As Erza stepped into the guild, the noisy crowd seemed to hit pause and froze where they were.
"Welcome back, Erza!"
Pulling her thoughts back, Mirajane greeted with a smile.
"Ah, I'm back. Also, is the Master not here?"
Erza's gaze swept around, lingering especially on Natsu and Gray for a moment before she asked sternly.
"Eep—"
Feeling her eyes on them, Natsu and Gray immediately stiffened; grins were plastered on their faces as they slung arms over each other's shoulders.
Even though the two of them had been brawling the hardest moments ago.
"The Master is upstairs writing a written apology. It won't be done anytime soon."
"An apology? You caused trouble again!"
Erza's eyes sharpened, her tone growing harsher.
"—It's got nothing to do with me!!"
The culprit, Natsu, broke into a cold sweat, panic on his face and a tremor running through him.
"It's the same every time. Even if the Master forgives you, I won't."
Surveying the wreckage strewn across the hall, Erza didn't even need to ask what had happened.
"Wakaba, the ash from your cigarette is about to fall. Macao, are you going to keep loitering in front of the request board? If you've got that kind of time, get to work!"
"As serious as ever... Erza."
Levy hunched in, trying not to draw attention, and muttered.
Roland, sitting beside her, couldn't help nodding.
"Cana, at it ag—hm? For once you're not drinking from a barrel?"
"I can behave when I want to..."
Relieved to have dodged a scolding, Cana sat up straight in a hurry and took a small sip from her mug.
Good thing she was broke today, or she'd be getting an earful from Erza again.
"A new face? A recent recruit?"
Noticing the unfamiliar boy at the bar, Erza paused slightly, hands on hips.
"That's right. Little Roland joined just recently!"
With Levy and Cana looking a bit awkward, Mirajane took the lead with a smile.
"I'm Roland. Pleased to meet you, Miss Erza."
Roland greeted with a light smile.
"I'm Erza—Erza Scarlet. Nice to meet you."
A faint smile touched Erza's lips as she nodded politely.
But after getting a good look at the newcomer's face, she froze for a beat; a strange feeling rose inside and made her knit her brows.
Her heart seemed to be beating a little fast?
She took note of the change but didn't dwell on it.
After all, in combat or training, one's pulse quickened the same way.
Seeing Erza looking no different than before, Roland couldn't help being surprised.
It was the first time he'd met a young woman immune to the charm of his tear mole...
After the brief introductions, the hall grew lively again.
"Roland-chan, be a pal and get this old man a beer!"
"Hey, hey—calling him that, aren't you afraid he'll deck you?"
Macao wiped a nervous sweat for his friend and couldn't help saying it.
"...Drop that nickname, old man."
Seeing Wakaba waving from the side, Roland's mouth twitched, and he had the Shadow Battalion deliver it.
"Yo, Roland! Let's go another round today!"
At that moment Natsu's boisterous voice rang out as he slung an arm around Roland like an old buddy.
Ever since his light-speed loss last time, he couldn't accept it; he wanted another shot.
"Natsu, be nicer to your new comrade!"
Sipping a cold drink, Erza turned her head at that and frowned slightly.
In her eyes, Natsu's behavior bordered on bullying a newcomer. Even if the guy wasn't on Roland's level, he was still a mainstay of the guild.
"No, I don't mind a challenge. But..." Roland tilted his head at the expectant Natsu. "If you can't even beat Laxus, don't come picking fights with me."
"How about you deal with Laxus first?"
"Hah—I'd love to... but that guy just won't fight me!"
Seeing the challenge fail, Natsu slumped for a second, then stuck out a hand to Roland with a big grin.
"Then can I borrow that tablecloth that produces food? Please!"
"Sure. Just don't burn it."
Watching Natsu eagerly spread the cloth over the table, Roland let out a lazy yawn and stood to go check the request board.
"Wait, Roland."
Just as he stood, Erza—who had been listening—called out, unable to hold back the question in her heart.
"Did you mean... you defeated Laxus?"
"That's right! On his very first day, Roland beat Laxus with ease!"
Before he could answer, Levy—who considered herself his girlfriend—chimed in, brimming with pride.
Defeated Laxus... easily?
Erza blinked in confusion, feeling the situation slip beyond her understanding.
She'd only been away seven or eight days—had the guild changed into something she didn't recognize?
"My magic is unusual; that's how I beat Laxus. Setting that aside—"
Thinking of the reward he'd just obtained, a smile touched Roland's lips.
"Would you be willing to give me some guidance in swordsmanship, Miss Erza?"
"Swordsmanship guidance?" Erza pondered a moment, then nodded. "All right. It'll also let me see your strength for myself!"
A newcomer who could defeat Laxus...
Staring seriously at Roland before her, the strange feeling in Erza's chest only intensified, making her space out for a few seconds.
"Uu-uu—"
When she came back to herself, Natsu—chewing roast meat nearby—was staring at her in shock as if he'd seen the impossible.
You've gotta be kidding me. Erza... actually blushed!?
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