Deep Forest Behind the Guild
Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, scattering across a wide clearing in the forest behind the guild. Kael was in the middle of intense weighted training, arms, legs, and waist strapped with heavy gear. His movements were fluid, dodging falling leaves with perfect precision.
Time passed quietly. Kael's body was soaked with sweat, yet he didn't relax for a second, performing every motion with meticulous focus.
"Hey, Gray… how do you think he can sense exactly where every leaf will fall?" Natsu whispered, shielding his eyes with the side of his hand.
"How should I know? I've been watching for so long and haven't seen him use any magic… shh." Gray frowned, pushing Natsu's hand aside, signaling him to be quiet. Natsu was about to reply when—
"Whoosh~"
"You two! What are you doing here? Did you see anything?" Kael suddenly appeared, massaging the top of a person's head with both hands.
"Too fast… when did he—" Natsu and Gray were stunned, but remembering Kael's insane speed, they quickly adjusted and turned to him.
"Kael… can you teach us that ability to predict things without looking? We want to learn it, please?" The two boys asked eagerly.
"I can, but there's a condition," Kael said, holding up one finger in front of them. Natsu and Gray exchanged puzzled looks, unsure what he meant. But Kael was always kind at the guild, so surely it wasn't anything terrible.
"What's the condition? We'll do it."
"You have to spend one full day as good friends—no, no, I mean close friends—and hold each other's hands all day long. One hand is enough. If you can manage that, I'll teach you how." Kael smiled and clasped their hands together.
Natsu and Gray stared at their tightly intertwined hands, faces almost touching. Instinctively, they wanted to pull away but remembered Kael's incredible martial skill and magic-less abilities. The temptation to learn was too strong—they endured it.
"That's it. Just adapt—you'll get used to it quickly. Haha, let's go back to the guild. Lunch is almost ready. I'll cook barbecue myself. How about that?" Kael ruffled their hair reassuringly.
"I want five big plates of beef!" Natsu shouted first.
"I want five big plates of lamb!" Gray immediately replied, unwilling to lose.
"Alright, alright, but no wasting food. Let's head back and prepare."
Inside the bustling guild, Erisa noticed Natsu and Gray lying on the floor, bellies full, hiccupping, but still holding hands. She approached Kael, who was serving barbecue to Kanna and Reby, and asked, "What's with them? Why are they acting so strange?"
"They probably wanted to tire me out at first, but then they started competing over who could eat more. That's why it ended like this." Kael explained calmly while serving meat.
"Two idiots!" Erisa muttered.
"By the way, Erisa, have you eaten yet? Come and have some." Kael gestured toward her.
"I have, but a little more won't hurt." She sat beside Kanna and started eating.
"Perfect. You eat with Kanna and Reby, I'll go talk to the Guild Master." Kael wiped his mouth and headed toward the bar.
"Guild Master, I have something to discuss with you," Kael said, handing over a carefully organized sheet of notes while Makarov drank. "This is a compilation about another kind of power, a unique training method from where I came from."
"Huh… Haki? Observation Haki? This is…" Makarov muttered, eyeing Kael with curiosity.
"It's a latent power every human possesses. It's innate—presence, battle intent, fighting spirit… when you manipulate these unseen sensations, your will becomes a weapon. This power is called Haki. Most people can't consciously sense it or harness it in their lifetime."Armament Haki strengthens defense and attack. Observation Haki sharpens sight and hearing. Although these abilities are difficult to fully awaken, I want to teach guild members to discover and use them as much as possible." Kael explained.
"I see… I've never heard of this before. Is it from where you came from? I won't pry further. Is this why your martial arts are so exceptional?" Makarov asked, realizing Kael's skill might come from another world—the parallel world of Edoras.
"Then try it. Pick a few willing students to start with," Makarov nodded.
"Understood, Master." Kael didn't yet realize the Guild Master thought he was from that parallel world—a useful cover for his abilities.
A Few Days Later, Early Morning
"Thump, thump, thump~" Heavy footsteps echoed at the guild entrance. Makarov stopped drinking, turning toward the sound.
"Laxus! You're back—looking strong. Any injuries during your mission?" he asked, laughing heartily.
"Of course not! Old man, I saw how you tested the new recruit and even got pushed back a few steps. The newcomer is strong… let's see how powerful he really is!" Laxus grinned, fists crackling with electricity.
"You've gone too far, Laxus," Makarov muttered, his face darkening as his magic surged, the air growing tense.
"Don't worry about me. It's in the back mountains, right? I feel it. I'll go see him." Laxus transformed into a bolt of lightning, heading straight for the back mountains.
Back Mountains…
"Natsu, calm your mind… or you won't feel it." Kael observed as Natsu fidgeted, eyes closed but restless.
"How do you stay focused? My thoughts keep wandering when I close my eyes… this is so hard, Kael!" Natsu complained, still struggling.
Suddenly, a brilliant lightning bolt cut across the sky, followed by a figure crackling with electricity landing in the clearing.
"So you're the guild's newcomer. Your magic is the strongest here."
Kael looked at the teenager with golden hair like his own, a lightning-shaped scar on his face, wearing a fur coat and carrying the magical music device, the Sound Pot. That's Laxus, one of the top enforcers.
"Hello, I'm Kael. I use Holy Light Magic, combined with martial skill. Nice to meet you." Kael extended his hand warmly.
"Oh? Holy Light Magic and martial skill? Confident little one. I'm Laxus Dolea." Laxus smirked and shook Kael's hand.
Natsu and Gray watched nervously—the shaking of the earth beneath them from their handshake was enough to make them gulp.
Kael observed this Laxus, more real than in any anime, and now with the edge of a rebellious youth.
"Shall we spar, Laxus? I've heard from the Guild Master about his strong grandson. I hope to learn from you as well." Kael suggested politely.
"Sure. We'll set a time," Laxus replied, releasing Kael's hand.