Chapter 209

【That guy's strength was even greater than Erza's, and he also became a target for Natsu to challenge.】

【Although, the other party didn't seem to want to pay any attention to Natsu.】

【Every time he encountered Natsu's provocations, it was a clean and swift blow to knock him down, followed by a round of mockery, before he would disappear from Natsu's sight.】

【Natsu wouldn't feel comfortable for a single day if he didn't defeat Laxus.】

【Thus, the grudges and entanglements between Natsu and Laxus began, even though he was beaten miserably every single time.】

【Laxus didn't seem like Erza, who would show mercy to Natsu; many times, when he was annoyed to the limit, he would give Natsu a brutal beating, enough to keep Natsu bedridden for three days straight.】

【But, Natsu was tireless in this pursuit.】

Igneel, who had been watching for a long time, could only shake his head helplessly.

He said to Natsu: "Have all the things I taught you before been fed to the dogs?"

"Take that scene in the footage just now, for example, why didn't you use a backhand grapple?"

"And for another example, many times before, why didn't you dodge to the side instead of acting like a hotheaded fool, forcibly taking on someone else's attack just to strike back?"

"The strategy of trading injury for injury is built on the premise that your own body is tough enough; you were as fragile as a piece of paper back then, so why did you still fight like that?"

Natsu: "That... it's just instinct, I felt like I could hit them that way..."

Igneel sighed and shook his head helplessly once more.

"However, this spirit used for challenging is good, but that is all it is—just spirit."

The sky screen continued.

【On this day, melodious bell tolls rang out across all of Magnolia.】

【Through the introductions of his companions, Natsu learned that these were the bells that rang when the strongest mage of Fairy Tail returned.】

【The entire town made way for him; this level of prestige was truly worthy of the strongest of the strong in Fairy Tail.】

【The word "strongest" clearly caught Natsu's attention, so he went over to join the crowd.】

【He also witnessed the demeanor of Gildarts, the strongest mage within Fairy Tail.】

【He was a middle-aged man with a face full of stubble, who was helpful, and sometimes even a bit naturally airheaded.】

【Gildarts's appearance seemed to open a door to a new world for Natsu.】

【It let him see that humans could actually be strong to such a degree.】

【Thus, one more person was added to Natsu's list of challenge targets, and that was Gildarts!】

【And unexpectedly, Gildarts seemed to think quite highly of Natsu.】

【Far from being impatient or dealing heavy blows like Laxus, Gildarts seemed more inclined to cultivate and teach Natsu.】

【It could be said that when he was young, Gildarts was almost Natsu's second combat master, imparting a great deal of experience to him.】

【But it was a pity that as the strongest mage in the guild, Gildarts's schedule was also very full, and he would be away from the guild for long periods.】

【Therefore, Natsu's dream of challenging Gildarts every day was shattered.】

【Time turned and twisted, and soon a year passed in the blink of an eye.】

【In this year, Natsu's progress was very obvious, and he successfully got Makarov to approve him to go on missions; for Natsu, this was a very big step forward.】

【Likewise, it was also in this year that the three Mirajane sisters joined the guild.】

【Natsu seemed very interested in that Mirajane who wore a hood and had a demon hand.】

【Thus, Natsu thought about challenging Mirajane.】

【But, a soul-crushing event happened as a result.】

【At this time, Mirajane didn't even know what magic actually was.】

【She also didn't know how to utilize her own magic.】

【Yet, even as such, Mirajane managed to defeat Natsu with ease, relying solely on that demon arm.】

【It was then that Natsu realized Mirajane was also a monster just like Erza!】

【In the days that followed, Natsu's thoughts were confirmed.】

【With Makarov's help, Mirajane quickly mastered the principles of magic.】

【She could also retract and manifest her demonized arm at will.】

【Following that, not long after, Mirajane was able to go head-to-head with Erza.】

【Her formidable strength made even Natsu click his tongue; it seemed there was one more person he couldn't afford to provoke.】

Watching everything displayed on the sky screen.

Igneel had already fallen silent long ago.

Up to this moment, he couldn't help but support his forehead with one hand.

Looking at Natsu, he said in disbelief: "So... you actually can't beat anyone?"

Natsu was unconvinced: "Who says! I can beat Gray!"

Gray: "You're just talking nonsense! It's clearly you who can't beat me, alright?"

Igneel: "You two are evenly matched, I don't even know what you're arguing about, sigh..."