Rhode's answer made Mira very happy.
She put away the letter, saying she would consider it.
As for the magazine, she left it on the counter, remembering that Rhode liked reading the news.
After the New Year, the guild resumed its normal operations, and Rhode returned to his usual training.
...
Three days later, a young boy with glasses came to the guild.
Round-faced, with a flat-top haircut, carrying a big backpack, he looked well-behaved.
After entering, he glanced around, then walked through the bustling tavern to the front desk.
Mira greeted him, "Hello, are you here to post a request?"
"No, I'm Tono, Tono Rabbis, just turned 15 this year, and I use Light Magic."
Tono gave an organized self-introduction and then said, "I want to join the guild."
"I see. Hello, I'm Mirajane." Mira said, "Please wait a moment, I'll get the President."
"Please take a seat." With Mira gone, Rhode took over welcoming the newcomer, "I'm Rhode, I joined the guild half a year ago, so I'm kind of a newcomer too. Please feel at ease."
"I know you, you're the strongest newcomer, right?" Tono said happily, "I've been following the news about Fairy Tail."
"Really? Haha, that article was just the reporter making things up. Once you join, you might become the strongest newcomer yourself. Would you like something to drink?"
Rhode thought this kid must really love Fairy Tail if he kept up with its news and still liked this place.
Tono sat on a stool and said honestly, "Just some plain water, thank you."
Rhode poured Tono a glass of water, and the President came over with Mira.
Tono's joining process was as simple as Rhode's had been, with the President asking a few basic questions before stamping the guild emblem on him.
This was Rhode's first time witnessing a newcomer join the guild, and it felt… a bit surreal.
"Having witnessed a newcomer join, does that make me a veteran mage now?"
Makarov gave him a glance but didn't say anything.
Veteran mage?
You've simply moved from second to last to third to last in mission counts.
Mira was great at playing along, "So, Rhode, do you want to try guiding the newcomer?"
This seemed interesting, and Rhode asked, "Can I?"
To be safe, Makarov asked, "What do you plan to teach him?"
Rhode glanced at Mira and smiled, "Just like when Mira guided me, helping him get familiar with the process of taking a task, meeting the client, and completing the task."
Tono seemed pleased; a veteran mage would guide him in joining the guild, and it was the strongest newcomer too, which seemed reliable.
Rhode thought for a moment and added, "I could also pass on some personal experience, like…"
"Alright, I've decided. Reby will guide Tono." Makarov said decisively, "You mentioned you like history, right?"
"Yes, but Rhode-senpai…"
Makarov said, "Don't worry about him; you two don't quite match."
Rhode felt a bit offended.
Mira covered her mouth with a laugh; the President was probably afraid that a newcomer guided by Rhode would end up running around with Bursting Magic Crystals.
She patted Rhode on the back to comfort him and then said to Tono, "Come with me; I'll take you to find Reby."
Makarov said, "Don't look at me like that; there might be a task for you in a few days."
"For me? What kind of task has to be left specially for me?" Rhode thought for a moment, perhaps something from the Advisory Council again?
Those folks could be a bit tricky.
"The specifics aren't confirmed yet; we'll have to wait for more information." Makarov said, "For now, try not to go far in these couple of days."
"Alright." Rhode felt a bit uncertain.
Makarov, knowing his temperament, reassured him, "Don't worry; if you really need to go, we'll arrange for someone reliable to team up with you."
This made Rhode feel even more uneasy; if the President was already arranging a team for him, didn't that mean the task was especially troublesome?
Makarov shook his head and left with his hands behind his back; he still had a report to write.
Natsu, that idiot, had caught a few thieves and demolished seven houses in the process; even before he returned, the advisory's summons had already arrived.
It was a headache.
When Mira returned, she found Rhode looking distressed.
"What's wrong? Did the President say something?"
"No, it's just that there's a big trouble that might be handed to me."
Mira laughed, "It's because the President really trusts you."
"He trusts me but won't let me guide newcomers."
"Well, well…" Even Mira wasn't sure what to say; in fact, she thought letting Rhode guide a newcomer wouldn't be bad.
"Ah, let's not talk about it." Rhode asked, "Wasn't Reby out on a job? Why did the President ask Tono to follow her?"
"Reby just came back today; you didn't see because you were in the backyard," Mira explained,
"Actually, they encountered a bit of an accident during their task. Now Jet is hospitalized, and Troy is taking care of him."
"That serious?" Rhode frowned, "What happened?"
Mira spoke sympathetically,
"It seems Jet wanted to show off a bit and accidentally fell into a trap meant for hunting beasts. So, Reby and Troy had to protect him while completing the job."
"…" This was hard for Rhode to comment on; it was like the saying goes, trying to show off and ending up embarrassing yourself.
"Should I go visit him at the hospital?"
"Better not; Reby said Jet doesn't want everyone to see him in such an embarrassing state."
Mira said, smiling mischievously, "If you really must go, remember to take Lidas with you."
"…" Miss Mira, are you revealing your demonic nature?
"By the way, have you decided on that thing?"
"I'll go to the Sosala branch the day after tomorrow. The President hopes I can slightly redeem Fairy Tail's positive image."
Mira smiled; she knew it was Natsu's antics that had made the President a bit anxious, so he decided to do something.
Rhode originally planned to accompany Mira,
But he didn't get to the day after; the next morning, the President, looking serious, called for him.
And standing by the President's side, besides a worried Mira, was… Erza.
Rhode immediately sensed trouble; teaming up with Erza? Was it that serious?
Makarov said earnestly, "This task is a bit dangerous; if you think it's too challenging after hearing me out, you can choose to refuse."
Glancing at Erza, Rhode guessed, "An S-Class Task?"
Makarov shook his head, "It's not quite enough to directly rank as S-Class, but if it isn't, it'll be very challenging and potentially life-threatening for others."
Erza spoke, "If it's important enough for you to speak so formally, it must be a significant task, please go ahead."
Rhode nodded in agreement; it was likely something necessary to handle despite the danger.
Makarov spoke slowly, "Near the kingdom's North Coast, a Black Magic Sect named 'Shadow of Evil Ghosts' has appeared, who worship the Black Mage Jellal.
They've been kidnapping children from nearby villages and towns to use as sacrifices to summon the Demon Canopus from Jellal's Book. Your mission is to capture the Black Magic Sect and rescue the innocent children.
Since the enemy might use dangerous black magic like Bone Shards, Blood Transformation, and Curse of Death, and if their demon-summoning succeeds, the task's danger level could rise above S-Class, that's why Erza's presence is necessary.
Because it involves both combat and child protection, I'm worried it might be too much for Erza alone, so… Rhode is the most suitable candidate."