Luckily, Worm isn't purely a pet.
"Its name is Worm. I summoned it from another world using magic," Rhodes said. "Worm, say hello."
"Ruru~" Worm made a cute sound.
"Magic, huh? No wonder I've never seen such an animal before." Goodman was a bit envious. "Maybe when my son grows up, I'll have him learn magic."
"You have a son? That's great. He can join Fairy Tail then."
"Ha... haha... yes, yes. But he's only three years old; it's still early for that."
For some reason, Rhodes felt that Goodman's laughter was a bit forced.
Because he didn't yet understand the two-sided reputation of his own guild—both the most trustworthy guild and the one to be most wary of.
Fairy Tail is now one of the most famous guilds in the country; joining it is something to be proud of for wizards.
Moreover, the townspeople often interact with the wizards and know that most of them are good people.
Causing trouble and destroying things are secondary because they always try their best to make amends and compensate for any damages.
What worries Goodman most is that there are many eccentrics and problem children there.
If he were to send his own child there... would the child pick up some strange habits? Would he casually demolish his own house?
Usually, watching them fight and destroy the guild is entertaining and lively, but if his own child became part of the excitement...
Goodman needed to think carefully.