Chapter 51: An Analysis as Sharp as a Tiger's

Mira had just registered a task for Macao when she heard the Guild Master explain the situation:

"So, Guild Master, you convinced Rhodes to take on a job by exploiting his financial troubles again?"

"Don't make it sound like I'm trying to drive him out. But yes, that's basically it," Makarov said. "Help him choose a suitable one."

Mira looked at Rhodes. "What kind of task are you interested in, Rhodes?"

"Preferably something with a high safety factor, a little bit of traveling but not too far, and it shouldn't take too long. Oh, and the pay should be..." Rhodes paused. "Uh, am I asking for too much?"

"Oh, so you know?" Makarov sighed as he nimbly hopped off the counter. "Whatever, you two figure it out."

Rhodes felt like a graduate attending his first job interview.

What seemed like a "normal job" to the Guild Master felt overwhelming to Rhodes, who was anxious about not knowing the details—what exactly was involved, and what if he couldn't do it well?

"Actually, you don't have to take the Guild Master's words too seriously." Mira didn't want to pressure Rhodes into taking on a job. To her, it wouldn't hurt to train a bit longer.

"Everyone in the guild is free to choose their own path. Even Nab, for example, is never forced by the Guild Master to go out."

"I don't want to end up like that, and I can't keep living off loans forever," Rhodes replied. "Please help me pick one that suits my abilities. With enough preparation, I should be fine."

"Alright~" Mira saw Rhodes train every day and was quite familiar with his strength.

Still, for a first job, it was best to get familiar with the process while building experience—something that also took care of a newcomer.

Mira pulled out a task sheet. "How about this one?"

Rhodes looked at it. The top of the task sheet read "WANTED," and below that... it was completely blank.

"It's empty?"

"Yep. There was a request that came in today, and I haven't had time to write it down yet." Mira picked up a pen and began to write carefully on the counter.

"A request from today? That must've been posted while I was out with the Guild Master."

Rhodes watched her pen move, and neat lines of words began to appear.

Escort Mission: Escort the client to the capital of Fiore Kingdom, Crocus, and return safely.

Reward: 20,000 J Scheduled Departure Time: 8 AM, August 23rd

Request Date: August 22nd

"To Crocus?"

Crocus, the capital of Fiore Kingdom, also known as the Flower City, was the most prosperous city in the country.

Of course, Rhodes had learned about such important facts.

To reach Crocus from Magnolia, you could take a carriage west and arrive on the same day. Traveling by canal was even faster.

Importantly, whether by road or waterway, the usual route was essentially the equivalent of a public highway, making it safe for ordinary civilians to travel back and forth without worry. The safety rating was quite high.

In other words, if the client needed a mage escort despite traveling along such a safe route, it meant someone was targeting the client.

Either their life or their belongings.

This would add a lot of uncertainty and potential danger to the journey.

Rhodes pondered that he needed to understand why the client was being targeted before deciding whether to accept the job.

However, just as he was working through his analysis, Mira's pen made a light stroke, writing the final line:

Client: Mirajane Strauss

Rhodes looked up, stunned. "Huh?"

Mira smiled at him. "Huh, what?"

"Mira, this..." Rhodes didn't know what to say.

Was this about creating a task since there wasn't a suitable one?

Mira explained, "I do need to go to the Flower City tomorrow, and I was thinking of finding someone to go with me."

"You only have to say it, and people willing to accompany you would line up from the counter to the door..."

"Oh, you're such a sweet talker." Mira laughed, then asked, "So, Rhodes, are you one of them?"

"Of course... since you've taken care of me so much." Rhodes nodded. "There's no need to make it an official request."

Mira raised a finger and gently waved it.

"Don't worry. In general, when inexperienced newcomers take on their first task, the guild arranges for a senior mage to accompany them.

"This is to help newcomers get familiar with the work process and handle any emergencies.

"In my case, I guess I qualify as a senior mage. While I can't fight, if you have any questions during the mission, you can ask me.

"So, Fairy Tail mage Rhodes, will you accept this task?"

"...I accept." Rhodes smiled. He couldn't refuse a kind gesture, though it did make him feel a bit like he was getting preferential treatment.

"In my capacity as the Guild Master's assistant, I hereby approve your acceptance of this task." Mira said this in a very official-sounding tone on purpose.

She took out a stamp, pressed it onto the task sheet, and then filled in some information in the logbook.

This meant that the task had been officially approved by the guild and was formally assigned to Rhodes.

Mira handed the stamped task sheet to Rhodes. "Alright, now you can take this and go meet with your client, Miss Mirajane Strauss, to confirm the task details."

"..."

Rhodes took the task sheet, his gaze pausing on the red stamp for a moment, then looked up at his "client."

Mira's gaze met his, and she instantly switched to a very girlish expression and tone:

"Oh my, are you the Fairy Tail mage assigned to my request?

"I'm terribly sorry, but could I confirm your identity by seeing your task sheet and guild emblem?"

She even used honorifics—how into character could she get?

Rhodes nodded mechanically, handing back the task sheet he had just received, then rolled up his left sleeve to show the emblem.

"It is indeed a Fairy Tail mage! I apologize for my rudeness just now!" Mira placed her hands together and gave a slight, apologetic bow.

After hesitating for a moment, Rhodes decided to play along:

"No need to be so formal, Miss... Miss Mirajane. You're headed to Crocus, right? Have you already planned out the itinerary?"

Mira, like an ordinary girl, replied cautiously:

"Yes, the original plan was to depart by boat tomorrow morning and arrive in the afternoon.

"I'll need to stay overnight in Crocus, then return by carriage the next morning, arriving back in Magnolia by evening.

"Sir Mage, do you have any suggestions?"

Rhodes felt uncomfortable being called "Sir Mage" in such a pitiful tone:

"Please, don't call me that. I have no objections to the itinerary; I just wanted to understand—why did you feel the need to hire an escort? Are you being targeted by someone?"

Mira shook her head. "No, not at all. I just think it's not very safe for a girl to travel alone, so I'm relying on you for safety!"

"Alright, I accept." Rhodes gave her a questioning look—was that good enough?

Mira returned to her usual gentle smile and extended her hand: "Fifty points, not a pass."

"What?"

Mira cleared her throat. "Now, it's time for Senior Mage Mirajane's guidance."