"Por—" Rhodes raised his hand to knock, but the door opened by itself.
He quickly said, "Grandma, please let me finish what I was saying. We came here today because..."
"For Sky Dragon Grandine, right?" Porlyusica interrupted. "But I'm not a dragon, just an ordinary human."
Natsu mumbled under his breath, "Then why do you always say you hate humans?"
Porlyusica snapped, "What do you care if a human hates humans?"
"N-nothing."
"I don't know where the dragon you're looking for is, but I have indeed communicated with the Sky Dragon. It was probably some kind of telepathic magic, speaking directly into my mind."
Porlyusica took out a book she was holding and handed it to Wendy. "This is a spellbook I wrote based on the Sky Dragon's dictation. She said these are the two Dragon Slayer techniques she didn't have time to teach you—'Milky Way' and 'Sky Piercer.'"
Wendy received it with both hands, holding it to her chest. "Grandine wanted me to have this..."
Carla looked a little tense. "Then who exactly are you?"
"There is a world called Edolas outside of the world we live in now," Porlyusica said, gazing at the sky. "In that world, almost everyone has a counterpart here. And I'm the counterpart of Grandine from that world."
Carla started to sweat, her body trembling slightly.
Happy didn't understand. "Carla?"
Rhodes felt overwhelmed by the information. "What is this called? A parallel world? Are you someone from a parallel world?"
Porlyusica replied, "I accidentally arrived in this world decades ago and was saved by Makarov. After living in Aslant—that's this world—for a while, I gradually grew to like it here. So, although I've had a few chances to go back, I decided to stay."
Rhodes looked at her and struggled not to laugh.
What a stubborn old lady—always saying she hates this and that, but in the end, she couldn't bear to leave.
Porlyusica suddenly shouted into his ear, "Stop making that disgusting face!"
"Whoa..." Rhodes rubbed his ear. This old lady's way of yelling was just like the Master's.
No wonder Guild Master Goldman said those two had something going on.
Natsu asked, "Even though I don't really understand, is the Igneel over there also human? Have you met him?"
"I don't know; I've never heard that name," Porlyusica said curtly, treating Natsu differently from Wendy.
It was like how one would treat a brat raised by Makarov versus their own sweet granddaughter.
"In any case, the Sky Dragon told me that if I ever met you, I should give you this. That's all—now leave." Porlyusica made a gesture to close the door, but paused for a moment. "Those spells are difficult; don't push yourself too hard."
The wooden door closed. Wendy bowed to the wooden house, her smile tinged with tears. "Thank you, Grandma Porlyusica!"
After a pause, Wendy called again, "Grandine!"
Behind the door, Porlyusica smiled.
Outside the door, Natsu sat down on the ground, frustrated. "In the end, we still couldn't find out anything about Igneel."
Rhodes also sat down and casually tried to comfort Natsu, "Think about it positively. Since someone communicated with the Sky Dragon, maybe there's someone who's communicated with the Fire Dragon too."
He felt like his brain was about to explode. What was going on? He hadn't even figured out this world yet, and now there was another one.
Judging by the usual course of a story, with someone so close to the main group coming from Edolas, there would definitely be some connection in the future.
Maybe he could find something in the library about this kind of information—it was worth checking when he had the time.
And considering the main characters Rhodes knew from the posters, there was only Lucy left to appear. Did that mean the real story of Fairy Tail was about to begin?
He still needed to work hard on improving his abilities.
"Carla, are you okay? Are you feeling unwell?" Wendy noticed something was wrong with Carla.
"It's nothing, just suddenly hearing about another world..." Carla responded.
"Yeah, it's so incredible!" Wendy was excited. "Even though it wasn't in person, seeing another Grandine is wonderful, and I even got a spellbook..."
Wendy felt that coming to Fairy Tail with the courage she had gathered was the best decision.
"Thank you too, Mr. Natsu, Mr. Rhodes!"
"You're welcome. Thanks to you, I also learned some incredible things," Rhodes replied. "Are you going to stay here and play for a few more days, Wendy? If you need a tour guide, just let me know."
Happy muttered softly, "Rhodes doesn't even know this place well himself."
"I know it very well now!"
Running around wasn't in vain, and accompanying Mira while shopping wasn't for nothing either.
Wendy smiled and said, "Thanks, but we've already been away for a long time. If we don't go back soon, everyone will worry."
"True. Let's head back and inform the Master first, shall we?"
Wendy nodded. "Yes, and I should properly say goodbye to Miss Mira as well."
Such a polite child. This time, Rhodes dragged Natsu along as they left.
It seemed that after the excitement wore off, the aftereffects were catching up with him.
Luckily, his face wasn't turning purple.
...
"I see," Makarov said. "Would it be convenient for you to share your travel plans?"
"Huh?" Wendy was a bit confused but still answered, "We plan to leave tomorrow morning. We'll take the train to the port, then a boat back."
Makarov said, "In that case, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Please go ahead, I will do my best," Wendy replied.
Makarov held up a request form. "There's a job request near Cait Shelter, but the wizard who took it isn't familiar with the area. Could you let him travel with you? All you'd need to do is help show him the way."
Wendy nodded. "Showing the way is no problem at all."
Makarov smiled. "Great, then I'll ask you. I'll tell him to meet you at the train station tomorrow morning."
"Understood!"
Carla was a bit lost in thought and hadn't been paying attention to the conversation, so she let Wendy agree without much question.
When they returned to the inn, Carla finally came to her senses. "Why did you agree to such a strange request?"
"Because Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Natsu, Miss Mira, and Master Makarov all helped me a lot," Wendy said. "I want to return the favor, even if just a little."
"At least find out who it is first," Carla sighed. "I hope it isn't some weirdo."
...
After Wendy left, Rhodes asked curiously, "Why specifically ask Wendy to guide someone? What kind of job requires going that far?"
Makarov said, "Mira, give him the file."
"Alright," Mira took out a file folder.
Rhodes was stunned. "Huh? I can look at it?"
Mira smiled. "Of course, because the Master is planning to send you."
"What?"