Lust is a Knife Above the Head

"Not bad, but..."

Erza took two steps forward and leaped, landing a kick on the River Crab's head and flying over it towards Rhode.

"When dealing with this type of Mage, the best approach is to attack the Mage themselves!"

"Huh?" As someone who had barely ever fought, Rhode watched in bewilderment as Erza lunged at him, completely at a loss.

He only saw the sword in Erza's hand disappear, her right hand clench into a fist, and then a sharp pain on his forehead before his vision went black and he fell backward.

Erza landed lightly and faced Rhode, "Come on, attack me with all you've got!"

"No, no..." Mira walked over with a medicine box, smiling and waving her hand, "He can't even stand anymore."

"As expected!" The onlookers were a bit surprised by the River Crab's sudden burst of speed, but they weren't surprised by the outcome.

After all, even if they were in Rhode's place, they wouldn't fare any better.

This made it difficult to judge Rhode's strength. Erza really messed this up.

"For a newcomer who just started learning magic, his magic power level is quite good, and his magic is skillful, but his practical combat experience... is almost zero."

Makarov understood clearly. Rhode had the potential to become a core member of the guild. As for combat experience...

As long as he stayed in the guild, that was something he would never lack.

"Gray, a little help." Mira opened a small bag in front of Gray.

"Hm? Sure." Gray clenched his right fist and placed it in his left palm, "Ice Shape: Ice Pack."

A pale blue magical light flared, and the bag in Mira's hand was quickly filled with ice.

"I'm so screwed, this is so embarrassing..." Rhode sat on a round stool in front of the counter, questioning his entire existence.

"Rhode, lift your head."

Rhode subconsciously did as he was told, and something cool landed on his forehead.

"Hiss~~" Rhode's eyes strained to look up. It seemed to be an ice pack, carefully wrapped in a towel.

Mira looked down at Rhode from behind him, meeting his gaze, and said with a smile, "Don't move around. A cold compress will help reduce the swelling faster."

"Thanks." Rhode reached up to steady the ice pack himself.

Mira saw his dejection and said, "Losing to Erza is nothing to be ashamed of. She's one of the strongest people in the guild, after all."

"But I shouted such a long incantation, summoned such a cool crab, and then she took me down in one move, using her fist no less, not even her sword!"

Mira tilted her head, "You wanted her to use her sword? Erza is the type of person who barely holds back during fights."

Rhode thought of the bloody scene, "Well... that's probably not necessary."

Bang! Someone forcefully placed a heavy object on the counter.

Rhode turned his head, holding the ice pack, and instinctively sat up straighter, "Miss... Erza?"

"Just call me Erza. And I'm here to apologize to you." Erza placed her left fist over her chest, her face filled with remorse.

"I'm sorry, I was too rough. To think I'd use such heavy-handed tactics on a comrade who requested a spar, I'm truly awful, practically bullying the guild's newcomers!"

Rhode was startled by her solemn attitude and hastily waved his hands, "N-no, it wasn't that bad."

"No, your leniency only highlights my cruelty." Erza opened the large box she had placed on the counter, and items piled inside tumbled out haphazardly.

A quick glance revealed bandages, band-aids, iodine, painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and various other medical supplies.

"I've bought all the external wound medicines from the pharmacy. Please, use them to your heart's content!"

"No, it's just a bump on my head, it only hurts a little."

"Is that so? My actions have caused you such a headache. Please, let me find a way to make amends."

Did I say something wrong in common parlance again? Rhode looked to Mira for help.

Mira, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle, explained:

"Erza's personality is like that; she can be a bit literal. If you don't accept the medicine, she'll insist on bandaging you herself~"

Before Rhode could respond, Erza had a sudden realization, "I see! Only by personally helping to bandage you can I express my apology!"

"Re-really not..."

"Change!"

A flash of light, and Erza had completed her transformation, her nurse outfit perfectly accentuating her good figure.

"Ooh~ Ooh~ Ooh~" Howls erupted from the tavern, and many of the men's eyes turned into hearts.

Accustomed to seeing Erza in armor, the sudden sight of her in a nurse outfit made them realize that, apart from her terrifyingly high combat prowess, Erza was also top-tier in terms of looks.

If they weren't afraid of getting beaten, old perverts like Wakaba and Macao would have probably already pounced on her.

"Alright, let's begin the bandaging!" Erza picked up a roll of bandages.

"Re-really not... uh, well, it's probably not necessary..."

Rhode's heart couldn't help but race. The shift from opposition to reluctant acceptance took less than a second.

As Erza unwrapped the bandages, Rhode began to condemn his own wavering resolve, but soon that turned to regret…

"Ahhh!!!"

As professional as Erza's attire was, her technique was anything but. She used a roll of bandages as if it were a rope.

Normally, a minor injury like Rhode's would only require some swelling-reducing ointment on the puffed-up area, perhaps with a few wraps of bandages at most.

But somehow, Erza's bandages got tangled around Rhode's neck, bound his arms, and were now about to wrap around his legs…

It looked like she was trying to tie up a prisoner!

"Mur— cough cough cough…"

Rhode couldn't breathe, but some people in the tavern seemed even more excited, looking at Rhode with unconcealed envy.

"Stop it, Erza. Rhode's going to die!"

It was Mira's first time seeing Erza treat someone, and she hadn't expected it to be so brutal.

Fortunately, she intervened before Rhode rolled his eyes to the heavens.

Erza apologized solemnly, "I'm sorry, my skills in healing others are a bit rusty."

But your skills in killing are quite proficient.

Rhode, 'touched' to tears, said, "No, you were excellent. Thanks to your treatment, my forehead doesn't hurt much anymore."

"Really?" Erza's eyes sparkled.

Rhode nodded earnestly, "It's absolutely true, thank you for your treatment! I'll rely on my own recovery for the rest!"

He was sure his forehead didn't hurt much anymore, especially when compared to his arm.

Rhode felt like his bones were about to break. Were bandages really this strong, capable of crushing bones?

"That's great then." Erza, perhaps believing him, was satisfied and changed back into her armor, leaving behind the large box of external wound medicine.

Rhode rubbed his arm and stared at the ceiling, reflecting, "Lust is a Knife Above the Head."

After this ordeal, his spirit was bound to grow.

Mira covered her mouth and chuckled.