Year X771

The incident regarding the Magic Development Bureau's "Violent Thunder" was published in the Magic Weekly a week after Allen and the others returned. Yajima had also contacted Makarov before this. Because Brian was too cunning and had been hiding his strength all along, the team Yajima sent to apprehend him suffered heavy casualties.

After learning from Yajima that Brian had fled to the Northern Continent, Allen and Laxus exchanged a look, a spark flashing in their eyes. It seemed they could eliminate these people together on the Northern Continent!

Makarov saw the look on their faces and stepped forward, punching both of them on the head. Watching them rub the back of their heads, he said exasperatedly, "You two are no match for Brian yet. Yajima told me Brian has a hidden personality. When this personality emerges, he has the combat power of a Ten Saint. Allen, your normal state isn't even S-Class yet. After receiving LordKnightmon, you can barely reach the edge of Ten Saint, but you can't maintain it for long, so you can be considered S-Class combat power for now. As for Laxus, your normal state has A-Class combat power, but your burst is only S-Class. So, the two of you going to the Northern Continent now is suicide. The Dark Magic Group and those Dark Guilds definitely have top-tier combat power. Therefore, given the current situation, you have to wait. We need to make a long-term plan."

Seeing their unconvinced expressions, Makarov softened his tone. "The Council has also informed the countries on the Northern Continent about the Dark Magic Group, so someone will naturally be concerned about this matter. Saving the world isn't your job yet. Grow stronger first!"

Even though Allen and Laxus were unwilling, there was nothing they could do. It was true, just as Makarov said, neither of them had grown to their Perfect Form yet, so for now, they could only look forward to the future.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

With a series of loud noises, a string of brilliant and colorful fireworks exploded in the night sky of Magnolia, like blooming flowers vying for beauty, instantly adorning the entire city's sky in a dreamlike fashion.

It was the last day of X770, and people poured into the streets, preparing to welcome the arrival of the New Year together.

Allen, with a group of his companions, excitedly came to an open space, ready to set off fireworks together and await the arrival of the first day of the New Year. The three little ones had never witnessed such a spectacular sight before. When the first firework shot straight into the sky, trailing a long tail flame, they couldn't help but tremble all over, their faces showing fear. However, when they witnessed the dazzling fireworks bloom freely in the night sky, as brilliant and varied as a goddess scattering flowers, all their fear vanished, replaced by uncontrollable excitement and emotion. The three little ones were clapping their hands non-stop, letting out joyful shouts.

"Happy New Year! Family, may everyone have good health, all the best, and all their dreams come true in the New Year!" As it reached twelve o'clock, Allen happily offered the most sincere blessings to those beside him. Ultear, standing nearby, heard his words and happily responded, "Allen, I also sincerely wish you all the best and that your wishes come true in the New Year~" As soon as she finished speaking, Allen couldn't help but burst into laughter. He lunged forward and gently put his arm around Ultear's waist. Then, without hesitation, he planted a kiss on Ultear's now slightly rounded and cute face. Ultear was first slightly stunned, but then she reacted and excitedly kissed Allen's cheek in return. Afterward, they looked at each other and smiled, their happy laughter echoing in the night sky.

Sorano, standing nearby, pulled on Laxus's pants and pointed at Allen, saying, "Hey, Laxus, Sorano wants that too!"

Yukino, hearing this, became anxious and also tugged on Laxus's pants, saying, "Yukino wants it too!"

Laxus gave a helpless wry smile and picked up both sisters, kissing each of their cheeks. The two sisters simultaneously kissed Laxus's face several times. Laxus felt a bit tired. He just wanted to train, but Allen dragged him out to celebrate the New Year. Laxus, who had already turned ten, was no longer a four-year-old child. He wasn't looking forward to celebrating the New Year at all!

After the colorful fireworks in the sky bloomed their final brilliant light and slowly dissipated, Allen and Laxus, with the three little ones, returned to the still bustling Guild.

The three little ones had gradually adapted to sleeping on their own. This was because they had found a place that gave them warmth and care, and the companions in the Guild were their closest family. The slight unease that used to appear on the faces of the three little ones had long since vanished with the unremitting efforts everyone had put in together during this time. Now, they were completely immersed in the joyful and friendly atmosphere of the Fairy Tail family, and every day was filled with happiness, joy, and carefree living.

Not only that, but since Polyushika had taken care of the three little ones, their malnutrition, caused by their past experiences, had greatly improved. However, upon learning of the hardships these three children had previously endured, every member of the Guild felt heartbroken. They would often bring out all sorts of delicious, high-calorie foods to feed them. Day after day, the figures of the three little ones unknowingly became rounder and rounder.

The banquet in the Guild hall had not yet ended. After greeting everyone, Allen and Laxus sent the three little ones to their room. Then, before closing the door, Allen said to the three little ones, "Goodnight~ See you tomorrow."

The three little ones were already very sleepy. Hearing Allen's words, they mumbled sleepily, "Goodnight~~"

The first day of the New Year for Laxus would definitely begin with a one-on-one battle with his older brother!

Laxus's gaze was fixed on Allen not far away, his hands clenched, veins bulging. The lightning flickering on his hands resembled agile silver snakes, emitting a heart-stopping magic power.

Allen, with a smile, looked at Laxus's serious and focused expression with ease and said with a smile, "Come on, let me see your progress during this time!"

As soon as Allen finished speaking, Laxus unhesitatingly launched the first offensive.

He took a deep breath, concentrating a large amount of magic power into his mouth. As the magic power gathered, his throat began to shine with dazzling lightning. Then, he suddenly opened his mouth and let out a roar: "Roar of the Thunder Dragon!" In an instant, an incredibly thick beam of light, crackling with intense lightning, shot towards Allen like a ferocious thunder dragon at astonishing speed.

Facing this fierce attack, Allen did not choose to dodge or retreat. Instead, he quickly raised his left hand, placing it in front of him. The moment the Roar of the Thunder Dragon was about to strike his body, he received the Aegis.

With a loud "boom," the Roar of the Thunder Dragon fiercely struck the surface of the Aegis, erupting with countless brilliant sparks. However, the impact force generated by the Roar of the Thunder Dragon did not make Allen retreat even half a step.

In fact, Laxus already knew that this Roar of the Thunder Dragon would not cause Allen any substantial damage. What surprised him was that this time, when the roar struck the Aegis, it did not cause a violent explosion and generate smoke to cover his subsequent attack, as it usually did.

However, Laxus did not falter because of the unexpected situation. He steadily placed his hands together in front of his chest, palms facing each other, and slowly closed them. As the distance between his hands shortened, a high-quality magic power began to gather and condense between them. The magic power was almost tangible, emitting a dazzling light, and countless bolts of lightning continuously jumped around Laxus's body.

Suddenly, Laxus shouted, "Raijin's Halberd!" Accompanying his shout, the highly compressed lightning magic power, containing terrifying energy, shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow. The power of this attack was exceptionally astonishing. The air was torn apart wherever it passed, emitting a sharp and piercing whistling sound.

While this powerful attack was still in mid-air, Laxus suddenly stomped on the ground. The muscles in his thighs instantly erupted with astonishing power. Using this power, he shot towards Allen like lightning.

With a loud "boom," Raijin's Halberd fiercely collided with the surface of the Aegis in Allen's hand. In an instant, an extremely dazzling light erupted, and a powerful shockwave swept outwards from the point of impact. The surrounding ground was blasted into a deep pit, and smoke and dust filled the air.

However, Laxus's offensive did not stop there. Almost at the same time, he launched a new attack—"Thunder Dragon's Collapsing Fist!" He leaped high into the air, his right fist clenched, veins bulging on his arm, with lightning entwined around it. With world-destroying power, he fiercely smashed down towards Allen in the smoke.

Facing such a fierce attack, Allen, who was within the smoke, merely smiled slightly. Through the hazy smoke, he calmly watched Laxus break through the layers of mist and rush towards him. Seeing Laxus's fist about to hit him, Allen applied a slight force to his feet, and his body flickered to the side like a ghost, easily evading Laxus's incredibly ferocious Collapsing Fist.

At the same time, Allen took the opportunity to counterattack, saying, "Didn't I tell you before? When the situation is unclear, don't jump into the air to attack in front of the enemy, especially when you don't have the ability to fly. Recklessly leaping into the air will only make you a living target for others!"

After saying this, while Laxus was off-balance upon landing, Allen drove his right fist straight towards Laxus's abdomen.