Mirajane, Cana, Levy... even the women at his side had their attention drawn away, so Loke found it hard to ignore the brand-new newcomer.
Judging by looks and the temperament he showed, he was a sunny, gentle-type handsome guy—
Especially with that striking tear mole beneath his eye. Even Loke had to admit the newcomer's charm was a bit too much.
After all...
"Who steals someone else's girlfriend the first time they meet?"
Glancing at the woman beside him, cheeks flushed and lips lightly pursed, Loke couldn't help twitching the corner of his mouth.
It was practically a live cheating scene. Who wouldn't suspect that brat's magic was a charm type?
On the other side, Roland, keeping someone company over drinks, checked his system just then.
Yesterday he had finished the romance quest and the Ashina Sword Saint quest. The teru-teru bōzu had been given to Juvia, and the Ashina sword style had poured straight into his mind, seamlessly integrated.
Without a doubt, with that swordsmanship he would be among the best in this world. Setting aside Ashina's special techniques, Swallow Reversal alone would astonish many a sword master.
Three slashes cast at once in different directions—an unavoidable art...
"I really should find someone to test it."
Propping his chin with one hand and swirling the amber liquor with the other, Roland murmured.
His magic called Sun was simply too powerful, so he moved carefully day to day, afraid of losing control for even an instant.
Swordplay had fewer shackles. No matter how strong it was, a single stroke couldn't wipe a town off the map.
"Test it?"
Perched cross-legged on a high barstool, Cana turned curiously, not sure what he meant.
"Roland, you're not about to ask someone for a proper match, are you?"
Mirajane blinked and asked on impulse.
"Spar with Roland... impossible. In this guild, aside from Gildarts and the Master, no one should be his match."
Levy tapped a finger against her light-pink lips, tilted her head while running through the remaining S-Class mages, then waved a hand.
"Don't forget Mystogan."
Mirajane reminded her with a smile.
Almost no one had seen Mystogan's full strength. Even Mirajane, his peer in rank, hadn't.
For that very reason he stood alongside Laxus and the rest as a candidate for the guild's strongest.
But after Roland appeared, Laxus's name dropped straight down the list.
A Laxus who could be one-shotted so easily hardly deserved the title.
"Don't leave out Erza..."
Cana trailed off halfway, realized, then took a wry sip of her drink.
Erza was strong—yet a bit behind Laxus.
The guild had really picked up a monster.
She couldn't help thinking so.
"You're exaggerating too much... but I do want someone to trade swordsmanship with."
Roland shook his head modestly, then went on.
Swordsmanship?
Mirajane and Levy both stared, clearly not having expected Roland to know that as well.
"For swords... it's basically just Freed and Erza, right?"
"Erza goes without saying. And though Freed's magic is rune-based, his sword work is quite good too."
Mirajane touched her smooth chin and answered after thinking it over.
Erza and Freed...
Roland pictured the green-haired member of the Raijin Tribe and, in the same motion, slapped the crashing Natsu back behind him.
"Aye, hi there, Roland!"
Happy hovered in midair, ignored Natsu tumbling away, and hugged Roland's head excitedly.
"Let's eat fish!"
"Where did I invite you? You just had your eye on my gourmet napkins, didn't you?"
Roland said, speechless.
"Haha. Yesterday when Natsu went out on a job, he accidentally wrecked half a street," Mirajane giggled behind her hand. "Because of that, the Master is writing a written apology right now."
"No wonder the Master isn't here today..."
Roland nodded in understanding.
Normally, with the bar this chaotic, the Master would have stepped in already, not letting the brawl run this long.
"Want me to stop them? If this keeps up, the guild will need renovations, and the Master will be heartsick."
He had at least been a member for three days now; Roland felt obliged to share the Master's burden.
"Eh, I think you can—"
Before Mirajane finished, the guild doors banged open. Marcus stumbled in, face full of panic.
"B-bad news—Erza is back!!"
At those fear-laced words, the raucous guild fell eerily silent. Cold sweat prickled on foreheads all around.
"Looks like I won't have to."
Hearing that familiar name, Roland spoke in a thoughtful tone.
At that moment a figure stepped in behind Marcus, silver armor throwing back the noonday light.
Long crimson hair, a refined face without expression, a blue skirt and black high boots, and a silver cuirass bearing the fairy emblem—an uncommon kind of beauty.
Most eye-catching of all was the flat cart behind her piled high with luggage like a small hill.
At first glance, rather than a mage, "dashing lady knight" suited her better.
"Cool, right? Doesn't it make your heart flutter?"
Mirajane's gentle voice sounded by his ear.
"Not as much as you, Mira."
Roland answered softly without even turning his head.
"Mm~"
The teasing bounced back and made Mirajane blush, a cute little sound slipping from her lips.
Erza was certainly cooler, but compared to Erza... did he feel more for her?
Mirajane couldn't help the thought.
<><><><><><>
Read Advanced Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo247
~ Every 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]