The beach was temporarily unviable, so everyone had no choice but to relocate their base of operations back to the hotel.
"Erza, I heard there's a super luxurious casino downstairs in the hotel, let's go check it out!" Lucy said, her expression full of excitement.
"I don't really care for gambling and things like that..."
"But Natsu and Gray and the others went down there ages ago."
"Is that so? There's truly no helping them." Erza's gaze hardened, and with a flash of light, she changed into a dazzlingly gorgeous evening gown. "Then let's go together!"
"So formal..."
Half an hour later, in front of the card table.
Erza sat composedly, expressionlessly pushing out her chips. The dealer across from her had sweat pouring down his forehead. It was yet another round, and the winner remained Erza.
"Erza, you're amazing!" Lucy's eyes shone as she clung to Erza's arm.
"It's nothing," Erza replied calmly. "The gaming table is just like a battlefield. As long as you maintain your composure and see through your opponents' psychology, victory and defeat naturally become clear."
After following Erza's lead and placing a few safe bets, the chips in Lucy's hands multiplied several times over. Looking at that heavy pile of chips, her self-confidence swelled drastically:
What is this, gambling is actually this easy?
"Erza, take a break. Leave the rest to me!"
Full of confidence, Lucy sat down at the card table, tossed her hair back, and flashed a poised smile at the dealer.
An hour later.
The space in front of Lucy was completely empty. Not only were her won chips gone, but even the travel money she had brought and next month's rent were entirely gambled away.
She turned her head stiffly, tears welling up as she grabbed Erza's sleeve. "Erza... could