Rhode also found it strange. This Cloud Sub-Dragon was even more powerful than the other two, yet it handed him the Dragon Soul without even meeting him.
If the Mountain Sub-Dragon was lazy and the Purgatory Sub-Dragon had a temper, then maybe this Cloud Sub-Dragon was just hasty?
Since he was already here, he might as well try using it.
After all, it wasn't much of a secret anymore.
"Receive·Soul of the Cloud Sub-Dragon!"
A flash of pale blue-gray magic power surrounded Rhode, and his whole appearance changed. His form was not much different from the Mountain Dragon Soul and the Purgatory Dragon Soul, but the color was distinctly different.
Besides that, he felt that the texture of the scales on his hands and wings was more like blue-gray feathers.
With a slight twist of his body and a couple of steps forward, Rhode felt as light as a feather. It wasn't an exaggeration, it was factual, even somewhat humble.
A gentle flap of his wings and the next moment, Rhode appeared quietly beside Wendy.
"Huh? Brother Rhode?" Wendy first saw Rhode's current appearance, and then felt a breeze blowing towards her.
"It's the magic I just acquired." Rhode showed Wendy his dragon claws and wings, "Maybe I owe it to you."
Wendy poked Rhode's hand with her finger. The pale blue-gray scales didn't feel as hard as the Mountain Sub-Dragon's. She exclaimed, surprised, "It feels like Grandeeney, her scales are like feathers too!"
"Is that so? I'll let you meet this dragon later."
"Okay!"
"Now let me try out the magic." Rhode spread his wings, gathered the magic power inside him, flapped his wings, and two whirlwinds immediately blew out.
Uh, is this... a war gale?
The whirlwinds swept through the trees, carrying up the fallen leaves, and continued flying forward.
Everything would have been fine, except for a crack...
A small branch broke and got caught up in the whirlwind, flying forward.
Rhode's expression froze for a moment, he thought he was holding back...
"Sorry, it's my first time, I'm still clumsy!" Rhode reverted from the Cloud Sub-Dragon state and immediately apologized to Puxi Meng.
"No... it's okay, when I'm working, I occasionally snap a branch or two." Puxi Meng was relieved the wind wasn't blowing directly at the fruit trees.
Rhode was also relieved, glad that the damage wasn't much. He reflected on his excitement about the new skill which almost caused trouble for Wendy. From now on, he must be careful not to become like Natsu.
Until he mastered the magic, Rhode would definitely not use it recklessly for tasks like this.
Meanwhile, they would rely on Wendy.
No more accidents occurred afterward, and all the leaves in the orchard were blown to one corner by Wendy.
There was still a slight mess near the wall corner, and a few leaves left in the orchard, but a quick cleanup the next morning would do.
That night, Rhode, Wendy, and Carla stayed at the accommodation Puxi Meng provided, wrapping up the work at the orchard by morning.
Puxi Meng promptly signed the task order and settled the payment.
It was a total of 30,000 J, 10,000 J per person.
If calculated as three days' work, it equaled a daily wage of 3,333 J, which, when converted into RMB purchasing power, was about 150 to 160 RMB per day.
It didn't sound like much, but it was the typical income for an ordinary mage.
For regular workers, the wage would probably be even lower.
Unlike Rhode, who had increasingly high standards, Wendy didn't mind at all.
She happily counted the money Puxi Meng gave her and, after confirming the amount was correct, handed half of it to Rhode.
Though the earnings used to be shared among Fairy Tail, Wendy always thought of herself and Carla as one.
Rhode only took what was his share and returned the rest to her: "Same as before, one share for you, one share for me, and one share for Carla. That's how it's always calculated in the Guild."
Wendy thought for a moment and asked, "Should we give Warm a share?"
"Of course not, because Warm isn't a mage and it didn't work, just ate. Besides, Lucy never shared payment with the Star Spirits."
Rhode said, "If you want to thank it, just treat it to something nice when we get back."
Upon hearing this, Wendy didn't insist but didn't hand the money to Carla either, as their money was pooled together.
With no urgent matters ahead, they didn't take a carriage back. The two of them, along with the cat, walked back slowly. When Carla got tired, Wendy would carry her.
Sometimes she didn't need to be carried, she would just snuggle in Wendy's chest and adjust the zipper on Wendy's coat to be snug.
Wendy had never played in the suburbs around Magnolia before, so everything was novel to her. Sometimes she would walk and jump, sometimes squat to blow gently on a dandelion by the roadside.
Each little white parachute floated away with the gentle wind, landing at various distances.
If they weren't blown away again, they'd bloom into golden flowers here next year.
Imagining a field full of dandelions, Wendy displayed a sweet smile.
The joy in her bright eyes was even more radiant than the golden flowers blooming on the dandelions.
Noticing Wendy's good mood, Rhode asked, "Do you enjoy this kind of job?"
Wendy nodded without hesitation, "Yes!"
"But such tasks are tiring and mundane, and the pay isn't high."
"I think it's fun," Wendy's expression remained unchanged, "Plus, it helps others, and Mr. Puxi Meng was so happy when it was done."
"Really…"
Rhode smiled, once again appreciating Wendy's kindness.
'Using magic to solve people's troubles, and they pay us in return, that's the way of life for mages.'
Every mage in the guild knew this saying, but they all emphasized different parts.
Rhode focused more on 'payment', Lucy more on 'troubles', while Wendy focused on 'helping'.
It wasn't that Rhode only cared about profit or Lucy about novelty, as they also helped people out of difficulties and wouldn't mind doing more beyond the task when needed.
These two shared the same kindness in their hearts, just not as pure as Wendy's.
Nevertheless, each pursued fun beyond just the 'way of life' in their own way.
That was 'life' for them.
As they got closer to the city, Wendy subdued her playful side and tilted her head, asking, "Do we just need to take the task order back to Sister Mira next?"
"Yes, after that, the task will be formally complete." Rhode explained the process, "Sometimes important tasks require a report, but for simple ones, just stating it is enough. If there's no time to deliver the order back, it can be delayed a few days."
"I got it."
Dong! Dong! Dong…
Before they entered the city, a series of urgent bells suddenly rang out.
In the city, only the Guild and the church had bell towers.
Wendy identified it and said, "It's from the direction of the cathedral."
Carla asked Rhode, "What does this bell mean?"
Rhode frowned and tried to think, "I don't know."
Carla asked, "Haven't you lived here for a long time?"
"For almost a year and a half, but I've never heard this way of ringing the bells," Rhode said, "There must be something urgent. Let's hurry back to the Guild."