https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-143-Rod-When-Are-We-Going-Out-Next-Time-/12810377/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-145-Azure-Engraved-Golem-Happy-Mid-Autumn-Festival-/12810379/
Chapter 144: Flying High! Hero Lands!
Chapter 144: Flying High! Hero Lands!
Rod thought for a moment and asked, "Master, the S-Class Exam is held every year, right? If I don't participate this year, will there be another chance next year?"
"Of course," Makarov nodded. "You're planning to take it next year?"
"Yes, I feel that my strength and experience are not yet sufficient to become an S-Class mage. Even if I pass the exam, it wouldn't mean much. I might as well spend another year training."
Rod was clear in his thinking. S-Class was just a title, a permit to take on S-Class missions, but it wouldn't enhance his actual strength.
As for making up for a lack of strength with brains, who would want to strain their mind if they had the power to back them up?
Even if he had to take the exam, he wanted to do it with a solid foundation. Besides, he wasn't in a rush to take on S-Class missions, so there was no need to hurry.
Makarov said, "The S-Class Exam only has one qualifier each year. Waiting another year might mean facing stronger opponents, as the guild has many fast-growing members."
"Master," Mira interjected, looking a bit unhappy, "Why do you have to push Rod to take the exam?"
"Because Rod has a real chance," Makarov replied.
Just by his willingness to turn down an opportunity that was right in front of him, he had already passed one aspect of the test.
Of course, there might be an issue with his confidence, which needed further observation.
"He's only been learning magic for four months. It's too early, no matter what," Mira said, glancing worriedly at Rod. "Let him decide for himself."
Makarov understood Mira's concerns, but Rod wouldn't have those problems.
Even if he passed the exam, there was over a 90% chance that Rod wouldn't dare to take on S-Class missions, or if he did, he would team up with other S-Class mages.
"Fine, you decide for yourself," Makarov sighed, then walked up to the second floor, having other matters to attend to.
Mira looked at Rod, biting her lip lightly. "Rod, I... I'm sorry."
Rod smiled. "Don't worry, I understand your concerns. These things should happen naturally. I won't rush into anything."
Mira nodded and gave him a smile. Then she bent down to write in the register, crossing out Rod's name and rewriting it, only to cross it out again.
No, you don't understand.
I'm worried that you might think I'm questioning your abilities.
"Is this some new curse ritual?" Rod felt a chill run down his spine. "Mira, Rod doesn't deserve to die!"
Mira rolled her eyes and said irritably, "Go do your own thing."
"Sure thing," Rod ran to the backyard to practice advanced flying techniques like ground skimming and wall-scaling.
After some thought, he summoned Worm. "I have a challenging task for you. If you succeed, you'll get a big reward."
Mira, who had been tidying up the messy register, found herself face to face with a white, fluffy ball with a big, droopy tongue, looking at her with a silly expression.
When she looked at him, Worm rolled over, showing off his pink, heart-shaped belly, begging for a pat.
Mira glanced at the hall door. She knew exactly who was behind this mischief.
She smiled and patted the counter. "Why don't you come up here?"
Worm stood up, looking at the counter and the stool, deciding to give it a try.
He took a few steps back, then ran and jumped with all his might. But with a thud, he collided with the stool and tumbled to the ground.
It didn't hurt, as Worm had plenty of cushioning, but it was embarrassing.
His eyes grew teary, his little horn drooped, and he turned around and squatted on the ground, feeling dejected.
Crouching for a second, Poro found it tiring and decided to lie down again.
"Ahaha... Sorry, I forgot you can't jump up here," Mira laughed as she stepped out from behind the counter and picked up Worm.
"Huff..." Worm's eyes were mischievous. He was still upset but also trying to gauge Mira's reaction to see if he had completed his task.
Being angry wouldn't affect his meal.
Mira smiled and petted Worm's head, then brushed his fur, scratched his chin, and rubbed his belly. "Want some Poro Delicacies?"
"Rumble~~" When there was food involved, being angry could wait.
It wasn't clear who had given whom the task of being fussed over, but in the end, everyone was happy—except for Rod's wallet, which took the hit.
...
By the time Rod could flap his wings and soar above the guild, about five or six days had passed.
He made a graceful dive from outside, zooming through the guild's doors.
However, due to a miscalculation in height, his landing was a bit wobbly. To avoid embarrassment, Rod quickly adjusted his stance to look like a heroic landing.
Amidst the jeers and applause, Rod realized—apparently, everyone struck that pose because they couldn't stand steady.
Happy flew over, circling Rod a few times. "Rod, want to have a contest? One fish for the winner."
"Sure, let's see who can strike the pose I just did more stylishly."
"Alright!" Happy used a 'Cat Landing' move and tried to mimic Rod's stance.
After a few attempts, Happy felt something was off. "Why are we comparing poses instead of flight speed?"
Cats aren't that easy to fool, are they? Rod thought for a moment and said, "Speed doesn't attract female cats, but a cool pose does."
Female cats? Happy's determination flared up again. "Alright!"
Turns out, cats are just as easy to trick.
The idle members of the Engine Team joined in to vote, and Rod ended up with a fish.
Happy pouted in the corner, the entire room feeling the low pressure around him.
The main issue wasn't losing the contest but Nazo refusing to buy him another fish, insisting he win back what he lost.
Mira scolded gently, "It's a bit much to trick Happy out of his fish. But the determined yet losing Happy is quite cute."
Rod looked at her. "Shouldn't there be a 'but' there?"
Mira smiled. "What else?"
Who's being unfair here?
Rod held the fish by the tail, feeling a bit reluctant. Happy's taste was a bit too fishy for him.
"Worm, go compete with Happy. The stakes are one fish." Rod planned to lose the fish back.
With Worm's short legs, he was bound to lose in a contest of such a difficult pose, right?
But a few minutes later, Happy owed Worm a fish.
Mira saw Rod's unhappy face and laughed even harder.
It was rare to see a contest where neither the winner nor the loser was happy, except for Worm.
Rod grumbled, "Who was the judge anyway?"
Isn't Happy supposed to be the cutest kid in the guild?
"I was one of the judges!" Levy returned with a grin. "You have no idea how cute Worm looked trying to maintain that pose!"
Ha, who do you think is Worm's owner?
I don't know how cute Worm is, just like Kishimoto doesn't understand Naruto, Oda doesn't understand One Piece, and Aoyama doesn't understand Detective Conan, right?
(End of Chapter)
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