The next several days followed a steady rhythm. Jude exercised alongside his wife and daughter at a fixed time each day, then returned to his business affairs once training was complete.
Under Noah's careful guidance, Layla and Lucy gradually increased the intensity of their workouts. Their health and complexion improved visibly with each passing day.
While they trained, Noah never neglected his own routine. He pushed both his body and his magic, honing himself alongside them.
During breaks, Noah often asked Layla about Celestial Spirit Magic. He was fascinated by this branch of magic that could influence time and space itself.
Layla taught him everything she could, generously sharing her knowledge. In return, Noah spoke about his own insights into magic.
Lucy was always there, nestled in her mother's arms, listening with wide eyes. Even though most of the concepts were far too advanced for her to understand, she never seemed bored. She simply enjoyed the sound of their voices and the magical atmosphere they created.
With Layla's guidance, Noah eventually signed a contract with the Silver Key he had collected the Southern Cross. The Celestial Spirit's name was Crux, though he was more fondly known as Grandpa Crux.
Although Grandpa Crux was not a fighter like the Zodiac spirits or the more combat-oriented Silver Keys, Noah didn't need combat support. He was more than capable of defeating enemies on his own.
What Noah needed was a spirit who could help him in other ways, and Grandpa Crux was perfect. He was an expert in celestial studies, holding a vast wealth of knowledge that bridged the human world and the Celestial Spirit World. His book collection alone impressed Noah greatly.
The two of them got along almost instantly. Both loved research and reading, and with Grandpa Crux's assistance, Noah absorbed a great deal of knowledge about the stars.
Layla, being a powerful Celestial Spirit Mage herself, often joined their discussions. Together, they explored deep magical theories, and all three benefited from each exchange.
More than half a month passed in this way. When Noah saw that Layla's recovery was well on track and that what remained was slow, steady recuperation, he decided it was time to say farewell.
When Lucy learned he was leaving, she burst into tears.
She had no peers to play with, and these past two weeks had been special. Every day her father had trained beside her and her mother, and Brother Noah had been there too, working alongside them. During breaks, she would curl up in her mother's lap, listening to their magical conversations. She might not have understood the details, but she loved that warm, vibrant atmosphere.
Now that Brother Noah was leaving, she couldn't help but cling to him, unwilling to let go.
Noah gently comforted her, promising to visit again and urging her to continue exercising with her mother.
Lucy sniffled and finally whispered a reluctant goodbye, watching as Noah left the Heartfilia estate.
Before leaving, Layla had asked Noah when Lucy should begin learning magic. Noah advised her to wait a year or two, letting Lucy build a strong physical foundation first.
He explained that Celestial Spirit Mages relied heavily on their spirits, and their personal combat strength was often limited. This would be the perfect opportunity to teach Lucy some self-defense and even basic weapon training.
That way, she could one day stand alongside her Celestial Spirits as a true partner, rather than being a liability.
A strong body would also expand her capacity for magic, raising the ceiling of her future potential.
And since Lucy already loved books and stories, this would also be the ideal time to broaden her horizons, letting her absorb knowledge about magic and the world itself.
Layla accepted Noah's suggestion wholeheartedly. She resolved to teach Lucy Celestial Spirit Magic only after her daughter had met all these conditions.
When Noah returned to the guild, he submitted the two designated commissions to Makarov. Both were S-class tasks, each valued at more than ten million Jewels proof of the Heartfilia family's deep sincerity.
After finishing his report, Noah went straight to his usual training grounds. Sure enough, he found Erza and the others practicing hard. Laxus was there as well, having just returned from his own commission.
Above the training field, a glowing gravity magic circle hovered in the air, maintained by Kagura as part of her intense practice.
Some time ago, Kagura had learned to maintain her gravity magic at a steady intensity within a certain range, and she could hold it for quite a long duration.
Because of this, whenever gravity magic was needed during normal training, Noah often left it to Kagura. That way, she could sharpen her own mastery of the spell while everyone else benefitted from the training effect.
The moment Noah returned, Laxus immediately dashed out of the gravity field. Lightning crackled along his fists as he shot straight toward Noah.
"Let's have a match, Noah!"
Noah sidestepped his attack in one smooth motion. Raising his left hand, he brought his fingers together into a sharp palm blade and chopped straight down on Laxus's head, slamming him face-first into the ground.
The others didn't even flinch anymore. The first time they'd seen it, they had panicked, afraid Noah had killed him. But over time they realized this was just how the two of them "communicated." Laxus often leapt in to challenge Noah, only to be taken down in a single move.
This time was no different, so everyone simply kept up their own exercises as if nothing had happened.
Laxus grunted, pushing himself up with both hands until his head popped out of the dirt. He brushed off the dust, walked over to Noah, and asked casually,
"So, how was the commission?"
"It wasn't difficult," Noah replied while stretching his arms. "Mostly helping someone with treatment and recovery."
"Hmph. Lately it feels like half the jobs you take are about treatment," Laxus muttered.
"That's because my medical skills have gained some fame. A lot of people come to me for help."
"Just don't let your strength dull because you're busy playing doctor," Laxus said seriously.
"Didn't you just test it for yourself?" Noah countered with a smirk.
"Tch… you little brat. You keep improving your medical craft, and your combat power grows at the same time. What kind of monster are you?"
"Maybe I just have a little talent," Noah teased.
He lifted his right hand, pinching thumb and forefinger together to form a tiny shimmering universe of light at his fingertips.
Laxus's eye twitched. "The way you say that really ticks me off…" He stared at the glowing spell at Noah's fingers, feeling oddly insulted.
"No, no. That's just your imagination," Noah chuckled, dispersing the magic before turning back to his training.
This time, he took control of the gravity magic field himself, pushing the intensity far higher than Kagura could maintain. Laxus joined in, but before long the weight overwhelmed him. Noah kicked him out of the field, leaving him sprawled on the ground.
Breathless, Laxus lay there gulping for air. After a while, he turned his head and asked,
"How do you keep training under such crushing gravity?"
"It's just persistence," Noah replied evenly, continuing his push-ups without slowing. "Only a body tempered through endless training can hold powerful magic. That's why I never stop."
"I train too. I even had that thing installed," Laxus grumbled. "So how am I still falling behind you?"
He clenched his teeth in frustration. He had the Thunder Dragon Slayer Lacrima embedded in his body. His physique had already begun to transform toward that of a dragon, making him stronger than any normal human.
And yet, compared to Noah's rapid growth, it still wasn't enough.
Was Noah really even human?
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