The guild's reputation seemed to have a bit of a problem

"Then it's settled. I'll help you find the materials you need, and I can explain them too. In return, you'll tell me about Chinese language!"

According to Mira, Levy loved books, and she was probably the person most familiar with the guild library.

Besides magic, Rhode also needed to learn about this world's history, geography, culture, and all sorts of other things.

He could ask Levy about those things too. Even if she did not have everything memorized, she would know where to find it.

With Levy's help, Rhode's learning efficiency could improve considerably.

And since she was interested in Rhode's native language, they could each get what they needed.

The only unhappy ones were Jet and Troy. But since Rhode showed no particular reaction upon meeting Levy, they did not say anything rude.

But... come to think of it, Levy was so cute. How could he have no reaction at all?

That was another reason for them to be unhappy.

At first, Rhode did not understand the two men's messy shifts in expression. Later, Mira gave him a little gossip lesson—

The three of them had grown up together, and Jet and Troy had recently been researching the kinds of confession methods girls liked.

Rhode suddenly understood.

So they were s... no, calling his companions that would be impolite. They should be called flower protectors.

Still, Rhode looked at the two of them as if they were scum.

Levy looked like she was only a middle school girl, didn't she?

"Doesn't that count as a crime?"

"..." Mira covered her mouth and laughed. "Levy is already sixteen. If she heard you say that, she'd definitely be hurt."

"..." Rhode fell silent for a moment. He remembered that Mira was eighteen. A two-year gap seemed understandable...

"But that's still not right," Rhode said. "Sixteen is still underage."

"No, it isn't. In the Kingdom of Fiore, you can drink and... do all sorts of things once you turn fifteen."

Mira pointed at Kana, who was hugging a barrel and half drunk. "For example, Kana has been drinking heavily since she was thirteen."

"Oh..." Rhode felt that Mira's example had far too many things to criticize.

Still, it seemed perfectly normal for people in this guild not to follow the rules.

Naturally, his arrangement with Levy would start tomorrow. She had only just returned today and needed to rest after traveling so far.

Jet and Troy, on the other hand, were unusually energetic. Rather than going home, they stayed at the guild and told familiar faces about their journey.

Rhode felt a little envious. He needed to learn magic quickly, then he could see this amazing world for himself.

Of course, the important part was that he would be able to earn money to repay debt faster.

As someone who did not even dare use "spend money," carrying such a huge debt made him feel uncomfortable all over.

During the busy, noisy dinner rush at the tavern, Rhode wiped down the tables and chairs, swept the floor, and returned to his rented home with Worm, just as he had yesterday.

The room was still as pitch-black as yesterday, making it feel rather deserted.

But Worm sniffed and looked around like a puppy, adding the slightest hint of life to the empty room.

Rhode let Worm explore freely while he sat cross-legged on the bed and meditated as he had during the day, working hard to train his mental strength and increase the magic within his body.

Only when drowsiness and exhaustion washed over him did he quickly wash up, extinguish the oil lamp, and go to sleep.

Before falling asleep, he was still thinking that oil lamps were inconvenient and that he would have to buy a magic lamp sooner or later.

Worm lay quietly beside Rhode's pillowside like a little furball. During the early morning hours, its body gradually turned transparent and vanished.

That night, Rhode felt warm and cozy throughout his dreams, exceptionally comfortable.

Early the next morning, Rhode got up on time and washed up.

When he had made the bed and was about to leave, he suddenly felt as though something was missing.

"Where's my Poro?" Rhode bent down to look beneath the bed. "Worm?"

After searching the room once, Rhode remembered that he could use their magical connection to determine Worm's location.

He closed his eyes and discovered that his magic had grown considerably stronger than yesterday's. It also did not seem to have been consumed.

"Did the time limit run out, or did it automatically return after I fell asleep?"

Rhode did not understand what was going on, so he decided to summon it again.

"I am the one who communicates the path between two realms. You, creature of another world, answer my call and pass through the gate!"

The pendant emitted golden and blue light as magic gathered in the air. Rhode gripped the pendant tightly and shouted the final line.

"Open, gate connecting to another world!"

A small amount of magic was drawn from Rhode's body, and a small white figure appeared on the floor.

Worm looked slightly confused for a moment, then immediately pounced into Rhode's arms and nuzzled against him.

"Your jumping ability is really good." Rhode caught Worm and gave it a thorough rubdown before asking, "Were there any other companions beside you just now?"

Worm shook its head. It had been sleeping alone in its nest the whole time.

"Just now, I felt like I could summon something else besides you... I don't know what it was."

Worm stared at Rhode with its round black eyes, its gaze filled with pure stup... pure innocence.

"Looks like you don't know either." Rhode patted Worm's head, set it down, then picked up the pendant again. "I'll know if I try once more."

"I am..."

The pendant had barely begun to glow when Rhode interrupted the spell.

"Forget it. It doesn't feel safe to experiment at home. I should go ask the Master instead."

He picked up Worm, locked the door, and went downstairs.

Goodman had arrived a little earlier today and had already arranged his stall. "Good morning, Mr. Rhode..."

He noticed Worm sticking out its large tongue. "Is that your pet?"

Rhode realized an important problem. Didn't landlords generally hate tenants keeping pets?

Fortunately, Worm was not merely a pet.

"Its name is Worm. I summoned it from another world with magic," Rhode said. "Worm, say hello."

"Wurururu~" Worm made an adorable sound.

"Magic, huh? No wonder I've never seen an animal like this before." Goodman looked a little envious. "Maybe when my son is older, I should let him learn magic too."

"You have a son? That's wonderful. When the time comes, he can join Fairy Tail too."

"Ha... haha... y-yes, that's right. But he's only three years old. It's still too early for that, too early."

For some reason, Rhode felt that Goodman's laugh was a little forced.

That was because he did not yet understand his guild's polarized reputation—it was both the most trustworthy guild and the guild most in need of caution.

Fairy Tail was now one of the most famous guilds in the country. For a wizard, joining it was something to be proud of.

Moreover, ordinary citizens often interacted with wizards and knew that, generally speaking, they were good people.

Causing trouble and destroying things were secondary, because they always did their best to make up for the problems they caused and pay compensation.

What worried Goodman most was that there were many eccentrics and problem children there.

If he sent his own child there... would he pick up some quirks? Would he tear down his own house at the slightest provocation?

Usually, watching them fight and destroy the guild was entertaining and lively. But if his own child became part of that liveliness...

Goodman needed to think it over carefully.