Swamp Toad

This month brought another small expense.

While researching gourmet food was Mr. Cook's hobby, Rhode always felt bad not contributing anything for the ingredients.

However, Worm also gained the privilege of entering and exiting Mr. Cook's kitchen freely when he wasn't busy.

The condition was that it couldn't mess with anything in the kitchen.

This was Rhode's 12th day studying Solid Script magic.

Thanks to a mission recommended by Mira, the atmosphere between the Chariot Engine Squad had eased, and they quickly agreed to go on another job together.

Whenever Levy had free time, she came to tutor Rhode, and Jet and Troy would occasionally drop by to liven things up.

However, the past two weeks of study had made Rhode truly realize how important 'compatibility' was.

When he first started with Summoning Magic, he could use it almost immediately, but the results of his Solid Script magic studies were truly unsatisfactory.

When writing FIRE, Levy released raging flames, while Rhode's was perhaps just a torch.

When writing WATER, Levy released a large amount of clear water with considerable impact. Rhode's could only be used to wash his face.

With this level of skill, there was no point in even thinking about combat, but Rhode planned to learn a few more characters that could create light or wind.

At the very least, it would make life much more convenient. He wouldn't need a light to go to the toilet at night anymore, and he wouldn't have to bring fire when going on picnics.

Truly a cause for celebration.

In contrast, his progress with Summoning Magic remained as steady as ever.

This time, Rhode felt there was a new Wild Monster he could summon, so he asked the Guild Master for help as usual.

The result confirmed one thing: playing it safe was indeed the right approach.

"Respond to my call, Swamp Toad!"

The magic equivalent to summoning nearly four River Crabs was drawn from the pendant, and a giant brown toad appeared in the guild's backyard.

The toad's appearance could only be described as ugly.

It possessed a massive size capable of swallowing a person whole, and several purple mushrooms grew on its back, making it obvious at a glance that it was definitely poisonous.

"Croak~~" Accompanied by a loud croak, the ground beneath the Swamp Toad's feet turned purple.

The next second, Rhode felt himself being grabbed by a large hand and pulled back rapidly.

Then, the Guild Master appeared in front of him, placed a hand on the ground, and released a golden light.

The Swamp Toad and the ground beneath it were enveloped by a golden magic circle, and golden runes rose from bottom to top, forming a protective barrier.

The Swamp Toad seemed to want to jump, but Rhode gave it a "stay put" command, making it quiet down.

"Guild Master, what is this?"

"It's venom. This will prevent it from spreading further," the Guild Master said, looking seriously at the purple-stained ground. "Will it obey your commands like other Wild Monsters?"

"It should," Rhode could feel the connection with the Swamp Toad. "Lift your left foreleg."

The Swamp Toad lifted its leg.

"Take a step to the left."

The Swamp Toad complied.

"Give a croak."

"Croak~"

"It seems there are no problems," the Guild Master said. "So, is there a way to retract the venom?"

Rhode commanded, "Retract the venom."

There was no reaction.

Rhode thought for a moment, "Remove the venom from the ground?"

The Swamp Toad took a slight step back, opened its mouth, and took a bite of the dirt. It chewed, then hesitated, looking at Rhode with wide eyes as if it wanted to spit but didn't dare.

Ah, this. Rhode suddenly found the toad rather cute.

After receiving the Guild Master's approval, Rhode said, "Spit it out, but gently."

The Guild Master watched. The soil the toad spat out seemed to have its venom neutralized or partially absorbed.

Moreover, the toad hadn't contaminated any new land when it stepped back earlier.

"Hmm..." Makarov thought for a moment and said, "Don't summon it inside the guild for now."

"Alright," Rhode nodded and waved, sending the Swamp Toad back to Summoner's Rift.

Makarov was very pleased. It was great that Rhode was such a steady child.

"Guild Master, what about this patch of ground?"

"I'll go ask Porlyusica for help figuring something out. If an antidote can be made, I'll get you to carry some with you, just in case."

Actually, the simplest method would be to scrape off the soil and bury it deep.

But one had to consider the long term. They couldn't forbid Rhode from summoning it forever.

"Master, can I go with you to visit Ms. Porlyusica? I haven't properly thanked her for what happened before."

When I first woke up, I couldn't communicate. By the time I learned the common tongue, the old lady had already gone home, and I hadn't seen her visit the guild again.

Rhode had asked Mira for the lady's address, but was told that Ms. Porlyusica disliked being disturbed, and if one were to visit without a proper reason, she might just chase them away with a broom.

Preparing an antidote should count as a proper reason, right?

"It's fine if you come along. She might want to see your... Swamp Toad too."

Makarov waved his hand, and with a flash of light, his casual clothes were replaced with formal wear.

Rhode had to admit, he was impressed by the old man's coolness: "Master, this Requip Magic is so cool!"

"Heehee..." The Master gave a childlike smile. "How about it, want to learn?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Uh... I'll definitely learn a set when I have time!"

Requip transformations are the romance of magical girls... no, of Mages!

Makarov was quite pleased. At least this kid had some aspirations beyond just getting stronger.

He grabbed a glass cup to collect some poisonous soil, protected it with magic, and called out, "Let's go."

This was the first time he'd walked down the street with the Master—unless you counted the time he was carried back.

"Are you getting used to the guild?"

"It's okay. Everyone is very kind, they've taken good care of me and taught me a lot."

Rhode conveniently ignored the two impolite S-Class Mages. Everything was going well so far.

Just as Makarov smiled, Rhode continued:

"Except for the occasional loudness, flying projectiles whizzing past my ears, and the fact that things often get broken and are a hassle to clean up... there's nothing else to complain about."

Makarov clutched his chest, feeling a pang of hurt. "If you want to learn the common tongue, learn from Mira or Levy. Don't learn from Erza's way of speaking."

Erza was just like that, rattling off everyone's faults, and then saying, 'I don't feel like talking about you today.'

"Ah, Master, I was just joking, please don't mind me!" Rhode panicked, afraid of upsetting the old man, and quickly tried to smooth things over. "It's good that the guild is lively."

He tried to change the subject: "By the way, Master, Ms. Porlyusica lives in the eastern forest, right? Should we take a River Crab?"

Makarov looked at the bustling street. "Let's do that after we leave the city. Don't cause trouble for anyone."

"Oh... wait for me for a moment, I want to buy something!"

Rhode ran to a fruit stall. A few minutes later, he returned with a bag of apples and a bag of peaches.

It wouldn't be good to visit for the first time empty-handed.

Makarov smiled and said nothing.

"This is where I found you."

After the two of them entered the forest riding a River Crab and walked for a while, Makarov pointed to an open space.

Rhode didn't have many memories of this place. The forest all looked the same to him.

Even if he hadn't encountered that strange Wild Monster back then, he probably would have gotten lost and starved to death here.