Chapter 6: Laxus, Is It? You're… Really Weak
Watching Roland head toward the staircase, Levy quickly hurried after him.
"The second floor isn't accessible to us yet! According to the Master's rules, only those who become S-Class Mages are permitted to go up there!"
But before her words fully faded, Roland had already reached the staircase.
"Rules like these are meaningless if you're strong enough."
Without looking back, Roland took his next step onto the stairs.
He could feel that his personality had undergone a dramatic change.
But so what?
He had absolute confidence in his own strength, so being a bit more arrogant didn't matter!
The other guild members witnessing this scene weren't particularly surprised. After all, there were always hot-tempered individuals who couldn't stand Laxus's provocations and would charge toward the second floor every time.
And naturally, the result was always being thrown down by Guild Master Makarov.
"Tch, that Laxus, always so arrogant whenever he shows up."
Sitting at the repaired table and chairs, Wakaba—his face bruised and swollen—puffed on his cigarette and clicked his tongue in displeasure.
"What can we do? He was quite well-behaved as a kid, come to think of it—" Macao stroked his chin as he watched the newcomer ascend the stairs. "By the way, isn't Natsu around?"
"Ah, he left yesterday morning for a job."
"No wonder I felt like something was missing."
If Natsu were here, he could have set a wrong example for the newcomer again.
...
"What you said just now was impressive. I just wonder if you have the strength to back it up."
A teasing smile curled at the corner of Laxus's lips as he glanced at his grandfather, who had somehow fallen asleep clutching a bottle of liquor.
About time he woke up.
Just as Roland reached the midpoint of the stairs, the drunken Makarov stirred awake.
"Laxus, can't you ever behave?"
Makarov looked at his grandson with a helpless expression.
Every time he showed up, he caused a heap of trouble—and now he wouldn't even spare the newcomer.
"Sorry, Roland. Laxus is like this because of me. Don't take his words to heart!"
Makarov sighed, and a golden magic circle flashed briefly in front of his palm. A giant, enlarged hand stretched toward Roland's position.
He intended to bring him down first.
After all, he was a newcomer who had just joined—it was normal for him not to know the guild's rules.
But the next moment, the giant hand grasped at empty air, leaving Makarov momentarily stunned.
When he looked again at Roland's position, the young man was already standing right in front of Laxus.
Wait—when did he get there?!
Not only Makarov, but everyone else in the guild was equally shocked.
Someone had actually broken through the Master's defense and reached the second floor—and it was a newcomer who had just joined the guild!?
"Hey, you—you're pretty interesting."
Laxus was taken aback for a moment, then rose from his chair and said dismissively, "I've got a little time to spare. I'll let you see just how big the gap between us is."
"You think you're capable of that?"
Roland looked at him calmly, the arrogance hidden beneath his gentle exterior slowly baring its fangs.
Although his power came from Escanor, the manifestation of that arrogance differed due to their individual natures.
Escanor's arrogance was one of pity—pity for all those weaker than himself.
Roland, on the other hand, simply looked down on everyone.
Golden sunlight streamed into the room like shattered gold, illuminating his figure. Tiny golden flames slowly ignited along his hair strands, making him appear as dazzling as if gilded.
"Fire Magic? I hope you're not as useless as those two, Natsu and Macao!"
Watching the flames rising from his body, Laxus laughed arrogantly and extended a hand, arcs of crackling electricity swirling around him.
"Who are you calling useless, bastard!"
Down below, Macao's face darkened.
"Guild Master, aren't you going to stop them?" Mirajane asked worriedly.
"...No need."
Makarov's expression was peculiar as he stared at Roland's back, momentarily at a loss for words.
Wasn't this newcomer supposed to use Shadow Magic? Why was the Magical Power leaking from him so immense?
Moreover, the intensity kept continuously rising, even making him sense danger. This was very unusual...
He could only hope Laxus would restrain himself this time.
"Ahem, that... take it easy!"
Considering his grandson's strength, Makarov couldn't help but speak up.
"Huh?"
Laxus' mind momentarily short-circuited.
Normally, the old man would stop such fights—why was he instead telling him to go easy this time?
Though completely baffled, Laxus waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, I won't kill him!"
"Mirajane... what should we do!?"
After hearing the conversation from the second floor, Levy's eyes widened in panic as she looked helplessly at Mirajane.
"Don't worry, the Guild Master must have his reasons for doing this."
Mirajane gently stroked her head while comforting her softly.
She believed the Guild Master would never let guild members fall into real danger.
"Did you ever consider the possibility that the Guild Master was actually talking to me?"
Roland reminded.
"Don't flatter yourself, rookie!"
Laxus charged forward rapidly, his arm wrapped in lightning as he threw a powered-up punch like a cannonball toward Roland's abdomen.
Roland stood motionless, allowing the fist to land on his body.
Witnessing this scene, Levy instinctively closed her eyes.
However—
"You've got to be kidding! That rookie is still standing?"
"That's Laxus we're talking about!?"
"What kind of monster is this newcomer!?"
Exclamations instantly swept through the entire guild, making Levy look up toward the second floor.
"Didn't even sting."
Under Laxus' astonished and disbelieving gaze, Roland reached out and grasped his wrist.
Apart from his clothes being torn, Roland's body showed almost no damage.
"!?"
Faced with strength far surpassing his own, Laxus began losing his composure. He tried desperately to pull back his arm, but it remained immovable.
Taking a deep breath, he aimed his other hand at Roland's position, and a brilliant golden Magic Circle instantly appeared.
"Lightning Strike!"
Golden thunderbolts densely descended from above, soon completely burying Roland's figure and blasting a large hole through the guild's wooden floor.
As the dust settled, a contemptuous voice rang out.
"Is this all the strength you have?"
"...You've got to be joking!?"
Hearing the voice in his ear, Laxus widened his eyes before gritting his teeth in frustration. The Magical Power within his Dragon Slayer Lacrima surged wildly. "Just a rookie—"
His body began to grow continuously, muscles bulging prominently as golden markings resembling dragon scales emerged on the skin of his arms.
Yet before he could react, Roland's Magical Power erupted violently, materializing into a palpable pressure that enveloped the entire guild.
The floors, walls, and furniture around him were completely incinerated. Trapped and unable to escape, Laxus turned pale, a sense of powerlessness quietly rising within him.
I can't win—there's no way I can win!
Fortunately, this oppressive sensation lasted only about ten seconds.
"So you're Laxus? You... are truly weak."
Roland glanced at the charred Laxus, his tone casual and indifferent.