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Chapter 6 - Chapter 6

Seeing Roland heading for the stairs, Levy hurried after him.

"The second floor isn't for us right now. By the master's rules, only S-Class mages are allowed up there!"

But before she finished, Roland was already at the stairway.

"Rules are nothing if you're strong enough."

Without looking back, he stepped onto the first riser.

He could feel his temperament turning upside down.

So what?

He had absolute confidence in his strength—so a little arrogance didn't matter.

The other guild members weren't that surprised. Someone always lost their temper at Laxus's taunts and charged for the second floor.

The result was usually the same: the master tossed them back down.

"Tch, that Laxus guy—always so cocky," Wakaba grumbled around a cigarette, face bruised as he sat at a freshly mended table.

"What can you do? He was pretty obedient as a kid. Speaking of which—" Macao stroked his chin, eyeing the newbie climbing the stairs. "Where's Natsu?"

"Left for a job yesterday morning."

"No wonder something feels missing."

If Natsu were here, he could've served as a live demonstration of what not to do.

"What you said just now wasn't bad. I'm just wondering if your strength matches the mouth," Laxus smirked, glancing at the grandpa snoozing with a bottle.

Time to wake up.

As Roland reached the midpoint of the stairs, the drunken master stirred awake.

"Laxus, can't you behave?"

Makarov looked at his grandson with weary resignation.

Every visit brought trouble, and now he was picking on a newbie.

"Sorry, Roland. It's my fault Laxus turned out like this—don't mind his words."

He sighed. A golden magic circle flashed at his palm, and a gigantic hand stretched toward Roland.

He planned to bring the kid back down.

Newbies not knowing guild rules was normal.

But the big hand grabbed air—Makarov blinked.

When he looked again, Roland was already standing in front of Laxus.

Wait—when did he move!?

The whole guild stared, stunned.

Someone had slipped past the master's guard to the second floor—and it was a newbie!?

"Oi, you… you're interesting," Laxus said, startled for a beat before rising from his chair. "Good thing I've got time. I'll show you the gap between us."

"With just you?"

Roland's calm gaze hid fangs of arrogance unsheathed beneath a gentle mask.

His power came from Escanor, but its arrogance manifested differently.

Escanor's pride was pity—pity for all weaker than himself.

Roland's was simpler: he looked down on everyone.

Sunlight, bright as poured gold, spilled into the room and gilded his form. Tiny golden flames kindled along his hair, making him shine as if plated.

"Fire magic? Don't tell me you're like Natsu and Macao—flashy and flimsy!"

Laxus laughed, lightning cracking around his outstretched hand.

"Who are you calling flimsy, you punk!" Macao scowled below.

"Master, aren't you going to stop this?" Mira asked, worried.

"…No."

Makarov's expression turned odd as he stared at Roland's back, at a loss for words.

Wasn't this kid a shadow mage? Why was the magic leaking off him so strong?

Stronger—and still rising. Even he felt a prickle of danger. That wasn't right…

Let's hope Laxus reins himself in this time.

"Ahem… go easy," he added, unable to help himself.

"Hah?"

For a moment, Laxus couldn't process it.

Usually the old man stopped him. Why tell him to go easy this time?

Confused or not, he waved a hand. "Relax. I won't kill him."

"Mira… what do we do!?" Levy's eyes flew wide at the exchange above.

"Don't worry. If the master says so, he has his reasons," Mira murmured, stroking her head to soothe her.

He wouldn't let a guildmate be in real danger.

"You know, it's possible the master was talking to me," Roland said.

"Don't flatter yourself, newbie!"

Laxus lunged. Lightning coiled around his arm, and his charged fist blasted toward Roland's gut like a cannon shell.

Roland didn't move, letting it land.

Levy squeezed her eyes shut.

But—

"You're kidding—the newbie's still standing!?"

"That's Laxus!"

"What is this guy!?"

Shouts swept the hall, and Levy's eyes snapped open toward the second floor.

"Barely a tickle."

Before Laxus's disbelieving stare, Roland caught his wrist.

Except for scorched clothes, he was virtually unharmed.

"!?"

Feeling a power far beyond his own, Laxus faltered and tried to yank his arm back—no use.

He drew a deep breath, leveled his free hand, and a brilliant gold magic circle flared.

"Rakurai (Lightning Strike)!"

Golden bolts poured down in a torrent, swallowing Roland in moments and blasting a hole in the wooden floor.

As the dust thinned, a bored voice drifted out.

"That all you've got?"

"…You're kidding me!"

Eyes bulging, Laxus gritted his teeth. Power from the Dragon Slayer Lacrima raged through him. "He's just a newbie—"

His frame swelled, muscles bulging as golden, scale-like markings crawled up his arms.

But before he could press the attack, Roland's magic spiked savagely, condensing into a palpable weight that blanketed the entire guild.

Floor, walls, chairs around him all burned to ash. Unable to escape, Laxus went pale as a quiet futility crept up from deep inside.

Can't win—there's no way to win!

Mercifully, the crushing presence lasted only a dozen seconds.

"Laxus, is it? You… are truly weak."

Roland looked down at the charred Laxus and spoke with absentminded indifference.

(End of Chapter)

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