"Brother-in-law!" Sho, Millianna, and Lucy all shouted in unison, their voices pitched high with shock.
"Ah... how sweet of you all!" Chen Fan closed his eyes, leaning into the title with a look of pure enjoyment.
POW!!
Erza delivered a sharp punch to the back of Chen Fan's head, sending him face-first into the floor. Her face was crimson as she shouted, her voice trembling with embarrassment, "What... what are you blathering about? I'm not... you're not... that!"
Chen Fan sat up on the floor, rubbing the back of his head with a look of deep grievance. "Oof... I was just making a little joke. Was there really a need to be so serious?" He looked like a pouting, mistreated bride.
Ignoring Chen Fan's wounded expression, Erza turned her attention to Sho. "Our business shouldn't involve others. Release Lucy immediately."
"No! Why should I listen to the words of a traitor? Isn't that right, Sister?" Sho demanded, his eyes fixed on Erza with accusation.
At the word 'traitor,' Erza's body gave a visible shudder. Suddenly, a hand came to rest on her shoulder. She looked back to see Chen Fan standing there. The moment she met his gaze, her trembling ceased, replaced by a profound sense of safety and reliability.
"Leave this to me for now," Chen Fan told her. "Just watch from the sidelines." He gave her a reassuring look before walking over to Lucy. He reached out and touched the ropes binding her; instantly, the restraints dissolved into a cloud of glowing light particles that vanished into the air. Surprised and relieved, Lucy rubbed her sore wrists and hurried back to Erza's side.
"How... how did you do that?" Millianna asked, her eyes wide with astonishment.
"Oh, that?" Chen Fan sat back on the counter, his tone casual. "I just accelerated the vibration frequency. It's quite simple, really."
"Who exactly are you?" Sho's expression darkened as he settled into a combat stance.
Chen Fan opened his mouth to reply, but before he could speak—
Whish!
Sho flicked a playing card through the air, aimed directly at him. Simultaneously, Millianna cast her own magic from behind, a heavy rope lashing out toward Chen Fan.
"...!"
Chen Fan reached out his right hand, catching the card Sho had thrown. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the card flying back toward Millianna.
Thump!
In an instant, Millianna was sealed inside the card. With a soft whoosh, the card flew back into Chen Fan's waiting hand.
"Millianna!" Sho cried.
"Chen Fan!" Erza called out, worried that he might be playing too rough. After all, she knew his history.
Chen Fan pressed a finger to his lips, winking at Erza. "Shh, don't worry. I'm just teaching my future siblings a little lesson. They need to know that their Brother-in-law's dignity is not to be trifled with."
The sight of his wink made Erza huff a laugh despite herself. Lucy, watching the flirtatious exchange from the side, felt a pang of jealousy and turned away with a pout.
Suddenly, a voice rang out. "Is something happening, Sho? Da-Z..."
A man with an oddly blocky, square body appeared beside Sho, resting a hand on his shoulder. He wore a distinctive hat.
"He's a literal square..." Lucy muttered, unable to help herself.
"Hey, you don't have to provide a commentary for every person who shows up," Chen Fan said, waving a hand at her as a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.
The newcomer tipped the edge of his hat toward Erza. "It's been a long time. You've grown quite sexy, haven't you?"
Erza stared at him, confused. "Are you... Wally?"
Wally Buchanan touched the rim of his hat. "It's no wonder you didn't recognize me. Compared to my days as 'Wally the Mad Dog,' I suppose I've become... much more well-rounded."
This time, both Lucy and Chen Fan were left speechless. Wally's body was about as far from "rounded" as a person could get.
Erza looked at him in surprise. "You can use magic now... as well?"
"There's nothing to be surprised about. Anyone can use magic once they find the knack for it. Isn't that right, Erza?" A dark shadow of mist appeared behind Erza, speaking softly. The figure then walked toward Sho.
Chen Fan bit back a retort about how he personally couldn't learn magic to save his life. He decided it would be rude to interrupt a reunion, even if he had technically already done it once.
"Simon! You're all here?" Erza asked. "Why have you come?"
"To take you back, of course," Simon said. He turned to Sho. "Where is Millianna? Why isn't she with you?"
Only then did Sho remember Chen Fan. He pointed a finger. "It's him! He sealed Millianna inside a card! She's still in his hands!"
"Who is he?"
"Some guy claiming to be our brother-in-law. Be careful—he's strange. He can redirect attacks effortlessly."
Simon stepped forward, facing Chen Fan. "I don't care who you are. Will you please release Millianna?"
As he spoke, a blue magic circle manifested before his eyes.
BOOM!
The table beneath Chen Fan exploded. Shards of wood flew in every direction as a thick cloud of dust billowed up, swallowing his figure.
"Chen Fan!" Erza and Lucy screamed in unison.
Suddenly, a voice drifted out from the dust. "Ow, ow, ow... Erza, your brothers really aren't cute at all. Always with the sneak attacks. I almost died in there. Should I give them a proper education for you?"
The voice was light and conversational, completely at odds with the situation. As the dust settled, Chen Fan stepped out, unscathed. Not even a corner of his clothing was torn.
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