Hairline cracks spread across the invisible shell.
Like a tender shoot, the energy finally broke through the resistance that had hardened like solid matter. In an instant, it grew into a towering tree, seeping out through his body like a gentle stream, guided by his will.
"Using your will to guide the energy hidden within your body to its surface, thereby strengthening your body's defenses—that's a genius idea!"
"It can even block some magic. So this is Armament Haki? Not bad."
A patch of black appeared and quickly spread, covering the old man's palm. Makarov looked at his right hand, now coated in black, and nodded with satisfaction.
The old veteran was every bit the veteran. Under Noah's guidance, Makarov had learned Armament Haki after just one try.
As Makarov put it, Haki was just like magic power: it took willpower to guide it and bring it out.
The only difference was that Armament Haki was hidden even deeper within the human body. Without a powerful physique, it was impossible to sense the existence of this secret power.
Makarov took the idea a step further. "If there's undeveloped power deep within the body, could there be a similar energy within the mind?"
When did this old geezer start acting like a genius...?
Noah grumbled inwardly, though he'd had the same thought.
Armament Haki, which bolstered both offense and defense, lay hidden deep within the body. Could there also be a power deep within the mind that could "enhance perception"?
For now, though, neither Noah nor Makarov went searching for the undeveloped potential within the mind.
Even getting better at Armament Haki required a great deal of practice. They had no time to dwell on something so uncertain—after all, trying to learn too much at once would only leave them mastering nothing.
After confirming that learning Armament Haki posed no danger, Makarov agreed to let Noah teach it to any guildmates whose physiques met the requirements.
Those who weren't quite physically ready would have to wait. They could learn Armament Haki after they had built a solid foundation and developed strong bodies.
Back in the guild hall, Noah shared the news with his companions.
In a guild where brawling in a group was an everyday occurrence, once everyone heard that Armament Haki could strengthen their physical defenses, hardly anyone wasn't eager to learn it.
Erza was especially interested. Powerful Armament Haki could be infused into weapons, which made it incredibly appealing to a Requip Mage like her.
Even more people signed up to learn Haki than had previously asked Noah to teach them hand-to-hand combat.
After all, it didn't matter if you were bad at hand-to-hand combat. In this world, magic was the most important factor in a fight.
But Armament Haki could strengthen your defenses. Just the thought of not getting beaten up as badly during a guild brawl was enough to motivate everyone to learn it.
Still, many people didn't meet the physical requirements and were turned away by Noah. In the end, though, the first group to learn Haki numbered close to twenty.
For the next month, Noah spent his time guiding his companions and squeezing in his own Haki training whenever he could. He might have been shameless, but he'd still feel a little embarrassed if those who came after him surpassed him at Haki.
Half a month later, everyone in the first group had mastered Haki.
Natsu and Elfman even launched into an intense bare-knuckle brawl with Armament Haki right there on the spot. Erza had to step in with an iron fist, and both of them ended up sleeping like babies. That was enough to scare Gray, who'd only just worked up the courage to challenge Erza, into silence.
After that, Noah didn't need to worry about Haki training anymore. Until enough people with suitable physiques were ready for the next group, he could relax and be a couch potato, petting cats and playing with hamsters in his dorm.
Unfortunately, things rarely went as he wished.
Something always came along to interrupt Noah's leisurely days.
With Snowy perched on his head and Cheese the snow cat in his arms, Noah yawned and finally got up from the sofa to open the dorm door, which had been knocked on for quite a while.
"Yo! Well, if it isn't Laxus. Can't believe you came to see me."
"Now that's a real shocker—like Natsu reading a book."
Hearing the lazy, white-haired youth's sarcastic jab, Laxus's face darkened. He badly wanted to punch the kid, but managed to hold back. He hadn't come here to start a fight today.
If the unruly Laxus had gone out of his way to visit, something interesting must be up. Noah invited him into the dorm.
Noah poured his guest a glass of plain water, then sat down with a mug of hot milk of his own. "So, what is it? What could bring the great 'Thunder Dragon' all the way to my humble abode?"
Laxus didn't care about Noah's barbed remarks. He simply crossed his arms over his chest, looking as arrogant as ever, and spoke almost like he was giving an order. "Teach me Armament Haki."
"Huh?"
Noah was surprised, then remembered that Laxus hadn't joined the first Haki training group. He'd thought Haki wouldn't amount to much.
Now he was coming to Noah, which meant he'd realized how extraordinary Haki was and finally felt the pressure.
And Noah was right.
Erza had been training hard in Armament Haki lately and had already begun to approach the threshold of Armament Haki Infusion. Once she could infuse Haki into her armor and weapons, the "Titania" would become far more powerful in battle.
Erza had a suit of armor called the Armor of the Thunder Emperor, which could resist lightning to a certain extent. With Armament Haki added to it, her resistance to lightning would only improve further.
And Laxus happened to be a lightning mage who wielded both Lightning Dragon Slayer magic and lightning magic.
There was no doubt that Erza's recent intensive training had made Laxus feel the pressure.
Laxus had more magic power than Erza, but not enough to overwhelm her. Now Erza also had Armament Haki to bolster her defenses. Though she still probably couldn't beat Laxus, she was enough to make him feel threatened.
Only Haki could counter Haki.
With that thought in mind, the prideful Laxus had decided to seek Noah out in private and learn Armament Haki.
Noah could only chuckle.
He'd finally found a chance to get the upper hand on Laxus. He was going to make the most of it.
Leaning back against the sofa, Noah grinned and set down Cheese, who was holding a Magic Crystal. "Laxus, is that any way to ask for a favor?"
Was Noah expecting him to beg? Laxus gritted his teeth. "Don't push it, Noah! I'm still the strongest even without Haki!"
Faced with the stubborn young man in his rebellious phase, Noah wasted no time in attacking the thing he cared about most.
"Laxus, you don't want Erza to catch up with you someday—or even beat you, do you?"
That one sentence left Laxus, who was determined to become the strongest mage in the guild, speechless.
Should he keep up his aloof image and save face, or swallow his pride and ask the loathsome Noah for help? It was a tough choice for Laxus.
In the end, to hold on to his place as the guild's strongest mage-in-the-making, Laxus spoke up.
"Noah, teach me Haki."
"Hm? What did you call me? I hold an official position in the guild, you know."
Seeing Noah act as if he had him right where he wanted him, Laxus cursed him dozens of times in his mind. Just wait until I've mastered Haki. You'll see!
But for now, Laxus had no choice but to swallow his pride.
"Instructor Noah..."
"I... I want to learn Haki."
A click sounded. The Magic Crystal Cheese was holding flashed, recording Laxus's humiliating plea.
It was a Recording Lacrima!!!
Realizing what had happened, Laxus knew he was in trouble. He immediately lunged for the Magic Crystal that had recorded his embarrassing moment.
Unfortunately for him, Noah was faster. He scooped up the bewildered Little Snow Cat and looked smugly at the rebellious young man, who was on the verge of exploding with rage.
"Laxus, if you dare talk back to the guild master or make the old man angry again, I'll make a hundred copies of this embarrassing footage and share them with the whole guild!"
"NO!!"
"'No' won't do you any good! Hehe!"
Before you continue