Practical Combat Training

The battleground was set in the guild's backyard.

Loki had actually wanted to fight in the street out front, but Rhode refused.

He figured he'd only been practicing magic for a few days, and he probably wouldn't win. Getting beaten up in front of everyone in the street? Did he have no pride?

However, choosing the backyard didn't make things much better.

Someone had shouted, "Newcomer Rhode's first fight, challenging Loki!" and almost everyone in the guild hall came to watch the spectacle.

"That's cheating, Loki! I wanted to fight the newcomer too!"

Natsu barged through the crowd, pushing forward recklessly, even spitting small flames.

"There's nothing that can be done. It's all because my radiance is too dazzling." Loki pushed up his glasses with his index and middle fingers, his face radiating confidence.

"Ah~ Loki~~" Two female fans screamed excitedly for Loki.

This guy brought a fan club to a fight. Rhode was envious... no, he couldn't stand him corrupting the guild's atmosphere.

The two stood facing each other, about 4 meters apart. Rhode looked at Loki seriously, having to admit that this guy was just a tiny bit more handsome than him.

The spectators lined up several rows deep at the entrance, watching up close without any worry of getting caught in the crossfire.

"Alright, both sides ready—" Makarov stood at the very front of the crowd. "Betting on Loki to win pays 1 to 1, betting on Rhode to win pays 10 to 1!"

Everyone eagerly placed their bets. Rhode almost stumbled. "Guild Master, what are you..."

He thought the Guild Master was here to be the referee and ensure nothing unexpected happened, but he was actually setting up odds?

"Ah, since Kana isn't here, I'll handle the betting. Don't worry about it!"

As expected, when the head is crooked, the tail follows!

"Alright, bets are closed. You two can start!"

Rhode glanced at the two trays in front of the Guild Master. Loki's tray was full, while his only had three bills.

"Good luck, Rhode."

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

"Go, newcomer! Beat up that Loki kid!"

The other two bills were from Macao and Wakaba. They wanted to see Loki get beaten, and the higher odds made the bet more exciting.

"Wait a moment!" Rhode raised his hand. "Guild Master, 30,000 Jewels! I'm betting on myself to lose!"

"No, match-fixing is prohibited." Makarov flatly refused. He waved his hand. "The battle begins now!"

Rhode lost his chance to get rich and had to grip his necklace, preparing to chant.

"Possession Type? I am too." Loki revealed his ring.

"...Possession Type or not, I've been practicing magic in the guild these past few days. Isn't this the first time you've seen me?"

Loki chuckled, "Sorry, I don't have the habit of observing men."

"..."

This guy was really asking to be hit!

"I am the one who bridges the path between two realms, you..."

"Wait... wait a moment!" Loki shivered all over after hearing Rhode's chant.

He immediately reached out to stop him. "Are you a Celestial Spirit Mage?"

"No, but the Guild Master said it's a bit like Celestial Spirit Magic."

Rhode showed off his necklace. "See, I'm not using a Celestial Spirit Key."

"You... you're right, ha, haha..." Loki laughed a bit dryly. In his panic, he didn't even notice that Rhode's magic item wasn't a key.

"Do you want to continue?"

"No, no need." Sweat beaded on Loki's forehead. In a flustered state, he ran out of the backyard gate.

"Um, I suddenly feel a bit unwell. Let's fight another time. Goodbye!"

"Huh?"

"Aww~~~" Everyone who had bet on Loki to win was stunned.

"What is Loki doing!" Those who lost money grumbled.

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

"Ara ara~ To win money so quickly on my first participation?" Mira placed a hand on her cheek, looking a little pleased.

Makarov had also earned quite a bit, but he started to worry about Loki. Was he really that sensitive just because it resembled Celestial Spirit Magic?

Macao and Wakaba were so happy they slung their arms around each other. A 10-to-1 payout! They had just won enough money for several days of drinking:

"Well done, newcomer! You beat Loki in one go!"

Happy quipped, "Aye! But he didn't fight at all."

"Ahahaha!" Natsu jumped out excitedly. "Perfect! I'll fight in Loki's place!"

"No, Natsu," Erza said, placing a hand on Natsu's shoulder.

"Rhode has only been learning magic for a few days. This match is to test his strength. You're too rough, so let me handle it."

Rhode didn't even have time to react before his opponent was switched, and to someone formidable at that.

"Miss Erza, are you serious?" Influenced by Natsu and Gray's performances over the past few days, Rhode was a little intimidated.

"Of course," Erza replied, her face full of seriousness. "Even as thanks for your previous care, I'll go all out."

"Please, definitely don't go all out!" In this life-or-death moment, Rhode understood the keywords perfectly.

Erza paused for a moment, then chuckled, "Don't worry, I understand. I won't go too hard on a guildmate."

"..." Gray and Natsu definitely had something to say about that.

Rhode gave up struggling. It didn't matter who he fought; he couldn't win anyway. Compared to the reckless Natsu, Erza might actually be gentler.

"Guild Master, hurry up and set the odds! I'm betting on Erza!"

"Me too!"

"Come on, Guild Master!"

"I refuse," Makarov declared, stating he wouldn't do anything so foolish.

If Natsu were fighting, someone might have bet on Rhode. But with Erza in the ring... forget it. If everyone bet on Erza, would he, the bookie, have to pay out?

"Erza, go easy on him!"

"Rhode, try to survive!"

"We'll miss you!"

Rhode: "..."

It's just a sparring match, is it really that serious? Rhode felt a chill run down his spine from these people.

"Good luck, Rhode."

Rhode's heart warmed. Thankfully, Mira's attitude hadn't changed; she was still encouraging him as always...

Wait, why was she holding a first-aid kit?

"Alright, second match, Rhode vs. Erza! Let the battle begin!"

As the Guild Master's words fell, Rhode couldn't worry about anything else. He gripped his necklace.

"I who walk the path between two realms, I call to thee, creature of Summoner's Rift! Cross the threshold! Canyon Swiftclaw!"

The incantation had been slightly adjusted compared to before, making it more compatible with Rhode's magic and the summoning process smoother.

Ripples like water appeared on the ground, and a completely green Canyon Swiftclaw emerged from them.

"Ooh! Is this another summon Rhode has? It looks really strong!"

"I thought he was going to send Warm to fight Erza!"

"Don't be ridiculous. If it's a real fight, of course, he'd send the ornamental Warm back."

Erza was very sporting, patiently letting Rhode finish his incantation before opening her hand. "Change!"

A magic sword appeared in her hand.

Rhode pointed at Erza and commanded the River Crab, "Charge!"

Clack clack. The River Crab's pincers opened and closed twice as it charged towards Erza, leaving afterimages in its wake.

Rhode had seen the power of this move before; it could easily shatter a courtyard wall. But for these destructive maniacs in the guild, it was just ordinary.

So, using it as a starting move should be quite good.

Erza made a quick assessment: "Is it a speed-type?"