While Team A was discussing Yukino and Minerva, Chase had already returned to the guild's private tavern.
Looking around, though the troublemakers had all been chased off by Makarov, the debris, cracked floors, and broken walls still vividly recreated the intensity of the earlier brawl.
There weren't many people left in the tavern. Future Macao, acting as the Master's assistant, was apologizing to the tavern owner and negotiating compensation.
Mira, Future Lisanna, Éclair, and a few other girls sat in a corner chatting.
At the bar, Makarov was drinking and talking with Future Jura—he had mentioned wanting to visit when they ran into Chase and Mira the day before yesterday.
As for why he hadn't come last night... well, after taking a God Slayer Secret Art — God Fist Smash to the face, he'd been laid up in bed recovering!
Chase walked straight over and sat down beside Future Jura, greeting him familiarly: "Yo, jura! Why didn't you say you were coming?"
With that, he looked up at the bartender nearby. The bartender understood immediately and respectfully poured him a glass of red wine.
Future Jura was a bit bewildered ," but still raised his glass and clinked it with Chase's, smiling: "I was just talking about you with Master Makarov. Thanks for yesterday's match."
Publicly, Chase had given Lamia Scale—and Jura himself as the guild's face—enough respect.
Privately, that punch infused with divine power had given him much to reflect on.
It wasn't anything as dramatic as opening his meridians, but he had definitely seen a path forward and a direction to strive toward.
"Haha, you're pretty strong yourself. I had a lot of fun in that fight," Chase said.
That was the truth. Future Jura's displayed strength had been even greater than Chase had expected—in terms of raw power, definitely on par with Future Laxus.
Like that final move he hadn't used in the original story: Rock Iron Titan: Overlord.
"...Well," Future Jura said, slightly embarrassed.
He wasn't Gojo Satoru, so he didn't say anything like "Sorry I couldn't make it fun for you, Mr. Chase."
"Don't worry about it. This brat rarely calls anyone 'strong,'" Makarov chimed in from the side.
Watching the old man's barely suppressed grin, Future Jura had a reasonable suspicion that these two were doing this on purpose!
His personality wouldn't let him get worked up over such trivial matters. In fact, he found these good-natured jabs quite comfortable—only true friends would joke like that.
After a few more exchanges, Mira suddenly walked over: "Chase, it's getting late. We need to go back."
"Huh? The old man took away my competition spot. Staying a bit later won't hurt," Chase said.
He had been discussing the Four Heavenly Kings of Ishgar with Future Jura.
"Took away your competition spot?"
Future Jura's eyes lit up, a small smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "That's unexpectedly good news for us."
After Day Two of the Grand Magic Games, Lamia Scale had dropped to last place, and Master Babasaama had been furious.
Though he personally didn't care much about rankings, a master's orders were still orders.
If Chase wasn't participating in the remaining matches, the pressure on him would be greatly reduced—at the very least, if they faced Fairy Tail again, he definitely wouldn't lose!
Mira ignored Future Jura entirely. She stood there tilting her head, smiling as she extended her right hand toward Chase: "I said—it's—time—to—go—back—now."
"Ahem, Old La. Let's continue our discussion about the Four Heavenly Kings another day."
With murderous intent in the air, Chase coughed lightly, took Mira's hand, and stood up to leave.
Watching the two walk away, Future Jura couldn't help but remark: "Mr. Chase seems quite busy..."
"Haha! You have no idea!" Makarov chuckled slyly, as if he had seen right through everything.
Since it was already late at night, the broad streets were much emptier than earlier. Rows of streetlights illuminated the neatly arranged paving stones.
After leaving the tavern, Mira walked in silence, head down, pulling Chase's arm as she marched forward. At a corner alley, she suddenly veered in.
A Take Over magic circle flashed from within, followed by the dull crack of a wall being forcefully slammed.
Having taken on her Satan Soul form, Mira pinned Chase against the wall, rose on her tiptoes, and went for it with an aggressive stance.
Looking at the trembling eyelashes of the girl so close to his face, Chase was briefly stunned before reaching out to wrap his arm around her slender waist and counterattack.
After a fierce exchange...
They emerged from the alley again, Mira back in her normal form.
"There's definitely Erza's saliva in your mouth!" she said with a light huff, her face flushed.
"No way—you could taste that? I was drinking with Jura and the old man just now, you know."
Since they were both his girlfriends, Chase had no intention of hiding anything from Mira, nor was he flustered at being "caught." He was just genuinely curious.
"Before Lisanna disappeared, Erza and I had too many close-range shouting matches..." Perhaps to hide the embarrassment of having just given him her first kiss, Mira turned her head away, letting her hair cover her cheek.
Chase blinked: She could actually taste it?!
The oddly specific yet strangely logical answer left him momentarily unsure whether Mira had guessed based on intuition or if there was some truth to it.
"Hey Chase, I've been running around all day. I'm tired," Mira said suddenly.
"Want a Nutrient Z?"
"...Chase."
"I-want-you-to-carry-me."
Scene change.
The Card Nerd, now sporting a big bump on his head, carried Mira on his back along the quiet streets by the city river.
"You know, Chase? I'm really glad I met you in the guild. I'm glad I became your girlfriend," Mira said softly, her arms wrapped around his neck, her head resting on his shoulder as she bared her heart.
"I'm also glad that the other person who likes you is Erza. If it were anyone else... no, even with Erza, I still get jealous and unhappy."
"Such a greedy, terrible guy!"
Unlike the reserved Erza, she could express her true feelings much more openly.
"Can't help it. You two are just that charming," Chase replied shamelessly.
Mira completely ignored such an unromantic answer and said seriously: "Hey Chase—don't fall for any other girls!"
After yesterday's battle with Future Jura, she had keenly noticed many unfamiliar female fans showing up for Chase.
In the world of magic, strong, handsome, masculine male mages were incredibly sought after.
"Haha, don't worry. Any more and I won't have time to play cards," Chase said, his gaze fixed ahead, his tone utterly certain. "A noble Card Nerd only needs two girlfriends!"
"Oh my, there's no way I can't believe that."
The heavy-hearted Mira was immediately amused, returning to her usual sly self.
She raised her head, a smile blooming on her face as she leaned close to Chase's ear and whispered: "So, Mr. Noble Card Nerd—your hand has been rather restless on my rear since a while ago, hasn't it~"
"Ahaha, sorry about that. It's soft—I couldn't help myself."
"Then stop touching!"
"Not going to."
"Pervert!"
***
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