Swamp Toad

There was another small expense this month.

Researching food was Mr. Cook's hobby, but Rhode felt too embarrassed to contribute nothing toward the ingredients.

However, Worm had gained the right to enter and leave the kitchen whenever Mr. Cook was not busy.

On the condition that it did not mess with anything in the kitchen.

This was Rhode's twelfth day learning Solid Script magic.

After the mission Mira had recommended, the atmosphere within the Chariot Engine Squad had eased somewhat, and they soon arranged to go out on another job together.

Whenever Levy had free time, she came to tutor Rhode again. Jet and Troy occasionally came by to watch the fun as well.

But after nearly two weeks of studying, Rhode had personally experienced just how important "compatibility" was.

He had been able to use Summoning Magic almost as soon as he started learning it, but his progress with Solid Script magic was truly unsatisfactory.

Writing the same FIRE, Levy could unleash roaring flames, while Rhode could probably only produce a torch.

Writing the same WATER, Levy could release a large volume of clear water with considerable impact. Rhode's could barely wash his face.

There was no point thinking of using that level in battle, but Rhode planned to learn a few more words that could create light, wind, and the like.

At least they would make life much more convenient. He would not need to light a lamp when getting up to use the bathroom at night, and he would not even need to bring fire when going on picnics.

A cause for celebration.

By comparison, his Summoning Magic progressed as steadily as ever.

This time, when Rhode sensed that there was a new wild monster he could summon, he once again asked the Master to watch over him as usual.

The result proved one thing: being cautious really was the right choice.

"Answer my call, Swamp Toad!"

The pendant drained nearly enough magic power to summon four river crabs, and a gigantic brown toad appeared in the guild's backyard.

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

It was huge enough to swallow a person in one bite, and several purple mushrooms grew from its back. One look was enough to tell they were definitely poisonous.

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

The next second, Rhode felt a large hand grab him, pulling him rapidly backward.

Then the Master appeared in front of him, slapping one hand against the ground as golden light burst forth.

The Swamp Toad and the ground beneath it were surrounded by a golden Magic Circle. Lines of golden runes rose from below, forming a protective barrier.

The Swamp Toad seemed to want to jump, but Rhode gave it the command, "Don't move," and it quieted down.

"Master, what is this?"

"Poison. This will stop it from spreading further." The Master looked at the purple-stained ground and asked seriously, "Will it obey your commands like the other wild monsters?"

"It should." Rhode could feel his connection to the Swamp Toad. "Raise your left front paw."

The Swamp Toad raised its paw.

"Move one step left."

The Swamp Toad complied.

"Make a sound."

"Croak~"

"Looks like there isn't a problem." The Master said, "Then is there any way to take back the poison?"

Rhode gave the order, "Take back the poison."

There was no response.

Rhode thought for a moment. "Can you remove the poison from the ground?"

The Swamp Toad backed up slightly, opened its mouth, and took a bite of dirt. Smack, smack—it wanted to spit it out but did not dare, gazing at Rhode pitifully.

Well, this... Rhode suddenly thought the toad was rather cute.

After receiving the Master's approval, Rhode said, "Spit it out. Gently."

The Master took a look. The poison in the soil it spat out seemed to have truly been neutralized, or perhaps partially absorbed.

And when the toad had backed away just now, it had not contaminated any new ground.

"Hmm..." Makarov thought for a moment before saying, "Don't summon it in the guild for the time being."

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

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

"Master, what should we do about this patch of ground?"

"I'll ask Porlyusica to help think of a solution. If she can make an antidote, I'll have you carry some with you just in case."

The simplest method would actually be to scrape away the soil and bury it deep underground.

But they had to think long-term. They could not forbid Rhode from summoning it forever.

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

When he had first awakened, he had been unable to communicate. By the time he learned the common language, the old lady had already gone home, and she had not visited the guild since.

Rhode had asked Mira for the lady's address, but Mira told him that Ms. Porlyusica did not like being disturbed. If he went over rashly without proper business, she might chase him out with a broom.

Preparing an antidote counted as proper business, right?

"It would be good for you to come along. She might need to examine your... Swamp Toad."

With a wave of Makarov's hand, a flash of light passed over his body, and his casual clothes had changed into formal attire.

Rhode had to admit that the old man looked incredibly cool. "Master, that Requip Magic is amazing!"

"Hehehe..." The Master grinned like an old child. "What do you think? Want to learn it?"

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

Requipping and transforming was the romance of magical girls... no, of Mages!

Makarov was quite pleased. This child finally had aspirations beyond merely becoming stronger.

He took a glass and collected some poison-contaminated soil, protecting it with magic before calling out, "Let's go."

This was his first time walking down the street with the Master—unless the time he had been carried back on the Master's shoulder counted.

"Have you gotten used to life in the guild?"

"Pretty much. Everyone is very nice. They take good care of me and have taught me many things."

Rhode ignored a certain two rude S-Class Mages. So far, everything was quite good.

Makarov had only just smiled when he heard Rhode continue.

"Other than it being noisy sometimes, unidentified objects flying past my ears, and people often breaking things that are hard to clean up afterward... there isn't much to complain about."

Makarov clutched his chest, feeling a little stabbed in the heart. "When learning the common language, follow Mira or Levy. Don't learn Erza's way of speaking."

That was just how Erza was. She would rattle off everyone's faults, then finish with, "I don't feel like talking about you all today."

"Ah, Master, I was just joking. Please don't take it to heart!" Afraid that he had upset the old man, Rhode hurriedly tried to make up for it. "It's nice for the guild to be lively."

He tried hard to change the subject. "By the way, Master, Ms. Porlyusica lives in the eastern forest, right? Should we ride a river crab there?"

Makarov looked at the bustling street. "After we leave the city. Don't cause trouble for everyone."

"Oh... please wait for me. I want to buy something!"

Rhode ran to a fruit stall and returned a few minutes later carrying a bag of apples and another bag of peaches.

It would be rude to visit for the first time empty-handed.

Makarov smiled but said nothing.

"This is where I found you."

After the two entered the forest on a river crab and traveled some distance, Makarov pointed at an open patch of ground.

Rhode did not remember much about this place. All forests looked the same to him.

Even if he had not encountered that strange wild beast back then, he probably would have gotten lost and fainted from hunger here.