After leaving the city, Rhode discovered significant changes outside, primarily due to many self-built houses appearing around Magnolia.
Apart from the large lake to the north and the mountainous area to the northwest, Magnolia was almost encircled.
The quality of those houses seemed comparable to Natsu's home, completely different from the style within the city.
Rhode couldn't understand the situation, why Magnolia would rather build taller buildings than expand outward?
Is it the kingdom's law that doesn't allow it?
Or even if they expanded outward, could these families still not afford to live there?
The two, full of questions, passed through this strange residential area and entered the eastern forest.
In the forest, there were signs of logging, but not on a large scale; only a few stumps appeared at intervals.
Some stumps even had new branches growing, indicating that the forest wasn't significantly impacted.
Porlyusica's wooden house, however, hadn't changed.
Wendy stepped forward and knocked on the door; upon seeing the person, she immediately jumped on them: "Grandeeney!"
Porlyusica hugged Wendy, so surprised that she forgot to correct Wendy's address.
Six years didn't seem to leave visible marks on the old lady; her hair remained pink, a long hairpin held up her bun, and her hair was impeccably tidy.
Wendy's sudden leap didn't budge her at all, indicating that the old lady was still quite strong.
Rhode saw her mouth curve into a smile as she stroked Wendy's blue long hair before finally looking at Rhode, studying him for a few seconds before asking, "Are you all back?"
Living alone in the forest, she wasn't well-informed.
"We're all back. Because the guild has lots of things going on, the president asked us to check on you."
Rhode tried to find an excuse for the president, but Porlyusica knew Makarov's character well.
That old guy, celebrating a grand event, was probably drunk by now, not thinking of informing her.
It was lucky he remembered to come by within a week.
An advisor-pharmacist for Fairy Tail, she might even hear the news of Fairy Tail's return from someone else.
Seeing her expression off, Rhode quickly took out a meal box: "Mira... and the president asked Mr. Cook to prepare something you like, and I'm here to deliver it."
Porlyusica nodded in understanding; it seemed Mirajane, that girl, worried Rhode might get hit, so she helped him choose a gift.
"Come in." For the sake of the children's goodwill and the reunion, Porlyusica didn't want to expose them.
She planned to find an excuse to beat Makarov later.
She got a new Magic Broom for the house, supposedly capable of some defense if a burglary occurred; she wondered if it hurt when it hit.
Rhode and Wendy followed into the tree house and sat down, and Porlyusica unusually poured tea for her guests.
Although she didn't ask actively, Rhode comprehensively narrated the events on Celestial Wolf Island to her.
Porlyusica sat down and listened attentively while Wendy, holding a teacup, swung her legs that couldn't touch the ground, occasionally adding a sentence.
If it weren't for the hair color mismatch, the three might have been mistaken for a harmonious three-generation family.
Rhode expected her to add a sharp comment about the chaotic battles, like 'humans always love engaging in meaningless conflicts.'
But she said nothing, just checked Wendy's bandages, intending to change them.
—The bandage medication's scent seemed less effective than her new concoction.
In fact, the healing magic Rhode obtained from the Marine Sub-Dragon was quite effective, but he didn't brag about it.
During the bandage change, Porlyusica casually inquired about others' conditions, and Rhode reciprocally expressed care about her life in recent years.
Materially, there was nothing to worry about; with her level as a pharmacist, she wouldn't go hungry even if Fairy Tail closed.
The only issue was emotionally; with her kind of personality that valued companionship but rejected communication, she might easily fall ill from stress.
He planned to remind Wendy to visit more often and heal her that way.
When they left, Porlyusica handed them two large bags of medicine, claiming she accidentally made too much to sell, so they should take it back for reserve.
Wendy invited her to the guild for fun, unsurprisingly refused.
When Rhode and Wendy returned to the guild, the banquet had progressed to the fighting segment.
After almost overturning every table in the guild, some felt unsatisfied and headed to the back yard for a duel.
—Even though Rhode hadn't challenged anyone in the guild for a long time, the unspoken rule of dueling in the backyard still held.
A crowd poured out the back door, heading to the yard to watch the match.
Rhode greeted Mira and Erza, who lagged behind, pointing at the chaotic tavern: "With things in such disarray, you guys didn't intervene."
Mira smiled cheerfully, "Because it's fun!"
Erza also smiled, "Because the guild's been quiet for too long, making some noise feels like Fairy Tail."
Even Erza said so, leading everyone to share a knowing smile.
Mira helped Rhode set down his medicine bags, checking to see his hair wasn't messy and his clothes had no creases, assuring he hadn't gotten into a fight.
She chuckled, "Let's go; Marcus is challenging Natsu; it's rare."
Rhode was taken aback, "Who?"
They squeezed into the crowd, and Kana had already begun taking bets, while Makarov shouted 'Start.'
The battle began immediately, flames erupted beneath Natsu's feet as he shot towards Marcus like an arrow off the string.
Back six years ago, if Natsu was this serious, the fight would likely end in Marcus's crushing defeat within ten seconds.
But today, Marcus caught Natsu's heavy punch with one hand, without showing any strain on his face.
Gray and Lucy looked shocked; though the punch didn't carry fire, judging by the speed just then, the power shouldn't be weak.
Had Marcus just dodged, it wouldn't have been surprising, but to catch it effortlessly!
"Even though I'm not very motivated, I've trained well over the past six years too. Underestimate me, and you'll suffer."
Marcus, gripping Natsu's fist, exerted force and swung him, tossing him backward.
Natsu used one hand to push off the ground, flipping to stand again. He showed an excited smile: "So you're saying it's okay to go all out in battle then?"
Marcus displayed a confident grin, light sand swirling gently in his palm, "Bring it on!"
Natsu stepped forward twice, flames igniting on his fist:
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
"Sand Defense Wall!"
A sand wall rose in front of Marcus; Natsu's punch hit it like striking the water, sending ripples through the sand.
The flames on his fist surged fiercely, yet ultimately failed to break through the defense!