https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-48-The-Pilferer-s-Feast-in-Development/12810263/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-50-Incomplete-Mastery-Forced-to-Leave-the-Mountains/12810265/
Chapter 49: The Magic Swamp Frog
Chapter 49: The Magic Swamp Frog
This month, there was an additional small expense.
Although culinary research was Mr. Cook's hobby, Rod felt it was only right to contribute some materials.
In return, Worm now had the privilege of entering the kitchen whenever Mr. Cook wasn't busy, on the condition that he didn't touch anything.
It was the 12th day of Rod's studies in Solid Script magic.
Thanks to Mira's recommended mission, the tension between the Lane Engine Squad members had eased, and they quickly agreed to work together again.
Levy came to tutor Rod whenever she had free time, and Jet and Droy occasionally dropped by to watch the lessons.
However, over the past two weeks, Rod had come to realize just how important "affinity" was.
He had almost mastered Summoning Magic from the start, but his progress in Solid Script magic was far from satisfactory.
When they both wrote FIRE, Levy summoned a roaring inferno, while Rod could barely produce a small flame.
When they wrote WATER, Levy summoned a large volume of water with significant force, while Rod's effort was just enough to wash his face.
At this level, using these spells in battle was out of the question. However, Rod planned to learn a few more words that could create light or wind, which would make his daily life much more convenient. No more fumbling for a light at night or needing to carry a fire on picnics.
It was a small but significant improvement.
In comparison, his progress in Summoning Magic remained steady.
This time, Rod felt a new monster was ready for summoning, and as usual, he asked the Guild Master to supervise.
The result confirmed that taking things slowly was indeed the right approach.
"Answer my call, Magic Swamp Frog!"
The pendant drained the magic equivalent to summoning nearly four river crabs, and a massive brown toad appeared in the guild's backyard.
This toad was undeniably ugly.
It was large enough to swallow a person whole, and its back was adorned with several purple mushrooms, clearly toxic.
"Ribbit~~" With a loud croak, the ground beneath the Magic Swamp Frog turned purple.
In the next second, Rod felt himself being grabbed by a large hand and pulled back quickly.
The Guild Master appeared in front of him, slapping the ground with one hand, releasing a golden glow.
A golden magic circle surrounded the Magic Swamp Frog and the purple ground, and golden runes rose from the earth, forming a protective barrier.
The Magic Swamp Frog seemed ready to jump, but Rod gave it a "stay" command, and it calmed down.
"Guild Master, this is...?"
"It's poison. This will prevent it from spreading further," the Guild Master said, looking at the purple ground seriously. "Will it follow your commands like the other monsters?"
"It should," Rod said, feeling the connection with the Magic Swamp Frog. "Lift your left front paw."
The Magic Swamp Frog lifted its paw.
"Take a step to the left."
The Magic Swamp Frog obeyed.
"Make a sound."
"Ribbit~"
"It seems to be fine," the Guild Master said. "Can you make the poison disappear?"
Rod gave the command: "Reabsorb the poison."
No response.
Rod thought for a moment. "Can you clean the poison from the ground?"
The Magic Swamp Frog took a step back, opened its mouth, and took a bite of the earth. It chewed for a moment, looking at Rod with a pleading expression, unsure whether to spit it out.
Suddenly, Rod found the toad rather endearing.
With the Guild Master's approval, Rod said, "Spit it out, gently."
The Guild Master observed, and it seemed that the soil with the poison had been neutralized or partially absorbed.
Moreover, the toad hadn't polluted any new ground when it retreated.
"Hmm..." Makarov thought for a moment and said, "For now, don't summon it inside the guild."
"Alright." Rod nodded, waving his hand to send the Magic Marsh Frog back to Summoner's Rift.
Makarov was relieved. It was great that Rod was such a level-headed kid.
"Master, what should we do with this land?"
"I'll go ask Porlyusica for help. If she can make an antidote, I'll give you some to carry with you, just in case."
The simplest solution would be to scrape off the contaminated soil and bury it deep, but they had to think long-term. They couldn't prevent Rod from summoning the Magic Marsh Frog forever.
"Master, can I come with you to visit Porlyusica? I haven't had a chance to properly thank her for what happened before."
When Rod first woke up, he couldn't communicate. By the time he learned the common language, the old lady had already gone home and never returned to the guild.
Rod had asked Mira for Porlyusica's address, but was told that the old lady didn't like being disturbed. If there wasn't a good reason, he might get chased away with a broom.
Making an antidote should count as a good reason, right?
"Sure, maybe she'll want to see your... Magic Marsh Frog."
Makarov waved his hand, and a flash of light transformed his casual clothes into formal attire.
Rod had to admit, the old man was pretty cool: "Master, that transformation magic is awesome!"
"Hehe..." The master smiled like a little kid, "How about it, want to learn?"
"Definitely! Uh... I'll definitely find time to learn it!"
Transformation magic was the... no, it was the romantic side of a Mage!
Makarov was pleased that the kid had some interests beyond just getting stronger.
He took a glass cup to collect a bit of the contaminated soil, using magic to protect it, and said, "Let's go."
This was the first time Rod walked down the street with the master—unless you counted the time he was carried back.
"Are you settling in at the guild?"
"It's fine. Everyone is very nice, takes good care of me, and teaches me a lot."
Rod ignored the two impolite S-Class Mages. Overall, things were going well.
Just as Makarov was about to smile, Rod continued:
"Except for the times when it gets really noisy, with random objects flying past my ears, and when people break things and it's a mess to clean up... there's not much to complain about."
Makarov clutched his chest, feeling a bit hurt: "If you're learning the common language, follow Mira or Levy, not Erza's way of speaking."
Erza was the type to list everyone's faults and then say, 'I don't feel like scolding you today.'
"Ah, Master, I was just joking, don't take it to heart!" Rod was afraid of upsetting the old man and quickly tried to make amends, "The guild is lively, which is good."
He tried to change the subject: "By the way, Master, Porlyusica lives in the eastern forest, right? Should we take the river crab?"
Makarov looked at the busy street: "Let's wait until we're out of the city. No need to cause any trouble."
"Oh... Hold on a moment, I want to buy something!"
Rod ran to a fruit stand and returned a few minutes later with a bag of apples and a bag of peaches.
It wouldn't be polite to show up empty-handed.
Makarov smiled but didn't say anything.
...
"This is where I found you."
After riding the river crab into the forest for a while, Makarov pointed to a clearing.
Rod didn't have many memories of this place. The forest looked the same everywhere.
Even if he hadn't encountered that strange beast, he would have gotten lost and starved to death here.
(End of Chapter)
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