Mirajane's departure did not dampen everyone's enthusiasm.
Elfman and Lisanna really wanted to go help their sister, but the two of them truly didn't have the qualifications to do that right now.
If they forced themselves to follow her, they would only be a burden instead.
Elfman felt terrible. He had originally believed he had high magical talent, but when it came to learning "Take Over Magic," his progress wasn't fast at all—he was even slower than Lisanna.
Although part of it was because he was trying to "Take Over" stronger and harder-to-control "Beast Souls," the fact remained that Lisanna had already fully taken over several "Animal Souls," while he still hadn't completed a single full-body Take Over. The gap made him feel miserable.
If he could at least successfully Take Over one "Beast Soul," he would be able to help. "Beast Souls" actually had decent combat power.
But Elfman didn't get discouraged. He would keep working hard. He only blamed himself for being too slow, unable to help his big sister.
"Mirajane, that girl…"
Watching her leave, Erza gritted her teeth. The sense of rivalry between the two of them had become intense. Even though Mirajane had only just joined, she had already caught up rapidly. Because of that, Erza gradually began to feel pressure.
Especially since Mirajane targeted her so directly—there was no way she could not be tense.
"Moen, let the kids hatch the egg. The two of us should train!"
Erza decisively suggested sparring with Moen. Mirajane had already gone out taking jobs so diligently—she couldn't allow herself to slack off.
I have to get stronger. I definitely can't let that lanky girl surpass me!
"Sure."
Moen agreed immediately. The kids could play and hatch the egg on the side, while he and Erza trained. No conflict at all.
"Moen, the last time we fought was a year ago, right?"
Erza stared at him, eyes sharp and brimming with battle spirit. She drew her sword, clearly already itching to clash with him.
"Yeah, it's been quite a while since our last fight. We've both grown a lot. It's time to see the results."
Moen stretched lightly and smiled as he spoke.
Looking at the gleaming blade in Erza's hands, Moen silently anticipated testing "Empty-Hand Blade Catch" in real combat.
When he practiced normally, he would have Natsu and Gray attack him with random weapons but the effect wasn't great. After all, neither of them were skilled weapon users.
Erza, however, was a true master of the sword. Whether "Empty-Hand Blade Catch" could function perfectly here would be the real test. Moen had confidence in it.
Vwoom!
Magic surged as Moen switched into his Cloth. Ribbons fluttered behind him—the white-and-purple Orion Bronze Cloth.
He had spent this entire period attempting to synchronize with Orion and was already seeing results. He could occasionally sense Orion's response. Real success wasn't far away.
Clack.
Moen clenched his fist, the gauntlets clicking as silver light flickered across him. The distant stars seemed to shimmer faintly.
"Come, Erza. Let me see your growth."
Moen smiled and gestured for her to begin. He had no intention of attacking first—he wanted to test "Empty-Hand Blade Catch."
Vwoom!
Without hesitation, Erza charged forward with her sword.
"Hah!"
With a shout, she slashed downward—fast, precise, ruthless. Magic burst out. Even though Erza looked small, this strike wasn't something an ordinary person could take head-on.
Clack!
Then something shocking happened—Moen extended both hands and clapped onto her sword, forcibly stopping her slash mid-strike. Erza froze for a moment, stunned.
In that instant, Moen moved in. His hands pushed the sword sharply to the right, throwing Erza's balance off. His right hand shot down toward the hilt while his left elbow rose toward her face.
Completely caught off guard, Erza could only choose between defending her face or her sword. She narrowly dodged Moen's "Magnolia Steel Elbow"—but her sword was wrenched out of her hand.
Holding Erza's sword, Moen twirled it elegantly and placed the blade lightly against her shoulder, his expression satisfied.
"W-What…?"
Erza was dumbfounded. She had never imagined Moen would pull something like that.
Judging from the practiced smoothness of the move, it clearly wasn't improvised. This was a technique he could repeat.
"A move prepared just for you. Seems like it works pretty well?"
Moen smiled and flipped the sword, handing the hilt back to her.
"For… me?"
Erza froze again, unsure how to respond.
Her emotions were complicated. Before starting, she never imagined she would lose so quickly—completely overwhelmed.
"Wah!"
Suddenly a commotion erupted at the side, catching both of their attention.
The kids were gathered around the "dragon egg," holding hands around it, circling it, hugging it—trying to warm it together.
However, the "dragon egg" wasn't cooperating at all. It suddenly moved, hopping out from their circle and launching itself straight into Natsu's arms.
"Wah!"
Natsu yelped loudly, startled.
Everyone was shocked by the egg's reaction. Moen and Erza also walked over, curious.
"As expected. I told you this egg was already very mature. Looks like this little guy only needs a few days before it hatches."
Moen smiled at Natsu. He didn't expect the egg to already pick an owner. It hadn't even hatched yet but was already attached to Natsu. What kind of creature was it?
"Since it likes Natsu, then Natsu should take care of it."
Since the egg recognized him, there was no helping it. The others could only watch the process.
"It can even do that?!"
The kids weren't disappointed—just even more amazed.
Levy quickly pulled out paper and pen to take notes. She had to record this mysterious creature's behavior. This was a new discovery!
Natsu was thrilled. The egg's reaction only made him more certain it was a "dragon egg." Otherwise, why would it like him so much?
He sat on the ground, wrapping his arms and legs around the egg, pressing his whole body against it. As a Fire Dragon Slayer, his body was naturally warm—maybe that was exactly why the egg liked him.
"Do your best, Natsu!"
The kids cheered around him.
"I'm getting curious about what will hatch out of it."
Watching the scene, Erza smiled but her smile was a little absent-minded. She was still thinking about that move Moen had prepared specifically for her, wondering how she could counter it.
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