A wage increase is always a good thing. Rhode has been worried about not having enough funds for his home-buying plan.
Originally, he thought having over two million in 'big bucks' made him a little rich, but upon looking into housing prices, he realized that reaching even a tenth of the amount needed would be impressive.
Purely relying on wages, it might take 20 years to save up enough to buy even a small house.
Of course, the banks here offer mortgage services, and the policies for mages are quite good, but essentially, one still has to work for a long time.
After all, Magnolia is a prosperous city where magic is prevalent, so for an ordinary mage to settle down here, it really takes decades of effort.
Rhode, who can handle high-difficulty missions, is a bit better off and can get it done in a few years with hard work.
If he can hang onto Erza as he did last month, it might not even take two years.
Besides, there's another choice — settling outside the city.
Like Natsu and Hapi, who simply built a house in the suburbs, or like Lady Porlyusica, who made a treehouse in the forest.
No one really bothers with building a house outside the city, and it's very cost-saving, though the downside is that life is inconvenient, even buying soy sauce requires a long trip.
Alternatively, one could live in the countryside with family like newbie Tono does.
But he spends three hours just traveling by carriage to the guild every morning, and when you add the commute back home in the afternoon… it's a nightmare.
After considering all possibilities, Rhode still felt it was better to work a bit harder to settle down in the city.
If he could increase his strength a bit more and reach S-Class, he could earn money even faster.
"What are you thinking about?" Mira noticed him frowning over money and asked curiously, "Are you worried about how to spend it?"
"More or less, but I'm more worried about how to earn it," Rhode replied. "I'm considering officially settling down in Magnolia."
"Settle down?" Mira thought for a moment, "You want to buy a house?"
"Yeah, this city's great, isn't it?"
"Of course." Mira understood Rhode's feelings and reminded him, "But if you rush, it'll be tough."
"Mm." Rhode looked at Mira's delicate features, "It's a long-term plan, so there's no need to hurry."
"Don't look at me and say 'long-term plan.'" Mira retreated behind the counter.
She could actually help a bit economically, but there was no suitable pretext… if...
Forget it, forget it, no point thinking about it now, it's too early!
Laki's voice called out, "Rhode, two beers over here! Sister Mira, we need a roast chicken!"
"Coming."
"Got it."
Rhode poured the beer, and Mira relayed to the kitchen.
Although the 'little rich man' and little rich woman were 'dominant' in the guild, all they did was serve drinks and food.
Stay low profile, stay low profile.
As usual, when Rhode had a lull at work, he'd go through mission information. Occasionally, he'd pick up tasks that had been left untouched for a long time and finish them off.
When Mira had free time, she'd find a low-paying, ignored mission and team up with Rhode.
Sometimes it was finding cats and dogs, sometimes even mediating disputes — Rhode couldn't understand why neighborhood disputes needed a mage to intervene.
Such troublesome and unprofitable missions naturally didn't appeal to most, but Rhode and Mira didn't mind; they treated it as a themed date.
Going out like this occasionally was quite fun; they helped the guild clear up backlog tasks and also got to hang out — a win-win!
But this brought about a small problem.
February 19th was a Wednesday, the release day for the latest issue of Wizard Weekly.
Rhode saw himself on the magazine for the second time, appearing in a peculiar way:
"Famous model Miss Mirajane's rumored boyfriend?"
It seems their closeness in recent times exceeded that of ordinary friends.
Someone even spotted them dining together, strolling, and buying flowers on Valentine's Day.
The accompanying picture was of their backs, with Mira slightly turning to look at Rhode, her profile recognizable, and smiling happily.
As for Rhode, there was no front photo, only a reprint of last year's 'strongest rookie' article.
Nothing special happened that day, at most, he lingered a bit at Mira's door when taking her home.
Elfman hadn't bothered since they seriously fought once, but it seems there were bad apples among the onlookers.
Rhode wasn't upset, just a bit worried about Mira, "Will this affect your popularity?"
"Probably, Jenny once said it might, but it doesn't matter if I don't do this job. Plus…"
Mira glanced at Rhode and added, "I'm not following the old route anymore."
When she agreed to be a model for Heart-shaped Cross, Mira had considered things carefully.
Recalling Rhode's suggested articles in the Royal Capital and his advice during the beauty contest, Mira guessed that Rhode might mind the sexy route.
Though she didn't particularly care, from now on, she could care a little, it wasn't impossible.
Rhode found it odd, "Would Sosala release news that might be disadvantageous for you?"
"Because it might not be disadvantageous; with so few of my works recently, sudden news might even have a good effect. Even if not, at least it could boost magazine sales in the short term."
Rhode pondered, "I have a way to dispel the rumors."
For example, telling everyone the rumors are true? Mira could somewhat guess his intention.
She then lifted a tray, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly, "Dare to say it, and I'll bring you down."
"I surrender, I surrender." Rhode closed the topic, lightly sighed, "I'm off to train."
"Still no progress?" Mira knew his training hadn't been going smoothly lately, with the next summoned beast yet to appear.
"Maybe it's lack of magic power, or perhaps I haven't delved deeply enough into this craft." Rhode fondled his pendant.
By rights, the next should be the Canyon Vanguard or the little dragon.
But when he recently extended his consciousness to explore the Summoner's Rift, he couldn't see through the fog of war near the Little Dragon Pit.
And the Dragon Pit was already occupied by Void Nest Insects; he didn't know if the Canyon Vanguard still existed or how it would appear.
Surely, he wouldn't have to wipe out all the Void Nest Insects first?
Then how would he manage the dragon afterward? Wipe out the Canyon Vanguard too?
Rhode had no solution, so he could only continue exploring while working on increasing his magic power.
Going by the experience of summoning the red and blue buffs earlier, the next summon, whoever it might be, would definitely consume a lot of magic.
He needed to toughen up his little build first.
...