"Natsu~!" Happy quickly followed Natsu as he ran out.
Makarov roared at Natsu's retreating back, "You little brat! If you're going to leave, then leave! Why did you have to smash the table?! Tables aren't free! Put it on his tab; deduct it from his next mission reward!"
"Master, I would also like to request a month's leave," Erza said, stepping in front of Makarov. Although guild wizards enjoy great freedom, it is still an organization with corresponding regulations.
Guild wizards are required to report their travels for missions or personal training. After all, wizardry is a dangerous profession, and accidents are common. If someone is gone for too long without word, the guild will send a rescue team to prevent tragedy.
"Erza?"
Erza's expression was solemn. "Chu Yan's strength was a shock to me, and the trial made me realize my own inadequacies. I thought I was working hard, but now I see I've been slacking. I accept my defeat completely—in every aspect, I lost. But I won't give up! Once I've become stronger, I will challenge him again."
"Uh... alright then!" Seeing Erza's determined gaze, Makarov could only agree.
"Master, I'm also going out to train for a while!" Mirajane requested her leave as well. Without waiting for a response, she turned and left, taking her brother Elfman and sister Lisanna with her.
Gray added, "Master, I need to head out too. I'll be back in a month." We all agreed to fail the test together, yet you were secretly staying up all night studying—unforgivable.
The fact that six of them had fought one person and suffered such an absolute defeat was a heavy blow. However, Makarov's words had awakened them: Chu Yan was strong because he earned it. It was only natural.
Makarov closed his eyes, looking speechless. He felt like he was suffering the consequences of his own actions. Even though they were only leaving to train, it felt like the guild was dissolving. He had just lost several of his best mission-takers; the mission board was going to be overflowing soon.
"Master!" Macao called out.
Makarov glared. "You want to go out and train too?!"
"No, I just wanted to ask if you wanted a drink!" Macao said, swaying slightly with a drunken grin.
(Anger) Makarov's hand suddenly grew massive, grabbing Macao and hurling him out the front door. "GET TO WORK, YOU IDIOT!!!"
In a remote mountain range of the Kingdom of Fiore, the forest was dense and untouched by man. Overgrown with weeds and inhabited by terrifying monsters, this was a paradise for the strong where the law of the jungle was the only rule. On the maps of various wizard guilds, this place was marked as a "Forbidden Zone."
It was synonymous with terror—a place no one would enter unless absolutely necessary.
Today, a handsome boy of about fifteen stepped into the woods, letting out a heartfelt sigh of relief. "The environment here is quite nice!"
This was Chu Yan, out on his training journey. In this world overflowing with magical elements, the danger of monsters was far higher than in his previous world. Where humans gathered to survive, monsters gathered as well. Most "Forbidden Zones," aside from those with harsh climates, were nesting grounds for such creatures.
Actually, Chu Yan had already accidentally destroyed four similar Forbidden Zones. He didn't mean to; they just couldn't withstand his training process. He didn't like destroying them on purpose—after all, good training spots were hard to find. If he ruined one, he had to travel further to find the next.
Suddenly, a massive monster over ten meters tall, looking somewhat like a Tyrannosaurus Rex, spotted Chu Yan. It opened its blood-red maw and lunged toward him with heavy thuds.
Crack, snap! Trees were splintered in its path.
"Don't bother me."
A white halo appeared on Chu Yan's fist as he punched the air to his side. "——!"
Crack, crack! The space fractured like a shattered mirror.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!
A terrifying vibration erupted from his fist. Everything in its path—trees, boulders, earth—was pulverized, carving a straight path through the dense forest until it struck a distant peak.
BOOM!!!
The mountaintop collapsed, leaving only half the mountain standing. The "T-Rex" stared with wide eyes, its jaw nearly hitting the ground.
"Beat it!"
"Aye~! Sorry for the interruption~!!" The T-Rex-like beast turned on its heels and sprinted away at top speed, leaving Chu Yan momentarily stunned.
"Holy crap! It can talk!"
He shook his head. In a magical world, talking monsters weren't exactly rare—Happy was a talking cat, after all. He chose this spot for its environment; it had mountains, water, forests, and plenty of food. It was perfect. He tossed his luggage to the side.
"Time to warm up!"
Chu Yan began with simple stretches, then gathered his strength. He stomped the ground—BOOM!—leaving a crater as his body shot into the air. Bam, bam, bam! He kicked the air repeatedly, climbing higher and higher. Once at a sufficient altitude, he began a flurry of punches, kicks, knees, and elbows, each releasing pale white pressure shocks.
"——!" ...
BOOM BOOM BOOM!!! ...
As Chu Yan unleashed his power, the monsters of the Forbidden Zone suffered. Although only a fraction of his attacks hit the ground, it was a cataclysm for the inhabitants. They fled in all directions, screaming as if the world were ending.
After venting his energy, Chu Yan felt refreshed. He spread his arms wide and let himself fall from the sky in a freefall.
Just before hitting the ground, Hum—! A transparent white halo dispersed.
BOOM!
The ground cracked, but Chu Yan's momentum halted instantly in mid-air. He performed a graceful flip and landed steadily on his feet.
"Refreshing!!!"