The morning sun sprinkled onto the streets of Magnolia City, and the townspeople had already begun decorating early. The streets and alleys were filled with a festive atmosphere of harvest. In a small alley, a group of children ran and played, holding various decorations and toys that would be used in the Harvest Festival.
In the mountains behind the Guild...
"Bang~ Bang~"
Zorn watched Kana's punch crack the ground, and then seeing the cracked ground in the open space, his eye twitched. Kana truly had an extraordinary talent for Haki. After only three months of training, she had successfully attached Armament Haki to her fists.
It seems that if I find a few more powerful cards for Kana later, her overall strength will definitely increase significantly.
"Brother Zorn, damn it, did you secretly give Kana special tutoring?" Natsu stood to the side, clenching his fists and jumping, accusing Zorn of favoritism.
"Hmph, this time I'm with Natsu," Gray also looked at Zorn with some suspicion.
"Bang bang."
"You two little brats, Zorn has been living with you, and he's been training with you these past few days, even rarely taking on missions. Do you have no conscience? Really!" Erza knocked Natsu and Gray on their little heads with two consecutive punches, directly lecturing them.
"That's right, Natsu, Gray, strength comes from within yourselves. As the saying goes, 'three parts destiny, seven parts effort.' I believe you can definitely master this power. But for Kana, her talent accounts for ninety percent, which is why she can master this power in such a short time. So you must train even harder from now on, understand?" Zorn squatted down to be at eye level with them, speaking seriously.
"Oh, we understand." Natsu and Gray nodded, half-understanding. Natsu's eyes darted towards a somewhat smug Kana nearby. He clenched his fists and shouted, "Hey, Kana, let's have a duel! Let me see what you've got!"
"Dragon Slayer Magic - Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" Natsu directly raised his flaming fist and swung it towards Kana. Seeing this, Kana also raised her fist, glowing with black light, and collided with Natsu. Natsu was forced back a few steps by a huge force. Although Kana won, she was slightly out of breath, and her Armament Haki also disappeared.
"Oh, not bad. Her combat power has directly risen a level," Erza's eyes lit up as she affirmed after seeing it.
"Excellent, excellent. Kana can move on to the next step." Zorn also nodded, affirming Kana's talent and ability. He then turned his head and suggested to Erza, "You, I see you've already got a faint feeling. How about we have another spar? Maybe it's just missing a catalyst."
"Well, let's not. I still need to discuss the Magical Parade today, and I also need to prepare an outfit soon. Next time," Erza thought for a moment, deciding to prepare her clothes first. If there were any issues, she could still find a tailor to fix them. The combat training could wait.
"Alright, this morning's training is over. We should go to the Guild and discuss the Harvest Festival program with Everyone," Zorn nodded in agreement, then said to Natsu and the others.
It seems that in this world, some people can master this power, and those with extraordinary talent are truly geniuses. It seems Kana is one of them. I also want to know what kind of scene it will be when Gildarts and Kana recognize each other, and he sees Kana's punch, causing the ground to crack and mountains to split.
On the way back to the Guild, Zorn's thoughts were racing.
————Separator————
The Harvest Festival's Magical Parade is a traditional festival in Magnolia, and because the Magic Guild participates in the parade, it greatly boosts the local tourism economy.
"Yosh, Everyone, prepare according to the program we discussed last time. I need to get ready too."
After the short figure of the Guild Master confirmed the specific arrangements to Everyone from the bar counter, he jumped down and happily skipped out of the Guild.
The Guild Members also gathered in twos and threes to discuss.
Gray, Natsu, and Zorn's group also left the Guild and were on their way to purchase items.
There were still things missing for the props and costumes needed for the evening. The boss said they would arrive today.
"Brother Zorn, let's go eat ramen for lunch today. A new place just opened recently, and I heard the taste is incredible. Let's try it today," Gray's stomach had been rumbling for a while as it was almost noon, and he said to Zorn.
"No, I want grilled meat! Grilled meat is the perfect match for today's celebration!" Natsu immediately retorted upon hearing this.
"Ramen!"
"Grilled meat!"
"Damn Natsu, we already ate grilled meat yesterday! We have to eat ramen today!"
"Pervert, no, I won't listen to you! I want grilled meat!"
Gray and Natsu started arguing loudly on the road, and it looked like they were about to fight again. Zorn immediately held them both and said, "Alright, we can buy a little of both and eat them together. Isn't that better? Kana, you too, is there anything you want to eat?" After calming the two brats, Zorn turned to Kana and asked.
"I'm fine with anything, but today I want to drink that carbonated drink you made last time." Ever since Kana drank that drink that sent a jolt through her throat, she's been a bit addicted.
"Of course, you can." Zorn nodded. As he finished speaking, he sensed something and turned to look at the figure on a distant rooftop.
"Laxus~"
"It's that grumpy-faced, super-fast guy from last time!" Natsu also looked in the direction Zorn was looking, spotted the figure, and pointed, shouting loudly.
"Oh, Zorn, your perceptiveness is quite impressive. I even concealed my magic power, and you still found me," a flash of lightning appeared in front of them, and Laxus said with admiration.
"Where are you going? Aren't you participating in the Harvest Festival?" Zorn asked the rebellious youth, who had a backpack slung over one shoulder and many mission requests in the other hand.
"I won't participate in such boring things. Strength is the most important thing. I must become the Guild Master, eliminate the weak, and establish a powerful Guild. Zorn, I acknowledge your strength. Are you interested in going on a mission with me?" Laxus said casually with a disdainful tone, but at the end, he seriously wanted to invite Zorn to join his team.
"No, Laxus. I believe every Guild Member is a precious companion and family member who should not be abandoned. Moreover, my power is for protection. I'm afraid I cannot agree with your view, nor will I join your team," Zorn's expression was serious, and his tone was firm as he rejected Laxus.
"Brother Zorn~" Natsu and Gray looked at Zorn with adoration. Kana, standing nearby, felt a different kind of emotion well up in her heart as she looked at Zorn, who cherished his companions so much. She had joined the Guild to find the father who had abandoned her mother. At this moment, she clenched her fists, thinking of that philandering old man, and her resolve to train desperately became even stronger. One day, she would make her old man regret it.
Meanwhile, Gildarts, who was outside on a mission, walking in the mountains, let out an "Achoo~" and rubbed his nose, saying, "Is some beautiful woman thinking of me again? Hehe."
"Tch, you're just like my old man, boring. You'll know eventually. Goodbye!" Laxus scoffed upon hearing this and walked out of town without looking back.
"Laxus, you should face your inner self," Zorn suddenly said, looking at the retreating figure.
Laxus seemed not to hear, accelerating without a reaction, and vanished in a flash.
"Alright, let's go buy food. We'll have a big lunch, then get all the props and costumes ready, and practice well again. Let's go," Zorn said softly to the three children after Laxus was completely out of sight.
"Oh ho, yay!" Natsu was the first to jump up, clamoring and pulling Zorn to walk faster.