Noah pointed toward the table where the women were gathered. Erza, Ultear, Cana, Sorano, Kagura, and Yukino were sitting together chatting. When they noticed Noah looking their way, they waved in greeting.
Wendy still seemed a little nervous, so Noah gently took her hand and led her straight over to Erza and the others, entrusting her to their care.
"Wendy's still a bit shy and not used to the atmosphere here. I'll leave her with you."
"Leave it to me. I'll take good care of Wendy," Erza replied, her eyes bright with confidence.
Her intensity made Wendy stiffen in surprise, and Ultear sighed helplessly.
"Don't mind Erza. We'll make sure she feels at home," Ultear reassured.
Noah smiled. "Then Wendy, stay with these sisters for now. Talk to them a little. I'll be over there."
He gestured toward the corner where Laxus was waving him over. Simon, Gray, Lyon, and Natsu were also gathered there.
After handing Wendy to Ultear, Noah walked to Laxus's group and struck up a conversation. Ultear had already started speaking with Wendy, and the other girls soon joined in warmly.
Before long, however, Natsu and Gray had started bickering again, their voices rising. Lyon joined in, and soon the three were tangled in a rowdy brawl.
Erza pushed back her chair, ready to march over and put an end to it, but Ultear caught her arm.
"Wait," she said, pointing.
Noah had already stood up, leaving his chat with Laxus and Simon, and was heading toward the commotion.
At first, Noah hadn't planned on interfering. Fights in Fairy Tail weren't unusual. He was more interested in hearing Laxus's stories. Ever since Laxus had started taking on S-Class requests, he'd seen much of the world. His perspective had broadened, and he spoke calmly about the people and challenges he'd encountered. Simon, too, had matured in the last two years of mission work. No longer impulsive, he shared his own tales of adventure with quiet steadiness.
But when several cups went flying toward their table, Noah casually deflected them with magic. The splashing drink was also stopped mid-air, yet it broke the flow of their conversation.
Sighing, Noah rose fully to his feet. He walked over and, without hesitation, smacked Natsu, Gray, and Lyon one by one. The three dropped into a squat, clutching their heads in pain.
"Who is he? He's as scary as Erza!" Natsu groaned, rubbing the growing lump on his head.
"You've got it wrong," Lyon muttered under his breath. "He's way stronger than Erza."
Natsu's eyes widened in shock. "Even stronger than Erza?!"
Noah stopped in front of Natsu, who was still crouched down, and looked at him evenly.
"You and Wendy both learned Dragon Slayer magic. I'm curious. How about a fight?"
"You want to fight me?" Natsu's face lit up instantly at the word, his earlier pain forgotten.
"That's right," Noah said with a nod.
"Let's take it outside. It wouldn't do to smash up the guild."
He turned and walked toward the doors, Natsu following eagerly at his heels.
The moment the surrounding guild members heard there would be a spar, they jumped up, rushing outside in anticipation.
Soon, everyone gathered at the front of the guild, forming a circle. Noah raised his hands and set protective spells around the area, ensuring nothing would spill over.
Then he stepped into position opposite Natsu, his expression calm and steady.
"Come on."
Noah waved at Natsu, signaling him to begin.
With a roar, Natsu clenched his fists, flames bursting forth and blazing around his arms. He charged forward with reckless force.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
His flaming punch rocketed toward Noah.
Golden magic flared in Noah's palm. He caught the blow head-on, the ground trembling from the impact. Feeling the weight of Natsu's strength, Noah pushed him back, sending him sliding to his starting point.
"Continue," Noah said calmly.
Far from discouraged, Natsu's eyes burned even hotter. Flames coiled around his arms, stretching and whipping outward like fiery lashes.
"Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!"
Cracking fire lashed through the air.
"Gravity Magic," Noah intoned.
A golden circle appeared above Natsu's head. Instantly, a crushing force slammed down on him. Natsu's knees hit the ground, the flames sputtering out of control before snuffing completely.
Noah released him, canceling the spell.
Natsu pressed his palms to the earth, straining, then roared as fire erupted across his entire body. He charged forward again, flames spiraling around his head like horns.
"Fire Dragon's Sword Horn!"
"Ice-Make!"
Noah clapped his hands. From beneath the ground, gleaming ice chains burst forth, wrapping tightly around Natsu and slamming him into the dirt. Bound like a fish caught in a net, Natsu struggled as flames roared across his body. But no matter how fiercely he burned, the chains would not melt.
Noah chuckled lightly, unwilling to finish it too quickly. With a wave, the ice dissolved.
"Go on. Use everything you've got."
Natsu sprang to his feet, determination blazing as fiercely as his fire.
"You'd better not regret that! Watch this!"
He inhaled deeply, cheeks puffing out. Folding his fists together, he placed them before his mouth, magic surging into the hollow space.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
A massive circle formed before him, a torrent of fire erupting straight at Noah.
"Air Magic," Noah countered.
He swept his hand outward. A magic circle bloomed, compressing the air into a solid wall. The fiery torrent slammed into it, flames hissing and spreading across the barrier but failing to break through.
Blocked completely, the fire spilled harmlessly outward, colliding with Noah's protective wards instead of the onlookers.
Natsu roared, forcing the flames hotter, brighter but it was useless. At last, he stopped, panting hard, sweat beading on his brow. His magic power was running dangerously low.
Noah lowered the air wall and looked at him.
"Any moves left? You're running out of strength."
"It's not over yet! Watch this!"
Summoning every ounce of remaining power, Natsu ignited both hands, flames blazing furiously. He leapt into the air, the fire in his palms merging above his head into a single, massive fireball.
"Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"
He hurled the blazing sphere at Noah, the heat so intense it scorched the air.
Golden energy swirled into Noah's hand. Light condensed, flowing outward, taking form until a massive golden palm spread wide in the air.
The palm closed around the fireball, squeezing. The brilliant flame shattered in an instant, vanishing into sparks that scattered and faded.
Natsu froze, stunned at the sight. His fire completely crushed.
His body trembled, and with no magic left to draw on, his legs gave out. He dropped to the ground, sitting heavily, utterly spent.
Noah withdrew his magic, and the golden palm faded into nothingness. After a brief pause, he gathered energy once more. A sphere of golden flame flickered into being above his hand, radiant and crackling with power. With a casual flick, he tossed it toward Natsu.
Without hesitation, Natsu reached out, caught the flame bare-handed, and stuffed it straight into his mouth.
He chewed noisily, swallowing it down with a satisfied grin.
"H-he can actually eat flames!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd. The guild members' eyes widened, stunned by the sight.
Everyone had come expecting to see Natsu put in his place by Noah. No one thought he could surprise them in any way yet here he was, chomping down on fire as though it were dinner.
It was their first time witnessing the unique power of Dragon Slayer Magic, and the scene left the entire guild buzzing in disbelief.
....
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