"Grandpa, what's wrong with you? I don't understand what you're saying at all."
Makarov could only sigh, speaking with a helpless tone.
"Maybe it's too early to explain this to you, brat."
"What I mean is, if you want to hatch it, you'll have to work hard yourself. Since you usually only know how to cause trouble, this is a good opportunity for you to learn about the birth of life."
A familiar female voice came from the side. Everyone turned and saw Erza walking in.
"Erza!!"
Two people shouted her name at the same time, clearly thrilled.
Erza turned her head toward the voices and found Natsu and Gray standing shoulder to shoulder, clinging to each other like the best of brothers.
"You… are here."
"We got along really well today too."
Noah couldn't help but laugh at the sight. Every time those two fought, the moment Erza appeared, she would beat them both into the ground. They had developed a conditioned reflex whenever Erza showed up, they instantly became best friends.
Erza gave a satisfied nod. Just then, an excited voice rang out from the side.
"Erza's back, isn't she?"
Erza frowned and turned, realizing the voice belonged to Mirajane.
"The match from before isn't over yet, come on!"
Elfman and Lisanna, standing nearby, let out displeased groans.
"Big sister…"
"Another fight?"
"So it seems we haven't decided the winner yet, Mira."
Erza replied to Mirajane with a spirited look. Mirajane stared right back without hesitation. Their gazes clashed in the air, and sparks of battle ignited instantly.
"I'm going to beat you down, Erza!"
"Don't start crying when you lose, Mirajane!"
The two of them lunged at the same time, fists colliding in midair with a thunderous impact.
"You sharp-edged girl!"
Mirajane's kick sent Erza flying, smashing through several tables and chairs.
"You belly-baring girl!"
Erza charged back like a storm and landed a solid punch on Mirajane, sending her crashing into more tables and chairs.
Mirajane sprang up again and rushed forward. The two locked hands and shoved their foreheads together, veins bulging as they poured every ounce of strength into the clash.
"Stubborn girl!"
"Flat-chested girl!"
"What a disgrace. Erza's always telling us not to fight, but look at her now. It's infuriating."
Gray muttered with an indignant scowl, glaring at the two brawling women before him.
"Damn it, whether it's Erza, Mira, or even Ultear, I'm going to defeat them one day!"
Natsu glared angrily at the fight in front of him, then turned his eyes toward Ultear.
Without Sorano's interference this time, Ultear did not step into the chaos. Instead, she calmly encouraged him.
"Then you'll have to work harder, Natsu."
"Hateful!"
Just then, Lisanna walked up to Natsu and asked softly,
"Natsu, can I help you take care of this egg?"
"Lisanna, you're willing to help me?"
Natsu's face lit up with joy, and Lisanna smiled brightly in return.
"Of course! It sounds like fun. We'll raise the egg together."
"What do you mean, raise an egg?"
Gray muttered in disbelief, sweat dripping down his forehead.
"By the way… how exactly do you hatch this thing?"
Natsu looked completely lost. He didn't understand a word of Makarov's earlier explanation, but now he really wanted to know how to make the egg hatch.
"I read in a book once that eggs need warmth to hatch."
Lisanna explained proudly, puffing her chest a little. Natsu's eyes widened in surprise.
"What!"
He immediately put on a thoughtful look.
"Heating?"
The moment he opened his mouth, Noah, who had been watching since morning and had finally walked over, smacked him on the head with a clean punch. The flames that were about to burst out of Natsu's mouth fizzled into nothing but scattered sparks. The egg slipped out of Natsu's hands and flew upward.
Noah quickly reached out and caught it, carefully examining the unusual egg in his palms.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Natsu, having just been interrupted by Noah's punch, finally caught his breath and shouted at him indignantly.
"Why'd you hit me, Noah?"
"Natsu, do you want this egg cooked on the spot?"
Noah answered without even looking back. Lisanna, recovering from the commotion, turned to Natsu with a serious expression.
"No! Fire that strong will burn it up."
"Eh?"
Natsu looked more confused than ever, while Lisanna lifted her chin proudly.
"Leave it to me. Take Over Animal Soul!"
Light swirled around her body as Lisanna's magic activated, and in an instant she transformed into a bird.
"Ooooh! A bird!"
Natsu exclaimed in awe, watching her spread her wings wide. With a graceful flap, Lisanna began to fan them gently.
"As long as I hold the egg with my wings to keep it warm, that should be enough."
"That's amazing, Lisanna!"
Natsu cheered excitedly beside her. Elfman, however, frowned as he watched Lisanna using her magic. Ultear, standing nearby, noticed his expression and asked gently,
"What's wrong, Elfman?"
"Lisanna and my sister can use Take Over with their whole bodies, but I can't. I'm supposed to be a man…" he muttered under his breath.
"Well, if you practice more with your magic, you'll grow used to it. You'll eventually be able to do things you couldn't before. With enough training, you'll learn to use full-body Take Over too, so don't worry too much."
Ultear encouraged him, and after hearing her words, Elfman's expression softened, his spirits lifted.
"Noah, what are you doing with the egg?"
Natsu suddenly shouted. He had noticed Noah casting magic over the egg and rushed toward him in a panic.
"Didn't Grandpa say we can't use magic on the egg? Hurry up and give it back to Lisanna so she can keep it warm!"
But Noah calmly pressed a hand to Natsu's forehead to hold him back, while his other hand steadied the egg. A series of magic circles shimmered around his eyes as he worked.
At the same time, he explained,
"Master said not to desecrate life. I'm simply checking the health of the egg. So far, it's in good condition with no problems."
Noah dispelled the detection magic and finally lifted his hand away from Natsu.
"Lisanna's way works, but I know an even better method. Do you want to hear it?"
"What method?"
Natsu's attention was fully locked on what he believed to be a dragon egg, so he leaned in eagerly.
"This way will make the egg healthier and safer to hatch."
"Then what should I do?"
"Don't worry, I'll go fetch something."
In a flash, Noah teleported back to his home. Natsu could only fidget and wait anxiously inside the guild.
Before long, Noah returned carrying a clear jar filled with shimmering liquid.
...
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