Departing for the Northern Continent!

Laxus, having grown up and trained with Allen since childhood, naturally wouldn't engage in a battle he wasn't sure of winning. Just as Allen's fist was about to hit him, Laxus's body erupted with a surge of immense power, and countless dazzling bolts of lightning shot out.

"Lightning Armor: Berserk Volt!"

With a roar from Laxus, the lightning spread outwards like wild silver serpents at astonishing speed. Simultaneously, a powerful electric field permeated the area. Even Allen, facing this sudden Berserk Volt, couldn't help but falter. He was then blasted away by the Berserk Volt like a kite with a broken string, sent flying forcefully.

Allen adjusted his posture in mid-air and landed somewhat unsteadily. He looked at the now powerful Laxus, a glint of excited fighting spirit flashing in his eyes.

Without hesitation, Allen released his connection to Aegis, though he retained the Chrono-Adamantium armor on his body. He then clenched his fists tightly and, like an enraged Mighty Lion, charged directly at Laxus.

Seeing Allen's charge, Laxus immediately understood his opponent's intent. He didn't retreat but continued to maintain the Lightning Armor on himself, charging towards Allen without backing down.

In an instant, the two became like meteors colliding fiercely in the training ground. Every punch and kick they threw contained immense power. The sounds of flesh meeting flesh made those watching worry. The difference from ordinary combat was that both were protected by incredibly durable armor and battle attire, making the duel even more intense.

This one-on-one battle had already lasted for a long time, yet neither side could gain an advantage. Finally, in another clash, Allen seized an opportunity and threw a powerful, heavy punch. The punch accurately bypassed Laxus's defenses and struck his Lightning Armor. With a roar from Allen, the Lightning Armor's defense was shattered. Allen's fist then followed through, landing a heavy blow on Laxus's abdomen.

Suffering such a heavy hit, Laxus grunted and stumbled back a few steps. He then knelt on one knee, clutching the spot where Allen had hit him.

"Not bad, you've improved a lot, but you still need to keep working hard."

Laxus looked up as Allen extended a hand to him, speaking these words. Laxus took Allen's hand and stood up, then said:

"It's just that I'm still no match for big brother. Your physical strength is getting greater and greater. You don't even need to receive LordKnightmon anymore; you can defeat me with just your body."

Seeing Laxus's dejected look, Allen laughed heartily and clapped him hard on the back. "That's just because you're still developing. You haven't learned how to use the power of the Lightning Dragon Slayer Crystal within you yet. Your current use of it is still superficial. As you grow, you'll become stronger and stronger, there's no doubt about that. Of course, so will I!"

Laxus then began to heal himself. The three youngsters watching the duel from afar also ran over. Unlike Ultear, who was beaming with excitement, Sorano and Yukino looked worried.

Seeing the expressions on their faces, Laxus forced a smile and said to them, "Don't worry, I'm fine. This is just our normal training intensity."

The two sisters were still young and didn't understand anything about training intensity. They just couldn't bear to see Laxus get hurt!

During dinner, after they had eaten their fill, Allen put down his chopsticks and looked at Laxus sitting opposite him. "Get your luggage ready. In a few days, we'll head to Rainbow Port and then take a boat to the Northern Continent. Grandfather has already arranged everything with the Council and the countries there."

Upon hearing Allen's words, a hint of unconcealable excitement flashed across Laxus's usually calm face. He responded impatiently, "Great! We can finally set off. Waiting all this time has been driving me crazy." He couldn't help but rub his fists together.

Meanwhile, the three youngsters sitting on the other side of the dining table looked bewildered. They blinked their curious big eyes, completely failing to understand what Allen and Laxus were talking about. Yukino couldn't help but ask, "Brothers, what are you talking about? Why are we going to the Northern Continent?"

Allen smiled slightly and patiently explained, "We're going to the Northern Continent because Little Ultear's mother is there. We're going to help Little Ultear find her mother." As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Ultear beside him and said gently, "Since your physical condition has completely recovered, and I've successfully sealed the uncontrolled magic power within you, I can take you to find your mother in a few days."

When the word "mother" entered Ultear's ears without warning, she first froze slightly, as if the word felt somewhat foreign to her. Then, a memory buried deep in her heart surged forth like a tide.

In the scene, her mother was looking at her with a pained expression, tears streaming down her cheeks. Ultear at that time was haggard and in extremely poor health, causing her mother immense worry but leaving her helpless. Finally, after much struggle and a difficult choice, her mother believed someone who told her that only by sending Ultear to the Magic Development Bureau could her current dire condition have a chance to improve and return to normal. Thus, with a heart full of reluctance, her mother, with trembling hands, handed her beloved daughter over to another person.

Later, through Allen's words, Ultear learned that her mother had been deceived. Not only that, but Allen also told her the story of how she got her name. After learning these truths, Ultear's heart was filled with mixed emotions. She was angry at the deception her mother had suffered and incredibly excited at the prospect of finally searching for her mother again.

At this moment, upon learning that she could finally embark on the path to find her mother, tears of joy gushed out like a flood from a broken dam. She could no longer suppress the surging emotions within her and lunged into Allen's arms, sobbing, "I miss Mama!"

Sorano, standing beside her, silently watched the sobbing Ultear, a hint of sympathy and concern in her eyes. After a moment, she turned her head and looked at Laxus, softly asking, "Laxus, can Yukino and I go with you?" Her tone carried a mix of anticipation and nervousness.

Laxus shook his head slightly. "The Northern Continent is too dangerous for you. If it weren't for Ultear's mother being there, big brother and I wouldn't be taking her. So, you two just wait for us at the Guild."

Sorano, hearing Laxus's words, could only nod helplessly, though somewhat disappointed. However, Yukino was unwilling. She tugged on Laxus's sleeve and shook it, saying, "Hey, Laxus, my sister and I are very strong; we can protect ourselves." Laxus gently ruffled Yukino's head. "Be good, Yukino. When you grow up and are strong enough, you can go with us."

Hearing this, Yukino knew the matter was settled, even if she was still unwilling.

A few days later, Allen, Laxus, and Ultear prepared to depart. Ultear's eyes sparkled with anticipation for finding her mother. Laxus, meanwhile, instructed Macao and Wakaba to take good care of Sorano and Yukino. Macao and Wakaba had long been displeased with the young sisters constantly clinging to Laxus. Now that Laxus was finally leaving, they would have plenty of time to build a good relationship with the sisters. They had already decided that their own sons weren't as important, and the two old fathers could already imagine the day the sisters would marry their sons.

Seeing Macao and Wakaba inexplicably smiling and drooling, Laxus shook his head helplessly. These two old geezers were beyond saving.

After bidding farewell to their elders, the three of them boarded a train to Rainbow Port. With the train's help, they reached Rainbow Port in a week.

Returning to Rainbow Port, Allen and Laxus unexpectedly encountered an acquaintance who shouldn't have been there.

"Hello~ Little Brother Allen, Little Brother Laxus."

"Gildarts, what are you doing here?"

The person who arrived was none other than Gildarts!

In fact, the moment Allen stepped off the train, he had already spotted Gildarts' incredibly vibrant orange hair and his perpetually worn dark green cloak.

Gildarts smiled at Allen and Laxus's bewildered expressions and then slowly explained, "Heh heh, the Master sent me. He was worried about you two rushing off to the Northern Continent like this. Besides, I'm really interested in eliminating those dark forces! Especially when I heard this operation involves Ultear, there's no reason I wouldn't come to help!"

Upon hearing his mother's name mentioned, Ultear's already large eyes widened even further. She stared intently at Gildarts, her gaze filled with curiosity.

Seeing the adorable Ultear, Gildarts' inner "daughter-loving" genes kicked in. His smile grew even brighter. "Oh my, this cute little one must be Ultear's child, right? She looks exactly like Ultear! Truly mother and daughter!"

Allen, with a vein throbbing on his forehead, looked speechlessly at Gildarts, who was acting like a bit of a strange uncle. He then stepped forward to block Gildarts' view. "This is good. With Gildarts here, our chances are even greater."

This was a minor interlude before their departure. Afterward, the group smoothly boarded the ship bound for the Northern Continent.