No wonder Natsu didn't recognize him.
Laxus was wrapped head to toe in white bandages, only a pair of cold eyes and a head of charred blond hair exposed.
From a distance, he looked every bit the "bandage monster."
Was I too gentle yesterday?
Aurel couldn't help the thought.
Less than a day later, Laxus was off the bed and walking, voice strong and steady—nothing like a patient with burns all over.
"Wait—Mira said Laxus got beaten by the newbie yesterday!?"
Natsu's eyes bulged as he shouted, stunned by the news.
That idiot—
Laxus heard it clearly from upstairs. His face instantly darkened, and he glared at Natsu with killing intent.
"What are you staring at? Wanna fight?" Natsu jeered right back.
If Laxus had been thrashed by a newbie, there was nothing to fear.
"Come back when you can beat Erza," Laxus snorted. He stood to return to the infirmary on the second floor.
But before leaving, he spared the newcomer who'd crushed him a long look.
"Aurel, was it… remember this. I'll repay yesterday's loss sooner or later."
"I'll be waiting," Aurel said with an easy smile.
The contrast with yesterday gave Laxus a brief pause, but he didn't dwell on it. With a cold snort, he disappeared onto the second floor.
With Laxus gone, the crowd—hoping for drama—lost interest and drifted back to drinking and chatting.
"Still, I didn't expect you to be that strong—strong enough to beat Laxus," Levy said, sleepiness fading, curiosity taking its place as she recalled the crushing pressure from yesterday.
Among the guild's S-class mages, setting aside Gildarts on a century quest and the ever-mysterious Mystogan, Laxus was undeniably the strongest.
So what kind of power did Aurel truly have, if he'd beaten Laxus that easily?
Her curiosity was hooked.
"At that level… destroying the entire continent shouldn't be a problem," Aurel said after a thoughtful chin rub.
"That's way too exaggerated…"
Levy rolled her eyes and flopped onto the table.
Getting no real answer, she decided to close her eyes for a quick nap, nestling her little head against the arm Aurel had resting on the tabletop.
What happened last night had been way too stimulating for a pure, inexperienced girl. Back in the dorm, she simply couldn't sleep—heat rising in her body the moment she closed her eyes.
In the end, unable to drift off, Levy had snuck into Erza's room and taken back those books she'd lent her—
Then read them with… scholarly diligence.
Result: not a wink of sleep. She'd come to the guild early to wait for Aurel.
She'd only just shut her eyes when an excited voice jolted her awake.
"So you're the Aurel Mira mentioned—if you beat Laxus, you've gotta be strong!"
Natsu strode up, eyes blazing.
"Aye, a scary newbie indeed!"
The blue cat behind him—now sporting a pair of white wings—hovered above the table and chimed in.
"…"
—So loud!
Levy bleakly lifted her head, swaying as she stifled a yawn.
She wanted to curl up against Aurel and sleep to his comforting scent, but did her duty with introductions.
"This is Natsu Dragneel. His magic is unusual—Dragon Slayer Magic from ancient times."
"The blue cat is Happy, also a member of the guild."
Didn't expect to meet Natsu today, huh.
Sakura-pink hair, black short coat with tied trousers, and a white scarf patterned like dragon scales—just as Aurel remembered.
"And this is Aurel. He joined yesterday—he's teamed up with me for now!"
Levy's tone perked up noticeably when introducing the boy beside her.
"Aye, I thought you were on a team with Jet and Droy," Happy said, tilting his head at Levy with a knowing squint. "Could it be—you've got a thing going?"
"Don't say that!"
Levy's face flared as she shouted, nailed squarely by the dumb cat's intuition.
Natsu didn't care. He locked onto Aurel, battle spirit blazing. "Fight me, Loran!"
"It's Aurel—Aurel! At least get his name right!" Levy snapped, near tears.
And who challenges someone the moment they meet!?
"It's fine. I've been curious to see the strength of a mage raised by a dragon," Aurel said, standing with a smile.
"Hey—how do you know I was raised by a dragon!?"
Natsu slapped both hands on the table and leaned so far forward he nearly bumped noses with Aurel.
A newcomer shouldn't know that.
"Did Levy tell you?"
"I didn't—and do dragons even exist?" Levy asked, then couldn't help adding the jab at the end.
"Dragons exist," Aurel said, shaking his head. "The Dragon Slayers raised and taught by dragons are the best proof."
"Dragon Slayers… plural?"
Levy blinked—catching the key word.
Before she could ask, Natsu slammed the table again, eyes blazing. "Then do you know where Igneel is!?"
"No."
Aurel's answer dumped a bucket of cold water on him. Natsu deflated at once, frustration twisting his face.
Finally found someone who knew dragons were real and—
"But I do know about other Dragon Slayers," Aurel added.
Natsu's eyes lit up again.
"Tell me!"
"I can—if you beat me," Aurel said mildly, smile never leaving his lips.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]
[Thank You For Your Support!]