Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master-Chapter 26: The Dagger Above Desire

"Not bad, but..."

Erza took two quick steps forward before launching herself into the air. She landed gracefully on the Scuttle Crab's head, using it as a stepping stone to propel herself straight toward Rhodes.

"The best way to deal with summoners is to target the mage directly!"

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"Huh?"

As someone who had barely fought before, Rhodes could only watch in stunned disbelief as Erza closed the distance.

In an instant, the sword in her hand vanished. Her right hand clenched into a fist.

The next thing Rhodes knew, a sharp pain erupted in his forehead. His vision went dark, and his back hit the ground.

Erza landed lightly, standing over him. "Come on, fight back with all your strength!"

Mira, who had calmly walked over with a medical kit, waved her hand with a smile.

"He can't stand up anymore."

"It's true!"

The onlookers had been impressed by the speed of Rhodes' Scuttle Crab earlier, but no one was surprised by the outcome.

Even if they were in his place, they wouldn't have lasted any longer.

"This isn't really the best way to judge Rhodes' strength. Erza's kind of overkill," someone muttered.

Makarov stroked his chin thoughtfully. "For someone who's only been learning magic for a short time, his magic power level is quite good. His control is solid too. But his actual combat experience..." He sighed.

"Yeah, that's basically nonexistent."

Still, he could see it—Rhodes had the potential to become one of the guild's strongest members. As for combat experience...

Well, staying in Fairy Tail meant he'd have no shortage of that.

"Gray, help me out for a second."

Mira placed a small pouch in front of Gray.

"Hmm? Got it."

Gray cracked his knuckles before pressing his right fist into his left palm.

"Ice-Make: Ice Pack."

A cool blue glow pulsed from his hands, and in an instant, Mira's pouch was filled with fresh ice cubes.

Meanwhile, Rhodes sat slumped on a stool at the counter, staring blankly at the floor.

"It's over. I embarrassed myself..."

"Rhodes, lift your head."

Rhodes instinctively obeyed. A sudden chill spread across his forehead.

"Hiss—!" He flinched slightly. His eyes darted up, catching sight of the neatly wrapped ice pack Mira had placed on him.

With a gentle touch, she adjusted the towel around it, making sure it stayed in place.

Mira leaned forward slightly, meeting Rhodes' gaze from behind. A soft smile curved her lips.

"Don't move. A little cold compress will help the swelling go down faster."

"Thanks." Rhodes reached up to hold the ice pack himself.

Sensing his frustration, Mira reassured him, "There's no shame in losing to Erza. She's one of the strongest in the guild, after all."

"But I went through all that effort to chant such a long spell and summon such a cool crab... and she knocked me out with just one move! And she didn't even use a sword!"

Mira tilted her head playfully. "Do you want her to use a sword? Erza is the kind of person who barely knows how to hold back in a fight."

Rhodes shuddered at the mental image of what that might look like. "Uh... yeah, never mind."

BANG!

A loud thud made Rhodes flinch. He turned his head, still pressing the ice pack to his forehead, and immediately sat up straight.

"Miss Erza...?"

"Just call me Erza," she said firmly before pressing her left fist to her chest in a solemn gesture. Her expression was deeply remorseful.

"I want to apologize."

Rhodes blinked. "Huh?"

"I was too harsh on you. A sparring match is meant for training, yet I went all out against a guildmate who asked for a friendly duel. I showed no mercy. I practically bullied a newcomer!"

Rhodes panicked at her overly serious reaction and waved his hands frantically. "N-No! It wasn't that bad!"

"No, your kindness only makes my actions seem worse!" Erza declared with conviction.

With that, she turned to the large box she had slammed onto the counter earlier and opened it.

The next moment, various medical supplies tumbled out—a lot of medical supplies. Bandages, band-aids, antiseptics, painkillers, anti-inflammatory ointments, practically an entire pharmacy in a box.

Rhodes gawked at the pile.

"I bought every single trauma medicine they had at the pharmacy! Please, use them freely!"

Rhodes sighed, feeling both touched and overwhelmed.

"I-I appreciate the thought, but it's just a little bump. It only hurts a little."

"Really? I gave you such a headache. Please, let me find a way to make up for it!"

Did I say the wrong thing again? Rhodes shot a desperate look at Mira, silently pleading for help.

Mira, clearly enjoying herself, chuckled as she explained,

"Erza's just like this. She takes things very seriously. If you don't accept her medicine, she'll insist on bandaging you herself~"

Before Rhodes could object, Erza had already come to a realization.

"I see now. Only by personally bandaging you can I properly express my apology!"

"Wait, what?"

"Requip!"

A flash of magical light engulfed Erza, and when it faded, she stood in a pristine nurse's uniform that perfectly accentuated her already striking figure.

"Ooooohhh!"

A collective wolf howl erupted across the guild, and in an instant, dozens of men had hearts in their eyes.

Erza, normally clad in armor, rarely showcased her more delicate side. Seeing her in a nurse's outfit reminded everyone that beyond her sheer strength, she was also undeniably gorgeous.

If not for the very real fear of getting launched through the nearest wall, Wakaba and Macao would have already run up to fawn over her.

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

Rhodes felt his heart skip a beat. "W-Wait a second, maybe we don't have to—"

But as he spoke, his voice faltered.

He found himself wavering. Part of him wanted to refuse, but another part was hesitating.

Seeing Erza unravel the bandage, he internally berated himself for being so weak-willed.

And then—

"AHHHHHHHH!!!"

Erza may have been dressed as a nurse, but her bandaging technique was more suited for restraining prisoners.

For a minor forehead injury like his, a little anti-swelling ointment and maybe a single wrap would have been enough.

However, Erza's bandaging had somehow wrapped around Rhodes' neck, pinned his arms to his sides, and completely bound his legs together.

It was less like first aid and more like restraining a criminal!

"M-Murder—cough, cough, cough!"

Rhodes choked as the bandages tightened around his throat, nearly cutting off his air supply. But strangely, some people in the tavern didn't seem alarmed at all.

In fact, a few were looking at him with jealousy.

"Lucky bastard."

"If only I could get that kind of special treatment from Erza."

"What a way to go."

"A warrior's death."

"Erza, stop! Rhodes is going to suffocate!"

Mira, despite her amusement, quickly stepped in. It was her first time seeing Erza attempt medical treatment, and she hadn't expected this.

Fortunately, with Mira's intervention, Rhodes was saved just before his eyes rolled into the back of his head.

Erza, looking genuinely remorseful, gave a deep bow. "I'm sorry. My medical skills have gotten a little, rusty."

No, you're just way too proficient in combat instead!

Rhodes was so moved that his eyes welled up with tears. "No, no, you're amazing. Thanks to your treatment, my forehead doesn't even hurt anymore!"

"Really?" Erza's eyes lit up with an eager sparkle.

Rhodes nodded furiously. "Absolutely! Thank you so much for your treatment! I'll take care of the rest with my own recovery!"

Compared to his entire body feeling like it was on the verge of breaking, his forehead injury was practically nothing.

"That's great!" Satisfied, Erza finally switched back into her armor, leaving behind the massive box of medical supplies before striding away, looking pleased.

Rhodes let out a long sigh, rubbing his sore arm as he gazed up at the ceiling in deep reflection.

"Lust truly is a blade hanging over one's head."

He had learned his lesson. His soul had matured from this ordeal.

Mira, standing nearby, simply smiled behind her hand, trying to stifle her laughter.