"If it's just the basics, there's no problem with me tutoring you, but after that..." Makarov thought for a moment and said, "You should consult Mira."
Rhode looked at him: "Consult Mira?"
"Yes, you already know, right? She used to be an S-Class Mage, and she uses Receiving Magic."
"I meant Mira's feelings..."
"It won't be a problem at this level; she's a strong kid," Makarov said,
"Moreover, it's been almost a year since Lisana's incident.
Although such sorrow doesn't easily end with time, we can't let her live in sadness forever.
Helping her heal with time and find new goals is also our responsibility as companions."
The president didn't have to say it; Rhode intended to do the same, only worried that bringing up Receiving Magic out of the blue might upset her.
And Mira's situation is complicated, a good opportunity to talk is needed...
Oh, there's indeed an opportunity.
Rhode asked, "President, do you know any good restaurants in Magnolia?"
Makarov was almost caught off guard: "Restaurants... the span of your three questions today is quite large."
"Hehe." Rhode chuckled; it seemed the questions were wide-ranging, but they were somewhat related.
"The most expensive one is near the cathedral, the best-tasting one is near South Gate Park, but the best overall..."
Makarov laughed, "...is our guild."
"Eww~" Rhode said disdainfully, "I understand your love for the guild, but saying it out suddenly is quite sappy."
"..." Makarov surprisingly blushed, "You clueless brat."
Rhode's eyes widened; the president actually blushed!
But a few seconds later, Rhode relaxed; he had just borrowed the president's shoulder to cry on in the guild; a little blush wasn't much.
The old man was pretty cute.
Taking the antidote was uneventful.
Lady Porlyusica threw a small bottle to Rhode, advising him not to abuse poison even with an antidote.
Rhode couldn't help but ask if there were backups and backup's backups.
Then Lady Porlyusica kicked him out, slamming the door shut with a bang.
"Forgot to ask about the cost." Rhode realized his debts might have increased a bit.
The president and Lady Porlyusica seemed to have other matters to discuss, so he didn't want to disturb them further.
Once he learns Receiving Magic, he'll get back to earning money to pay off his debts!
...
The first day of September arrived with a light drizzle, which fell from midnight until morning.
Along with it came a hint of autumn's coolness.
The evidence of the temperature drop was that Warm was willing to run around at Rhode's feet again.
As a little financial wizard, Rhode went to buy some fall and winter clothes as soon as he noticed the slight drop in temperature.
Rhode's money-saving tip: buying clothes off-season.
"Rhode, good morning, not riding your strongest Summoned Beast today?"
With the recent release of "Sosala," Rhode, this 'strongest newcomer,' gained a bit of fame in the Magnolia area.
Especially on days when he occasionally commuted on the River Crab, most people recognized him.
"Good morning, the strongest Summoned Beast wants to rest every Sunday, not necessarily willing to hang out with me."
Rhode maintained basic politeness, but the misinformation was readily given.
"Summoned Beasts also have rest days? That's amazing."
"Yeah, yeah."
Rhode walked briskly towards the guild.
He was in a great mood today.
In the past two days, he had read a lot about Receiving Magic in the guild library.
He felt ready to give it a try.
And he had made plans to have lunch with Mira at a restaurant near South City Park.
According to the president, the food there is good, not too expensive, and there are many beauties.
Unfortunately, almost all of them have male companions.
The more Rhode listened, the more it seemed off; wasn't it a dating hotspot?
And it sounded like the president often visited that restaurant and always watched the beauties?
So unseemly... so forever young at heart?
The president insisted sternly that he was just appreciating them.
One couldn't help but wonder if Macao and Wakaba learned their bad habits from him when they were younger.
...
In the morning, as usual, Rhode did some cleaning work; when not on missions, he was a part-time waiter at the tavern.
When he can handle most tasks on his own, he doesn't plan on quitting this job either.
He's decided to become strong enough to take on an entire guild like Erza.
When the last enemy is knocked down, using his last ounce of strength to ask him: "Who are you really?"
Rhode would simply reply: "Just a small role in the guild responsible for serving tea and water."
Such a scene, he can't wait!
As the guild gradually became lively, Natsu suddenly ran to the front desk with a task form in hand:
"Mira, I'm taking this task! Rhode, want to form a team?"
"No, I have other things today." Rhode thought for a moment and asked,
"Why are you heading out again? Did you spend all your earnings from last time that quickly?"
"Aye! Last time's pay still has a lot left," Hapi said, "but this task is to investigate a monster that suddenly appeared in the volcano."
"A volcano monster?"
"Exactly!" Natsu clenched his fist, eagerly saying,
"Igneru likes volcanoes; this sudden 'monster' might just be Igneru!"
"I see." Rhode remembered Natsu seemed to always be searching for his foster father, the Fire Dragon named Igneru.
As long as there was a shred of information, no matter the distance or length of the journey, he would insist on going.
Rhode asked Mira, "Is this kind of task dangerous?"
"An unknown monster can be a little dangerous," Mira reviewed the task information, then smiled,
"But this task is just an investigation, not an extermination, and since the destination is a volcano, with Natsu there, it should be fine."
Natsu took back the delegation letter Mira handed him and was about to leave, but he returned after running to the door:
"Rhode, really not coming?"
"No, today I'm learning magic from the president," Rhode glanced at Mira, "and I have some other stuff too."
"Oh..." Natsu left disappointedly.
Mira laughed and said, "As expected of the strongest newcomer, Natsu trusts you quickly."
Rhode said, "I think he trusts my Gorge Swift Crab."
Just a few minutes after Natsu left, Kana also came with a task form: "Mira, I'm taking this task."
"Okay." Mira checked it and asked while recording, "Kana, it seems you haven't gone out to work for a while?"
Kana's expression was a bit unnatural: "I haven't been drinking much lately, so I don't need money for drinks."
Mira thought for a moment and said, "Speaking of which, the guild's alcohol sales have dropped a lot recently."
Kana pretended to be angry: "Are you saying I was single-handedly supporting the entire tavern's sales?"
Mira laughed, "Just kidding... but you were a 'mainstay' after all."
Then the president's voice came up: "Rhode, come to the yard."
"Coming!" Rhode waved at Mira, "See you at noon, Mira!"
"Alright."
"Oh~ see you at noon? Another date with Rhode?" Kana exaggeratedly covered her mouth, "I'm so jealous~"