Rhode quickly flipped through two magazines, took off his glasses, and prepared to start today's physical training.
"I told you not to crawl under the bed."
Rhode held Warm by the scruff of his neck, and Warm's four legs naturally dangled, his tongue protruding and small horns drooping, with a pitiful look of 'please don't scold me.'
"Just as well." Rhode put Warm down and went to the laundry room to get a basin of water and a cloth.
Warm sat obediently on the ground, waiting for Rhode to wipe his fur.
However, Rhode tossed the cloth to him: "Since you're already dirty, you might as well help me clean under the bed; it's inconvenient for me to do it."
Warm: ???
"If you finish cleaning before I get back, I'll buy you some cookies tomorrow, see you later!"
Warm hesitantly picked up the cloth with his little paws.
Rhode clicked the door closed and went downstairs for a run.
The route was slightly adjusted from yesterday, because now knowing his limits, Rhode slightly altered the return point, estimating he'd return home just exhausted.
At the start of the run, he could still think about future training plans, pondering whether to get a sandbag to punch at home.
But toward the second half, his mind was fixated only on, 'One more step, one more step.'
This kind of training was effective—at least Rhode was getting better at applying cold compresses and external medicine on himself.
Dragging his lead-heavy legs upstairs with the help of the handrail, he saw a 'little gray dog' squatting by the door.
"You actually cleaned it, commendable."
Rhode moved to the bed, tossed himself onto it, first thought being, 'Oh no, I'm covered in sweat, I need to change the sheets.'
Warm stretched out his tongue, thought for a moment, jumped onto a chair, then to the table, and carrying the bottle of medicine Rhode used yesterday, leapt onto the bed.
"Thank you." Rhode forced himself up, took the bottle, and immediately saw the gray marks Warm left on the sheets.
"..."
Warm, feeling guilty with Rhode's gaze, retreated a few steps and jumped off the bed, leaving several more footprints.
"Alright, let's give you a bath first."
-----------------
Summer dawn always arrives extraordinarily early, and by the time Rhode opened his eyes, it was already broad daylight.
Originally sleeping by his pillow, Warm was gone again, just like before.
Rhode hadn't figured out whether it was due to his magic power being interrupted in deep sleep or if the summonings had a time limit.
He got out of bed, put on slippers, stretched, and the soreness in his legs, accompanied by the noticeable increase in magic power, reassured him.
Perhaps because the base number was small, just a little effort showed results easily.
"Ding, MP limit +10!"
Rhode provided sound effects for his silent golden finger.
The increase in magic power was a happy event indeed, but what thrilled him even more was what he discovered last night when he tried to sense the status of the River Crab through the necklace after meditation.
Rhode not only 'saw' the River Crab submerged in water, but also the entire river channel and... another River Crab.
The other was leisurely walking around downstream, like patrolling.
Rhode felt he could summon this River Crab anytime he wanted.
Once the injured River Crab recovered, he should be able to summon both simultaneously.
He gauged his own magic power—alright, still needed more days of training.
Rhode washed up and headed out, greeting Goodman as usual, casually summoning Warm along the way.
He didn't forget to buy a pack of cookies for Warm.
Funds decreased by 500J.
Watching Warm happily gulping down a cookie with one lick, Rhode pondered the feeding plan.
In the game, Poro needs to eat Poro Delicacies to grow... although they look just like cookies, what ingredients are they made of?
Should he find various ingredients and let Warm pick them out?
Might as well try.
In his musings, the guild had arrived.
Rhode did some usual cleaning until Marcus, whom he agreed to meet yesterday, arrived and they headed to the backyard together.
He had inquired about Marcus, who uses Sand Magic, good in defense but lacking in offense.
Overall strength...
Mira diplomatically gave a 'not very noticeable compared to Erza' evaluation, sparing Marcus's feelings.
Rhode pondered, thinking she likely meant his strength isn't very noticeable in the entire guild.
And then, Rhode lost again.
Though Marcus couldn't deal with Gorge Swift Crab as neatly as Natsu, he could still block River Crab's charges.
When the River Crab crashed into the Sand Defense Wall, several sand cords entangled its legs, restraining its movements.
"Seems like it really is just a functional wild beast." Rhode finally accepted the River Crab's positioning.
Marcus walked around the River Crab and approached Rhode, "Want to keep sparring?"
Rhode assumed a stance, "Yes."
...
He couldn't win in fights; mere two combat experiences were no match for those who brawl every few days.
Even the not-so-remarkable Marcus could easily handle Rhode.
Marcus was more concerned about civility, so he didn't leave Rhode with any bruises.
In Marcus's words: "I don't want a friend I just met to ignore me the next day."
For someone who likes to talk to people, having listeners is quite important.
Rhode thought, since Marcus liked it, he'd chat with him for ten dollars worth before work.
After all, whether to gather more information or to improve his common language, Rhode needed to engage with people.
"A quick way to increase magic power? There's no such thing; magic power must grow through hard practice.
Oh, right, as you age, magic power naturally increases a bit too. Take me, I'm 16 now, in another seven to eight years, I'll definitely become very strong.
Eh, how old are you, Rhode?"
"Almost 19…" Rhode paused, wondering how to account for his age and birthday in the future?
"18, so you're the same age as Erza, Mira, Bisca, and Alzack..."
Marcus thought for a moment and comfortingly patted Rhode's shoulder, "You have to try harder."
"..." Not comforting at all.
"Speaking of which, Bisca hasn't been learning magic for long either, and now she can handle things independently, so there's no need to rush. As long as you work hard..."
During Marcus's monologue, Rhode's gaze fell on the green-haired girl conversing with Erza.
That was Bisca, though they hadn't formally greeted, Laki had introduced her to Rhode.
Bisca and Erza have a good relationship and she uses Requip Magic, but she equips various firearms.
Besides, there's Mira's enthusiastic (gossiping) input:
Bisca learned Requip Magic out of admiration for Erza, while she also fancied Alzack, who excels in Gun Bullet Magic.
According to Mira's observations, Alzack occasionally stares dazedly at Bisca's back; she thinks the two will inevitably end up together.
Alzack... Rhode did find him, indeed, not far from Bisca, a cowboy-like handsome guy.
Rhode realized that his guild not only had many oddballs, but quite a few handsome men and beautiful women too.