A Challenge

As night fell, the guild's doors were opened once more.

Covered in wounds, Macao limped in, supported by Natsu and Lucy, a weary smile on his face as if he had survived a close call.

"Oh! Macao is back!"

"You bastard, you actually got beaten up like this by the monkeys on the mountain!"

"That's so embarrassing! You're punished by drinking three buckets!"

After a brief silence, the entire guild erupted in cheers even louder than before.

Seeing their companions return safely, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and then a new round of banquet began.

Macao instantly became the target of everyone's teasing, but he wasn't annoyed at all. He simply raised his glass, clinked glasses with each of his caring companions, and his face beamed with the happiness of returning home.

Late at night, Jiang Bai returned to his empty home.

He threw himself onto the soft bed, and perhaps because of the alcohol, a feeling of emptiness welled up from the bottom of his heart for no reason.

Although Mira and Erza have both become his girlfriends, he has yet to take that crucial final step.

The reason for this is somewhat both laughable and pathetic.

Mirajane's idea was peculiar; she insisted that as the later arrival, she should give way to Erza, especially in matters like this, where she was particularly determined to let Erza go first.

Erza, on the other hand, was simply shy.

That's right, it's shyness.

The Titania, who was invincible on the battlefield and could strike fear into the hearts of her enemies, was as innocent as a blank sheet of paper when it came to matters of the heart.

After they both came of age, Jiang Bai did try it.

One day, he finally found an opportunity to lie in bed with Erza.

As a result, the two had barely lain down, and before they even had the blankets on, Erza's heart was racing, and she suddenly fainted.

Jiang Bai didn't want to rush into taking Erza in this matter; he hoped everything would happen naturally, based on mutual affection and a sensible progression.

As time went on, the matter dragged on.

Lost in thought about all these random things, Jiang Bai fell asleep without realizing it.

Unbeknownst to him, on the other side of the city, Elfman was watching his sister with a look of anxiety.

"Sister, when are you finally going to tie the knot with your brother-in-law?"

"My brother-in-law is so outstanding, what if another girl steals him away?"

Elfman sat opposite Mirajane, scratching his head anxiously, "I'm so worried for you!"

Mirajane was slowly wiping a clean wine glass when she heard her brother's words, and her hand paused slightly.

"He won't."

"Originally, I thought that since I came later, Erza should go first."

Mirajane looked up, a hint of cunning and helplessness flashing in her purple eyes, which always held a gentle smile.

"But I really didn't expect her to be so useless."

"Fine, let's give her one last bit of time."

Mirajane placed the gleaming wine glass on the table, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"If she doesn't improve, I'm not going to support her anymore."

The next morning, Jiang Bai was still dreaming of dating Erza and Mirajane when he was woken up by a series of urgent knocks on the door, almost like a death knell.

"Jiang Bai, get up!"

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

The knocking grew louder and more urgent with each knock, as if the person outside wasn't a person, but a pile driver under construction.

Finally, Jiang Bai on the bed could no longer bear it.

"It's so noisy."

He lazily turned over, his voice filled with annoyance at being disturbed from his sweet dreams.

With this deep roar, an invisible yet tangible Spiritual Pressure, like a flood bursting its banks, erupted from the room and pressed fiercely against the doorway.

The knocking on the door stopped abruptly.

The world is peaceful now.

But Jiang Bai was completely wide awake.

He scratched his head in frustration, then, having no other choice, got out of bed, slipped on his slippers, and went to open the door.

Outside the door, Natsu and Happy were pinned to the ground in a perfect prostrate position, unable to move even a little finger.

Jiang Bai yawned, withdrew his oppressive aura, and lazily asked, "Natsu, why are you looking for me so early? Don't you know that disturbing someone's sleep will incur divine retribution?"

Natsu and Happy, panting heavily, got up from the ground.

"Jiang Bai!" Natsu wasn't afraid at all; instead, his eyes lit up, his face filled with excitement and fighting spirit.

"Last night, you promised to settle things with me!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Bai tried hard to recall.

He remembered.

At the banquet last night, I was having a great time drinking and just wanted some peace and quiet.

Natsu, that battle maniac, somehow appeared and started babbling on and on in his own language.

I didn't pay attention to what he was saying at the time. In order to get rid of him as soon as possible, I just nodded and said "uh-huh" in agreement.

Surprisingly, this guy actually took it seriously.

Jiang Bai scratched his head helplessly, looking at Natsu's eyes burning with fierce determination, which seemed to say "this isn't over until we fight," and knew that there was no way to avoid it today.

"Alright, alright." He waved his hand weakly. "I'll go change my clothes. You go to the guild and wait for me."

When Jiang Bai strolled leisurely to the guild, he found it already packed with people, the atmosphere so lively it was like a celebration was about to begin.

Everyone knew that Natsu was going to duel with Jiang Bai, and they all put down what they were doing and gathered in layers around the open space in front of the guild, ready to watch this rare battle.

It's important to know that ever since Jiang Bai rescued Mirajane in the desert and revealed his terrifying injuries to everyone, he hasn't been truly injured again.

(The reason I say "the real significance" is because being beaten by the old man and flirting with Erza and Mirajane don't count.)

Everyone is eager to know just how powerful Jiang Bai has become.

Natsu, as one of the best of the new generation in the guild and a powerful Dragon Slayer, has proven his strength to be undeniable.

This showdown is Boil to even think about!

Makarov stood on the second-floor balcony, looking down at the two "brats" who were already in position, his face full of headache, but deep in his eyes there was a hint of expectation.

"Why do you two brats have to duel right next to the guild?!"

He cleared his throat and shouted down, "Jiang Bai, watch out, don't destroy the guild! As for Natsu... just do your best!"

This biased instruction, so obvious it reached the armpits, made everyone burst into laughter.

Jiang Bai nodded indifferently, indicating that he understood.

At that moment, Lucy squeezed in, panting. Looking at the tense scene, she approached Mirajane with a blank expression.

"Sister Mira, what are you doing?"

Mirajane was holding a glass of juice, a gentle smile on her face, but her eyes never left Jiang Bai in the arena.

"Jiang Bai got drunk last night, and it seems he made a promise with Natsu to duel today."

Her tone was nonchalant, as if what was about to happen was not a Heavenly Movement battle, but merely a friendly sparring session to digest after a meal.