Fairy Tail Space Mage

Well, Lucy is incredibly sweet and adorable. Add to that her kind nature and intelligent mind… she's exactly Gray's type! His ideal girlfriend!

If Lucy hadn't always been with Natsu, Gray would have already gone over to chat her up.

Right now, Natsu is sitting cross-legged in the distance, far from here in the audience... This is an opportunity.

"Ah! It's Gray... Um, aren't you cold so early in the morning?" Lucy wasn't used to Gray always being shirtless. Seeing him so close, Lucy blushed and backed away.

"Gray!... Sigh, never mind, it's no use saying anything. Anyway, don't bully Lucy!" Kaoru was very protective of Lucy, but she knew Gray was doing it without thinking... so there was nothing she could do.

"Cold? Huh! When?!... Um... Because I'm an ice mage, I'm close to the water in the air, which allows me to use ice magic better."

Knowing that an explanation like "I was unaware of it" wouldn't work at this point, Gray offered this defense.

But his eyes darted around, his gaze shifting to one side, making it clear he was making excuses.

Chapter 104 The Three Most Promising People

Lucy didn't intend to expose him. After all, everyone in Fairy Tail had their own unique personalities. She had already experienced that firsthand these past few days.

Fortunately, Gray isn't actually a "perverted exhibitionist." Lucy thinks that if they continue spending time together, she should be able to get used to it a little. Lucy is also somewhat interested in Gray. Because, he's Natsu's formidable rival!

Although the two argued every time they met, and were like oil and water, Lucy felt that their relationship was actually quite special.

"Oh, right, I heard. You really showed off your skills yesterday while working on a case, taking down a monster that looked like a gorilla!" Gray hurriedly changed the subject, trying to escape the awkwardness from before.

“Natsu did it.” This made Lucy feel awkward as well.

"Huh? That ugly guy uses fire! But it's amazing that you can form a fixed team with that kind of vandal. Not only do they completely ignore their teammates' advice and act recklessly, but after completing a mission, the reward is basically used to compensate for the damage caused by their mess."

Although the atmosphere was more awkward than before, Gray was the "man of surprise." It was time to take the initiative and start poaching him!

"Huh? Is that so? If that's true, it's really a little unsettling!" Lucy was hearing this for the first time. However, she didn't think Gray was lying.

Because Lucy heard about it on her very first day joining the guild. The things she saw in the Magic Weekly—"destroying seven houses," "crushing a historic clock tower," "burning down the church in Virginia," "causing the collapse of the observation station in Narina Valley"—were all done by Natsu alone!

If all of this requires compensation, then the compensation Natsu received for completing these requests is definitely insufficient!

Although it was only for a moment, Lucy truly felt that she had chosen the wrong teammates. In the future, she might end up like Natsu and Happy when they first met—so poor that they'd be moved to kneel down if someone offered them a meal!

"Gray, please don't kidnap Lucy, okay? She's such a kind person who would treat us hungry people on the street to a meal." Even though Natsu wasn't there, Happy couldn't let Gray take Lucy away.

“Yeah… if you care so much about Lucy, why don’t you join their team?” Xun’er suddenly chimed in.

Honestly, I'm a little worried about having Lucy team up with Natsu and Happy alone. In this situation, having Gray, the calmest person who can also help suppress Natsu's power, join might be a better choice.

Well, Natsu's strength is currently very high, and it's increasing rapidly. Under these circumstances, relying solely on Lucy and Happy as his restraining forces isn't enough. If his family, friends, and finally, his formidable rival were also involved in restraining him, Natsu's reckless behavior would probably be somewhat curbed.

"What are you saying, Xun'er? You actually want me to be with that flaming bastard..."

“Don’t be so quick to refuse. Haven’t you noticed the changes in Natsu’s body lately? Don’t you feel more at ease seeing him by your side in this condition? ... Sora actually thinks this is the most suitable way too. In fact, he has already decided to persuade Erza to join you as well.” Kaoru interrupted Gray.

"What did you say! Elsa!? Xun'er, please don't play such a terrible joke on me..."

Ever since Gray and Natsu were able to complete quests independently, they immediately distanced themselves from Erza, refusing to team up with her under any circumstances. This was the only thing Gray and Natsu agreed on!

Lucy suddenly focused intently on the conversation. It contained information she was very interested in. For example, Sora's influence over Natsu and the others; and Erza!

"Fairy Queen"... Lucy had certainly heard of this name, known throughout the entire Kingdom of Fiore, the iconic figure of "Fairy Tail".

Even many magazines and publications believe that the "Fairy Queen" is the strongest being after the guild master of "Fairy Tail"! Of course, after joining the guild, Lucy already knows that this is not the case.

The power structure of this guild is much more complex than outsiders speculate.

At least one was right in front of him, someone he had never heard of, but who was considered the third strongest in the guild. And he was about to fight the famous "Fire Dragon".

Even after witnessing Natsu's unparalleled strength at Hargeon Port, Lucy still felt, for some reason, that Natsu could never be a match for that person.

"This is no joke! Sora said that recently, the Dark Guilds have started to stir. In the worst-case scenario, the Balam Alliance might take action! Our guild must also prepare early! ... To deal with any potential challenges, the guild's most promising members must be grouped together! The three of you, except for this silly cat, are the three that Sora considers to be the most promising in the guild! And Erza is the most reliable leader in the guild that Sora believes can guide and lead you!" Xun'er said seriously.

When she's serious, she can actually look quite dignified.

This is certainly related to Xun'er's status in the guild. Although Xun'er seems to be a mascot character in the guild, just like Happy, that's only on the surface.

Putting aside the increased strength gained after mastering the "Grimoire of Arrays," Xun'er's exceptional wisdom and knowledge alone are enough to place her among the "guild's brains" and allow her to issue commands to everyone.

In reality, Gray didn't dare to refute Xun'er's words. Of course, it's also possible that he, like Lucy now, was flattered!

Because Kong believed that the three of them were the three with the highest potential in the guild!

This is truly the highest praise in the world for the two of them!

In Fairy Tail, a world teeming with monsters, these three are the three with the highest potential!

At least, Lucy and Gray had never thought of it that way. Their first reaction upon hearing it was disbelief. Then, they wanted to believe it even more!

Perhaps they truly possess some hidden power they are unaware of. After all, Xun'er wouldn't lie. And Kong is incredibly mysterious. Maybe he's seen through something.

In short, their minds were already soaring to the heavens. So, seeing their dazed and silly grins, Xun'er figured they weren't going to listen to anything anyone said for the time being, so she turned and flew back into Mira's arms.

Sora's battle was of great significance to her and Mira. It seemed to determine just how far Sora had left them behind. Therefore, they no longer had the heart to focus on Natsu and the others forming the strongest team.

"Hey! Get back to reality...you two, Sora's here!" Happy tried to call out to Lucy and Gray, but to no avail. Until Natsu, upon Sora's arrival, unleashed his surging magical power.

……

"what?"

Sora seemed to be the last to arrive. Even though he had "moved." However, recently, having finally relaxed, Sora had suddenly become very lazy. Kaoru knew this.

"It's finally here, Sora! Today, I will definitely defeat you! Then, I will defeat Erza and become the strongest person in the guild! Ahahaha!" Natsu was extremely excited.

His body was engulfed in flames, but he still felt it wasn't enough, so he tilted his head back and opened his mouth to spew out a huge ball of flame! His fighting spirit had soared to the point where it was like a powder keg about to explode!

The scorching air and intense magical energy affected Lucy and Gray in the audience seats. Seeing Natsu unleashing his full power, both of them couldn't help but show serious expressions!

This person is one of the three with the highest potential in the guild, along with the other two, in Kong's opinion!

However, unlike the other two, this guy seems to have immense potential, which seems beyond doubt. In the past two years, every opponent who has fought Natsu has felt that this guy is definitely not human.

Previously, only Elsa and Mira had left such an impression on others.

Chapter 105 Natsu vs. Sora

"Gray...do you think Natsu will win?"

Natsu's immense magical power made Lucy feel breathless. This was the first time she had ever witnessed a battle between high-ranking mages. Honestly, it was far more terrifying than she had imagined. For the first time, she couldn't help but feel fear towards the profession of mage!

"No way!" Gray's answer was crisp and decisive. This made Lucy even more desperate.

"Wait, Natsu." Sora temporarily stopped Natsu, who was filled with fighting spirit and was about to explode.

"What?" Although Natsu didn't know what was going on, he wasn't in a hurry to wait a while.

"Everyone, I'm glad you've all come to watch the game. But I must warn you, something very terrible might happen in a little while... so you'd better be prepared," Kong said in advance.

He had only intended to fight Natsu one-on-one. Unexpectedly, Mira and Kaoru arrived, and even Lucy and Gray came. This wasn't good. Especially Lucy; Sora was genuinely worried they might scare her.

Battles between mages, especially powerful ones, are accompanied by terrifying phenomena. This is not a game; any destructive effects are real.

Mountains may shift, the earth may crack, cities may be destroyed... Of course, the battle between Sora and Natsu doesn't reach that level yet.

"What do you mean by being mentally prepared?" Xun'er couldn't help but ask. Everyone else swallowed hard.

"Don't worry, no one will die. If we're lucky, no one will get hurt." Sora didn't bother to explain. He took out a katana from his spatial ring—the one he used to beat up Natsu and Happy yesterday.

While it can't compare to "Nameless," it's still a renowned sword. Its name is "Withered."

Despite its Zen-like connotations, the name used by the woman was not that of a monk in a temple, but rather that of a beautiful female swordswoman who was very famous in the history of the martial arts community.

The name "Kuran" was also chosen by her.

Legend has it that one day, she encountered a black-haired youth in the forest. Wherever he passed, everything withered. The female swordswoman, moved by this, lamented the fleeting nature of life and the irreversible passage of time, and thus named her beloved sword after him.

However, despite its unappealing name, as the beloved sword of the beautiful swordswoman, it is undeniably cute and small. Sora frequently uses it because even within the "Circle of the Sky," she can still manage to wield it with some difficulty.

After drawing "Kurenai," Ku didn't unsheathe it. He was naturally not a "Iaijutsu" style swordsman. He simply didn't intend to retaliate for the first part of the battle.

"Come on." Every time Natsu faced off, this phrase marked the start of the battle.

"Fire Dragon's... Iron Fist!!" That was Natsu's greeting!

Using all his might, Natsu not only engulfed his fists but his entire body in flames! He soared into the air, and then, like a meteorite falling from the heavens, wrapped in flames, he crashed down into the sky!

Dragon scales had burst forth from the exposed skin of his arms and neck! The bulging muscles on his arms and the bulging veins on his forehead gave him an extremely ferocious appearance!

The Natsu of today is completely different from the Natsu of the past. Now, he is a beast, a dragon, a monster whose eyes are only set on devouring and destruction!

As a fire-type dragon slayer mage, years of training and growth, along with the immense regret of seeing Lisanna disappear before his eyes, have finally brought him to where he is today!

The earth trembled from the dragon's bombardment, and the sky darkened from its roar—this was the dragon's magic!

Indeed, it is the most powerful destructive magic capable of destroying all matter in this world!

"boom!"

What reached the audience was, surprisingly, a muffled, deep roar, as if it had been suppressed underwater, unlike the powerful sound.

Natsu's fist slammed head-on into Sora's head, but it was blocked by something transparent and spherical!

Because the flames on Natsu's fist completely enveloped it. It had become opaque, and Lucy could see it clearly from a distance.

Because, apart from the part that was blocked by it, the remaining shockwave created a deep, circular crater under Kong's feet!

If Natsu's fist had been aimed at a mountain instead of the sky, then the mountaintop would have completely disappeared, right? But...

Sora simply continued to stroke the withered scabbard in his hand, trying to understand the meaning she had left behind.

The orchid relief on the scabbard, exuding an elegant fragrance, suited Sora's taste perfectly. Sora seemed to be able to connect with a being from a hundred years ago who also frequently touched them, through them.

"Even flowers and grass wither," someone might say such things, but perhaps they are actually someone who is content with their lot and takes things in stride.

There was no sense of battle taking place.

He even closed his eyes and waited leisurely.

He waited, waiting for Natsu's futile attacks to end; waiting for Natsu to use more and stronger methods; waiting for Natsu to force him to take action and break his composure and calmness!

"As expected, I still can't break through! But I'll just treat it as a greeting like before!" Although he failed again, Natsu was not discouraged.

He retreated a short distance, flames erupting from his body once more. Then, like a fiery bull, he repeatedly pounded his fists against the transparent sphere surrounding his empty body! And then...

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist! Fire Dragon's Iron Fist! Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

He crashed into it, and it bounced back! He crashed into it, and it bounced back! Again and again... as if searching for a weakness, Natsu kept changing positions, attacking the transparent ball from every direction.

This might also explain why Natsu is eager to challenge Ku. After all, there's probably no other "punching target" in the world as solid as this one—incredibly hard, seemingly indestructible no matter how many times "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist" is used!

"Sigh...it's starting again." Harpy was a little discouraged when he saw that the scene was no different from previous years.