Chapter 49

【On the spot, Natsu's fists were clenched tight.】

【His gaze darted rapidly around his surroundings, his mind racing as he frantically searched for a way to escape.】

【However, the open terrain on all sides left Natsu's figure completely exposed.】

【Based on Natsu's understanding of dragons, if he started running now, he wouldn't even make it out of the clearing before being snatched up by the dragon descending from the sky.】

【He had chosen this location thinking it would provide a better vantage point, never expecting it to become the key factor endangering his life.】

【Is it over? No! At this moment, Natsu's gaze was locked firmly onto the land surrounding the shelter, the ground he had doused with liquid.】

【This patch of land held the scent of Igneel. As the Fire Dragon King of the dragon race, Igneel's status was extremely high.】

【Therefore, Natsu could only pin his hopes on this unknown dragon being wary of Igneel's presence, causing it to reveal a flaw that would give him a chance to escape with his life.】

【This was his only remaining option.】

【While thinking this, Natsu crouched slightly, his entire body like a taut string, waiting only for a chance to flee.】

【From start to finish, Natsu was very clear that with the Dragon Slayer Magic he had only practiced for a few months, he lacked the capital to confront a dragon.】

【Therefore, running away was the only thing Natsu needed to think about right now.】

【In this briefest of moments, a massive shadow from the sky completely enveloped Natsu.】

【Under the moonlight, that enormous body revealed a steel-like luster.】

【The deafening roar seemed as if it would shatter the very firmament!】

【The Iron Dragon, descends!】

Gajilu: "It appeared, Metalicana!"

Lily: "No matter how many times I see it, I can still feel just how powerless one feels when facing a dragon."

Gildarts: "Indeed, this is simply not an existence that human power can compare to."

Makarov: "Even though I was prepared, the moment that roar sounded, I still felt my heart tighten."

Hades: "Tell me, you brats named Sting and Rogue, have you really killed an existence like this?"

Sting: "This... this is of course true!"

Lector: "That stinky old man, Sting and Rogue are the strongest Dragon Slayers, don't you look down on people!"

Frosch: "Frosch thinks so too."

Irene: "Killed a dragon? Interesting little brats, you really aren't afraid of biting your tongues."

Rogue: "You!! If you don't believe it, you can come challenge us and see!"

Irene: "? Have you really thought this through, little brat?"

Just as Rogue was about to respond.

【Ding!】

【Next, we enter the quiz segment. Please listen carefully to the question.】

The pleasant chime drew everyone's gaze to the screen in the sky.

There, the footage had fallen into a pause.

A string of text also emerged.

【Question: In this trial, how did Natsu perform?】

【A: Mentally collapsed, like White Natsu, scared stiff and standing in place, eventually blown away by a roar, and finally wailing in tears.】

【B: Sky-high connections; under the dragon's pressure, he forcibly maintained his composure, bringing up Igneel's name during the standoff in an attempt to scare off the invading dragon.】

【C: Found life in a desperate situation; utilizing the gale stirred up by the dragon's roar, he fled to the distance, then used various terrain to maneuver around the dragon, though he was eventually caught, he earned a high evaluation from Metalicana.】

【D: Head-on confrontation; after realizing there was no hope of escape, Natsu gambled everything and successfully wounded the Iron Dragon!】

【Please, viewers, think carefully. The answer cards are about to be distributed.】

Irene: "It's here? The answer card! This time I must be serious!"

August: "In that case, our Alvarez Empire will also participate in this quiz."

Hades: "Where will the answer card land this time?"

Brain: "In any case, this is my chance for resurrection. My Oración Seis, you must obtain it!"

Jellal: "Pfft, have you forgotten? Your Oración Seis are still locked up."

Brain: "... I know that, of course. Is there no possibility that the answer card flies into the hands of the Oración Seis?"

Newborn Magic Council, Doranbolt: "You must be dreaming. Even if it did reach the Oración Seis, they couldn't use it, because I am outside the Oración Seis's cell today."

Brain: "Doranbolt? Where did that guy come from? Are you planning to snatch the answer card?"

Doranbolt: "Heh, who made the rule that whoever the answer card appears to is the one who owns it?"

"Only the one it ends up in the hands of has the right to answer, right?"