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Kuro succeeded.
After the trial of dragon power poured into him by the five Dragons and the stabilization provided by Irene's Enchantment Magic, Kuro had finally, completely integrated the violent composite dragon power into himself.
He was still some distance from his former peak. The new Dragon Slayer Magic, which fused the powers of fire, iron, sky, light, and shadow, had yet to reach anywhere near its limit.
But this unprecedented, churning power had already given Kuro what he needed to stand against Acnologia.
This was his own power now. Power born for the sole purpose of ending his enemy.
"How are you feeling?"
Noah's voice drifted over, lazy and unhurried. He had, at some point, quietly appeared at Kuro's side again, which visibly deflated the surge of confidence Kuro had just felt.
Even after everything, he still couldn't match Noah's speed.
Kuro slowly unclenched his fist and spoke in a low voice.
"I was already a Dragon Slayer once, so picking up Dragon Slayer Magic again won't come with too many bottlenecks. That said, I still need time to train properly before I can say I've truly mastered the new Dragon Slayer Magic."
Noah nodded. "How long do you think that will take?"
"Three months, I'd estimate."
A faint knowing smile crossed Noah's lips.
As expected of the one who had stood at the top of all Dragon Slayers.
Kuro's Magic Power and talent were both extraordinary, and with his deep understanding of Dragon Slayer Magic already established, it was entirely possible he could return to his peak in a short time. Even if he couldn't fully recover to the level of the Black Dragon, he wouldn't fall far short of it.
"While you're in seclusion, take a few others along with you for training," Noah said, gesturing toward Natsu and the other Dragon Slayers.
Kuro understood immediately. "You want me to instruct them in Dragon Slayer Magic?"
Noah didn't deny it.
Although Dragon Slayer Magic drew from dragon power, its practical application was entirely different from the way a dragon naturally wielded that power. The difference came down, fundamentally, to the gap in body structure between humans and dragons.
The Fire Dragon King and the others could teach Natsu and his companions the fundamentals of Dragon Slayer Magic, but could offer little beyond that. The rest of their growth would have to come from their own training and experience.
As for Irene, though she was the creator of Dragon Slayer Magic, most of the centuries she had lived had been spent trapped in dragon form. Her approach to Dragon Slayer Magic had naturally shifted to reflect that, leaning far more toward the fighting style of one who had undergone Dragonization.
If anyone could comprehensively guide Natsu and the others as human Dragon Slayers, it was Kuro, without question.
Kuro was quiet for a moment, his dark eyes moving slowly across Natsu, Wendy, Gajeel, and Sting and Rogue, who were watching with undisguised curiosity from a short distance away.
He could sense it clearly. The latent power dwelling inside these young Dragon Slayers was like raw, uncut jade: full of possibility, and full of hidden danger.
Frequent use of Dragon Slayer Magic could cause a Dragon Slayer's body to irreversibly transform into that of a dragon, a process known as Dragonization. Wendy, Sting, and Rogue appeared to be managing well enough, but Natsu and Gajeel were another matter.
Without their respective foster fathers actively suppressing the restless dragon power within them, there was a real chance that parts of their bodies had already begun the process.
Kuro had once been able to shift freely between human and dragon form. His understanding of Dragon Slayer Magic had long surpassed even Irene's in that regard. Whether it was becoming stronger or addressing the hidden dangers of Dragonization, he could offer something none of the others could.
Finally, Kuro nodded.
"Very well. But my training methods will not be gentle."
Noah grinned. "Perfect. These kids are tough. Especially Natsu, feel free to push him as hard as you like."
Natsu shot to his feet at that, flames already flickering at his fists.
"Hey! Noah, I've gotten seriously strong! I don't need anyone to train me!"
"Oh?" Kuro's gaze shifted to Natsu, carrying a quiet weight to it, the faint pressure of someone who had seen things most people could not imagine. "You're strong?"
Just being looked at like that sent an involuntary chill up Natsu's spine. He refused to back down, though, jutting out his chin with fire swirling around his knuckles.
"Obviously! Want to find out?!"
Kuro didn't answer Natsu directly. He glanced instead toward the spectral form of the Fire Dragon King.
Igneel gave a small nod. Natsu's impulsiveness had always been his greatest weakness. A little pressure from Kuro might do the boy some real good.
With that silent approval, Kuro accepted Natsu's challenge.
"Your courage is noted. Very well, let's begin."
He made no visible casting gesture. There was only a slight shift in his presence, and then a crushing pressure fell across the room without warning.
The flames wrapped around Natsu's fists were snuffed out almost instantly. He grunted, his legs buckling under the weight, and barely avoided dropping to one knee, muscles straining and veins standing out on his forehead as sheer willpower held him upright.
"Do you feel it?"
Kuro's voice was calm and level.
"Your Dragon Slayer Magic is scattered and unfocused. Impressive to look at, but lacking in substance. Against a true dragon, power like that would crumble at the first real exchange."
He withdrew his pressure. Natsu immediately sucked in a sharp breath, then another, head bowed, still absorbing the shock of what had just happened.
The gap was enormous.
He couldn't even withstand a single display of intent from Kuro, who was still in the early stages of relearning his Dragon Slayer Magic. If facing Acnologia was the goal, he was nowhere near ready.
No wonder Igneel had always kept him out of it. He simply hadn't been up to it.
Natsu straightened up. His breathing steadied. When he lifted his eyes to meet Kuro's, there was no defeat in them, only a fierce, burning resolve.
"Please train me. No matter how hard it is, I won't quit."
Then, a beat later, with that familiar fire that never seemed to dim no matter how hard he fell:
"And one day, I will surpass you. I'm going to be the strongest Dragon Slayer there is."
Something shifted at the corner of Kuro's mouth. It was faint, barely there, but it was real.
"I'll be waiting for that day."
Natsu's resolve lit a spark in the others. Gajeel, never one to be left behind, crossed his arms and declared himself in without another word. Wendy, Sting, and Rogue, the three youngest of the group, fell in alongside them without hesitation.
Noah watched the scene with quiet satisfaction.
With Kuro, the former pinnacle of all Dragon Slayers, taking them personally in hand, the results would be a hundred times beyond what they could have achieved on their own.
He made a mental note to bring Laxus in at some point as well, though he wasn't entirely sure whether Kuro would be willing to guide a Second Generation Dragon Slayer whose power had come entirely from a Dragon Lacrima rather than true instruction.
"Oh, right, Kuro. Where did you have in mind for your seclusion?"
It was only after saddling Kuro with a small group of students that Noah realized he hadn't even thought about where they would actually train.
Kuro hadn't given it much thought either. He had originally planned to find some out-of-the-way corner of the world to train in solitude, but now he had several people in tow, three of them still quite young. The location couldn't be too remote.
"What about here?"
Sonya stepped forward, looking up at Kuro with quiet hope in her eyes.
"The Kingdom of Stella is far from the mainland, and few outsiders come here besides merchants. I now govern the entire country, so I can guarantee no one will disturb your training, Big Brother..."
The following morning, Noah and the others prepared to depart.
This time, however, five fewer people boarded the ship for the return journey.
The Ark cut through the sky, angled toward the continent of Ishgar, toward a future that would not be peaceful.