Morning sunlight fell on the streets of Magnolia City. People around town had begun decorating early, and a harvest atmosphere was spreading through the streets and alleys. In one alley, a group of children ran and played together, carrying the decorations and toys used during the harvest festival.
On the mountain behind the guild...
"Bang! Bang!"
Zorn watched Cana punch the ground hard enough to crack it, then looked at the cracks spread all across the clearing. The corner of his eye twitched. Cana really was gifted when it came to Haki. After just three months of training, she had successfully coated her fist in Armament Haki.
Once I find a few powerful cards for Cana, her overall strength is bound to improve dramatically.
"Brother Zorn, damn it! Have you been secretly giving Cana extra lessons?" Natsu clenched his fists and jumped up and down, accusing Zorn of playing favorites.
"Hmph, I'm on Natsu's side this time." Gray also looked at Zorn with some suspicion.
"Bang! Bang!"
"You two brats! Zorn's been living with you this whole time, and he's been training with you these past few days. He's hardly even been taking jobs. Have you no gratitude? Honestly!" Erza rapped Natsu and Gray on the head, one punch after the other, and promptly lectured them.
"That's right, Natsu, Gray. Strength comes from within. As the saying goes, thirty percent is decided by fate, and seventy percent depends on hard work. I believe you can both master this power. But as for Cana, ninety percent of it is talent, which is why she managed to master it in such a short time. So you two need to train even harder from now on, understand?" Zorn crouched down to meet their eyes and spoke earnestly.
"Oh, we got it." Natsu and Gray nodded, only half understanding. Natsu glanced at Cana, who looked a little pleased with herself, then clenched his fists and shouted, "Hey, Cana, let's duel! Let me see it for myself."
"Dragon Slayer Magic: Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" Natsu raised his flaming fist and swung it straight at Cana. Seeing this, Cana raised her own fist, which shone black, and met his punch. A tremendous force drove Natsu back several steps. Although Cana won, she was also breathing slightly hard, and her Armament Haki vanished immediately afterward.
"Oh, nice. Your fighting strength has gone up a whole level," Erza said approvingly, her eyes lighting up at the sight.
"Good, good. Cana can move on to the next step now." Zorn nodded, acknowledging Cana's gifts and talent. Then he turned to Erza and suggested, "As for you, I can see you're starting to get a faint feel for it. How about another spar with me? Maybe all you need is the right opportunity."
"Well, I think I'll pass. We still have to discuss Fantasia today, and I need to go get an outfit ready in a little while. Next time." Erza thought for a moment and decided to get her clothes ready first. If there were any problems, she could still ask the tailor to make alterations. There was no hurry to spar.
"All right, that's it for this morning's training. We should head to the guild and discuss the harvest festival performance with everyone," Zorn said, nodding in agreement before addressing Natsu and the others.
It looks like some people in this world can master this power too, and those with exceptional gifts are geniuses. Cana must be one of them. I wonder what it'll be like when Gildarts and Cana recognize each other, and he sees her splitting the earth and shattering mountains with one punch.
On the way back to the guild, all sorts of thoughts ran through Zorn's mind.
The harvest festival's Fantasia was a traditional festival in Magnolia. Since a magic guild also took part in the parade, it greatly boosted the local tourism economy.
"All right, everyone, get ready for the performances we discussed last time. I'm going to get ready too."
After the master confirmed the details with everyone, his short figure hopped down from the bar and bounced happily out of the guild.
The guild members gathered in twos and threes to discuss their plans.
Gray, Natsu, Zorn, and the others also left the guild and were on their way to do some shopping.
They were still missing some of the props and clothing they needed for the evening. The shopkeeper had told them those would arrive today.
"Brother Zorn, let's have ramen for lunch. A new place opened recently, and I hear it tastes amazing. Let's try it today." It was almost noon, and Gray's stomach had already started growling as he spoke to Zorn.
"No, I want barbecue! Barbecue is perfect for today's celebration," Natsu immediately retorted when he heard him.
"Ramen!"
"Barbecue!"
"Damn it, Natsu, we already had barbecue yesterday! We have to have ramen today."
"Exhibitionist! No, I'm not listening to you. We're having barbecue!"
Gray and Natsu began shouting at each other in the street, and it looked like they were about to fight again. Zorn quickly held them both back and said, "All right, we can buy a little of both and eat them together. Doesn't that solve it? Come with us too, Cana. Is there anything you want to eat?" After calming the two brats down, Zorn turned to ask Cana.
"Anything's fine with me, but today I want that fizzy drink you made last time." Ever since Cana had tasted the drink that sent a jolt through her throat when she swallowed it, she hadn't been able to get enough.
"Sure, of course." Zorn nodded. As soon as he finished speaking, he sensed something and turned toward a figure on a distant rooftop.
"Laxus..."
"It's that really fast guy with the sour face from last time!" Natsu followed Zorn's gaze, spotted the figure, and pointed as he shouted.
"Oh, Zorn, your senses are impressive. I hid my magic power, and you still noticed me." A bolt of lightning flashed in front of the group, and Laxus spoke with admiration on his face.
"Where are you going? Aren't you taking part in the harvest festival?" Zorn asked the rebellious youth, who had a bag slung over one shoulder and a stack of job requests in his other hand.
"I wouldn't take part in something so boring. Strength is what matters most. I'm going to become guild master, get rid of some of the weaklings, and build a powerful guild. Zorn, I acknowledge your strength. Interested in going on a job with me?" Laxus spoke casually in a disdainful tone, but at the end, he was serious about inviting Zorn to join his team.
"No, Laxus. I think everyone in the guild is a companion and family member we should cherish. We can't abandon them, and my power exists to protect. I'm afraid I can't agree with your views, and I won't join your team either." Zorn's expression was solemn and his tone firm as he turned Laxus down.
"Brother Zorn..." Natsu and Gray looked at him with admiration. Beside them, Cana looked at Zorn, who cherished his companions so deeply, and a trace of a different feeling welled up in her heart. She had joined the guild to find the father who had abandoned her mother. At that moment, she clenched her fist and thought of her womanizing Pops. Once again, she strengthened her resolve to train with all her might. Someday, she would make Pops regret it.
Meanwhile, Gildarts was away on a job, walking through the mountains. "Achoo!" He sneezed, rubbed his nose, and said, "Could some beauty be thinking about me again? Hehe."
"Tch, you're just like my old man. No fun. You'll understand eventually. See you." After hearing him out, Laxus clicked his tongue and walked out of town without looking back.
"Laxus, you should face what's in your heart," Zorn suddenly called out, watching his carefree retreating figure.
As though he hadn't heard, Laxus gave no response. He picked up speed and vanished in a flash.
"All right, let's go buy some food. We'll have a big lunch, then get all the props and clothes ready and practice properly again. Let's go." Once Laxus was completely out of sight, Zorn spoke softly to the three children.
"Woo-hoo, yeah!" Natsu was the first to jump up, noisily tugging at Zorn and urging him to hurry.