The news that Natsu was challenging the guild's newcomer quickly drew the attention of everyone in the guild.
"Natsu and that Roland, huh?"
Wakaba said, a pipe in his mouth. He stroked his chin with one hand and looked up at Macao, who was sitting across from him.
"So, you want to go watch?"
"I have a feeling it'll be boring. Even Laxus didn't last three minutes against that newcomer. If it's Natsu—" Macao paused, then continued, "I'm afraid he won't even be able to take a single punch."
After all, the guy could intimidate the entire guild just with the pressure he exuded. He couldn't even imagine how much pressure Laxus was under at that time.
If it were him, he probably would have surrendered long ago.
"So, are we going or not?" Wakaba blew a smoke ring and said nonchalantly, "Not many people saw the fight yesterday, you know."
"Then let's go! It's a good chance to see the newcomer's strength again."
Macao's eyes lit up, and he immediately stood up without hesitation.
————
The fight was to take place in the guild's backyard.
As the news spread, all the members present in the guild gathered around to watch the spectacle. There was even a scantily clad woman holding a barrel of liquor, drunkenly setting up a betting pool.
She took a light pen, wrote Natsu's and Roland's names in the air, and shouted with a brilliant smile:
"The betting is open! The odds are seven to one on Natsu, and two to one on the newcomer!"
"Two to one? There's no money to be made in that!"
"Aye! We'll bet 8,000 J on Natsu!"
"Oh, it looks like Cana favors the newcomer!"
Many who hadn't witnessed the previous fight were baffled by the strange odds.
"Well, the newcomer is my type, you know, so I don't mind paying out a little extra!" Cana said, sitting on a barrel and cupping her blushing cheeks shyly.
"Women... they're so cunning, aren't they?"
"Yeah, she even deliberately used 'the newcomer' instead of his name."
The two middle-aged men, Macao and Wakaba, broke out in a cold sweat. After exchanging a look, they decisively pulled out a wad of bills.
"After all, he's a newcomer. As his seniors, we should give him some confidence. We'll bet 10,000 J on the newcomer!"
It is worth mentioning that the two of them only spoke up after most people had already placed their bets on Natsu.
After that—
"I'll bet on Roland too, 10,000 J," Mirajane said with a sweet smile.
"I'll bet on Roland. I'm with my sister."
Elfman looked away, a little embarrassed.
After all, this kind of behavior... was a bit shameless.
"Since everyone is so confident in the newcomer, I'll bet on him as well," Levy coughed lightly and quietly handed over a large stack of bills. "I'll bet two hundred thousand J!"
"The maximum bet is 50,000 J, little Levy!"
Seeing such a large bet, Cana unhurriedly held up a sign with the rules written on it.
She had been prepared for this.
As more and more people bet on Roland, the others began to realize something was wrong.
"Why is everyone betting on the newcomer?"
"Ha, you don't know?" Warren, who had a sausage-like mouth, scratched his head after placing his bet. "Roland easily defeated Laxus yesterday."
"Wait—he defeated who!?"
As soon as Laxus's name was mentioned, the group that had bet on Natsu instantly erupted.
"Cana, can I switch my bet on Natsu to Roland?"
Happy thought with a grave expression for a few seconds, then decisively turned and asked.
"Nope. All bets are final," Cana hummed a cheerful tune and refused without mercy.
"But... that's all the savings Natsu and I have left." Happy's eyes welled up with tears, trying to appeal to the woman's emotions.
However, she simply ignored him, even taking a slow sip of her drink.
"The sun is nice today."
Roland stood in the center of the field, looking up at the glaring sunlight, and couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
It was ten in the morning—his strength hadn't reached its peak, but it was more than enough.
"Since even Laxus lost to you, I'll have to go all out."
Natsu lowered his stance, a wild grin on his face, as red flames erupted from his hands.
"I'd like nothing more."
The next moment, Natsu lunged at Roland like a cheetah, his right hand charged and raised, the flames on his fist burning even more fiercely.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Roland stood his ground, but just as the fist was about to land, he tilted his body slightly, and the scorching heat grazed past his shoulder.
Too slow.
The movements, which seemed swift to everyone else, were like they were slowed down dozens of times in his eyes.
"Tch, what a fast reaction!"
His attack having missed, Natsu halted his advance, quickly twisted at the waist, and kicked at Roland's head with his left leg wreathed in flames like a fire whip.
"Fire Dragon's Talon—!?"
Natsu's eyes widened in disbelief. His side kick had been caught by Roland, and the flames burning on it were completely useless—they had no effect at all.
Isn't this guy afraid of getting burned?
Before Natsu could recover, the Roland in front of him, with his back turned, vanished like an illusion. When he reappeared, he was standing right in front of him.
"Keep trying, Natsu."
A light and cheerful voice sounded as Roland, controlling his strength, struck him in the abdomen with lightning speed.
Boom—
In an instant, the powerful impact sent Natsu flying backwards like a shooting star. With a loud crash, dust flew everywhere, and a section of the brick wall collapsed.
"Damn it—"
Lying in the pile of bricks, Natsu tried to get up defiantly, but the sharp pain in his abdomen made him hiss. After several attempts, he gave up and lay on the ground.
Is the gap between me and Roland... really this big?
"Natsu!"
Happy cried out, tears in his eyes, and flew towards him.
"I controlled my strength," Roland said reassuringly, then added, "At least he won't be lying in the infirmary for two days like Laxus."
"Don't worry, Happy, I'm fine."
Seeing Happy's teary eyes, Natsu was touched for a moment.
"That's not it. All my remaining money... I lost it all."
Happy turned his head away and said in a small voice.
"!!"
Just then, a scantily clad woman walked up to Roland and casually slung an arm around his shoulders.
"Thanks a lot, newbie."
A happy voice sounded, and Roland could even smell the strong scent of wine.
"Thanks to you, I earned a lot of drinking money today. How about this big sister treats you to lunch at a fancy restaurant?"
Cana invited him with a grin.
"Wait—what are you doing, Cana!?"
Seeing this intimate scene from a distance, Levy's eyes widened. She immediately ran to Roland's side, pulled the two who were pressed close together apart, and demanded with puffed cheeks.
Although she was angry at Cana's actions, she couldn't help but glance at Roland.
Isn't this boyfriend a little too popular?
One Loke in the guild is enough