The customers in the store glanced at them, and the two quietly apologized to those they disturbed.
Rhode sat down and continued to glare angrily at Alzack.
Alzack quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I just wanted to see how you do it, so I followed you... I promise it won't happen again in the future!"
Rhode wondered, "Then how come I couldn't find you after looking for so long? Even Mira didn't notice you."
Alzack said awkwardly, "Well... because I'm good at Gun Bullet Magic, the best tactic is to defeat the enemy from a distance. So for combat coordination, I've mastered a bit of stealth and observation skills."
"Stealth and observation... Are you sure it's not just a master at stalking and peeping skills!" Rhode thought to himself, perhaps he could learn such skills too.
Alzack raised a finger, "I swear this is the first time I've used it for something like this! And also the last time!"
"Thank you," Rhode replied sarcastically.
The first time you stalk someone, it's me, Rhode? Should I thank you?
He had wasted a lot of attention trying to find the peeper during the latter half of the process, instead of admiring Mira from afar.
Feeling guilty and needing something from Rhode, Alzack apologized profusely and even opened the menu, indicating Rhode could order whatever he wanted.
Today, even if Rhode ordered an entire book, Alzack would accept it, at most waiting for Qico to return from the guild to ask for help.
Rhode couldn't be that ruthless, though. He only ordered three expensive desserts, one to dine in, and two to take away.
Seeing Alzack's pained expression, the matter of stalking was considered settled.
Eating free desserts is always satisfying.
With that settled, Alzack turned the topic back to romance.
Rhode didn't really know what to do about it; he didn't quite understand Alzack's thoughts.
If you like Bisca, just approach her, invite her out for a meal or a stroll, isn't that enough?
If you can't speak directly, just find an excuse, like 'My cat can do a backflip, want to come see?'
However, saying this offered no help to Alzack, as for him the hardest part was speaking up.
"How about writing her a letter? You can always write down what you want to say when you can't see her, right?"
Alzack said despondently, "I can't do it. The moment I think of writing to her, it's like seeing her standing right in front of me."
"..." This imagination is incredible, like the legend of seeing the words is like seeing the person, and seeing one's own words as if seeing the person one wants to see.
"Then what do you want? Have Bisca come to you and start a conversation?"
"If that's possible..." Alzack thought that was a bit much and asked, "How did you and Mira start, anyway?"
"Actually, Mira and I haven't really started yet..." Rhode saw the disbelief in Alzack's eyes and continued, "If I have to say, it started when I woke up in the guild and she took care of me.
But you can't just go get attacked in the forest, get picked up by the President, and hope he hands you over to Bisca, right?"
"I see..." Alzack pondered, seriously considering.
"Hey! Get a grip."
The kid is hopeless.
Rhode thought about his own experience carefully and said, "Ever since I joined the guild, Mira has been looking after me, and we work together, chat a lot on normal days.
If there's any hint of progress, it should be from the first time we went out for work?"
Rhode wasn't entirely sure.
Anyway, since then, they felt closer, and there were always suitable reasons to invite her out for food or whatnot.
"So, just keep brewing it over and invite her to team up..."
Speaking of teaming up, Alzack became even more disheartened: "I just got into trouble recently, and the President asked me to take a good rest for a while."
"..." Oh, this seems to be my fault. Upon the sweet cake, Rhode could taste a hint of guilt.
"That's just fine, use this time to gather a bit more courage and also look for a fitting mission."
Rhode tried to console, "I'll keep an eye out for you too, and if you're still tongue-tied by the end of the month, I'll help you."
Alzack perked up, "That's great! Thank you, Rhode, you're truly the most reliable Summoner!"
What does this have to do with being a Summoner?
"Keep it up."
Rhode took the two boxed desserts to share with Mira, while Mira treated him to a new drink crafted by Mr. Cook.
Rhode harvested joy, while Alzack harvested hope.
Everyone had a bright future.
...
After that day, Rhode observed Alzack accumulating courage every day.
This observation went on until the end of the month.
This kid is impervious! Rhode had already learned how to fly in the Beaked Bird form, yet Alzack hadn't even mustered enough courage to take a step.
It was delayed until October 31, when Alzack came to Rhode awkwardly seeking help.
"Sigh..." Rhode sighed and looked towards Makarov, "President, I want to team up with Alzack for a mission."
"Sure thing, no problem!" Makarov, who was almost dozing off, perked up immediately, "When do you plan to leave? Need a Magic Guidebook or a Magic Crystal?"
Rhode squinted at him, "Do you really want to kick me out?"
"Hahaha, not at all, just think Alzack has rested long enough as it is."
Makarov wouldn't admit that he hoped there'd be one less person in the guild restricting his drinking.
"It's the mission to capture the bandit gang. There's no need to bring a Magic Guidebook or anything."
Makarov's face lit up, had Rhode changed his ways?
"... Don't bring too much."
Alright then, changing someone's nature isn't that easy after all.
Makarov nodded, "Suit yourself. Mira, how's the situation?"
"The intel says there are over sixty people in that bandit gang. Would just the two of you be pushing it?"
Mira winked at Rhode, signaling him not to just think about the Bursting Magic Crystal, but also to remember to speak the lines.
Rhode nodded, "Seems so. Does the guild have any mages who complement us well?"
Alzack didn't seem to realize at first; weren't they supposed to team up with Bisca? Why is it the two of us now?
Upon hearing that there'd be more teaming up, he quickly looked at Mira with eager eyes.
Bisca, Bisca... Alzack recited the name he most wanted to hear in his heart, wishing he could immediately learn Telepathy Magic to directly transmit it into Mira's mind.
"The area where the bandits are entrenched is quite treacherous; long-range attacks would be more suitable."
Seeing the joy on Alzack's face, Mira shifted her tone, "But both of you have long-range Magic.
So why not pick Natsu and Hapi? They could bolster your close combat capabilities and can attack from the air as well."
Alzack's face reddened; teaming up with Natsu and them isn't bad, but it was far off from his expectations!
Rhode was also puzzled, why wasn't it going according to the script?
He noticed the mischievous smile on Mira's face—oh, got it.
Rhode said, "Makes sense, but Natsu's been hustling this whole month, he should rest, and teaming up with him is exhausting."
Mira considered and continued, "Is that so? How about Gray? You've worked with him before; he's strong and handles both close combat and mid-to-long range well."
Rhode looked at her, trying to convey with his eyes: are you done playing yet? Alzack's on the verge of tears.
Mira returned his gaze, raising a finger to indicate this would be the last time.
"Gray seemed to have arranged to do a mission with Loki over ten days ago."
Rhode sighed, acting as if disappointed, "Finding someone good at long-range combat would be fine; my close combat skills are passable."
"Then, how about asking Bisca?" Mira finally uttered the name Alzack longed to hear,
"She hasn't gone on a job for a week either, she might be worrying about her rent."
Makarov watched the young ones going back and forth, not quite understanding what they were playing at.
When did Mira start recommending team-ups and even help consider strategies?