Roland loosened his grip with a faint smile, and the strengthless Laxus dropped to his knees.
His fur coat and shirt had already been burned to ash by the raging magic, leaving only a single pair of pants.
Burns mottled the skin exposed to the air—he'd need to lie in a sickbed for a month or two to recover.
And that was with Roland holding back a lot.
He had a hunch that if he didn't restrain himself, the entire town of Magnolia might be steamed into vapor.
As the battle ended, everyone present fell into a strange silence.
Obviously, none of them had expected a brand-new member to defeat Laxus—and in such absolute, one-sided fashion.
This isn't a guild newbie.
He's a guild monster!!
Makarov was the first to move. He hurried to Laxus's side and, seeing his grandson lying face-down and charred all over, secretly breathed out in relief.
Scary as it looked, most of the injuries were superficial. A stay of three or four days with Porlyusica would basically do it.
"Hope this makes you rein it in a little…" Makarov murmured helplessly.
As noon passed, Roland's temperament also returned to normal; the pride and arrogance in his chest dissipated like mist.
Most of the second floor was scorched. Charred boards still spat sparks and smoke.
Taking in the fire-scene before his eyes, Roland unobtrusively stepped back half a pace.
The master isn't going to make me pay for this… right?
He was flat broke—he even owed Levy a good bit of money already. If more debt got piled on, he'd be sleeping under a bridge.
After Makarov told Elfman to carry Laxus to the infirmary, the others finally snapped out of it, and the hall erupted into deafening chatter.
"Did you see that? Laxus… he couldn't even fight back against that newbie!!"
A blond, middle-parted young man shouted, excited.
"It's Roland. Roland! Learn people's names, Max!"
Levy clenched both fists in delight, quickly correcting him.
"Terrifying… that pressure just now—"
Macao took a deep breath; even now his heart was still pounding.
"Yeah. With that kind of power he's S-class in any guild," Wakaba said around his pipe. "Kinda curious who's stronger—this kid or Gildarts."
All eyes were on Roland, the lively debate rising and falling without stop.
"Alright, everyone!"
Makarov hopped back onto the railing and cleared his throat twice, drawing every gaze.
"First, clean up the guild. And Roland, you're coming with me."
It wasn't just the second floor wrecked by Roland and Laxus—the earlier free-for-all downstairs had smashed plenty, too. Consider this their punishment.
At his words, everyone's enthusiasm deflated at once; a few even thought about slipping out on the excuse of taking jobs.
Catching Levy's smile freezing over as well, Roland snapped his fingers.
Shadows twisted, and figures of black-clad shinobi stepped out of the darkness one after another, quietly setting the guild to rights with swift, efficient movements.
Seeing those familiar ninja, the blue-haired girl looked up to the second floor and met the tilted head and smiling eyes of the boy.
He likes me too!
Heart thumping, Levy pressed a hand to her flat chest, a sweet smile blooming at her lips.
—
Following Makarov into a room upstairs, Roland—just as expected—was asked about his state just now and what kind of magic he used.
For a guild master who cared about his children, Roland chose not to hide it.
After all, spending time with the guild would reveal things sooner or later.
"So that look just now was a side effect of magic?"
After hearing about the magic called "Taiyō (Sun)," Makarov looked dazed.
As expected… a Lost Magic, huh?
He could even wield the power of "the sun"…
"What an incredible magic!"
After a moment of admiration, Makarov's eyes returned to Roland across from him—who was sipping hot tea.
Wait—where did that tea come from?
Catching his doubt, Roland tapped the Gourmet Tablecloth spread across the desk and chuckled. "This cloth can produce all kinds of food and drink. Master, anything you'd like?"
"Oh! A magic tool that convenient?!"
Perking up, Makarov leaned in and whispered, "Can it make good liquor?"
The barmaid downstairs watched his stash like a hawk. Outside of banquets, he rarely got to drink his fill.
"How about wine?" Roland thought of famous vintages from his past life and snapped his fingers. "One bottle of Lafite."
With a soft pop, a fine-looking red wine appeared on the desk.
No magic ripple could be felt at all.
"Never heard of this wine…"
Makarov eyed the bottle with unfamiliar script on the label, took a cautious sip—and his eyes lit up.
He'd expected swill, but it easily beat most reds on the market.
"This tablecloth wouldn't happen to be…"
"Yeah. I picked it up on my travels."
Roland nodded with a smile.
The origin story for Taiyō (Sun) magic was the same—acquired on the road.
Nothing fits better.
"Color me jealous. If I'd known, I'd have gone wandering in my youth too!"
Makarov hugged the bottle and took a long pull, cheeks flushing.
—
When Roland came back down from the second floor, Levy barely got a word in before the rest of the guild swarmed him.
"Hey, little Roland, feel like having a few with this uncle?"
"You were amazing, newbie!"
"Newbie's kinda cute—totally my type. How about a date with your big onee-san?"
"Shut it, Cana!"
Maybe being too popular isn't so great either…
Watching the warm wave of guildmates crowd in, Roland couldn't help stepping back twice.
(End of Chapter)
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