"Amazing!" Wendy looked at the plan in Gray's hand, full of admiration, "So that's how mages from big guilds complete their tasks."
Carla shook her head, "No, I think this guy isn't a normal mage either."
Gray confirmed, "Rhode, are you serious?"
"What else?" Rhode thought of something, "Oh, since this is an investigation mission, it's normal for the information to be incomplete. We can improve it slowly afterwards."
"No, that's not the issue, I..." Gray thought for a bit and said determinedly, "Forget it, I'll read it seriously."
Rhode sighed in relief, it seems Gray, despite fighting with Natsu all the time, is much more composed than Natsu.
At least usually.
He rummaged through his bag, took out a small cloth bag with the Fairy Tail emblem, and handed it to Wendy and Carla:
"Try this, a special miniature Poro Delicacies from Fairy Tail, a popular snack right now."
They are basically small cookies, improved by Mr. Cook based on the taste of Poro Delicacies, good with alcohol or as a tea snack.
"So cute!" Wendy was instantly attracted by the cookies' appearance, "They taste great too."
Carla reluctantly said, "So-so."
Both of them are quite cute.
Rhode smiled and turned to look at the scenery outside the window, which was gradually moving.
It's his first time taking a train since coming to this world, previously only wandering outside the station, taking a look at the terrain while familiarizing himself with the city.
When the train left the station and the speed stabilized, Rhode felt it was similar to riding a green train.
With this world's chaotic tech tree, it's quite impressive. He hadn't noticed whether this train was powered by magic power or by coal and oil.
Carla looked at the excited Wendy, then at the curious Rhode, "Why do you look even more curious than Wendy?"
Rhode said, "Because it's my third time leaving Magnolia, and the previous two times weren't in this direction."
"Huh???"
Wendy and Carla were both surprised, and even Gray seemed a little shocked.
He only knew Rhode took few missions, not expecting it to be this few.
"Why are you so surprised?" Carla didn't know where to start with her complaints,
"No, why is a senior mage planning to act according to a rookie mage's plan?"
"Experience isn't everything," Gray didn't put on any airs as a 'senior', waving the plan in his hand,
"Since the president trusts Rhode's ability, I'll just trust him. Besides, Rhode is strong."
"Gosh, it's awkward to be praised so directly like that."
Rhode thought back, remembering how Natsu and Hapi trusted him unconditionally before.
Although there was a joke about earning Hapi's support with one fish, Natsu never questioned due to mistrust, only disliking his nagging.
If that was because of Natsu's straightforwardness, then the more stable Gray is certainly different.
Feeling secretly touched, Rhode said, "How about praising me a bit more?"
Gray grimaced, "Get lost, it's disgusting."
"Awesome." Wendy's eyes seemed to sparkle, the atmosphere in Fairy Tail is wonderful.
Carla snorted and looked away, yesterday it was a fool and the fool's friend, today it's a weirdo and the weirdo's friend.
And also... still a fool.
The train clanked along, Rhode and Wendy gazing excitedly at the autumn scenery outside.
Sometimes, Wendy would spot a line of wild geese flying in the sky and hurriedly point it out to Rhode.
Other times, Rhode would notice a tree with a strange shape and quickly point it out to Wendy.
Occasionally they would miss each other's sightings, feeling a bit regretful.
Despite the age difference of seven or eight years, they somehow found a common language on the train.
Perhaps it's because neither of them has traveled far before.
In contrast, Carla and Gray seemed to grow increasingly annoyed with each other.
One disliked the weirdo ready to strip at any time, the other felt he couldn't talk to this 'female Hapi.'
In the midst of harmonious and indifferent interactions, the train arrived at Harujion Station.
Rhode took his things, "We're getting off, Wendy, don't forget your stuff."
"Okay~" Wendy turned around, showing Rhode her small backpack.
"Want me to carry it for you?"
"I can do it myself."
Gray stuffed the planbook he'd been reading all along into his bag and asked Carla, "Since when did those two become so close?"
"Who knows?" Carla replied, "Don't tell me he's good at tricking girls?"
Gray shook his head, "No way, he's not Loki."
However, he'd heard rumors about Rhode and Mira... Gray was curious what it would have been like two years earlier.
Rhode patted Wendy's shoulder and gestured behind her.
Wendy turned to look, excited, "Carla, you and Mr. Gray get along well too, that's great."
"Who would get along with such a weirdo?"
"Who would get along with someone who keeps calling people weirdos?"
The two of them fell into mutual dislike again, leaving Wendy a bit troubled.
"Hahaha..." Rhode laughed out loud, realizing Gray also had an unwilling-to-admit part of his personality.
"Alright, let's quickly go buy the ship tickets."
Gray strode forward, Carla hastened her pace in a huff, overtaking Rhode and Wendy, yet ending up side by side with Gray again.
Then the two looked at each other, slowed down together, sped up together, then stopped to wait for the other to go first...
"What do you want, anyway?"
"You're the one!"
Carla flew up in anger and landed in Wendy's arms.
Gray looked equally annoyed, crab-walking over to buy three tickets.
Rhode gestured toward the ticket counter for Gray to pick up clothes, while he looked at the ship tickets, "The ship doesn't leave for another hour, should we buy some things?"
We'll definitely have lunch on the ship today; Rhode could see Gray's satchel didn't seem to have food, and the little dry food he brought wasn't enough for everyone, so he suggested a shopping trip.
Magic isn't as prevalent in Harujion as in Magnolia; even mages are rarely seen here.
Gray seemed quite familiar with the place, leading the group efficiently on a shopping spree, saying he had been here before for assignments.
According to him, there was only one store in the whole city selling magic tools.
However, being a port city, its most developed industries are fishing and transport, bringing a different kind of prosperity compared to Magnolia.
The group followed Gray on an inefficient shopping spree, mainly because the other curious members wanted to see everything.
Rhode truly hadn't been here before, Wendy hadn't lingered long due to worries about missing the Magical Parade last time.
Carla remained curious but embarrassed to show it openly.
Rhode observed Carla urging Wendy to buy two fish and held a moment of silence for Hapi.
Apparently, it wasn't that she disliked fish, she just didn't like the fish given by Hapi.
This kid's romantic journey might be even tougher than Rhode's.
"Let's buy some more snacks, pine nuts, almonds, sweet potato chips, hmm... and maybe some dried plums... oops?"
Rhode held a red dried plum in his hand, watching as Wendy retreated ten meters away, hiding behind a wall, peeking at him.
Wendy tried to say, "I'm... I'm fine!"
Alright, got it, something's wrong, and it's quite big.
Rhode put the dried plums back, only buying the other dried fruits and fruits.
Is the kid afraid of sour or just doesn't like plums?