Mirajane wasn't wrong.
Even if his strength put him among the very top of the guild, rules were rules—having joined only three days ago, Roland couldn't take S-Class requests.
"To step onto the second floor, you first have to pass the guild's exam and become S-Class. It won't be soon before the next exam," Mirajane said seriously, holding up a finger as she explained.
The S-Class Mage Exam was held about once a year, with the Master announcing who qualified to participate. The test site was Fairy Tail's holy land—Tenrou Island.
"In that case, until the next exam, I can only accept lower-paying requests."
Roland bit into the strawberry on his silver fork, letting the rich flavor spread through his mouth, and spoke with a touch of regret.
He'd planned to grind a few S-Class jobs, earn real money, then buy a house of his own. For now he'd have to find another way.
If he used gadgets... there were angles.
For example, using an Enlarging Lamp to change gold's volume and make a killing. But the enlargement had a time limit; stop shining it and the gold would revert. Sell it and the truth could come out.
Roland lifted his head and watched the Shadow Battalion bustling about the hall, an idea rising.
"What if the Shadow Battalion carried the gold to trade with dark guilds?" he murmured, rubbing his chin.
They were the worst of the worst. He'd feel no guilt making money off them.
"Hey—what are you daydreaming about?"
Levy waved her small hand in front of his eyes, head tilted.
"I'm thinking that once I've saved enough, I want to settle down here. The town's scenery is nice. If I'm going to stay long term, I can't keep renting."
He took her soft hand and laid out the plan.
The landlord of their place would be back in six months. Better to buy than scramble for another rental in a strange world.
"So you're buying a house!"
Levy's eyes lit up; her lips couldn't help curling into a smile.
"Property isn't cheap. Mira saved for years," Erza said, dabbing her mouth with elegant precision. At some point her knight's armor had become a white sleeveless blouse, a deep-blue guild mark bare at her shoulder. She lifted a steaming cup of coffee and spoke with a hint of nostalgia. "Back then Mira took S-Class jobs day and night."
"Oh? So Mira's that strong?"
Roland glanced over at Mirajane, who was wearing the same nostalgic look, and feigned surprise.
"That's right. At the time, her strength was on par with mine," Erza said with a firm nod.
"It's not that exaggerated," Mirajane muttered, scratching her cheek, modest as ever.
"I've never actually seen Mira's magic."
Propping his chin, Roland smiled toward the hostess behind the counter, openly curious.
"My magic? These days I'm best at Transformation," Mirajane said gently, fingertip to her slightly flushed lips. "For example—Transformation: Levy-Head Only!"
Her body didn't change, but her head became Levy's.
"See? Fun magic, right!"
She winked at him, looking very cute.
"W-wait! Why me? That looks so weird!"
"Change back, Mira!"
Levy shouted in embarrassment at the sight of Mirajane looking exactly like her from the neck up—body aside.
Unlike the flustered girl, Roland watched the transformation with keen interest.
A cute Levy face on a sultry body wasn't a bad look.
"Next up... Transformation: Erza-Head Only!"
Mirajane beamed, voice light.
"Oh, me this time?"
Arms crossed, Erza watched with genuine interest.
A puff of smoke dispersed, and Erza's refined face—wearing a warm smile—appeared atop Mirajane's body.
"Mhm~"
Mirajane hummed, one hand on her hip, the other pressed to her soft lips as she blew Roland a kiss.
"Ahem. Maybe change back first, Mira."
Watching Erza's face make such a girlish gesture gave Roland a strange sense of dissonance, and he rubbed his brow.
"My, Roland—are you shy?"
Mirajane blinked innocently and released the spell.
"Not shy. It just felt odd. Erza would never do that in her life," Roland said.
"Don't say never. I remember a lot of sexy outfits in Erza's wardrobe—daring swimsuits, dangerously alluring gowns," Levy said, recalling as a neighbor and nodding to herself.
"Mhm. My favorite is the bunny-girl set. The ear headband is adorable," Erza said without a hint of embarrassment, and even briefly revealed the bunny outfit.
Shadows on the floor twisted and stretched. A Shadow Ninja stepped out, knelt on one knee, and presented a black briefcase with solemn respect.
At the strange case, everyone paused, curiosity rising.
"Just a little experiment. Take the box back first."
Roland drew a slow breath, forced down the smile tugging at his lips, and gave the order.
So this was it—the true way to use the Shadow Battalion.
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