Chapter 48: Developing Poros Gourmet Dish

The confession incidents involving Levy had, for the time being, not spread very far.

Mira, although she loved gossip, still had her limits and didn't want to hurt the feelings between the three.

Rhodes continued to learn Script Magic from Levy while quietly keeping an eye on the trio's reactions.

After all, the events had a little something to do with him.

Over the next week, both Jet and Droy didn't take any jobs, often huddling in a corner whispering to each other.

Jet tried several times to approach Levy to say something, but Droy always pulled him back, discussing how to phrase things without making it awkward.

During her breaks, Levy didn't go to them either; instead, she often sat at the counter talking with Mira.

Even then, her gaze frequently wandered over to Jet and Droy, clearly worried about how to break the awkwardness between them.

Rhodes wondered whether he should help them speak plainly to one another, but he was afraid it might make things even more awkward.

Meanwhile, during one of Levy and Mira's chats, Mira suddenly showed a troubled expression and sighed softly.

Levy couldn't help but ask, "Mira, do you have something on your mind?"

"Just a little," Mira said, as if it were a natural progression of their conversation. "Lately, it's been so hot, everyone has become a bit lazy, and now we have many uncompleted requests piling up here. If they aren't taken care of soon, the guild's abilities might be questioned."

"Oh, is it that bad?" Levy said, feeling guilty—she was one of those who hadn't taken a job in a while.

Mira pulled out a request slip from under the counter:

"Yes, especially this one. It's for tutoring kids at an orphanage in the neighboring town. If no one takes it soon, the children might be disappointed."

Levy glanced subtly at a certain corner of the room and replied, "For tutoring children, wouldn't an ordinary teacher suffice?"

Mira explained, "That's because more than half of the kids dream of becoming wizards. The orphanage wants teachers who know magic."

Mira's imploring look made Levy unable to feign ignorance.

A teaching assignment would suit her well, and considering how much Mira had always looked out for her…

After a moment of hesitation, Levy asked, "So, does the client have any specific requirements for the teacher?"

"Besides the basic requirements like patience and attentiveness, the client hopes the teacher can teach the children language and history, help them exercise, and play games with them. Ideally, they could also teach some knowledge about plants and gardening."

Mira smiled sweetly, as if her plan had come to fruition.

"Miira!" Levy pouted, "That's practically naming me directly! There's hardly any difference—did you make this up?"

"No joke!" Mira showed Levy the request details. "It's clearly written in the client's requirements. Come on, help out with this piled-up request. It's perfect for you. I'll explain things to Jet and Droy myself."

It turned out to really be a request tailor-made for her! Levy hesitated a bit longer, but eventually nodded.

Mira went to explain things to Jet and Droy, and Rhodes could see their initial stunned expressions turn into happiness.

Just then, Levy looked over, and the three's eyes met awkwardly, looking away, then unable to help but look back again.

Mira thoughtfully set their meeting time to be at the guild's entrance early tomorrow morning, prompting Jet and Droy to rush home to prepare.

Levy approached Rhodes with the request slip, "Sorry, Rhodes, I won't be able to practice with you tomorrow."

"It's alright. I've got all the basics memorized already, and I feel bad for occupying your time all the time," Rhodes said, "Good luck with the request, and everything else too."

"Mm! I'll be off then!"

"Bye-bye." Rhodes accidentally caught sight of the date on the request slip.

The request was from yesterday, and the deadline was a week away. So much for "piled-up for a long time."

Zhang Wuji's mom was right—prettier women are better liars.

Mira clasped her hands together apologetically, with a slight playful smile: "Sorry, Rhodes, for taking away your tutor."

Rhodes suddenly felt like being playful himself: "Indeed, my heart has suffered a great blow… So, is there any compensation?"

Mira blinked. "What kind of compensation are you looking for?"

A lifetime of commitment.

Of course, he couldn't say that.

Rhodes thought for a moment and said, "I have something I'd like to ask Mr. Cook for help with. Could you come with me, you know, for a bit of moral support?"

"Mr. Cook?" Mira looked puzzled. "What do you need from him?"

Rhodes explained, "It's about researching a recipe for a nutritious meal to help Wyrm grow."

Rhodes had previously thought of creating a special gourmet dish for Wyrm, but he lacked the time, cooking skills, and motivation, so the idea was put on hold.

But discovering recently that Wyrm might have grown a bit reignited his interest.

Maybe a gourmet meal could raise Wyrm into a Poro King?

Right now, the best chef Rhodes knew was Mr. Cook, the guild's head chef.

But asking such an esteemed chef to work on "pet food" might offend him.

That's why he wanted Mira to go with him…

Any excuse to do something or spend time alone with her.

The whole "moral support" thing was just a pretext.

Even if Mr. Cook did get angry, at worst, Rhodes would be chased through a few streets with a cleaver—it wasn't like he'd actually be chopped.

Rhodes' little schemes were playing out noisily in his head.

Mira agreed without hesitation. To her, Mr. Cook was quite easy to get along with.

The two of them walked around the counter and into the hallway, planning to enter the kitchen through the side door.

Rhodes summoned Wyrm. "Take a look and tell me, hasn't Wyrm grown a bit?"

"Long time no see, Wyrm." Mira held the little white fluffball in both hands, giving it a light toss to gauge its weight, "It seems like it's gotten a bit bigger."

"Groo~" Wyrm whined, clearly not liking the heat and wanting to go back.

Rhodes said, "Hang in there, you can go back in a bit."

Mira stroked Wyrm's heart-shaped belly and smiled, "We'll take you to eat something tasty."

"Grooo~!" Wyrm immediately perked up.

The scene was like watching two parents—one firm, one soft—soothing an unruly child in just a few words.

Mira holding the little poro looked even gentler.

Keep at it.

…

Thankfully, Mr. Cook did not take Rhodes' request as an insult. In fact, he seemed quite interested in this creature called Poro.

Wyrm, however, was terrified. It felt that every glance the man gave it marked a dozen potential butchering spots on its body.

It was as if it was one step away from being skinned and tossed into a stew pot.

Rhodes did his best to describe the Poro Gourmet Meal as he remembered it, guessing the possible ingredients.

He also listed Wyrm's usual favorite foods for Mr. Cook's reference.

Mr. Cook took notes diligently and said he would start experimenting tomorrow.

From Rhodes' description, it seemed like it could be a dish for humans too. Perhaps one day the guild would have a new signature menu item.