Chapter 257: Urano Metria vs. Star Guardian
"I'll go help in the kitchen."
Seeing Layla immersed in studying the Super Magic, Noah headed for the kitchen. Lucy, who knew her way around a kitchen, followed him, eager to help.
Inside, a horde of chefs and guild members were bustling about. Noah spotted Ultear and the others; all four S-Class women were helping out.
"You're here," Ultear said, not looking up from her work.
"Need any help?"
"We're just assisting the main chefs right now, learning from them."
Noah looked at the dishes being prepared. They looked excellent. He joined in, helping out while observing the chefs' techniques.
After a while, the feast was ready.
"Gravity Magic!"
Noah raised his hand, and all the dishes floated into the air, following him out into the guild hall. He carefully lowered them onto the tables. Noah and the guild members took their seats, and the chefs were escorted by Mirajane to join them.
"Ahem!" Makarov stood on the bar. "First, let us thank Lucy's parents for their generous gift of supplies and this feast! Please welcome Jude and Layla Heartfilia!"
Clap clap clap clap clap!!!
The guild erupted in applause. Jude and Layla smiled and nodded to everyone.
"Now, let the banquet begin!"
"YEAH!!!"
Everyone cheered. Led by Natsu, Gray, and Elfman, the guild dug in.
"This is delicious!"
"Of course! These are top-quality ingredients!"
"Try this one!"
"A REAL MAN EATS WITH GUSTO!!!"
"Natsu, you bastard! That was mine!"
"You stole mine first!"
The chaos started almost immediately. But thankfully, they showed some restraint and didn't start brawling right away. They glared and shouted at each other, but kept shoving food into their mouths, clearly unwilling to waste such a good meal on a fight.
Seeing that peace was holding (barely), Noah ignored them and enjoyed the food, chatting with Ultear and the others.
By the time they finished, it was noon. Thanks to the massive amount of food Jude had brought, there were plenty of leftovers, which were stored away for later.
After the meal, Jude sent the servants and chefs home. He and Layla planned to stay the night at Lucy's apartment to see how she lived, before returning home the next day.
"Auntie, how's the Super Magic coming along?" Noah asked Layla.
"It's a bit difficult. I'll study it tonight and try to cast it tomorrow."
"Alright. Let me know if you have any questions."
"Can you use it?"
"I count as a Celestial Spirit wizard, even with only one silver key," Noah laughed.
Layla nodded. "I'll ask if I get stuck." She waved goodbye and left with Lucy, Jude, and Ur.
Ultear and the others walked them back to Lucy's apartment before returning to Noah's house to rest. Noah went straight home.
That afternoon, Jude and Layla visited the training grounds with Lucy. Layla and Lucy took the opportunity to ask Noah some questions about Urano Metria.
"By the way," Layla said after their lesson, "could you help me build a training ground like this at our estate? It doesn't have to be this big."
"You want one?"
"Since I'm a Celestial Spirit wizard again, I need to improve my strength," Layla explained, looking around. "After seeing yours, our home training facilities feel inadequate. I'll provide whatever materials you need."
"Sure. I'll make a list. Let me know when you have everything, and I'll come build it."
"Thank you."
Seeing that they needed time to digest the information, Noah said goodbye and started his own training.
The next afternoon, Noah met Layla at the training grounds. The entire guild had turned up to watch. Layla had announced she was ready to try casting Urano Metria, and no one wanted to miss it.
Noah had heard from Ultear that Jude and Layla had spent the previous day touring Magnolia with Lucy. That morning, they had even gone on a nearby subjugation quest with Natsu and Lucy to see her work firsthand.
The party had included Natsu, Lucy, Jude, Layla, Ur, Ultear, and Sorano.
When Noah heard the lineup, he was stunned. 'What kind of monster are they hunting that requires a team like that?' But Ultear explained that Ur was guarding the parents, while she and Sorano were watching for Phantom Lord. Only Natsu and Lucy were actually doing the quest.
That made sense.
The quest went smoothly, and Jude was relieved. Layla, having been a wizard, wasn't too worried, but Jude had been anxious. Seeing his daughter handle herself well, and seeing her partner—a bit simple-minded but undoubtedly strong—reassured him.
Back in the present, Noah looked at Layla, who was meditating. She opened her eyes.
"Ready?"
Layla nodded.
"Everyone, back up!" Noah shouted to the crowd. They retreated, eager and excited. Lucy watched her mother with anticipation.
When the area was clear, Noah stood opposite Layla. "Target me."
"Will you be okay?"
"I'll be fine. I'm confident."
"Alright." Layla saw he was serious. Since Noah had never let her down before, she trusted him.
She closed her eyes, gathering her magic. She began the incantation.
"Survey the Heavens, Open the Heavens... All the stars, far and wide... Show me thy appearance... with such shine.
"O Tetrabiblos... I am the ruler of the stars... Aspect become complete... Open thy malevolent gate."
A double-layered golden magic circle appeared beneath her, glowing with a soft, majestic light. The top layer was static, while the bottom layer spun.
As she chanted, her magic swelled, and the light of the circle intensified. The guild members felt the pressure in the air and backed up even further.
"O 88 Stars of the Heaven... Shine! URANO METRIA!"
Layla's eyes snapped open, golden magic circles spinning within them. Her power exploded outward.
In an instant, the training ground was transformed into a starry sky. Not just Noah and Layla, but the spectators as well were enveloped in a cosmos filled with countless miniature stars.
"Wow! It's beautiful!" Wendy and the younger girls gasped, reaching out to touch the floating lights.
"As expected of a Super Magic. The power is incredible," Ultear said, her expression serious. She could feel the dangerous energy contained within each beautiful star. And there were thousands of them.
At Layla's command, the stars moved. They swirled through the air, trailing bands of golden light, and converged on Noah.
"Since we're dealing with Super Magic, I'll use one too," Noah said calmly. His magic flared. "Star Guardian!"
A golden magic circle expanded beneath him. A spherical, golden barrier enveloped him completely, the Fairy Tail emblem glowing brightly on its surface.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The stars slammed into the barrier with terrifying force, creating a deafening roar. Shockwaves rippled out, kicking up wind and shaking the ground.
"Waaah!" Wendy and the girls shrieked, covering their ears and looking at Noah with worry.
"He's fine," Ultear said calmly. "Trust his strength. Look closer."
The girls looked. The noise was deafening, the impacts violent... but the barrier didn't have a scratch on it. Inside, Noah looked completely relaxed.
"Phew..." The girls sighed in relief and went back to watching the spectacular light show.
"Just how much stronger has that bastard gotten?!" Laxus muttered, watching Noah's nonchalant defense.
He had been training hard, surviving life-and-death battles, assuming he was catching up. But Noah, who stayed home and read books, seemed to be pulling even further ahead. He couldn't even see Noah's limit anymore.
According to Laxus's estimation, taking a direct hit from Layla's Super Magic would leave him severely injured, even with defenses. But Noah? His barrier was immaculate. His aura hadn't even wavered.
"That's Noah for you," Laxus sighed, then grinned. "But I'm not giving up."
BOOM... BOOM... boom...
The last star crashed against the barrier and vanished. The spell ended. The magic circle beneath Layla shrank and disappeared. Her magic settled. Noah's barrier dissolved into motes of light.
"I knew you were strong, but I didn't expect this," Layla panted, looking at the unharmed Noah. The mana cost of the spell was immense, especially since she had only recently returned to being a wizard. "My Super Magic had no effect at all."
"My defense is just a little bit strong," Noah said, holding his thumb and forefinger a millimeter apart. "But your spell is incredibly powerful, Auntie. Most wizards wouldn't survive a single hit."
"Mom! That was so cool!" Lucy ran over, hugging Layla. "Are you okay? You're out of breath."
"I'm fine. Just a bit drained," Layla smiled, waving her hand.
Jude hurried over, relieved to hear she was alright.
~~~
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