Chapter 9: Damn It, Give Levy Back to Us!
"The Shadow Gear team?"
Through Mirajane's explanation, Roland learned that there were quite a few small groups within the guild.
Among them was the Thunder God Tribe led by Laxus.
"..."
While Levy was introducing them, Jet and Droy also noticed the young man sitting beside her and both froze momentarily.
"Jet and Droy are my childhood friends," Levy paused briefly before turning to Roland beside her with a smile, "This is Roland, a newcomer who just joined the guild today."
"Nice to meet you," Roland greeted them in a gentle tone.
A newcomer who just joined today?
The two exchanged glances, their expressions turning serious.
There was no mistake—this guy had designs on their adorable Levy!
"He's an enemy..."
Jet muttered to himself.
"Ah, looks like we'll have to call a temporary truce between us."
Noticing that impossibly handsome face, Droy inexplicably felt pressured, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.
Damn it, where did this guy who could rival Loke come from?!
It was obvious—this person before them was the biggest threat to their pursuit of Levy!
"Hey, you two... aren't you being rude? He's clearly greeting you!"
Seeing that the two hadn't responded at all, Levy narrowed her eyes angrily.
These guys—
"Ah, sorry! I'm Sarusuke, but everyone in the guild calls me Jet."
Under Levy's dangerous gaze, Jet immediately stood at attention, pressing down on his wide-brimmed hat as he introduced himself.
"I'm Droy, pleased to meet you..."
Droy spoke somewhat reluctantly.
After all, when the girl you have a crush on is chatting and laughing with a strange man, anyone would be in a bad mood.
After brief introductions, Levy suddenly remembered the matter of team formation. Scratching her cheek with her index finger, she said apologetically:
"Um, there's actually something I need to discuss with you two!"
"What is it?"
Jet asked curiously.
"Well..." Levy began hesitantly. After a long pause, she revealed an expression that was both awkward yet polite, "I need to leave the team for a while. You two will have to go on missions alone recently."
"Huh—!?"
"Wait wait wait... You're quitting the team!?"
Droy and Jet stood frozen as if struck by lightning, their expressions shifting from disbelief to pale, their lips trembling too much to form words.
"Why?! Our team has never since its establishment—"
"I asked Miss Levy to form a team with me."
Before Droy could finish, Roland interrupted him.
"Since I just arrived in this town and I'm not familiar with mission procedures, I asked Levy to team up with me for a while."
He still wore a smile on his face, his gentle voice making Levy pause.
That's not right, I was the one who requested to team up...
"That's not how it is, I was the one who actively—"
Hesitating for a few seconds, Levy decisively tried to explain clearly, but halfway through her words, she felt her left hand being held.
The firm touch and warm body temperature made the girl's breath catch.
"That's the situation. If you two seniors have any objections, you can discuss them with me."
"No, actually we don't really have any complaints..."
Hearing this response, Jet held his head in frustration.
If he was saying this... what more could they possibly say?
Continuing to argue would only risk making Levy dislike them, which would be even more counterproductive.
"Then we're entrusting Levy to you." Droy forced out these words with great difficulty, but feeling they weren't quite right, gritted his teeth and added, "If she gets hurt during the mission, we won't let you off!"
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of her."
Roland gently squeezed the soft, smooth hand under the table and spoke seriously.
"..."
Levy lowered her head, trying to prevent her former teammates from seeing the blush on her face.
Just then, Mirajane approached with the advance payment, blinking in confusion at the four people present.
What's going on? Why does the atmosphere feel so heavy?
"Here's your 200,000 Jewels!"
Though curious about what had happened, Miss Mirajane first handed over the bag of gold coins.
"Alright."
Roland took the money bag, the substantial weight bringing him considerable reassurance.
Now that he had the payment, the next step was to find a decent place to live.
For instance, the female dormitory at Fairy Hills only cost 100,000 Jewels per month—already the cheapest price in this town.
Ordinary rentals would typically start at 150,000 Jewels or more.
"Mira, we'll be leaving this afternoon. Regarding work—" Roland casually summoned a drink-serving ninja and said to Mirajane, "The Shadowkhan won't disappear without my command, so they can keep working until the guild closes."
"Are you looking for a rental?" Mirajane rested her index finger on her chin, speaking thoughtfully, "There happens to be a resident near my place who's renting out property. You could go check it out."
Unlike other women in the guild, she didn't rent an apartment but had purchased property in town using her mission earnings, living there with her younger brother.
"By the way, the scenery around there is quite lovely~"
"I see, thank you Mira!"
Roland met her gaze seriously and spoke softly.
"It's nothing." Mirajane unconsciously averted her eyes, reaching up to smooth the silver-white hair falling by her ears, using the motion to cover her reddening cheeks as she said with feigned nonchalance, "We're comrades, after all, aren't we?"
That feeling of her heartbeat quickening again—why did this strange reaction occur whenever she saw Roland?
The young woman who had never been in love couldn't help but wonder.
"Well, we'll be going now!"
Putting away the Gourmet Table Cloth, Roland and Levy walked side by side toward the guild entrance.
They left behind Mirajane, who was questioning whether something was wrong with her body, along with the gloomy-faced Jet and Droy.
Staring at the retreating figures of the two, Droy slammed the table in frustration.
"Dammit, give Levy back to us!!"