Logically speaking, on the day of a successful confession, the two should go out for a walk, have a meal, watch a movie, or even make some... jokes.
In short, all these activities are meant to deepen their relationship.
But Rhode and Mira didn't do any of that.
The two of them fought on the very day they confirmed their relationship.
They were so worried about being too rough and destroying the guild that they decided to fight by the lake instead of in the yard.
This was the first time Rhode and Mira fought. Normally, he fights with Elfman while Mira watches from the side, acting as referee and coach.
Now the head coach is warming up, and the referee is stepping into the ring. Rhode felt a bit out of his element.
However, to say the least, Mira certainly looked beautiful in a sports tank top, shorts, sneakers, with her hair tied up.
The problem was that it made it hard not to let his eyes wander.
Mira cast him a mock-admonishing glance: "Focus, I won't hold back, you know."
"Okay." Rhode was warming up seriously, just his eyes were being defiant, "Wanna hint if there's any prize for winning?"
"Hmm..." Mira made a stretching move, making a cute sound through her nose, her body revealing graceful curves.
After completing this move, she exhaled and smiled, "Already confident about winning the prize?"
"Confidence is crucial, after all. No matter who the opponent is, in an unavoidable fight, you must believe in your victory."
Rhode now understood a bit more about the muscleheads in the guild. Often, it was their self-confidence manifesting and a source of power for them.
Yet Rhode wasn't aiming to be like them. He was merely mentally prepping for pivotal battles, not blind confidence.
"That's not bad, but talk about it when you actually win." Mira assumed a starting stance, "Ready?"
To Rhode's eyes, Mira's current stance had quite a few flaws, resembling a thug's excited fist.
But he knew all too well, if any thug were to approach, Mira would definitely beat them beyond recognition.
Unluckily, he had to play that thug's role now.
Rhode cautiously advanced, using his left hand for a straightforward feint punch, reserving a hook with the right as a real attack.
Mira blocked it with ease and followed up with a side kick.
Her seemingly slender and fair leg, as Rhode raised his arm to block it, unleashed a surprising amount of power.
Though she hadn't used Receiving Magic yet, he was nearly knocked off his feet by it.
His minor instability was seen by Mira as an opening for attack. Her punches rained down, forcing Rhode to defend passively, retreating step by step.
After taking a few solid punches, Rhode started to employ magic.
The Stone Beetle's tough shell began appearing over the areas he was hit, allowing Rhode to withstand two punches and counterattack.
He couldn't strike the face or chest, settling on the shoulder and abdomen instead.
Mira had similar defensive techniques. His punches felt soft yet tough, causing minor reactions but no substantial effect.
Mira grabbed Rhode's arm with a twist, colliding her shoulder into his chest, then flinging him away.
His chest tightened, and he felt the world spin, needing to adjust his posture to avoid a clumsy fall.
"You've mastered Receiving Magic well, integrating it into your Combat Techniques flexibly. Impressive."
Mira praised Rhode with a wink, "But don't underestimate me."
Rhode confirmed that Mira wasn't just using Receiving Magic; her overall strength, fighting skills, and mindset were all fully restored.
This revelation meant fewer concerns for him.
He nodded: "Alright, but we agreed, no grudges after the fight."
Mira replied, "Of course, just see me as Erza, Kana, or Mickey."
Rhode chuckled, "Can't do that. They're not as pretty as you."
Mira touched her face: "Ah... Flattery won't get you anywhere; let's get serious now."
Rhode readied himself.
"Receiving·Satan's Soul!" A powerful Magic Power, like yesterday's unsettling surge, erupted from Mira, as she demonstrated what 'Evil Charm Smile' entails, "Let's start!"
"Receiving·Cyan Engraved Golem!"
Rhode chose to face Mira head-on with the Golem, trading some powerful punches that drove him back steadily.
In serious combat mode, Mira's expressions were honestly intimidating.
If he were to judge, while the destructive force and display weren't as grand as Laxus's, the power was nonetheless on par.
Though Laxus's was a minor skill, Mira's was more of an empowered basic attack post transformation, so a simple comparison wasn't fair.
After exchanging a few more punches, Mira changed tactics.
With a flap of her wings, her figure vanished, ghosting swiftly to Rhode's side, delivering a heavy kick with her burgundy long boots to his shoulder.
Rhode stumbled, aiming to grab her, only to find her being a step ahead, appearing on another side with a punch to his right chest.
As he turned, Mira already positioned herself behind, crashing full force into his back.
Rhode was sent flying forward, crashing through the guild's fence, landing in the yard.
Couldn't avoid some destruction, they'll need a broader area next time.
Rhode vaguely recalled when first receiving the Golem, Laxus also leveraged speed to deal with him.
Luckily, despite this form's speed shortcomings, it was genuinely durable and could regenerate Magic Power.
If Mira's attacks remained consistent with just now, Rhode was confident he could outlast her power.
Mira pursued, conjuring two mini stone statues from the ground, which ascended and unleashed blue lasers towards her.
Azure Floating Cannon.
Mira dodged skillfully, even if the Floating Cannons were agile, they couldn't match her speed.
After merely a couple shots, she smashed them with a single punch each.
"Receiving·Crimson Marked Tree Monster!"
A war of attrition was boring, a real man must win directly!
Boom!
The following punch was evenly matched, the invisible energy wave from their fist clash caused a gust to sweep through the yard.
With Mira descending from above, the ground beneath Rhode cracked, and his feet sank in.
No red flames... Anyone starting with true damage against their partner?
Yet Mira wasn't satisfied: "Use that move, really. Treat me like Natsu."
"Alright." Rhode stopped being reserved, donning the Crown of Embers for a few quick exchanges.
Red flames followed his attacks, causing stinging pain to Mira's fists, leaving slight marks in no time.
Rhode's wooden fists also sustained damage but regenerated quickly like trees under the catalysis of Magic Power.
Mira resumed her tactic against the Golem, rapidly blinking around Rhode, landing punches and kicks incessantly.
The Tree Monster's Defense was inferior to the Golem's, leaving Rhode with some injuries.
Suddenly, Mira kicked him in the back, but failed to pull her leg back in time.
Several vines already coiled around her leg.
Mira forcibly broke free of the vines, yet Rhode's fist struck her.
"Ugh..." Mira clasped her abdomen, flying back.
Just when Rhode worried about being too heavy-handed, Mira steadied herself in the air.
Her hands assumed a calyx shape, forming a dark orb between them, terrifying Magic Power brewing within the tiny sphere.
Rhode's eyes widened: "Whoa, whoa, whoa..."
Why is she casting a wave too?
Buzz~
Boom!!!