Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master-Chapter 14: The Guild’s Reputation Seems to Be a Problem

"Then it's settled! I'll help you find the information you need and explain it to you, and in return, you'll teach me about native language!"

According to Mira, Levy loved books more than anyone and was probably the most knowledgeable person when it came to the guild's library.

Aside from magic, Rhodes also needed to learn about the history, geography, culture, and other aspects of this world. Levy would be the perfect person to ask. Even if she didn't know everything by heart, she knew exactly where to find the right books.

With Levy's help, Rhodes' learning efficiency would increase significantly.

And since Levy was also curious about Rhodes' native language, their arrangement was mutually beneficial.

Of course, Jet and Droy weren't exactly thrilled about this. But since Rhodes hadn't shown any reaction to Levy that could be considered... romantic, they held back their complaints.

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Still... Levy was adorable, yet Rhodes hadn't reacted at all?

That, too, was somehow upsetting.

At first, Rhodes didn't understand the strange shifts in Jet and Droy's expressions, but later, Mira gave him some insider knowledge along with a bit of gossip.

Apparently, the three had grown up together, and Jet and Droy had recently been researching the best ways girls express love.

Rhodes suddenly had an epiphany:

So, they were T— No, no, that wasn't polite. They were Levy's personal guards.

However, when he looked at the two of them, he couldn't help but feel a little disturbed.

Levy looked like a middle schooler, right?

"Isn't this a crime?"

Mira stifled a laugh, covering her mouth. "Levy is already sixteen. She'd be devastated if she heard you say that."

Rhodes paused. He remembered that Mira was eighteen, and a two-year age gap didn't seem too bad.

"Wait a minute," Rhodes said, "Sixteen is still a minor."

"Not in Fiore," Mira corrected with a smirk. "Here, you can drink, and do... all sorts of things at fifteen."

To emphasize her point, she pointed toward Cana, who was half-drunk and hugging a barrel.

"For example, Cana's been drinking since she was thirteen."

"Oh."

Rhodes wasn't convinced. Something about Mira's example felt questionable.

But then again, it was Fairy Tail. If there was one thing that was clear, it was that nobody here followed the rules.

The agreement with Levy would officially begin tomorrow. She had just returned from a long journey and needed time to rest before diving into study sessions.

Jet and Droy were particularly energetic, chatting non-stop about their latest adventure with guild members they were familiar with.

Rhodes watched them with a tinge of envy. He needed to learn magic as soon as possible so that he could experience this magical world firsthand—instead of just hearing about it from others.

Of course, the real priority was making money and paying off his debts faster.

He had never been the type to splurge in the first place, but now, carrying such a huge debt made him feel restless.

The tavern buzzed with life during dinnertime, filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and lively conversations.

Rhodes, just like the night before, wiped down tables, swept the floors, and did his best to help out where needed.

Once his shift was over, he picked up Warm, his little furball companion, and headed back to his rented room.

The room was as dark and quiet as yesterday, carrying an undeniable sense of emptiness.

But Warm—sniffing curiously around like a puppy—added a hint of warmth to the otherwise lonely space.

Letting his tiny companion explore, Rhodes sat cross-legged on his bed and began meditating—just as he had earlier in the day.

He needed to train his mind. He needed to strengthen his magic.

Only through hard work and discipline could he increase the magic energy within his body.

It wasn't until fatigue finally set in that he washed up quickly, blew out the oil lamp, and went to sleep.

Before drifting off, he thought to himself,

"This oil lamp is such a hassle... I'll have to buy a magic lamp sooner or later."

Late That Night

Warm, who had been curled up near Rhodes' pillow like a fluffy little ball, remained silent and still.

Until, sometime before dawn, his small body gradually became transparent—and disappeared.

Yet, despite the absence, Rhodes felt oddly warm and comfortable in his sleep.

The Next Morning

As sunlight filtered in, Rhodes woke on time, got up, and went about his morning routine.

After making his bed and preparing to leave, he suddenly felt like, something was missing.

"Wait. Where's my Poro?"

Rhodes frowned and bent down to check under the bed.

"Warm?"

He looked around, searching every corner of the small room.

Nothing.

Then, as the realization dawned on him, he smacked his forehead:

"Oh right, I can just use magic to track him."

Rhodes closed his eyes and focused. His magic felt noticeably stronger than yesterday. Oddly enough, it didn't seem to be depleting at all.

"Is there a time limit? Or does it automatically return while I'm asleep?"

He wasn't entirely sure. There was only one way to find out.

Taking a deep breath, he decided to summon Warm again.

"I am the one who bridges two worlds! You, a creature of the other realm, heed my call and step through the gate!"

The pendant in his hand began to glow with golden and blue light, the magic in the air gathering around him.

Clutching the pendant tightly, he shouted the final incantation:

"Open—the Gate of the Otherworld!"

A small amount of magic drained from his body. A familiar white figure materialized on the floor.

Warm blinked groggily, clearly confused at first. Then, the moment it registered Rhodes' presence, it sprang into his arms and nuzzled against him.

Rhodes chuckled. "You've got some impressive jumping skills."

He caught Warm effortlessly, rubbing its tiny head before asking:

"Were there any other creatures near you just now?"

Warm shook its head. It had simply been sleeping in its nest.

"Huh..." Rhodes frowned slightly, deep in thought.

"I could sense something else, like I was about to summon another creature, but I don't know what it was."

Warm's dark, beady eyes stared at him—completely blank.

Not a trace of wisdom. Not a hint of understanding. Only pure, unfiltered cluelessness.

Rhodes sighed and patted Warm's fluffy head.

"Yeah, I figured you wouldn't know."

He gently placed Warm back down, then turned his attention to the pendant once more.

"Alright, let's try this again—"

Just as the pendant began to glow, Rhodes abruptly stopped.

"Wait... I probably shouldn't test this inside my house."

Something about summoning unknown creatures in a rented room felt like a bad idea.

With that thought, he grabbed Warm and stood up.

"Let's go ask the Guild Master instead."

Rhodes picked up Warm, locked the door behind him, and headed downstairs.

Goodman was already at his stall, having set everything up earlier than usual. He greeted him with a friendly smile:

"Good morning, Mr. Rhodes."

His gaze soon fell upon Warm, whose big pink tongue lolled out lazily.

"Oh? Is this your pet?"

At that moment, a very important realization struck Rhodes—did landlords have a problem with tenants keeping pets?

Luckily, Warm wasn't exactly a 'pet' in the traditional sense.

"His name's Warm. I actually summoned him from another world using magic." Rhodes explained.

Then, turning to Warm, he instructed, "Go on, say hello."

"Woo~" Warm let out a soft, adorable sound.

Goodman's eyes widened slightly in fascination. "Magic? No wonder I've never seen anything like it before." He then chuckled to himself, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe I should have my son learn magic when he grows up."

Rhodes' face lit up. "You have a son? That's great! He can join Fairy Tail someday."

"Ha... Haha... Y-Yeah... That would be... interesting."

For some reason, Goodman's laughter sounded oddly forced.

Rhodes, completely unaware of Fairy Tail's 'dual reputation', didn't quite grasp why the mere mention of his guild could make someone hesitant.

Fairy Tail was one of the most famous wizard guilds in the entire country—a name that inspired both admiration and slight wariness.

For wizards, joining Fairy Tail was a dream. It was a place of great camaraderie, unshakable bonds, and overwhelming strength.

For ordinary townsfolk, it was a bit more complicated.

Sure, wizards were generally good people, and the members of Fairy Tail were known for their unwavering sense of justice.

But then, there was the 'other' part of their reputation.

They were also known for being: Destructive. Chaotic. Masters at causing collateral damage. Always compensating for said damage—but still, causing it.

Goodman's biggest concern wasn't that wizards were dangerous. It was that Fairy Tail was full of eccentric, unpredictable troublemakers.

If he sent his child to join them, what would happen?

Would he suddenly develop a reckless personality? Would he start destroying buildings for fun?

Would he turn their house into a battle arena?

Goodman wasn't sure if he was ready for that. For now, he just gave Rhodes a smile and made a mental note:

Watching Fairy Tail wizards fight was fun and exciting.

Raising one, however? That was a decision that required some serious thought.