The tavern was as lively as ever, and Erza's intimidation greatly decreased as her time in the guild increased.
Although she would stand out and lecture when things got out of hand… it's easy to forget the pain when the scar heals.
Some would drink too much while chatting, and some would end up fighting while messing around.
This led to Rhode sometimes being forced to practice dodging various flying objects.
After enduring the morning work hours, Rhode left Warm behind and dashed off to the library to read some books on magic with Wind's Glasses.
As for history and geography… let's put them aside for now, and occasionally listen to stories from Reby.
Pages flipped quickly, the words and sentences appeared clearly in the lenses, allowing Rhode to see every sentence distinctly.
The seven-hundred-page encyclopedia was fully read by Rhode in just about twenty minutes.
Rhode already had a rudimentary understanding of many magics in his mind, although it didn't have the effect of leaving a deep impression, it was equivalent to a thorough reading.
This tool is incredibly useful for those who don't need to read meticulously, and for people who enjoy reading.
If it's for those who don't need close reading and just want to broaden their knowledge, it's simply divine.
32 times the reading speed is truly exaggerated, and Rhode suspected whether Wind's Glasses employed some time-related magic.
The inventor is simply a genius.
After putting the encyclopedia back in its place, Rhode sat down and meditated, letting his brain rest a bit.
After a while, he found books related to Ancient Magic and Space Element Magic, and continued reading until noon work hours.
"Are you Rhode? I'm Marcus, I use Sand Magic."
A parted-haired young man ordered a drink, sat at the bar, and chatted with Rhode, "I've heard of your legend, very impressive."
Rhode was stunned, "I have a legend?"
Mira smiled as she poured Marcus a drink, also curious to listen.
She's such a gossip, yet she didn't know about any impressive legend of Rhode.
"That was like, before you joined the guild, you easily dealt with a beast tide and destroyed a vast forest!"
Marcus waved his hand, "No wonder you're one of our Fairy Tail mages, you fit right in here!"
Rhode wanted to clarify the absurd legend, but Marcus didn't give him a chance.
He asked, "Well, what magic do you use? Surely it's very impressive, right?"
"Not very impressive, I use…"
"Is it like Natsu's Flame Magic? When it comes to destructive power, surely it must be Fire Flame, right?"
"No, it's…"
"Then it must be Earth Magic, using it in a forest would definitely have strong destructive power, I heard one of the Ten Wizard Saints, Jura, uses Earth Element Magic, also…"
Rhode tried several times to speak but found this person didn't give any opening, just like a lady in a barber shop he met on the road trying to make people sign up for a card.
"Marcus is the host of various guild activities, usually, he likes to pull people into conversations, and after drinking, he becomes a bit…"
Mira quietly introduced Marcus to Rhode in his ear, she pondered her words and continued, "…a bit of a chatterbox, it's difficult to interject, just sit back and listen to him finish speaking."
"…Alright." Rhode nodded, compared to Laki who liked collecting torture devices, Marcus who talked excessively after drinking was considered quite a normal person.
Mira reminded him, "If you don't wish to listen, you can directly leave. In the guild, you can directly express dislike without needing to make yourself uncomfortable for politeness or such things."
"No worries, I'm kinda curious about who spread the rumor that I destroyed a forest."
Rhode felt a bit annoyed, clearly, he was attacked by beasts, how did he suddenly become a demolisher?
"Yeah…who would create such a rumor?" Mira's expression was somewhat unnatural.
Of course, she wasn't the one spreading rumors, she merely truthfully told her fellow mates about Rhode's origin.
The beast tide and forest destruction were both real events, but somehow it was spread as Rhode easily defeating the beasts and destroying the forest.
Mira was unsure now if she was considered the culprit.
Marcus talked for almost five minutes before stopping to take a sip of beer to moisten his throat.
Rhode was about to seize the opportunity to ask a question when a bottle flew over, hitting Marcus on the back of his head.
"Pfff~~~~" Marcus spewed out half a glass of beer in one breath, "Who's that!"
Such a question almost doesn't need an answer.
Marcus turned back and saw the conspicuous battle scene in the tavern, and without another word joined in.
Rhode dodged quickly and wasn't splashed by the beer.
Mira skillfully took out a rag to clean the counter, then watched her friends fighting with a smile.
They kept fighting until someone knocked over Erza's plate.
The air fell silent for a brief moment, Natsu and Gray tiptoed, wanting to sneak away.
"Enough is enough!" Erza suddenly stood up, armored fists landed equally on the heads of each participant.
Natsu, Gray, and Marcus, among others, clutched their heads and fell to the ground.
Erza then clenched her fists, "Alright, since you guys like to fight so much, I'll join you and fight until one side can't stand up!"
"Aye!" The blue cat Hapi stood on the table, raised its hand, and gloated, "They can't stand up anymore!"
"Hehehe…" Mira laughed heartily, "Just like always."
This use of 'again' cleverly gave Rhode a full understanding of what this guild was like.
"Here." Mira handed over a pudding, "Take it to Erza when the time is right."
Rhode was puzzled, "The right time?"
Mira pointed at Erza and remained silent with a smile.
Just then, the imposing Erza suddenly trembled, like losing her soul, she staggered back to her seat.
Instead of sitting down, she crouched down, picked up a handful of broken porcelain pieces and shattered dessert from the floor, "My…strawberry pudding…"
The once-mighty Fairy Queen now seemed helpless like a little girl.
"Ah, this kind of Erza is so cute." Mira held her face, enjoying some odd amusement.
"…" This should be the 'right time' now, right? Rhode hesitated as he walked towards Erza.
"You guys…" The air pressure around Erza dropped as she turned, glaring fiercely at the culprits lying on the ground.
Everyone couldn't help but tremble.
"Miss Erza?"
Rhode called out courteously, purposely adding a respectful title.
"Hmm?"
Erza suddenly turned her head, shadows crossing her face, one eye seemingly flashing red, like a beast about to rage.
The amazing aura made Rhode's heart skip a beat, it seemed like her gaze pressed him into a low-pressure zone.
"Y-your pudding, it seems to be strawberry flavored too." Rhode barely managed to say that.
"…" The astonishing aura persisted for another second.
Soon the queen turned into a neighboring elder sister, she stood up, tidied up her hair, and revealed a gentle smile, "Thank you very much."
Erza even clenched her fists and started self-reflecting, regrettably saying, "Seriously, I nearly got angry over a pudding, my training is still lacking."
Hapi grew wings on his back and flew to Rhode's ear unapologetically, whispered, "She already got angry."
"…" Rhode remained silent, respectfully looking at it.
Little cat, you really dare say it, can't you give her some face?
Erza earnestly said, "Speaking of, aren't you Rhode? You just joined the guild yet care for your mates so much, I'm touched."
Her face truly showed a moved expression, and while speaking, she pulled Rhode's head into her embrace, "That's right, Fairy Tail ought to be like this!"
Bam!
Rhode's head knocked against the hard metal armor, making a clear sound, his head buzzing loudly.
He secretly glanced at Mira at the counter, giving him a thumbs up…
This was also part of your plan, Miss Mira?