Scout, Canyon Swiftclaw

The moment he asked that question, Rhode saw himself.

Not with his own eyes, nor like looking in a mirror, but from a perspective looking up from below.

His own hand was resting on 'his' head. His arm blocked a small portion of his vision, but because his eyes were far enough apart, he could still see his own face.

This is... the Swiftclaw's perspective?

The sensation of two images suddenly appearing in his mind was strange. Rhode withdrew his hand and immediately saw his hand-withdrawal motion from both angles.

As the Swiftclaw stood up, the perspective also shifted subtly.

Rhode commanded the Swiftclaw to turn around. They stood back-to-back, and he instantly gained a nearly 360-degree field of vision.

Makarov nodded after hearing Rhode's description. "So it's a reconnaissance-type summon, its uses should be quite extensive."

Immediately after, the Swiftclaw demonstrated its mobility.

After letting Rhode sit on its back, the Swiftclaw smashed through the guild's courtyard wall, dashed onto the lake, and performed a water-walking feat. Its six legs moved as if treading on flat ground across the lake.

Rhode's hands gripped the Swiftclaw's two tentacle-like reins tightly, feeling the strong wind rushing at him and the occasional splash of water.

He didn't know how many miles per hour it was, but it was more thrilling than riding a speedboat on East Lake back then—perhaps because he wasn't wearing a life jacket.

"Its speed surpasses ordinary horses and donkey-ponies, and its ability to move on water is also excellent. Its destructive power is average, but..."

Makarov offered a rational evaluation. Looking at the broken courtyard wall, he shouted at Rhode's retreating back, "...Even so, don't go around destroying the guild!!"

"I'm sorry, it's my first time riding a River Crab, I didn't know its habits. I didn't do it on purpose..."

Rhode stood Levy up.

He had originally promised to go to the library to study with her, but now he could only work hard on building walls under the Guild Master's supervision.

It was okay if he didn't know how; the Guild Master would teach him on the spot. He knew a bit about carpentry and masonry—mainly because the Guild Master destroyed the guild just as often as anyone else, and prolonged illness makes for a good doctor.

"It's fine, it's just a small section of the wall that was accidentally damaged."

Levy was extremely forgiving about it, perhaps already accustomed to similar accidental events.

"I've just found some suitable books on common knowledge, so I'll find some appropriate content to read to you now."

"That's great, thank you, Levy!"

Rhode was very happy. When he did chores like cleaning, he used to like playing music or crosstalk on his phone just to have some background noise. He was bored now.

This girl was truly considerate. No wonder Jet and Troy liked her so much.

"First, about this country, it's called the Kingdom of Fiore. Its population is about 17 million, and it's located on a peninsula on the western side of the continent. It was recognized as a neutral country about 160 years ago..."

Levy's voice as she read and explained was somewhat pleasant to hear.

Rhode continued his wall-building, and upon hearing that Fiore had a population of 17 million, he felt that the country might not be very large.

The neutrality was a good point; he didn't have to worry too much about war, probably.

"Magnolia City, where we are, is in the eastern part of the Kingdom of Fiore, not far from the border with the neighboring country of Bosco. Its population is about 60,000..."

Rhode had heard about this from Mira once. Magnolia had always been a place where magic flourished, and it was quite a prosperous city in the Kingdom of Fiore.

"And now for the important part." Levy emphasized, "Magic was once something to be feared, so mages were often persecuted in the past. Besides that, mages often fought amongst themselves, causing the entire world to be unstable."

"To change all of this, 150 years ago, the world's first mage guild, 'Dragon of the Magic Circle,' was established.

Mages began to unite, using magic to protect themselves and their companions, and they also worked hard to communicate with ordinary people, even solving problems for them and earning rewards."

"Since then, mage guilds have appeared one after another, and magic has gradually become a part of people's lives, which is how the situation of mages and ordinary people coexisting harmoniously slowly developed."

"Then, 97 years ago, in X686, our guild, 'Fairy Tail,' was established."

"'Does a fairy have a tail? Ultimately, do fairies even exist? All of this is unknown, which represents eternal mystery, eternal adventure.'

—This is the meaning Mavis, the first Guild Master, gave to Fairy Tail."

Levy's eyes sparkled as she said the latter part, and it was clear that she truly loved this guild.

This was the first time Rhode had heard the meaning behind the name Fairy Tail, and he found it a bit romantic.

It was so romantic that he barely remembered any of the history of Fiore that Levy had recounted.

However, it wasn't without its gains. At least Rhode understood that this was a country with a semblance of feudal monarchy.

It had a king, ministers, knights, and an army.

Naturally, some among the royal family and those who served the throne also studied magic.

Mages were highly respected in many places, but they were still citizens of the country and subject to royal jurisdiction, unlike nobles with titles who enjoyed privileges.

At the same time, in order to maintain the stability of the magical world, there was an organization called the Magic Council responsible for monitoring the actions of mages, sanctioning dark guilds, and so on.

However, whenever Levy mentioned the Council, her expression became strange. She seemed to dislike, or even fear, this organization.

This made Rhode confused. Why would you fear an organization that sanctions dark guilds? Isn't Fairy Tail a legitimate guild?

Damn it.

Rhode realized he'd forgotten to ask about this—Fairy Tail... is a legitimate guild, right?

Getting along with Levy was a very pleasant experience.

The young girl explained history, geography, and even the basics of magic with a well-structured approach.

Even for Rhode, who had almost zero foundation, it wasn't difficult to understand.

Moreover, during the explanations, she often cited relevant stories, making Rhode marvel at how Levy's knowledge was even broader than his own when he was in his third year of high school.

By the time Rhode had mostly finished repairing the damaged courtyard wall, Levy had also talked herself out and was looking at him expectantly.

"...Ah, right, Chinese." Rhode understood her gaze. "Should I go wash my face first?"

Actually, he wanted to take a shower and change his clothes; he was uncomfortable from being covered in dirt and dust after a busy day.

"If you're washing your face, I'll help you! Solid Script: WATER!" Levy waved her arm, writing the word 'water' in the air with her fingers.

The characters, glowing with magical light as she wrote them, transformed into letters made of clear water after she finished.

And with Levy's control, they floated in front of Rhode: "Use this."

Rhode looked at the word 'water' made of water in front of him and tentatively reached his hand into it...

He could actually wash his hands as if in a basin, and even scoop up a handful to splash on his face and wash it.

"What a convenient magic, it's just like... what's the word, right, 'speak of the devil'—no, 'words become reality'."

"Hee hee... it's not that exaggerated." Levy, praised, was a little embarrassed. After Rhode finished washing his face, she controlled the water letters to flow into the lake like ordinary water.

"Besides, I'm not very good at it; I can only provide a little support when my comrades are fighting."

"I think this kind of magic will be very useful."

Rhode felt that Solid Script was very similar to scenes in some novels where characters fought by writing with their pens, and its potential should be immense.

"Then, let's start by teaching you the pronunciation of Chinese characters."

Rhode took the Light Pen Levy had just used and wrote the initials and finals of Pinyin in the air.

After thinking for a moment, he added annotations using the basic syllables of this world's language before teaching her to read them one by one.

Levy eagerly read and took notes until Laki came to call Rhode to work, and they stopped.