"Tomorrow... there's nothing special planned."
Restraint is impossible, hesitation leads to defeat!
"I know a place, you might like the cuisine there." Mira tightened her hold on the clothes in her arm, "How about we try it together tomorrow?"
"Sure."
On the way back, Rhode walked with a spring in his step, only remembering at the doorstep that he forgot to call the River Crab.
No big deal, just count it as extra training.
Going upstairs and entering the house, Rhode felt it needed a bit of tidying up again.
"Come out, Warm!"
A ball of white fur, slightly bigger than a basketball, appeared, tongue sticking out, with eyes blinking eagerly, finding no food in sight.
It spun around, also seeing no dining table nearby.
But the environment seemed familiar, oh, it was back home.
"Hululu~~" Even without food, Warm was still somewhat excited.
"It's great to see you so energetic! I'm just about to clean, see..."
"Huff..." Warm lay on its side, tongue drooping, looking as if to say, 'The Poro is dead, do not disturb.'
If it doesn't want to help, just let it be. Last time, I decided not to ask it to wipe under the bed.
There's not much work anyway, Rhode easily dusts around and grabs Warm to take a bath together.
Bathing with cold water in this weather feels like self-punishment, so hot water has to be boiled.
Three-Dimensional Text Magic can help a bit, but not conveniently enough. Tomorrow, I should buy a specialized Magic Crystal.
While sleeping, Rhode discovered a new use for Warm; the little one was warm and cozy, more comfortable to cuddle than any hot water bottle or heating pad.
When the weather gets colder, I'll let it warm the bed every day since it's far less cold here than in the Wailing Abyss.
...
In the morning, Goodman didn't come to do business.
Not sure if business was too good over the past few days, now wanting a break, or if he's at home studying new carving techniques.
Most other shops on the street already took down their holiday decorations, giving a slightly desolate feeling compared to the festivities.
Rhode changed into autumn attire: blue jeans, a white T-shirt, and a beige long-sleeve jacket.
The Fairy Tail emblems printed on the T-shirt's front and jacket's back were Mira's handiwork.
Not sure whether doing missions in such attire still necessitates deliberately showing the emblem on the arm.
"Morning, Rhode, any good news today?"
"Morning, Marcus." Rhode didn't want to share the highlights with this big mouth, "I'm practicing new Receiving Magic today; wanna come spar?"
Marcus declined, "Spare me, you'd better find Gray instead."
Rhode responded helplessly, "Gray despises me.
He said lately he wants to chat more with Loki and might team up for work in a few days, kept advising me to stay away."
Marcus remarked, "Loki prefers avoiding you, but he's actually quite strong."
"Yeah, can't figure him out. Do Loki and Gray get along well?"
"It seems they once went out together, inadvertently attracting beautiful and bold women."
Marcus's expression was quite telling, "One finds it troublesome, the other handles it well, thus forging a closer bond."
"Ha... haha, fitting for Loki, and for Gray." Rhode expressed admiration that the two have quite a peculiar compatibility.
In the morning, as usual, Rhode did chores like wiping tables.
Mr. Cook rarely stepped out of the kitchen to find Rhode—he somewhat missed Warm.
Rhode summoned Warm for him to take away, wondering which aspect Mr. Cook liked about Warm.
Perhaps its hearty appetite?
It's beneficial; maintaining a good relationship with a chef never hurts.
When the President arrived, Rhode went to the courtyard to attempt receiving a new creature.
This time Mira accompanied.
So Rhode deliberately stepped back several paces.
The target was the Ancient Stone Beetle, Rhode was curious whether receiving it would grant extra lives.
He summoned the Ancient Stone Beetle, placing a hand on its leg.
"Receive!"
The Stone Beetle transformed into light, disappearing, enveloping Rhode in light that eventually faded away.
His figure rose to two meters tall, his surface turned to the Stone Beetle's hue, seemingly donned in stone armor.
His front and limbs bore strips emitting pale blue light, providing a technological feel.
Rhode summoned River Crab, linking its perspective to examine himself.
"Is this... Shield Mountain? Arms aren't bulky enough; Fantastic Four? Not ugly enough. Lava Beast? Lacks pointed protrusions..."
He moved around, struck poses, feeling quite stylish.
Thumping his chest, it felt harder than the River Crab's set.
"This style again." Makarov said, "This is earth attribute magic, right?"
"Yes, seems defense-focused, and with additional magic, I should be able to..."
Swish!
Before finishing, Rhode sank into the ground like falling into water.
Seconds later, a stone head emerged, speaking muffled but cheerful words, "This magic is fascinating! I can move like swimming in the earth!"
As he spoke, Rhode tried breaststroke, backstroke, freestyle...
He couldn't help recalling that Doraemon once lent Nobita a similar tool.
To some extent, this fulfills a small childhood dream.
The contented state prompted Mira to laugh along, wonderful, he grew stronger again.
Makarov watched for a while, then shook his head, "This isn't problematic at all. I'll head back now; Mira, keep him company."
"Okay."
Mira watched Rhode swim through the 'soil,' unable to resist reaching out a hand.
Light spots appeared on her arm, Magic Power flowed, but no change occurred.
"Am I the only one stuck in place?"
Makarov's voice resonated, "Of course not; you're advancing every day. Even if magic hasn't recovered, your heart never stalled."
"President..." Mira turned around, seeing Makarov's kind smile.
"Losing loved ones feels like a plow scoring our heart's soil; undoubtedly, it's painful.
But during such times, we usually have two choices: to wallow in past sorrow, swiftly leaving the land, never loving again;
or to rise amidst pain, sow new seeds while traversing the field, nurturing more love.
Regardless of choice, you're continuously moving forward, and always remember, the Guild and everyone are behind you."
"President..." Mira bit her lip.
Behind her, now there's a stone man swimming through earth.
No, as Mira turned, the stone man had dispelled Receiving Magic, standing before her, casting a mixed admiring and plaintive look at the President.
Behind... was the President, the bustling tavern, the complete Guild.
Makarov, unsettled by Rhode's begrudging gaze, explained, "I just spoke from the heart, not intending to make her cry."
"I know, otherwise I'd complain to the Advisory Council about your misconduct."
"Not severe enough for that!"
"Then I'll inform the Guild you bullied Mira, inviting collective disdain?"
"...Better you and Mira both restrict my drinking."
Mira interjected, "President, you said it yourself."
Rhode nodded, "Yes, I heard it, I'll testify."
Makarov's mouth gaped, "No, please!"
"That's settled then." Mira exclaimed with a smile.
She glanced at the lively tavern, and then at Rhode.
Sow... new seeds, huh?