The incident of Levy being confessed to had not spread very far for the time being.
Although Mira loved spreading gossip, she still knew her limits and did not want to hurt the feelings of the three involved.
Rhode continued learning Solid Script magic from Levy while quietly observing the reactions of the three of them.
After all, he was at least a little related to the cause of this whole mess.
Over the following week, neither Jet nor Troy took on any jobs. They merely huddled in corners, whispering to each other.
Several times, Jet wanted to say something to Levy, but Troy held him back as they discussed how to speak without making things awkward.
During breaks, Levy did not go looking for the two of them either. Instead, she often sat at the counter chatting with Mira.
Still, her gaze often drifted toward Jet and Troy, and she was worrying over how to break the awkward stalemate.
Rhode had even considered clearing things up for them, but he was worried that would only make things even more awkward.
While chatting with Levy, Mira suddenly showed a troubled expression and let out a soft sigh.
Levy could not help asking, "Mira, is something bothering you?"
"Just a little." Mira naturally continued, "The weather has been so hot lately that everyone has gotten lazy, and now a lot of commissions have piled up here.
"If we do not deal with them soon, people might start questioning the guild's capabilities."
"Eh~ Is it that serious?" Levy felt a little guilty. She herself was one of the people who had not worked in quite a while.
Mira pulled a request form out from beneath the counter.
"Yes, especially this one. It is a job to tutor children at the orphanage in the neighboring town. If no one goes, the children will be disappointed."
Levy secretly glanced toward a certain corner and replied, "If it is just helping children with their studies, wouldn't ordinary teachers be enough?"
Mira said, "More than half of the children want to become wizards, so the orphanage wants to invite some teachers who understand magic."
Mira's pleading gaze made Levy unable to pretend she did not understand what Mira meant.
A teaching job suited her perfectly, and Mira had always taken such good care of her...
After hesitating for a while, Levy asked, "Um, what requirements does the client have for the teachers?"
"Besides basic requirements like patience and attentiveness, the client hopes the teachers can teach the children writing and history, accompany them in sports and games.
"Preferably, they should also be able to teach them about plants and gardening." Mira smiled, looking as though her scheme had succeeded.
"Mii~ra~! Stop joking around." Levy puffed out her cheeks. How was that any different from naming her directly? Mira had obviously made those requirements up.
"I am not joking. The client's requirements are written very clearly." Mira showed Levy the detailed contents.
"Just think of it as helping clear out some backlogged work. You are obviously such a perfect fit, and I will talk to Jet and Troy too."
There really was such a tailor-made job! Levy hesitated for a while, but in the end, she nodded.
Mira went to explain the situation to Jet and Troy. Rhode saw the two of them visibly freeze before their faces lit up.
Just then, Levy looked over. The three exchanged glances, awkwardly looked away, then could not help looking back.
Thoughtfully, Mira arranged for them to meet at the guild entrance early the next morning before setting off. Jet and Troy immediately went home to prepare.
Levy found Rhode with the request form in hand. "Sorry, Rhode. I cannot practice with you tomorrow."
"It is fine. I have already memorized the basics, and I would feel bad taking up your time all the time," Rhode said. "Good luck with the job. And with the other matter too."
"Mm! Then I will head back first!"
"Bye." Rhode happened to catch sight of the date on the request form.
The commission had been posted yesterday, and its deadline was a week away. What a "long-backlogged" request.
Zhang Wuji's mother was right: the prettier the woman, the better she was at lying.
Mira clasped her hands together and said playfully, "Sorry, Rhode. I sent your tutor away."
Rhode suddenly felt like being a little cheeky. "Yeah, my heart has been gravely wounded, so... is there any compensation?"
Mira blinked. "What compensation do you want?"
Marry me.
That was definitely not something he could say.
After thinking for a moment, Rhode said, "There is something I want to ask Mr. Cook about. Could you come with me and help bolster my courage?"
"Mr. Cook?" Mira asked doubtfully. "What is it about?"
Rhode said, "A research plan for a nutritious meal formula that can promote Woom's growth."
Rhode had previously considered finding a way to develop Poro delicacy for Woom, but he had no time, no cooking skills, and no motivation, so he had put it off.
But after discovering that Woom might have grown a little last time, Rhode picked the idea back up.
Maybe Poro delicacy could raise a Poro King?
The best cook Rhode knew now was Mr. Cook, the guild's chef.
He just did not know whether such an accomplished chef would get angry if asked to help research "pet food."
That was why he had asked Mira to come along...
So he could find any excuse to do something with her or spend some time alone with her.
The courage thing was just an excuse.
Even if he really did make Mr. Cook angry, at worst he would get chased through a few streets by a man wielding a kitchen knife. It was not as if he would actually get chopped to death.
Rhode's little schemes clattered away in his head.
Mira agreed without much hesitation. As far as she was concerned, Mr. Cook was fairly easy to get along with.
The two of them went around the counter and into the corridor, preparing to enter the kitchen through the side door.
Rhode summoned Woom. "Come help me take a look. Has Woom grown a little?"
"Long time no see, Woom." Mira cupped the white fluffball in both hands, weighed it, then measured it with her hands. "It does seem to have grown a bit."
"Grrr~" Woom said it was hot and wanted to go back.
Rhode said, "Bear with it. You can go back in a little while."
Mira rubbed Woom's heart-shaped belly and smiled. "We are taking you to eat something tasty."
"Grrr~" Woom immediately perked up.
It looked exactly like a husband and wife, one stern and one gentle, calming down an unruly child with just two sentences.
Mira looked even gentler while holding the Poro.
You can do this.
Fortunately, Mr. Cook did not take Rhode's request as an insult. Instead, he was quite interested in creatures like Poros.
Woom, however, was frightened out of its wits. It felt that every time the uncle in front of it looked at it, a dozen suitable places to cut were marked on its body.
It was as though it would be skinned, deboned, and tossed into a stewpot the very next second.
Rhode did his best to describe the appearance of the Poro delicacy he remembered and guessed at several possible ingredients.
He also listed the things Woom usually liked to eat as a reference for Mr. Cook.
Mr. Cook noted everything down one by one and said he would begin trying tomorrow.
Based on Rhode's description, he felt that humans could eat it too. Perhaps the guild would gain another signature dish in the future.
Before you continue