(Thank you so much to 'Wandering in a World Without You,' 'Bing Yue Ying,' 'Yun Qi Qing Gu,' 'You·,' 'Breezeless Skyline,' 'Xiong Mao A!,' 'Xiao h Zhai,' '703's Rabbit,' and 'Shan Yang' for the rewards!)
(I got a category feature recommendation. Overall, it's much better than my previous book. I hope I can get a good recommendation slot next week too, so everyone, won't you send some favorites, recommendations, and clicks my way? They're all free!)
A duel between Noah and Erza ended after only about five minutes.
Moreover, the place where they had fought was not far from the Fairy Tail guild.
Therefore, after roughly half an hour, Noah and Erza returned to the guild.
At that moment, both Noah and Erza had a sheathed Knight Sword hanging from their waists. One wore an ordinary shirt and trousers with a jacket, exuding an easygoing air, while the other wore cold, imposing armor and looked every bit the heroic warrior. Together, they looked like a matched pair.
After training and living together day and night for three whole months, Noah and Erza had unconsciously become synchronized even in their presence, posture, and pace. If Noah's hair had been vivid red instead of jet black, many people would probably have mistaken them for twin siblings.
With that, the two returned directly to the guild. They pushed open the guild doors, listened to the familiar clamor inside, and looked at the noisy scenes before them. They exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly.
Clearly, both Noah and Erza felt an extraordinary sense of warmth toward Fairy Tail's uniquely lively atmosphere.
Unfortunately, that warm feeling was quickly interrupted by a rude roar.
"Erza—!"
Along with that childish shout, a figure leaped up from beside a table ahead and lunged fiercely at Erza beside Noah like a starving tiger pouncing on prey.
"Fight me—!"
Erza did not even raise her eyes at those words. As though she had long since grown accustomed to such scenes, she nimbly shifted aside when the figure reached the air near her, then swung out a fist and smashed it heavily into the bridge of the oncoming figure's nose.
Bang—!
"Ah—!"
A dull impact and a scream echoed through the entire Fairy Tail guild at the same time. The figure that had lunged at Erza was sent flying sideways like a large piece of trash.
Noah stood beside Erza, directly in the path of the flying figure. Though he was not as expressionless as Erza, who had not even lifted an eyelid, he still calmly took a step back the instant the figure pounced at her.
Thus, the figure that should have slammed into Noah flew past less than ten centimeters in front of him and crashed hard into a nearby wall.
Boom—!
A crater was immediately smashed into the wall. The figure that had pounced at Erza was embedded directly in it, eyes rolling white and mouth hanging open as he slowly slid down to the floor, smoke rising from his entire body.
"Honestly..." Only then did Erza let out a sigh.
"I'm not really in the mood to fight today, so let's skip the duel."
"Could you say that before you start fighting?" Noah covered his face helplessly, then looked at Gray, who lay on the ground wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, his eyes spinning in circles. Noah felt all the strength drain from his body.
"And Gray, I think it's necessary to put on some clothes before challenging someone to a duel. At least when your opponent is a girl..."
"Sh... shut up..." Gray could only lie on the ground with spinning eyes and tearfully protested.
Just then, a voice sounded from a corner of the guild.
"S-So amazing..."
Hearing that unfamiliar voice, Noah and Erza immediately turned toward where it had come from.
In front of the guild bar stood a little boy who looked only around ten years old, younger than both Noah and Erza. He had rare pink hair and a thick scarf around his neck. A travel bag rested beside him, making it obvious that he had only just arrived at the guild.
"Hey! What's your name?!" The pink-haired boy excitedly bounced in place, pointed at Erza, and spoke without the slightest politeness.
"You took down that pervert in an instant. I'm interested in you!"
"Who are you calling a pervert?!" Gray, who had been lying weakly on the ground just moments ago, immediately sprang up as though resurrected, veins bulging on his forehead.
"You want to fight, droopy eyes?!"
"Forget it, hanging eyes!" The little boy grinned.
"You can't even beat a girl. I'm not afraid of you!"
Gray's expression instantly froze, and he became unable to move.
It was not just Gray. Everyone in the guild fell silent at that moment, making the surrounding atmosphere unbearably oppressive. It was as if some terrifying beast was about to be born, and everyone looked at Erza with fear on their faces.
"Oh?" The corners of Erza's lips curved into a faint, delighted smile. That expression made everyone in the guild except Noah shudder inwardly.
"What's your name?"
"Me?" The little boy apparently had not noticed the change in atmosphere. He rested his hands behind his head, grinned, and revealed a brilliant smile.
"My name is Natsu! Natsu Dragneel!"
For some reason, as Noah watched the dazzling smile on the little boy named Natsu, the expression on his face gradually softened. It was as though he were basking in gentle sunlight, and he could not help developing quite a favorable impression of Natsu.
It was not just Noah. Erza, Gray, and even everyone in the guild unconsciously accepted Natsu beneath that radiant smile. They simply did not show it on their faces, though it could not escape Noah, who knew everyone so well.
Natsu Dragneel?
What an incredible person.
Having developed quite a favorable impression of Natsu because of his remarkable charisma, Noah was the first to show him goodwill. He smiled faintly.
"My name is Noah! Noah Dreyar!"
"My name is Erza! Erza Scarlet!"
"Noah and Erza?" Natsu, who had been so arrogant moments ago, began counting on his fingers. After counting two names, he smiled happily.
"Igneel, I remembered two more names!"
"Igneel?" Noah asked curiously.
"Who is Igneel?"
Hearing that, Natsu puffed out his chest and spoke with great pride.
"Igneel is my dad! He's the strongest dragon in the world!"
"A dragon?!" Everyone in the Fairy Tail guild was collectively left speechless.
"A dragon?" Noah froze for a moment, then spoke in an uncertain tone.
"Natsu, are you saying your father is a dragon?"
"That's right!" Seeing the doubtful looks on everyone's faces, Natsu seemed as though he had been insulted and shouted angrily.
"I'm not lying! Igneel taught me my magic too! It's called Dragon Slayer Magic!"
Everyone in Fairy Tail immediately looked at one another.
Although Fairy Tail had quite a few outstanding mages, not many of them were truly knowledgeable due to the guild's style. Still, they had heard of Dragon Slayer Magic.
It was a type of magic that transformed its user's physique into that of a dragon, magic created to slay dragons!
It was said that mages who used Dragon Slayer Magic possessed the constitution of dragons. Their skin rivaled dragon scales, their claws rivaled Dragon Claws, and their teeth rivaled dragon fangs. They could consume substances corresponding to the type of Dragon Slayer Magic they practiced to restore their stamina and magic power and increase their strength!
Magic used to fight dragons?
There was no need to think about it. It had to be incredibly powerful magic!
Yet now, a child even younger than Noah and Erza was claiming that he knew such powerful magic. Who would not doubt him?
Besides, Dragon Slayer Magic was also a Lost Magic—an ancient magic that had already been lost. It had been an extremely rare type even in ancient times, so who could believe it would suddenly appear before them now?
Only Noah's expression gradually became grave after he sensed the magic power within Natsu.
Before you continue