The battle was set in the guild's back courtyard.
Actually, Loki wanted to go out to the street in front, but Rhode refused.
He estimated that having only learned magic for a few days, he would probably lose, and getting beaten up in public wasn't exactly appealing to him.
However, choosing the backyard didn't make things much better.
Someone shouted, "Newcomer Rhode's first battle, challenging Loki!" which resulted in almost everyone in the tavern coming to watch the spectacle.
"Too sly of Loki, I also want to fight the newbie!"
Natsu clumsily pushed through the crowd, breathing small flames from his mouth.
"There's nothing I can do about it; it's all because of my dazzling brilliance," Loki said, adjusting his glasses with his index and middle fingers, exuding self-confidence.
"Ah~ Loki~~" Two female fans shrieked in excitement for Loki.
This guy even has a fan club when he fights, which made Rhode envious... no, it made him dislike the negative influence Loki had on the guild's spirit.
The two stood facing each other about four meters apart. Rhode looked at Loki seriously, reluctantly admitting that the guy was a tiny bit more handsome than him.
The spectators stood in front of the door in several rows watching closely, not worried about being mistakenly hurt at all.
"Alright, both sides prepare—" Makarov stood at the forefront of the crowd, "Bet on Loki's win at even odds, and on Rhode's win at ten to one!"
The crowd eagerly placed their bets, and Rhode nearly fell over: "President, why are you..."
He thought the president was there to serve as a referee and ensure nothing went wrong, but it turned out he was opening up the gambling?
"Ah, because Kana isn't around, I'm taking care of the betting. Don't mind it!"
Truly, the top sets a bad example for the bottom!
"Alright, bets are settled; you two can begin!"
Rhode glanced at the two trays before the president. Loki's was piled high, while his own had only three bills.
"Do your best, Rhode."
One was a friendly gesture from Mira.
"Go, newbie! Beat that Loki guy!"
The other two were from Macao and Wakaba. They wanted to see Loki get thrashed, and the high odds made it more thrilling to bet.
"Wait a minute!" Rhode raised his hand, "President, 30,000 J! I bet on myself to lose!"
"No way, match-fixing is prohibited." Makarov decisively refused and waved his hand, "Now the battle begins!"
Rhode lost his chance at a windfall and had no choice but to clutch his necklace and prepare to chant.
"Possession type, huh? Coincidentally, I am too." Loki displayed his ring.
"...Possession type or not, haven't you been watching me practice magic in the guild these past few days?"
Loki smiled and said, "Sorry, I don't have the habit of observing men."
"..."
This guy definitely deserves a punch!
"I am he who bridges two worlds, thou..."
"W-Wait a minute!" Loki flinched at the first line of Rhode's chant.
He hurriedly raised his hand to stop, "Are you a Star Spirit Mage?"
"No, but the president said it's somewhat similar to Celestial Spirit Magic."
Rhode showed his necklace, "See, I'm not using a Star Spirit Key."
"Y-You're right, ha, haha..." Loki laughed awkwardly, in his haste not even noticing Rhode's magic tool wasn't a key.
"Continue?"
"N-No need." Loki broke into a sweat, hurriedly ran out the backyard gate.
"I, uh, suddenly feel unwell, let's do this next time, bye!"
"Huh?"
"Eh~~~" Everyone who bet on Loki to win was dumbfounded.
"What's up with Loki?" The losers protested.
"Loki~~" The two girls chased after him.
"Ala ala~ So lucky to have participated once and already won?" Mira caressed her cheek, feeling a little happy.
Makarov made quite a gain too, but he was worried about Loki. Just a resemblance to Celestial Spirit Magic made him so sensitive?
Macao and Wakaba, delighted, put their arms around each other's shoulders; at ten-to-one odds, they won several days' worth of booze money.
"Nicely done, newbie! You took down Loki just like that!"
Hapi quipped, "Aye! He didn't even fight."
"Ahahaha!" Natsu joyfully jumped in, "Just right, let me replace Loki and fight!"
"No way, Natsu." Erza put her hand on Natsu's shoulder.
"Rhode has only been learning magic for a few days. The duel is to test his strength. Your blows are too heavy, so let me do it."
Rhode, caught off guard, found his opponent switched to a serious one.
"Miss Erza, are you serious?" The antics of Natsu and Gray these days made Rhode a bit cowardly.
"Of course." Erza's face was all seriousness, "Even as thanks for your help before, I'll do my best."
"Please definitely do not do your best!" At this critical moment, Rhode did not mistake the key phrase.
Erza paused, then smiled, "Don't worry, I understand, I won't go rough on a companion."
"..." Gray and Natsu surely had something to say.
Rhode gave up resisting. Fighting someone is still fighting; he couldn't win anyway. Compared to reckless Natsu, maybe Erza would be gentler.
"President, start the betting quickly. I'm betting on Erza to win!"
"Me too!"
"Hurry up, president!"
"I refuse," Makarov declared, not doing something foolish.
If Natsu were up, someone might bet on Rhode, but with Erza... forget it, betting all on Erza would mean he'd have to cover the payouts as the banker.
"Erza, go easy on him!"
"Rhode, do your best to survive!"
"We'll remember you!"
Rhode: "..."
It's just a friendly match, isn't it? Rhode was unnerved by all these people.
"Do your best, Rhode."
Rhode felt warmed inside; at least Mira's attitude hadn't changed, still cheering him on...
No wait, why was she holding a first aid kit?
"Now, Round Two: Rhode vs. Erza, the battle begins!"
As the president spoke, Rhode set aside his concerns and clutched his necklace:
"I am he who bridges two worlds, thou, creature of Summoner's Rift, respond to my call, cross the threshold! Gorge Swift Crab!"
The spell chant had been slightly adjusted from before, making it fit Rhode's magic better, facilitating a smoother summoning process.
The ground rippled like water, and the Gorge Swift Crab, entirely green, emerged from it.
"Oh wow~ Is this another summoned creature of Rhode? It looks strong!"
"I thought he would use Warm to deal with Erza!"
"Don't kid around; in battle, the ornamental Warm goes back, of course."
Erza adhered to the martial code, patiently letting Rhode finish chanting before she spread her hands: "Requip!"
A magic sword appeared in her hand.
Rhode pointed at Erza, commanding the crab, "Charge!"
Clack clack, the crab's claws snapped twice, then charged at Erza, seeming to drag shadows in its wake as it dashed.
Rhode had seen the power of this move before, easily shattering courtyard walls, but... for these guild wreckers, it's average.
Therefore, using it as an opening move should still be good.
Erza quickly assessed, "A speed type, is it?"