"Marco, is today's training over?"
Just as Marco and the others finished ordering, a girl curiously came over.
She was carrying a tray and sat down at the same table as Marco and the others.
The tables in the hall were rectangular with long benches on both sides.
To "improve relations" between Natsu and Gray, Marco had arranged for them to sit on the same side, so the girl sat directly next to Marco.
"Yes, Cana. Where's Whitey?"
Marco looked at the girl.
This brown-haired girl was Cana.
Hmm, also an orphan.
Among their group of peers, Cana was the earliest to join the guild after Marco.
The two had always had a good relationship.
Looking at Cana whose features were gradually maturing, Marco recalled the pitiful little girl who had come to the guild alone five years ago, holding a white puppy.
Cana was only six years old then and couldn't use magic yet.
"Whitey's over there. I've already prepared dinner for him."
Cana said with a smile, pointing to a corner where Whitey was eating heartily.
The dinner looked quite sumptuous.
This former stray puppy had also been in the guild for five years now, becoming the guild's mascot.
"Clack."
Seeing Cana move over, Erza also came over with her tray.
She pulled up a chair and sat at the side of the table.
Then she started eating her meal silently, her little mouth going "nom nom", looking like she was enjoying her food.
Seeing Erza voluntarily come over to sit with everyone, Marco smiled.
If this was Erza who had just arrived at the guild a year ago, she would absolutely never do something like this.
Back then, Erza was very withdrawn, always curled up alone in a corner, always running off to places where no one was around.
She was like a young beast hiding in a corner licking its wounds.
"Erza, how's your eye? Has it fully recovered?"
Looking at Erza, Marco asked.
This question made Erza pause for a moment, then she answered nonchalantly.
"It's completely healed. Except for not being able to shed tears, this eye is no different from a normal person's eye."
Erza's right eye was a prosthetic eye.
Thanks to Porlyusica's healing magic, this eye was almost indistinguishable from a real one, with functions basically the same as a real eye.
When Erza first came to the guild, she was covered in injuries and had lost an eye.
She could be said to be the most miserable one.
Erza never spoke of her previous experiences.
Out of respect, no one probed too deeply, but instead used patience, kindness and friendship to melt her hard defenses.
Now Erza was much more normal than when she first arrived a year ago.
She was increasingly integrated and gradually showing her sharp edges.
Her serious, meticulous and highly responsible personality made her seem like a little adult.
After Erza sat down, Gray immediately behaved himself.
He stopped butting heads with Natsu and started eating properly.
This surprised Natsu very much.
He was somewhat puzzled, because he hadn't challenged Erza yet and hadn't been beaten up by her.
No, actually he had been hit before, so Natsu's gaze towards Erza also held some wariness.
"I'm sorry, Natsu. I shouldn't have treated you like that before."
Erza also noticed Natsu's strange look at her, so she put down her utensils and sincerely apologized to Natsu.
"Uh, it's... it's okay. Let's have another fight and it'll be fine! Even though Marco said you're very strong, I'll get my revenge!"
Faced with Erza's very serious and sincere apology, Natsu scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
Then he resolutely issued a challenge to Erza.
Although Marco had already advised him against it, Natsu wouldn't be satisfied without a fight.
Stare....
Natsu's words made Gray and Cana look at him in surprise.
This guy had just been knocked out by Marco and now he wanted to challenge Erza again.
Had he really never been beaten up before?
"Admirable courage."
Marco gave Natsu a thumbs up.
He had already warned Natsu not to underestimate Erza's brutality just because she looked pretty, but Natsu was such a stubborn mule, truly not giving up until he hit a wall.
The result of fighting Erza could be seen just by looking at Gray.
Gray, who trained with Marco every day and got beaten up every day, wasn't actually afraid of fighting Marco.
But when he saw Erza, he was like a mouse seeing a cat - he had truly been beaten into fear.
Marco was very measured when he struck.
Although it looked quite fierce, punch after punch, he was actually controlling his strength.
But Erza was different.
In battle, she was also very serious.
Faced with others' challenges, she would give it her all, because she believed this was also a form of respect for others.
Of course, Erza would definitely hold back somewhat.
At least she wouldn't attack vital points or make potentially life-threatening attacks.
But fighting her would definitely result in memorable suffering.
Gray no longer dared to casually provoke Erza - in one year he had already been beaten into submission.
Marco could see that Erza knew very clearly how to make people feel pain and suffering.
She never knocked people out, but instead inflicted pain on the body, making people vividly remember that pain.
She could be called an expert in torturing people.
In a sense, Erza was actually quite measured in her attacks.
Behind this strange ability, there must not be a good story.
Thinking of the injuries covering Erza's body when she first came to the guild, Marco actually felt quite sorry for this girl.
This ability was probably something Erza had mastered based on her own personal experiences.
"Alright, I accept your challenge."
Faced with Natsu's challenge, Erza nodded seriously and agreed very straightforwardly.
She stood up, ready to go out immediately.
"Wait a minute! Let me finish eating!"
Natsu panicked a bit and hurriedly started shoveling food into his mouth.
Actually, if he could have some fire to eat at this time, that would be best.
'Dragon Slayers' could eat things of the same attribute to replenish magic power.
For example, Laxus could eat lightning, while Natsu could eat fire.
They could quickly recover magic power and physical strength by eating these things, as well as increase their power.
"Natsu, you're the son of a dragon, a Dragon Slayer. Don't lose. Let Erza see your strength. Man up! If you beat Erza, you'll be ranked second strongest!"
Marco stood up and patted Natsu's shoulder as he spoke.
Since he couldn't stop Natsu from seeking death, he might as well give him some more encouragement.
Natsu poured all the food into his mouth, then gulped it down in one go.
He stood up, feeling his body full of strength again.
"Don't worry, Marco! I'll win!"
Natsu said solemnly to Marco.
This time, he would also give it his all!
"Well done! Natsu! Go for it!"
Marco smiled and gave Natsu a thumbs up again, hoping the kid would still have this much energy later.
But that was probably impossible.