Chapter 3: Where Is the Person Who Was Attacked by a Dragon

Elfman came over pushing a wheelchair. Under Mirajane's guidance, he helped Rhodes onto it and took him for a stroll around the guild.

Actually, Rhodes felt he could walk; his left leg just hurt a bit.

But since it was their kind gesture, he accepted it graciously.

The first place Elfman took him was—the restroom.

Rhodes felt a bit embarrassed but couldn't help appreciating Elfman's thoughtfulness; he did need to take care of a small matter.

Restrooms, baths, infirmary, library, kitchen—the guild had all the necessary facilities. If needed, staying here as a home wouldn't be a problem at all.

Following the corridor outward, Elfman pushed Rhodes to the guild members' main activity area—the mission hall, which also served as a tavern.

In the center of the hall were more than twenty long tables; along the edges were round tables, and the front desk had over a dozen stools. Accommodating a hundred people drinking together wouldn't be an issue.

Since it was already late, the tavern that was bustling during the day had quieted down. Only a bespectacled girl with purple hair and a big red bow was arranging tables and chairs.

Mirajane waved to her, "Great work, Laki. Has everyone left?"

"They've all gone home. It was super busy today, but thankfully there weren't many fights."

Laki kept moving, pushing chairs under tables. "I'm about to go home and cleanse with refreshing water."

Elfman remarked, "She means she's going home to take a bath, right?"

Mirajane was long accustomed to Laki's way of speaking. "Sorry, we had matters the Master entrusted to us today and left the tavern duties to you all."

"No worries... So that's what the Master asked you to do? He seems quite handsome. Who is he exactly?"

"I don't know either," Mirajane glanced at Rhodes and smiled apologetically. "We're still teaching him the common language."

"Ah~~ sounds like quite a hassle." Laki didn't press further, placing the last chair. "Well then, see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Usually, no one stayed in the guild overnight, but given Rhodes's situation, he obviously had to remain here.

However, leaving him alone wasn't appropriate, so Mirajane decided to stay tonight along with Elfman.

After a brief tour of the guild, Rhodes attended an evening lesson with Mirajane.

He noticed that there didn't seem to be any electrical appliances here; oil lamps or candles adorned the tables and walls.

But earlier in the tavern, he thought he saw ceiling fans—not sure what powered them.

During the lesson, Elfman went back once, probably to fetch things needed for the overnight stay.

At night, Rhodes slept alone in the infirmary, while Mirajane and Elfman found other rooms to rest.

"Good night. I'm right next door; feel free to call my name if you need anything." Mirajane used words and gestures to help Rhodes understand.

"Thank you." This was one of the few phrases Rhodes had learned; he'd said it countless times today.

The lights were out; moonlight from a crescent moon spilled through the window.

Rhodes leaned against the headboard, turning his head to look outside. There were no sudden car headlights, no roaring engines, no annoying hum of air conditioners.

Many things he used to dislike were gone, yet he couldn't feel happy.

Outside... was a completely unfamiliar world.

When idle, one's mind tends to wander—curiosity and fear of an unknown world, anticipation and unease toward unfamiliar surroundings...

During the day, with Mirajane, Lisanna, Elfman, and others around, he didn't feel much.

But at night, with the lights out and alone in the darkness, all sorts of thoughts flooded uncontrollably.

Will he be able to return, or will he stay here forever?

What will his future life become?

"Good morning! Did you sleep well last night?"

"Good... morning."

Naturally, Rhodes hadn't slept well, but facing someone who showed concern so early, he could only muster some energy.

However, his answer wasn't important, as the truth was written all over his face.

"Still feeling a bit out of sorts?" Mirajane noticed the weariness on his face and encouraged, "You can probably move around today. Elfman, could you take Rhodes to freshen up?"

Elfman flexed his muscles. "If you're a man, perk up quickly!"

Rhodes shrank back slightly. Arm wrestling? My injuries haven't fully healed yet.

"Elfman~"

"I know, Sis."

Today's schedule was similar to yesterday's—eating, drinking, studying, and trying to communicate.

But today, Rhodes could move around. Though his left leg was still a bit stiff, he could walk to the tavern out front and sit by the counter, watching the busy staff.

As the sun rose higher, the guild gradually became lively.

Some ordered breakfast and chatted with friends; others went to the notice board to look at the posted papers.

Occasionally, someone would tear off a sheet, register with Mirajane, and then leave hurriedly.

Some just stood there, gazing.

Lisanna, whom Rhodes met yesterday, also arrived early, setting up an easel, mixing colors, and starting to paint.

With a sunny smile, Mirajane did her work—serving dishes, wiping tables, registering missions. Sometimes she'd chat briefly with others.

When free, she'd come over to teach Rhodes a few words.

Rhodes curiously observed each person entering the guild, listening intently to their conversations, hoping to find someone familiar or catch a few words he could understand.

But most of the time, it felt like watching a foreign movie without subtitles. Though the language sounded increasingly familiar, it was still hard to grasp.

Moreover, although many newcomers had distinctive features, Rhodes didn't recognize any of them.

Until a pink-haired youth kicked open the door, shouting loudly, "Old man! Where's the dragon? Where's the person who was attacked by the dragon?"

"Natsu, don't be so noisy so early in the morning!"

"Shut up, Macao!" Natsu said to a middle-aged man with short purple hair. "Hurry and tell me, where's the old man? Where's the person who was attacked by the dragon?"

A small blue cat followed Natsu inside, jumping onto the table to explain to a middle-aged man with a pompadour hairstyle smoking a pipe:

"Aye! Natsu heard outside that the Master rescued someone who was attacked by a dragon, so he rushed over."

"Dragon? Is that true?" Wakaba exhaled a smoke ring. "I did hear that beasts rampaged in the eastern forest, destroying a large area of trees."

"That's it!" Natsu placed both hands on the table, leaning forward eagerly. "So, did a dragon appear? Did the old man fight a dragon?"

"How would I know?" Wakaba spread his hands. "The Master went to attend a regular meeting yesterday; he didn't look like he'd been in a fight."

"But the Master did bring someone back," Macao continued, pointing his thumb at Rhodes at the front desk. "That's him. Yesterday, he seemed badly... Hey..."

Natsu had already dashed over to the front desk.

Rhodes stared at Natsu—pink hair, a checkered scarf, a black vest—this must be Natsu.

Confirming his location once again, Rhodes didn't know whether to feel happy or not.

On one hand, he was glad; he remembered his friend Tatsuya mentioning that "Fairy Tail" had a happy ending and the meme "No one can defeat me with my own background music."

So, as long as he stayed here, he shouldn't have to worry about safety.

What troubled him was the realization that he was truly in another world. Although there were people whose names he knew, in reality... there wasn't a single person he was truly familiar with.

 At this moment, Natsu had rushed over and was staring at him. "@#%*..."

Though he could see the eagerness on Natsu's face, Rhodes genuinely didn't understand what he was saying, so he could only look to Mirajane for help.

Mirajane stood beside Rhodes. "Natsu, calm down. Rhodes still finds it hard to understand our language."

Natsu was taken aback. "Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Probably the language and writing of his hometown are completely different from ours," Mirajane explained. "He's already working hard to learn."

"..." Natsu clenched his fists, clearly frustrated. "Finally got some info on a dragon, and now this?"

"Natsu, your expression is too fierce." Mirajane gestured for Natsu to be gentler, so as not to scare Rhodes.

"Maybe try getting Lisanna to help, or else we'll have to wait for the Master to return, or for Levy to come back and give it a try."