The morning mist gradually rose. Roland looked at Cana, who was sleeping soundly on a crate of goods, and sighed helplessly.
He knew Cana liked to drink heavily—but not to this extent. He couldn't even wake her up.
It seemed he had no choice but to carry her back to the guild.
Retracting the hand that was patting her cheek, Roland quickly picked her up and turned to walk toward the guild.
"Let's go. Be careful not to get lost on the way back."
"Mew, mew~"
The Dratini followed closely behind, its eyes looking at the two of them curiously as it let out a pleasant sound.
Roland also bought some raspberry cookies on the way to feed it.
"Th-thank you for your patronage!"
The girl at the bakery watched the young man's departing back, her expression becoming strange.
If she wasn't mistaken, the person that young man was holding was Miss Cana from Fairy Tail, right?
Not only was her figure hot and her looks outstanding, but she had such a handsome boyfriend, and most importantly, he looked to be only fourteen or fifteen!
Damn it, I'm so envious all of a sudden!
Not far from Roland was the guild entrance. The magnificent wooden door was wide open, and the lively scene inside was in full view.
"That droopy-eyed guy is up to something!?"
"Ha—you wanna fight, you squinty-eyed guy!"
In less than ten seconds, veins popped on Natsu's and Gray's foreheads, and they were locked in a fierce fight.
Mugs, tables, and chairs flew everywhere in the guild hall, affecting many of the nearby members.
During this time, a few Shadowkhan ninjas were hit by the ice Gray had created and dissipated into black smoke in mid-air.
Today's guild is no different from usual.
Roland unhurriedly passed through the crowd, carrying the sleeping Cana in his arms as he walked to the bar.
"Good morning, this is..."
Seeing the familiar figure, Mirajane first greeted him happily, but when she noticed the woman in his arms, she couldn't help but be stunned.
Her shoulder-length black hair was scattered, and a strong smell of alcohol emanated from her body, giving one a strange sense of déjà vu.
"Could it be Cana?"
Mirajane said, a little unsure.
"Miss Cana was picked up by me from an alley on the side of the road. I don't know why she's dead drunk."
Roland placed Cana on a high stool beside him, letting her lie on the bar in a more comfortable position to continue her sweet dream.
To be honest, he still didn't understand what the system meant by the "date approaching."
Could it be that Gildarts was coming back?
"Does she usually drink like this?"
"No, she doesn't. Although Cana started drinking heavily at the age of thirteen, she actually has a sense of proportion!"
Hearing his question, Mirajane gently tapped her chin, and a look of realization suddenly appeared on her face.
"It must be because that thing is coming soon, which is why Cana is drinking so much. Hmm... it's like this every year."
"What 'thing' are you referring to?"
Seeing the mysterious smile on the girl's face, Roland asked tactfully.
"In two months, there will be the S-Class Promotion Trial. At that time, qualified members will be selected. It's worth mentioning—"
Mirajane turned to look at the sleeping Cana and said in a low voice.
"Cana has participated for three consecutive years."
"But isn't it still early for two months from now?"
"It's not early. There are requirements for participating in the S-Class trial, such as the number of requests completed, choosing a partner in advance... all of these have to be completed within two months."
Here, Mirajane looked at the crowd not far away, paused, and continued, "For example, Gray and Loke have already arranged to be partners, although they haven't been selected for the past two years."
"That's a pity..."
Roland took a sip from his mug, then propped his chin on one hand.
Compared to those who weren't selected, the girl who had participated for three consecutive years and failed every time was more pitiful.
"By the way, if nothing unexpected happens, you should be on the selection list this year." Mirajane winked at him. "Have you thought about who you want to choose as your partner?"
Clearly, the poster girl had exclusive guild intelligence.
"No."
Roland shook his head.
He wasn't surprised that he could make it onto the candidate list.
After all, being able to easily defeat Laxus was enough to prove that his strength was at least on the same level as Gildarts.
"...Hiss, my head hurts so much!"
At that moment, Cana, beside him, woke up, clutching her head. The after-effects of the hangover made her suck in a breath of cold air.
It's been a long time since I've drunk so recklessly. I should be more careful next time...
The girl thought with some regret, then shakily looked up at Mirajane standing across from her.
...When did I get to the guild?
"Oh my, you're awake."
Seeing that she was awake, Mirajane very thoughtfully handed her the honey water she had prepared and said in a gentle voice.
"After a hangover, drinking a cup of honey water helps to relieve headaches and dizziness."
"Oh, oh... th-thank you."
Cana subconsciously took the honey water and looked down at the amber liquid in the cup, smelling a sweet floral fragrance.
Her throat moved as she swallowed, then she raised the cup and drank it all in one gulp.
There was a faint trace of bitterness in the sweetness. Overall, the taste was good.
"Um, Mira, why did I suddenly appear in the guild?"
Cana put down the cup in her hand, let out a slight breath, and asked with a puzzled tone.
She remembered drinking on a bench in the park last night. That was a long way from the guild.
"Could it be..."
"It wasn't me. Roland carried you back from the alley."
Mirajane shook her head.
Roland?
Hearing the familiar name, Cana subconsciously looked around and quickly noticed the young man beside her.
"Thank you so much, little Roland!"
Instantly, a smile blossomed on the girl's face, and she hugged his head in a very familiar way.
"...You're welcome."
A slightly muffled voice came from her embrace.
Even through his outer clothes, Roland could clearly feel the other's very heavy, soft chest and the faint fragrance mixed with the smell of alcohol.
It wasn't unpleasant.
"Can you two be a little more mindful of the occasion?"
Mirajane still had a smile on her face as she quietly separated the two of them and reminded them through gritted teeth.
"It doesn't matter. Levy isn't here anyway!"
Cana said nonchalantly.
So what if Levy was here? She would still dare to hug him in front of her!
"By the way, why was Cana sleeping in the alley?"
Noticing Mirajane's gaze, Roland nonchalantly broke free from her embrace and asked.
The top priority now was to form a partnership with Cana and then obtain the reward item.
The Spring of Age Rope—it could freely control one's age without any side effects.
He didn't dare to imagine the chaos it would cause in this world if those kings and nobles were to find out.
"...I just drank a little too much, that's all."
Cana was uncharacteristically silent for a moment, then replied nonchalantly.
"Is it really just because you drank too much, and not for some other reason?" Roland looked at her with a smile and said, "If you have any difficulties, you can always ask me for help."
"Really, what difficulties could I have..."
Cana turned her head away, her gaze fixed on the honey water in the cup as she murmured softly.
Participating in the S-Class Promotion Trial, what could a newcomer who just joined the guild—no, wait!
Suddenly, her eyes widened, and her mind, which had been muddled by the hangover, gradually cleared.
This guy defeated Laxus!
"Um, Roland..." Cana looked at him seriously and took a deep breath. "Can I ask you for something?"
"Of course you can."
Roland nodded lightly.
"For the S-Class Promotion Trial in two months, can you be my partner? Please!"
After Cana finished speaking, she looked at him with some unease, afraid that her request would be rejected.
"In exchange, after the trial is over, I can grant you any three requests!"
"Okay."
"That's great! Thank you!"
Seeing Roland nod in agreement, Cana clenched her fists in excitement and suppressed her excitement as she spoke.
With Roland joining this time, this year would definitely be the most promising year.
—After I become an S-Class Mage, I'll go and confess to that man!
"Actually, even without the three requests, I would have agreed..."
Seeing the girl's overjoyed expression, a smile unconsciously appeared on Roland's lips as he added.
"It doesn't matter. Since I've already said it—you can make any request at that time!"
Cana wrapped her arm around his shoulder, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly as she leaned in and whispered in his ear.
"Even if it's something lewd... that's fine too."
The words in the middle were a little hard to make out, but based on the other's intimate tone, it wasn't hard for Roland to guess.
Cana is much bolder than I thought.
Roland sniffed the strong smell of alcohol on her body and couldn't help but think.
"But after choosing to be a participant's partner, you'll be considered to have automatically forfeited your qualification."
At that moment, Mirajane suddenly spoke up to remind him.
"A participant? But isn't Roland a newcomer..."
Cana's eyes widened in astonishment, her voice becoming a little incoherent, the panic on her face unconcealable.
No, not that! I finally found such a powerful member as a partner.
"In terms of status, he is indeed a newcomer, but have you ever seen a newcomer who can defeat the long-famous Laxus and Erza?"
Mirajane retorted with a smile.
"That's true. Then what should I do..."
Cana lay on the table dejectedly, her eyes staring at the liquor cabinet not far away, gradually losing focus.
"No, don't give up so quickly..."
Seeing her dejected expression, Roland said softly, "Since I've agreed, I'll definitely help you complete it."
"As for my promotion trial, it doesn't matter if I wait until next year."
After being promoted to an S-Class Mage, the biggest benefit was being able to freely go to the second floor and take on those S-Class missions with bounties of over a million.
But the problem was, he had enough money.
Even if he didn't take on mission requests in the future, he could still support Levy and Knightwalker at home.
"Really!?"
Hearing his promise, Cana immediately sat up straight, her eyes shining as she looked at him, and she couldn't help but feel moved.
He's actually willing to give up his qualification to participate for my sake...
"Thank... thank you so much!"
As her voice fell, Cana immediately pounced on him, her hands tightly hugging his head.
"No... there's no need to thank me like this."
His vision seemed to be completely obscured. Roland sighed helplessly, his voice slightly muffled.
With the matter of the partnership confirmed, he had also completed the mission issued by the system.
"I won't claim it for now. I'll check the next two missions first."
Roland said softly.
[Mission Two: The Pressure!]
[Mission Description: In order to show off your power, please defeat thirty humans with your own Reiatsu!]
[Mission Reward: Yoruichi Shihouin's Outfit (from the world of "Bleach")]
"Good heavens, have I collected the outfits of both master and servant?"
The corner of Roland's mouth twitched slightly, and he then looked at the romance slot below.
[Mission Three: The Rain Woman's Reunion!]
[Mission Description: As the time of separation grows longer, Juvia, wanting to see you, has secretly come to Magnolia—please meet with her in the outskirts!]
[Mission Reward: Weather Box (from the world of "Doraemon")]
"..."
Juvia is looking for me?
Roland closed the mission panel, looked up at Mirajane, who was wiping a mug, and after a moment of thought, decided to go and see her first.
"Mirajane, can I trouble you to look after the Dratini? I have to go out for a bit."
"Yes, leave it to me!"
Looking at the cute Dratini in front of her, Mirajane had a gentle smile on her lips and couldn't help but reach out to stroke it.
"Mew~"
The Dratini rubbed against her palm, letting out a comfortable cry.
"Then I'll be off."
After leaving his farewell, Roland also headed out of town according to the location given by the system.
Juvia... should be easy to handle, right?
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