You couldn't really blame Natsu for not recognizing him.
Laxus was wrapped head to toe in white bandages, only a pair of chilly eyes and a head of badly singed blond hair showing.
From a distance, he looked exactly like some "bandage monster."
Was I too gentle yesterday?
Roland pondered.
Less than a day later and the guy was off the sickbed, walking around, voice strong and steady—
Nothing like a full-body burn victim.
"Hold up—you're saying Laxus got his butt kicked by the newbie who just joined yesterday!?"
Hearing this from Mira, Natsu's eyes bulged; he shouted in disbelief.
That idiot—
Up on the second floor, Laxus heard every word, his face instantly darkening as his gaze turned murderous at Natsu.
"What're you staring at—wanna fight!?" Natsu jeered.
Now that he knew Laxus had been wrecked by a newcomer, there wasn't much to worry about.
"Keep training. Come see me after you can beat Erza."
Riled by Natsu, Laxus had no mood to stick around. He stood to head back to the infirmary upstairs.
But before leaving, he deliberately looked at the newcomer who'd crushed him so casually.
"Roland, right…? Just you wait—one day, I'll pay you back for yesterday's loss."
"I'll be here," Roland replied with a light smile.
The way he looked now—the exact opposite of yesterday—made Laxus blink.
He didn't dwell on it. With a cold snort and a stormy face, he disappeared onto the second floor.
Once Laxus left, the crowd, who'd hoped for more drama, lost interest, turning back to their drinks and chatter.
"Still… I didn't expect you to be that strong. Even Laxus lost to you."
Remembering that heart-shaking pressure from yesterday, Levy's sleepiness faded, replaced by thick curiosity.
Among the guild's S-Class, aside from Gildarts out on the Hundred Year Quest and the ever-mysterious Mystogan, Laxus was undoubtedly the strongest.
And Roland had beaten him with ease—how strong was he really when he got serious?
The girl's curiosity was hooked.
"Well—wiping out the whole continent probably wouldn't be a problem."
Roland rubbed his chin, thought seriously, and gave his answer.
"That's way too exaggerated…"
Levy flopped onto the table and rolled her eyes.
Seeing she wouldn't get the answer she wanted, she closed her eyes, resting her head on Roland's arm to catch a nap.
For a little virgin like her, last night had been too much. Back at the dorm, she just couldn't sleep.
The moment she closed her eyes, her body heated up and her head filled with steam.
In the end, unable to sleep, Levy snuck into Erza's room and took back those books she'd lent her.
She read them over carefully, with the utmost "serious" attitude.
Result—no sleep all night. She came early to the guild to wait for Roland.
She'd barely shut her eyes when an excited voice jolted her awake.
"So you're the Roland Mira told me about—if you beat Laxus, you've gotta be strong!"
Natsu strode up, fighting spirit blazing.
"Aye! That's a terrifying newbie of love!" the blue cat behind him—now sporting a pair of white wings—floated in the air and agreed sagely.
"… …"
—So loud!
Levy lifted her head with a dead-eyed look, shook the haze away, and stifled a yawn, tears beading at the corners.
Much as she wanted to curl up on Roland's chest and breathe in that nice scent while she slept, she dutifully did the introductions.
"This is Natsu, and his magic's a bit special—an ancient form called Dragon Slayer Magic."
"The blue cat behind him is also a guild member. His name is Happy."
Didn't expect to run into Natsu today after all.
Pink hair, black short coat with tied trousers, and a white scarf with a dragonscale-like grid around his neck—just as Roland remembered.
"And this is Roland. He joined yesterday—he's teamed up with me right now!"
Levy's tone perked up noticeably when introducing the boy at her side.
"Aye, Levy, weren't you in a team with Jet and Droy?" Happy settled on the tabletop and eyed her thoughtfully. "Don't tell me—you've got a thing!"
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Nailed, Levy flushed and yelled.
Why is this dumb cat only sharp about stuff like this!
Natsu didn't care. He stared hotly at Roland, brimming with fighting intent. "Fight me, Lolan!"
"It's Roland! Roland! At least get his name right!"
Levy clutched at her head.
And who challenges someone the moment they meet!
"It's fine. I actually want to see how strong a mage raised by a dragon is."
Roland stood with a smile—only for his words to freeze Natsu's expression.
"Hey—how do you know I was raised by a dragon?!"
He slapped both hands on the table and leaned so far forward he was practically nose-to-nose with Roland.
A newcomer shouldn't know something like that.
"Levy told you?"
"I didn't say anything—and do dragons even really exist?" Levy waved her hands, then couldn't help grumbling.
"Dragons exist," Roland said, shaking his head. "And the Dragon Slayers who were cared for and raised by them are the best proof."
"Dragon Slayers… plural?"
Levy blinked, clearly catching the key bit.
Before she could ask more, Natsu smacked the table again, eyes blazing. "Then do you know where Igneel is?!"
"I don't."
A bucket of cold water. Natsu deflated on the spot, frustration twisting his face.
Finally found someone who knew dragons were real—
"But while I don't know where the dragons are, I do know about other Dragon Slayers."
That snapped the light back into Natsu's eyes.
"Tell me!"
"Sure—if you beat me first."
(End of Chapter)
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