Chapter 190: The President's Little Thoughts
Chapter 190: The President's Little Thoughts
The Car Engine Squad was just at the guild.
Jett had been out of the hospital for two days. Since his legs were injured, he estimated he would need to rest for a while longer before he could go back to work.
Regarding the embarrassing incident, Jett didn't mind it much after getting out of the hospital. Everyone has their moments of shame, right? He could just try harder next time.
When Rod returned with a flower pot, the three of them were gathered together, eating and drinking—though it wasn't good for Jett to drink with his injuries, the mages didn't care much about that.
Actually, it was mainly Rebi and Troy who couldn't persuade him. A few days of delay wouldn't make much of a difference, so they let him be.
"Troy, can you help me check these potted plants?" Rod placed the potted plants on the table. There were two orchids and one succulent.
"Potted plants? They don't look too good," Troy put down his wine glass and examined them closely.
Rebi asked, "Rod, do you like growing flowers?"
"Not really, these were left by my landlord. He said he would give them to me."
Rod explained, "I've been taking care of them for half a year, but I didn't pay much attention to them while I was out working, so they ended up like this."
Troy checked each leaf and pinched the soil, looking quite professional.
"These two orchids might have been damaged by the cold, and they need new soil. This one seems to have a root infestation. Hmm, just a moment."
Troy took out two seeds the size of grains from his pocket and dropped them into the pots.
The seeds sprouted quickly, but instead of growing upward, they rooted into the Soil. A few seconds later, Troy said, "Found it!"
Two thin green seedlings emerged, each with a white worm tied to its tip.
"Eww~" Rebi looked disgusted.
Troy immediately moved his fingers, and the two small seedlings grew mouths like pitcher plants, enveloping the worms and pulling them back into the soil, turning them into fertilizer.
"Oh wow~ What a convenient magic!" Rod thought that if Troy opened a flower shop, he would definitely make money.
"I only have this one talent," Troy smiled. "How about I take care of these three plants for a few days? I'll return them to you once they're back to normal."
Rod asked, "Can't you use your magic to restore them right away?"
Troy shook his head, "The seeds I usually manipulate are specially cultivated. For these ordinary plants... if I force them to grow, they might die tomorrow."
"Alright, then I'll trouble you."
"No need to be so formal. I love plants anyway. I haven't thanked you for the plant seeds you brought me last time."
Troy glanced at Jett, "And thanks to a certain someone, our squad has been quite idle recently."
"Hey... I already apologized, didn't I?" Jett was annoyed but had no way to argue, given that he owed them a favor this time.
Rod thought for a moment. The Ember Crown seemed to work well on external injuries. He asked, "Do you need help? Maybe I can speed up your recovery as a thank you to Troy."
"Spares me the trouble, I don't want to owe more favors." Jett declined Rod's offer, "Anyway, it's just a few days."
"Alright, as you wish." Rod remembered something, "By the way, Rebi, how's the new guy?"
"Thorne? He can handle commissions on his own now, though only within Magnolia for now, but he's quite capable."
Rebi thought for a moment, "If it weren't for you, Thorne might be considered the most promising new member."
"Oh~ That's pretty impressive... " Rod asked, "So, are you praising him or me?"
Rebi blinked her eyes and smiled, "Both, I guess."
"Rod~" Mira waved at him from the counter, indicating that the Guild Master had something to discuss with him.
"I'll be right back, Troy. Take care of those potted plants for me."
Troy nodded, "Don't worry... By the way, I have something I need your help with later."
"Alright, we'll talk about it later."
Rod left, and Jett and Rebi were curious about what Troy needed help with.
Troy refused to say, but when Jett pressed him, he joked that he wanted Rod to team up with him to take over his position.
Jett knew he was joking, but it still annoyed him. However, he couldn't just start a fight because he owed them a favor.
Besides, his leg hadn't fully healed, so he might not win. He could only sulk alone.
Rebi whispered some words of comfort to him.
...
Makarov was sitting cross-legged on the counter as usual. His cup, which originally contained wine, had been refilled with plain water by Mira.
She was serious about taking care of the Guild Master's health.
The old man's face looked a bit gloomy, either because he couldn't have any more wine or because his conversation with Raguza the day before hadn't gone well.
"Guild Master," Rod glanced at Mira and smiled, "Drinking more hot water is good for your health."
Makarov's mustache twitched. Was this kid trying to annoy him on purpose?
He had done a lot for the guild, so he tried to stay calm: "You did very well on the last mission."
"Actually, Erza did most of the work."
"But Erza just told me that she made a significant mistake during the mission and wants to give you her share of the reward as compensation."
"Huh? I didn't know Erza made any major mistakes... Oh." Rod recalled Erza's personality and asked, "Was it because she forgot to bring food when they set out?"
While he did need the money, he couldn't take his companion's reward over such a minor issue.
Makarov looked at Mira, who hadn't given him the full details.
"That's right," Mira smiled, "Erza has been doing a lot of self-reflection and said she will now reserve at least half of her luggage for food."
"So it was about that...," Makarov sighed, but it did sound like something Erza would do. "Well, the reward distribution won't be changed. Anyway, the message from the Council's branch office said you did an excellent job."
Speaking of which, Makarov's mood lifted. Thanks to Erza and Rod, he should receive a bit less criticism lately.
"By the way, next week, the Local Guild Alliance is holding its regular meeting. Would you like to go with me?"
"Me? To be your bodyguard?" Rod found that hard to believe.
"Of course not," Makarov said, "I just want you to meet a few old friends. It's also good to get to know the masters of other guilds."
Rod found this hard to understand. What level was he at to be meeting other guild masters?
Mira leaned close to Rod's ear, one hand cupped by her mouth, and whispered,
"Actually, the Guild Master wants to show off the guild's outstanding new member. He used to do the same with me and Erza."
"Oh~" Now Rod understood, "Then why not take Erza?"
The meeting would last several days, and it wouldn't earn any money or provide a chance for proper training. Besides, Mira wouldn't be going.
It would be much more comfortable to stay at the guild.
(End of Chapter)
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