Chapter 10: Stubborn Brat, Purebred

“Mo En, is today’s training over?”

Just as Mo En and the others had finished ordering, a girl curiously approached, carrying a tray, and sat down at the same table with them.

The hall’s tables were rectangular, with long benches on either side; to “foster camaraderie” between Natsu and Gray, Mo En had seated them on the same side, so the girl sat directly beside Mo En.

“Yes, Cana, where’s Whitey?”

Mo En looked at the girl—her brownish hair marked her as Cana, yes, another orphan. Among their peer group, Cana was the first to join the guild after Mo En, and their bond had always been strong.

Looking at Cana now, her features gradually matured, Mo En recalled the pitiful six-year-old girl who had come to the guild five years ago, clutching a white puppy, all alone, unable to use magic.

“Whitey’s over there—I’ve already prepared her dinner.”

Cana smiled and pointed to a corner, where Whitey was happily devouring a quite generous meal.

That once-wandering puppy had now lived in the guild for five years and had become its mascot.

“Clack.”

Seeing Cana move over, Erza also approached with her tray, pulled up a chair, and sat at the table’s side, then said nothing, quietly eating with small, satisfied mouthfuls.

Watching Erza willingly join them, Mo En smiled; a year ago, when she first arrived at the guild, she would never have done such a thing.

Back then, Erza was withdrawn, always huddled alone in a corner, always slipping off to empty places, like a wounded cub licking its wounds in silence.

“Erza, how’s your eye? Fully healed?”

Mo En asked, looking at Erza.

Her words made her pause, then she answered casually:

“Completely healed. Aside from not being able to cry, this eye is identical to a normal one.”

Erza’s right eye was an artificial implant; thanks to Porlyusica’s miraculous healing magic, it showed no trace of being artificial and functioned nearly identically to a real eye.

When Erza first arrived at the guild, she was covered in scars and had lost one eye—she was by far the most broken among them.

Erza never spoke of her past; out of respect, no one pressed her, instead using patience, kindness, and friendship to melt her hardened defenses.

Now, Erza was far more normal than when she first arrived, increasingly integrated, and gradually revealing her edge—her serious, meticulous, and fiercely responsible nature made her seem like a small adult.

After Erza sat down, Gray immediately became obedient, no longer bickering with Natsu, and quietly began eating.

This surprised Natsu—he didn’t understand why. He hadn’t challenged Erza yet, hadn’t been beaten by her… wait, he actually had been beaten already, so his gaze toward Erza held a hint of wariness.

“Sorry, Natsu. I shouldn’t have treated Itachi that way before.”

Erza noticed Natsu’s odd stare, set down her utensils, and sincerely apologized to him.

“Uh, it’s fine! Let’s fight again! Even though Mo En says Itachi’re strong, I’ll get my revenge!”

Facing Erza’s earnest apology, Natsu awkwardly scratched the back of his head, then boldly challenged her—though Mo En had warned him, Natsu wouldn’t rest until he fought.

Stare!

Natsu’s words made Gray and Cana stare at him in shock.

This guy had just been knocked out by Mo En, and now he was challenging Erza again? Had he really never been beaten before?

“Admirable courage.”

Mo En gave Natsu a thumbs-up. He’d warned him: don’t underestimate Erza’s brutality just because she’s pretty—but this stubborn kid wouldn’t turn back until he hit a wall.

Just look at Gray’s fate after fighting Erza.

Gray trained daily with Mo En and got beaten daily, yet he wasn’t afraid of fighting Mo En—but seeing Erza made him act like a mouse spotting a cat, truly terrified.

Mo En’s strikes were always precise; though they looked brutal, he carefully controlled his power.

But Erza was different—when fighting, she took it seriously, giving her all against challengers, because she believed it was a form of respect.

Of course, Erza did hold back somewhat—she never targeted vital points or made life-threatening moves—but fighting her left unforgettable pain. Gray had been broken by her in just one year.

Mo En could tell Erza knew exactly how to inflict pain—she never knocked people unconscious; instead, she made them suffer, etching the agony into their memory, a true master of torment.

In a way, Erza’s strikes were also precisely controlled.

Behind this strange ability lay no good story; thinking of the scars Erza bore when she first arrived, Mo En felt deep pity for her—this skill likely came from her own experiences.

“Alright, I accept.”

Facing Natsu’s challenge, Erza nodded seriously and accepted immediately, standing up to leave.

“Wait! Let me finish eating!”

Natsu panicked, shoveling food into his mouth as fast as he could—ideally, some fire would help him eat faster.

“Dragon Slayers” could consume items of their element to replenish magic—like Laxus, who ate lightning, or Natsu, who ate fire—allowing them to rapidly restore magic, stamina, and strength.

“Natsu, Itachi’re a Dragon’s son, a Dragon Slayer—don’t disgrace yourself. Show Erza your power! Stay sharp! Beat her, and Itachi’ll rank second!”

Mo En stood, clapping Natsu on the shoulder. Since he couldn’t stop Natsu from courting disaster, he might as well give him some encouragement.

Natsu gulped down his entire meal in one go, stood up, and felt his strength surge back.

“Don’t worry, Mo En! I’m ready!”

Natsu solemnly told Mo En—he’d give it his all this time.

“That’s the spirit, Natsu! Go!”

Mo En grinned and gave another thumbs-up, hoping the kid would still have this energy afterward.

But that was unlikely.

New book seeking support! Seeking reads! Thank Itachi!!

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(End of Chapter)