Chapter 156

The other sword,

While Lin Cheng was thinking, Natsu himself was also enduring Makarov's scolding.

"— 'Natsu! You need to stay calm in battle. Have you already forgotten everything I taught you?!"

"That guy isn't an opponent you can handle. Fall back."

Makarov, who was always gentle and loving toward the children, now couldn't help but scold Natsu in a low, angry voice.

Natsu's strength was indeed impressive; within the guild he was also the candidate Makarov most favored to become an S-Class Mage. His only shortcoming was that he was too impetuous.

Compared to Scorpio, who was rich in combat experience, there was still an enormous gap. Added to that the opponent's bizarre abilities and cruel methods, Natsu was even less of a match.

"I'm sorry, old man."

And after that blow just now, Natsu also knew Makarov wasn't wrong.

Compared to the opponent, he really was still far too lacking.

"So this is all I'm capable of?"

The slight pride he had previously felt in being a Dragon Slayer Mage had completely vanished.

A Dragon Slayer Mage who can't even defeat a person — how can he talk about slaying dragons?

"Old man, I was wrong, but I won't stop fighting!"

Even so, Natsu still said with a face full of fighting spirit.

He wasn't someone who gave up easily — otherwise he wouldn't have kept challenging Erza despite suffering repeated crushing defeats.

"That's good. Leave the rest to me."

Hearing Natsu's words, Makarov felt a little relieved, but the next instant his expression turned solemn as he turned around.

"Your reckless charge earlier wasn't entirely useless — at least…"

"We've already gauged the opponent's strength."

As he spoke, Makarov hinted at something as he looked up at Delldra in the sky.

Under Natsu's lead, in that brief exchange just now, the others had already made their moves.

One of the Ten Holy Mages, Ultear, was already standing behind Scorpio, cutting off his only retreat.

On the other side, pressing.