After the banquet ended, Zorn embarked on his cultivation journey again. He clearly knew that there would be more and more strong enemies in the future, and his current strength was not enough.
So he chose a ten-year mission, a mission he had carefully selected, and if it went smoothly, he would be able to obtain the power of Dragon Slayer Magic.
However, because it was too dangerous, he did not bring Cana with him, but went to execute it alone.
Moreover, there was no time limit for the mission, so he could also use this time to improve his own strength.
Mystogan, in the S-Class Mage examination in X782, used physical combat and some illusion magic to exhaust most of Erza's stamina and magic power, and finally, with the Five-Layered Magic Circle: Kagura, he put Erza into a deep sleep.
Erza's dream of seeing Mystogan's true face during the examination was shattered, but it further ignited Erza's competitive spirit, making her train even harder.
Mystogan's strength was recognized, and he became an S-Class Mage in one fell swoop.
Thus, the Fairy Tail Guild had two Ten Wizard Saints and five S-Class Mages, maintaining its position as the No. 1 Guild in the kingdom for two years.
No other guild could shake it.
Mirajane and Elfman, after the last mission incident, doubled their training, greatly enhancing their reception time for Demon Halphas and Beast King.
Although Lisanna had no magic power, with Everyone's care, she integrated well into this world.
After learning about the existence of another power, "Haki," in this world, she had been following Cana to learn physical combat and the application of Haki.
In her usual free time, she worked as a waitress with Mirajane, helped out in the Guild, and occasionally did some modeling part-time.
When the two Lisannas were taking photos together, one was cheerful and the other was introverted and sometimes shy. Every set of pictures was a critical hit for any male.
Her popularity was not on the same level as Erza or Mirajane.
Time quietly passed amidst their busy lives and training. Natsu learned from a Guild Member that a "Fire Dragon" had appeared in Harujion Port, so he and Happy rushed to the destination without stopping.
Natsu and Lucy's fated encounter was about to begin.
----Separator----
X784
A train slowly stopped at the platform. Natsu covered his mouth with his hand, slowly crawling out of the train with a pained expression.
"Seriously, I took the train twice. Ugh~, I feel like throwing up."
Happy watched Natsu with a worried expression, slowly moving to his left, and poked Natsu's forehead with his hand: "Natsu, I feel like your motion sickness is getting worse and worse. Are you okay?"
"I'm so hungry, Happy, hungry~...." Natsu stretched out his hand, crying out to Happy with a pale and weak expression.
"Ah, Natsu, hold on, I'll take you to eat right away... Hold on, in my hands, I will never let you starve to death."
Happy immediately flew up, carrying Natsu into the sky, rushing towards the town at an extremely fast speed, completely oblivious to Natsu's face being distorted by the wind.
....
At this moment, inside the only magic shop in the port.
"I'm looking for the key that can open a powerful gate."
"A gate? That's rare, but I do have one, only this one."
"Ah, it's the Canis Minor key. How much is it, old man?"
"20,000 J."
"Old man, please tell me how much it is exactly." Lucy looked at the old man face to face, with an angry smile, confirming again.
"20,000 J, no bargaining."
Damn old man, he wants 20,000 J. I only have a little money left. If I pay, what will I do about food? And I don't know how much it will cost to get to Fairy Tail.
No, I have to use my charm to make this old man give me a discount. Yes, that's what I'll do, haha, I'm so smart, a young lady like me.
Although Lucy was thinking this, she still acted coquettishly towards the old man.
The old man was no pushover; he had seen all sorts of storms. The two of them started bickering in the shop.
A few minutes later... on the street.
"Damn old man, my charm, a young lady's charm, is only worth 1,000 J? And with that attitude! It's infuriating."
Lucy strode towards the town center, angrily venting her emotions as she walked.
...
On the other side, Natsu and Happy were also strolling leisurely like old men in the alley, one hand covering his stomach: "So hungry, so hungry... I swallowed a bellyful of wind, I'm even hungrier."
"Well~, it's because we don't have any money, Natsu."
"Hey, Happy, it's Igneel, right?"
"Hmm, besides Igneel, I can't think of anyone else."
The two fated to meet were about to encounter each other amidst the cheers for the "Fire Dragon."
"Ah, Lord Fire Dragon!"
"So handsome..."
"Look at me, Lord Fire Dragon.."
Natsu and Happy cheered joyfully, then quickly ran towards the source of the sound. At this moment, Lucy also remembered someone important from the discussion of two girls beside her, and immediately ran towards the crowd gathered below.
"Excuse me, excuse me, let me see."
Lucy finally squeezed to the front of the crowd and saw a purple-haired man, spinning around, showing off and winking at the girls around him. The girls around him instantly fell for it, shouting "So handsome, so handsome," completely captivated.
At this moment, Lucy's eyes were full of hearts, her body was heating up, and her heart was pounding wildly. She slowly hopped closer to this man who was full of charm in her eyes.
"Igneel!"
Suddenly, Natsu and Happy rushed into the crowd with Happy anticipation, shouting the Fire Dragon's name, but when they saw this man, they were instantly disappointed: "Who are you?"
"Let's go, Happy, it's not Igneel."
"Aiya~" Natsu, looking dejected, directly took Happy and walked out of the crowd, showing no reluctance.
The purple-haired man, having just finished his confident introduction, was shocked and petrified to find that the two had already walked far away: "So fast!"
"Bang~ bang~"
"Stop right there! Who are you? How dare you disrespect Lord Fire Dragon! Why aren't you kneeling down to apologize? Watch my scissor kick!"
A group of girls drop-kicked Natsu, ganging up on him, angrily lecturing this ungrateful person.
The purple-haired man, who styled himself "Lord Fire Dragon," was still hypocritically asking the girls to spare Natsu.
At this moment, Lucy had already sobered up, watching the scene before her with cold eyes, arms crossed.
She had already woken up the moment Natsu rushed in, and the enchantment magic was broken. Then, when the purple-haired man signed, she noticed the ring on his hand, which had long been prohibited.
"So hungry, so hungry, what's wrong with that guy?"
"Aiya! It's just hard to understand."
Just after the purple-haired man's introduction, when he said he would invite the girls to a party on his yacht and left with a swirling flame.
Lucy also noticed the boy who was looking uncomfortable, covering his stomach, and still complaining about being hungry.
"Thank you, by the way, my name is Lucy."
"Huh? My name is Natsu, and this is Happy."
Natsu turned his head, looking at the smiling girl who was greeting him, and replied blankly.
"Are you hungry? I'll treat you to a meal, as my thanks!"
Lucy bent over, asking the somewhat dazed pair in front of her with a teasing and smiling tone, reaching out to pull Natsu up.
Natsu also extended his hand and took hers. A hand like white jade and a slightly rough, dark-skinned hand, clasped together, surprisingly harmonious and beautiful.
"Let's go, there's a restaurant around that corner, it's really good."
"Oh, great!"
"Aiya!"
To be continued~
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