"Has your Ice-Make Magic become more powerful?" Marco asked Gray with a smile.
After Loke was infused with Marco's Star Magic, he felt stronger.
The incredibly pure Star Magic made Loke feel as refreshed as eating a chilled watermelon on a scorching summer day.
When Hisui and Lucy used Star Magic to summon Celestial Spirits or to supply the summoned spirits with magical power, those spirits would become stronger than usual.
While this might be partly due to the connection between Celestial Spirits, constellations, and Star Magic, it was undeniable that Star Magic was purer and more potent than ordinary magical power.
Therefore, when Gray used Star Magic to perform his "Ice-Make Magic," the effects would undoubtedly be stronger.
Marco was very confident about this.
"Exactly! The magic's effects are far more impressive than before!"
As expected, Gray replied with great excitement.
This discovery made him very happy, as it meant he wasn't limited to using Star Magic only for the "Diamond Dust Fist" technique.
The "Diamond Dust Fist" was too powerful and had to be reserved as a finishing move.
In truth, Gray already had a trump card: the forbidden magic "Iced Shell."
This was an absolute sealing magic that could turn one's life into eternal ice crystals, forever freezing the target.
Gray's master had died using this technique, sacrificing her life to ensure her two disciples could survive.
This magic was clearly the ultimate last resort, as using it meant the caster would immediately be removed from the battlefield.
Therefore, this technique should never be used unless absolutely necessary—it was best kept stored away forever.
However, despite using Ice magic and appearing cool and collected, Gray was actually a very passionate person who easily lost his composure.
Whenever the situation turned dire, he would prepare to use "Iced Shell," disregarding his own life and prioritizing his companions' safety.
This impulsive behavior annoyed Marco.
Gray always wanted to save others, but if he died doing so, everyone would be equally heartbroken.
He constantly sought to emulate his master by sacrificing himself for those he cared about, not realizing that everyone wanted him to live on.
The "Diamond Dust Fist," incredibly powerful yet requiring no sacrifice, was truly the more suitable magic for a trump card.
"Master the Diamond Dust Fist well—it won't be inferior to your Iced Shell, and might even be stronger." Marco spoke up, giving Gray a pointed reminder.
Under Marco's continuous guidance, Gray gradually abandoned his habit of immediately resorting to "Iced Shell" in desperate situations.
At the very least, he now considered other options most of the time and would only use "Iced Shell" as an absolute last resort.
"Don't slack off on your connection with the Star Map. The more Star Magic you obtain, the stronger your other abilities become. Don't neglect the fundamentals for the trivial."
Marco gave Gray some guidance, urging him not to waste his talent.
"I understand, Marco." Gray nodded seriously.
He had mostly figured things out and wouldn't relax his training anymore.
Lucy watched as Gray received continuous lecturing from Marco and felt a tinge of envy.
Being lectured was a good thing—it meant you were valued.
Unlike her, she hadn't brought any surprises to Marco.
'There must still be untapped potential in traditional Celestial Spirit Magic!'
Seeing Gray combine his "Ice-Make Magic" with Star Magic, Lucy resolved to study "traditional Celestial Spirit Magic" more thoroughly.
She refused to believe she couldn't discover more applications.
'I'll bring Hisui along, and we'll research it together!' Lucy made up her mind.
By the next time their progress was checked, she would definitely surprise Marco too.
"Ahhh! Marco! How could you have a lesson without me!"
Just as the first assessment concluded, an "uninvited guest" burst in, shouting loudly the moment he arrived.
Unsurprisingly, this intruder was Natsu.
"Aye! You didn't call us!"
Happy flapped his wings, circling above Natsu's head.
"We were assessing the progress of the Cygnus constellation. Why would we call you? Are you the Cygnus constellation?"
Marco looked at the frantic Natsu with a puzzled expression.
"Uh..."
Natsu scratched his head, realizing his mistake.
He had thought Marco was giving Gray special training here.
Already lagging behind Gray again, he was anxious and naturally couldn't stand by while Gray received extra lessons.
So, he rushed over, intending to listen in and improve together.
But it turned out they were just reviewing progress here.
"Besides, he's already connected to the Star Map. Have you connected yet? Has the Leo Minor constellation's Star Map responded to your call?" Marco ignored Natsu's embarrassment and pressed on.
"Huff!"
Under Marco's questioning, Natsu's face flushed red instantly.
Among the several Mages who had learned Marco Celestial Spirit Magic, he was the only one who hadn't established a connection with a celestial Star Map yet.
"S-Soon! I can feel it already!"
Natsu insisted stubbornly. Gray's amused expression irritated him, making his temperature rise higher and higher, like a thoroughly cooked shrimp.
"Keep it up, Natsu! You can do it!"
Unlike Gray, who was enjoying the spectacle, Lucy actually encouraged Natsu.
She saw her past self in him—it had taken her a long time to connect with the Star Map too.
Natsu hadn't even been at it for a year yet; he might even succeed faster than she did.
"Of course I can!"
Lucy's words made Natsu clench his fists, his fighting spirit igniting instantly.
He knew Lucy had taken the longest to connect with the Star Map so far, and he refused to be the last. He had to beat her time!
"Bzzzt!!!"
No sooner had he spoken than a glow enveloped Natsu.
The Leo Minor constellation's Star Map flickered faintly behind him, and the celestial Star Map began to respond.
"This..."
Natsu was stunned for a moment, then leaped up joyfully.
"I did it! I'm not the last one!"
"Aye! Success! Success!"
Natsu was so overjoyed he began dancing and waving his arms, with Happy happily echoing his excitement beside him.
"Thump!"
The elated Natsu crouched down, clutching his head where a large bump had already formed in it.
He looked up at Marco with an innocent expression.
"Focus on your senses first. You can celebrate later." Marco spoke sternly, his words instantly calm Natsu down.
He immediately sat quietly and began stabilizing his connection with the Leo Minor constellation chart.
That burst of excitement had nearly broken the fragile connection again.
This time Natsu finally behaved properly, focusing with utmost seriousness because he didn't want to end up in last place - Gray would never let him hear the end of it.
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