Chapter 25: Combat Training

The fight was set to take place in the guild's backyard. Originally, Loke wanted to have it out on the street in front, but Rhodes refused.

He figured that he'd only been learning magic for a few days and would most likely lose. Getting beaten up in public? No thanks—he still had his dignity.

However, even after choosing the backyard, things weren't much better.

Someone shouted, "Newbie Rhodes' first fight, challenging Loke!" and suddenly almost everyone in the guild's bar came to watch the excitement.

"Not fair, Loke! I wanted to fight the newbie too!" Natsu barged his way forward through the crowd, small flames even spitting out of his mouth.

"Well, there's nothing I can do; it's just my natural charm." Loke pushed his glasses up with his index and middle fingers, a confident glow radiating from his face.

"Ah~ Loke~~" Two of his female fans screamed in excitement.

This guy even had a fan club when fighting; Rhodes couldn't help but be jealous... I mean, annoyed at the bad influence on the guild.

They stood facing each other, about 4 meters apart. Rhodes looked seriously at Loke, grudgingly admitting that the man was a bit better looking than him.

The audience gathered in rows just outside the doorway, standing closely to observe, not worried about getting accidentally hit.

"Alright, both sides, get ready—" Makarov stood at the front of the crowd. "Betting on Loke, one to one! Betting on Rhodes, one to ten!"

The crowd eagerly placed their bets, and Rhodes almost tripped. "Master, why are you..."

He thought the guild master was here to serve as a referee and make sure nothing went wrong. Turns out he was running a betting pool?

"Ah, since Kana isn't around, I'll be taking care of the betting this time. No need to worry!"

Of course, if the head isn't upright, the branch won't be either!

"Alright, bets are in! You two can start!"

Rhodes glanced at the trays in front of Makarov. Loke's tray was piled high, while his only had three bills in it.

"Good luck, Rhodes."

One of those bills was a gesture of friendship from Mira.

"Go, newbie! Beat up Loke!"

The other two were from Macao and Wakaba, who just wanted to see Loke get beaten—and because the higher odds made it more thrilling.

"Wait!" Rhodes raised his hand, "Master, 30,000J! I'm betting on myself to lose!"

"Nope, match-fixing is strictly prohibited," Makarov rejected him outright, waving his hand. "Fight starts now!"

Rhodes, having lost his chance to make money, could only grab his necklace and prepare to chant.

"Holder type, huh? Well, so am I." Loke showed his rings.

"...Holder magic or not, haven't I been practicing my magic in the guild for days? This isn't your first time seeing it, is it?"

"Sorry, I don't make a habit of observing other men," Loke said with a smirk.

"..."

This guy really deserved a beating!

"I am the one who bridges the two realms, thou—"

"Wait, wait!" Loke shivered after hearing the first line of Rhodes' incantation.

He immediately called for a stop. "Are you a Celestial Spirit Mage?"

"No, but Master said it's somewhat similar." Rhodes showed his necklace. "See, I'm not using a Celestial Spirit key."

"Yeah... yeah, that's true, haha..." Loke laughed awkwardly. In his fluster, he didn't even notice that Rhodes' magical tool wasn't a key.

"Want to keep going?"

"No... No, thanks." Sweat beaded on Loke's forehead, and he hurriedly ran out of the backyard.

"I'm suddenly not feeling well. Let's have a rematch some other time. Goodbye!"

"Huh?"

"Awww~~~" Everyone who bet on Loke winning looked dumbfounded.

"What's wrong with Loke?" The people who lost money started complaining.

"Loke~~" The two girls chased after him.

"Oh my~ What luck! I joined just once, and I won already?" Mira touched her cheek with one hand, clearly pleased.

Makarov also made a good bit of money this time, but he was a bit concerned about Loke. Was he really that sensitive just because it was similar to Celestial Spirit magic?

Macao and Wakaba were overjoyed, arms around each other's shoulders. One-to-ten odds—they'd just won several days' worth of drinking money:

"Well done, newbie! You beat Loke in one shot!"

Happy the cat commented, "Aye! But he didn't even fight."

"Hahaha!" Natsu leapt out joyfully. "Just in time, I'll fight in Loke's place!"

"No, Natsu." Erza placed her hand on Natsu's shoulder.

"Rhodes has only been practicing magic for a few days. Sparring is to test his strength. You hit without restraint, so I'll take his place."

Before Rhodes could react, his opponent had changed—into someone seriously tough.

"Erza, are you serious?" Affected by how Natsu and Gray acted these past few days, Rhodes felt a bit intimidated.

"Of course." Erza's face was completely earnest. "Even if it's to thank you for your care before, I'll give it my all."

"Please definitely do not give it your all!" Rhodes didn't misunderstand the key phrase in this life-or-death moment.

Erza paused, then smiled. "Don't worry, I understand. I won't hit a guildmate too hard."

"...Gray and Natsu would definitely disagree."

Rhodes gave up struggling. No matter who he fought, he'd still lose. Compared to the reckless Natsu, Erza might actually go easier on him.

"Master, open the betting! I'm betting on Erza!"

"Me too!"

"Hurry, Master!"

"I refuse." Makarov shook his head.

If Natsu was in, there'd at least be people betting on Rhodes, but with Erza? Forget it. With everyone betting on her, how was he supposed to pay out?

"Erza, go easy on him!"

"Rhodes, try to survive!"

"We'll remember you!"

Rhodes: ...

Isn't this just a sparring match? Did it have to be this extreme? Rhodes' heart was unsettled by these people.

"Good luck, Rhodes."

Rhodes felt a bit of warmth in his heart. At least Mira's attitude hadn't changed, and she was still encouraging him...

Wait, why was she holding a medical kit?

"Alright, round two—Rhodes vs. Erza. Begin!"

As Makarov's voice fell, Rhodes couldn't afford to worry anymore. He grabbed his necklace:

"I am the one who bridges the two realms, thou—summoned creature of the summoner's rift, answer my call and cross the gate! Canyon Swiftcrab!"

The incantation had been slightly adjusted compared to earlier, making it better suited to Rhodes' magic. The summoning process was also much smoother.

Ripples spread across the ground like water, and the canyon swiftcrab, entirely green, emerged.

"Ohh~~ Is that another one of Rhodes' summons? Looks strong!"

"I thought he was going to send Porro against Erza!"

"Don't joke around. If it's a fight, obviously you'd send the decorative Porro back."

Erza was very respectful of the rules, patiently letting Rhodes finish his chant before spreading her hands. "Requip!"

A magical sword appeared in her hands.

Rhodes pointed at Erza, issuing his command to the crab: "Charge!"

Clack, clack. The crab's claws clicked twice, and it charged at Erza, its movements creating an afterimage.

Rhodes had seen the power of this move; it could easily smash through a courtyard wall. But... for these guild members who were used to destruction, this was probably pretty ordinary.

Still, it was a decent opening move.

Erza made her judgment in an instant: "A speed type, is it?"