"Alert. Target magic contact: Bora. Analysis initiated."
"Alert. Analysis complete. Magic type: Hypnotic Charm (Pink Mist). Skill acquired: 'Charm Smoke (Inferior)'. Mana absorption (trace amount)."
Skill replication complete, mana absorbed. Christian is in peak condition.
Bora's mana was partially drained. His body felt weak, and his face was pale. "Mon… monster!" He retreated in fear.
The blue gelatin did not pursue. Its core locked onto Lucy; she was safe.
"Moo—! Miss Lucy! Are you alright?" Taurus broke free from the sailors and ran over.
Lucy got up, still shaken. She looked at the blue Slime. "Was… was it you who saved me? That shield just now… and…"
The blue gelatin turned to Lucy. Its core vibrated, and a voice directly entered her mind in Fiorean. "Lucy. Safe?"
Lucy's eyes widened. "You… you can talk? And you know my name?"
"Perceive. Hear." Christian responded.
On the other side of the deck, Bora's eyes were filled with malice. He suddenly pulled out a magic scroll. "Let's all die together!" He tore the scroll! A massive Fireball erupted! Target: the entire deck! Including Lucy and the Slime!
The fireball expanded! A wave of heat washed over them!
Lucy screamed.
Taurus raised his giant axe. "Not a chance!"
Christian's core calculated the fireball's power and range. 'Water Blade' couldn't negate it. 'Water Flow Movement' to get Lucy away? Not enough distance.
'Great Sage'. Optimal solution?
"Solution: Absorb some flames. Create a steam barrier. Maximize reduction of carrier damage."
Execute!
The blue gelatin charged towards the fireball! Facing the inferno!
'Predator' activated at full power! Target: Flame magic!
A suction field opened! Devouring the leading edge of the flames!
"Alert. Target contact: Flame magic. Analysis initiated… High temperature warning!"
Intense pain! A burning sensation came from the simulated nerves! 'Pain Nullification' activated, blocking the pain. But the core felt the energy impact! Its gelatinous body boiled! Evaporated!
'Water Blade' used in reverse! Stored water in its body erupted! Turning into a large cloud of mist! Spraying towards Lucy's direction!
Hiss—!!!
Flames collided with water mist! A large amount of steam erupted! Filling the deck!
The fireball's core was weakened by 'Predator'. Its edges were blocked by the water mist, greatly reducing its power.
The weakened flame shockwave spread.
Lucy was enveloped by water mist and steam, then thrown by the shockwave, hitting the ship's rail. "Ouch, that hurts." Lucy cried out.
Taurus was hit by the residual flames, retreating a few steps but was unharmed.
Steam began to dissipate. Visibility gradually blurred.
The blue gelatin was at the center of the flames. Its body had shrunk, its surface charred and smoking. 'Self-Regeneration' activated, slowly repairing itself.
"Alert. Analysis complete. Skill acquired: 'Flame Resistance (Weak)'. Mana absorption (small amount). Status: Minor damage (regenerating)."
Bora was dumbfounded. The scroll's fireball was blocked? "Impossible!" He shrieked hysterically.
"That's enough! Fire Dragon's Roar!!!"
A roar! Came from the sky!
A scorching, massive torrent of flames! Descended from the sky! Precisely striking the mast and main sail of the "Passion Lady"!
Boom—!!!
The mast broke! The sails burned! Debris flew everywhere!
A figure with spiky pink hair and a white scale scarf descended from the sky. He landed steadily on the burning wreckage, his fists smoking.
That was Natsu Dragneel!
Natsu Dragneel had spiky pink hair, a dragon scale tattoo on his left shoulder, and often wore a black open vest with a dragon scale scarf. He was excitable and impulsive, skilled in Fire Dragon Slayer Magic, and loved fighting and barbecue.
"Bullying women!" Natsu glared at Bora. "Unforgivable!"
Bora completely collapsed. "Fa… Fairy Tail's Natsu?!"
Natsu jumped down from the wreckage. He charged at Bora. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
A burning fist! Smashed fiercely into Bora's face!
Bora screamed as he flew, crashing into a pile of wooden barrels and passing out.
The sailors completely lost their will to fight and surrendered.
The steam gradually dispersed.
Lucy coughed, clearly seeing the newcomer. "Pink hair… scarf… You're… Fairy Tail's Natsu?"
Natsu turned, grinning and showing his fangs. "That's right! I'm Natsu! A Fire Dragon Slayer Mage!" He saw the bruise on Lucy's neck. "Are you alright?"
"I'm… I'm fine…" Lucy braced herself to stand up, then suddenly remembered something and looked at the deck.
The blue gelatin was gone.
At its previous location, there was only a small puddle of water rapidly evaporating.
"Mr. Slime?" Lucy looked around but saw no blue figure.
Natsu followed her gaze. "A Slime? Those low-level monsters? There's none here, you must be scared silly, right?"
Lucy touched her chest. Her necklace was still there. The star-shaped pendant she'd found was as cool as ever, completely intact.
Was it a dream? That blue shield just now… the talking Slime… blocking the flames… But the red marks on her wrist from the ropes were still there. "This is definitely not a dream," Lucy thought.
Taurus's time was up, and he vanished in a golden flash. "Miss Lucy… next time… give me a bit more appearance fee…" His voice faded.
Lucy looked at the pendant, a deep blue point at its center.
"You're Lucy, right?" Natsu said casually. "Want to join Fairy Tail? Our guild is the best!"
Lucy snapped back to reality. She looked at Natsu, a smile blossoming. "Yes! Please let me join!"
"Haha! Great! Come back to the guild with me!" Natsu turned to leave, then suddenly stopped, sniffing hard with his nose. "Strange… just now, there was a smell like… burnt jelly?"
Lucy clutched the pendant at her chest, feeling its cool touch. She looked at the vanished puddle on the deck and whispered:
"Thank you."
She quickly followed Natsu.
The silver star-shaped pendant rested quietly against her skin, showing no abnormality.