While everyone was struggling and exhausted in the early section of the maze, the first team to break through and reach the middle area finally appeared.
"Wow, this guy is fast."
Selene looked at the screen and showed a hint of surprise as she watched Natsu being carried by Happy while rushing far ahead of the others.
"I can roughly guess how Natsu managed to get through so quickly."
Caesar watched Natsu and Happy move straight through the passage without hesitation, directly heading toward Laxus's location, and immediately understood the reason.
Natsu had an extremely sharp sense of smell.
He sensed Laxus's presence on this path and concluded that Laxus was waiting ahead, so he followed the scent without hesitation.
Because of this, Natsu chose the correct route and did not get lost, which naturally made his speed much faster and allowed him to become the first team to break through the front section.
As for fighting Laxus.
Did anyone really think Natsu would back down.
This guy had been itching to fight Laxus for a long time.
"Laxus."
With Happy carrying him, Natsu avoided many traps that required activation and smoothly reached the end of the passage.
There, he saw Laxus standing quietly in a vast hall, clearly waiting for him.
"I didn't expect it to be you. You are really fast."
Laxus watched Happy release Natsu as Natsu charged forward with momentum, lightning crackling across his body.
"Then let me test whether you are truly qualified to become an S Class mage."
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist."
"Thunder Dragon's Crushing Fist."
Their fists collided, flames and lightning erupting violently.
Happy fled in a miserable state, knowing that if he were accidentally injured and defeated, Natsu would be dragged down and fail the assessment.
"Go for it, Natsu."
Happy immediately switched roles and became a loud cheerleader.
"I trained with my dad for a long time just to beat you."
Natsu showed no intention of retreating as terrifying heat burst out from his body.
"Flame Dragon King Mode."
"Flame Dragon King's Purgatory."
Boom.
Endless flames erupted and completely engulfed Laxus.
Happy felt the terrifying heat and hurriedly retreated, though his fur was still scorched and curled.
"You've become much stronger, Natsu."
Within the sea of flames, a flash of lightning tore them apart.
Laxus threw away his burning coat and looked straight at Natsu.
"But you are not the only one getting stronger."
"I am getting stronger too."
"Thunder Dragon King Mode."
As Laxus erupted, an extremely terrifying surge of lightning clashed head on with Natsu's flames.
Lightning and fire filled the entire space as the two forces confronted each other fiercely.
"Dragon Slayer Technique."
"Dragon Slayer Secret Technique."
"Ringing Thunder."
"Purgatory Halberd Dragon Flame."
The violent collision caused a massive explosion, sending both of them flying and leaving deep cracks across the surrounding stone walls.
Watching from outside, Caesar could not help but cover his face.
These two should have been told to hold back.
The magic power in this world was not as abundant as in Aslant.
Even so, the maze was already damaged to this extent.
If this had happened in Aslant, half of the maze would probably have been destroyed.
Still, it had to be said that both of them were growing far faster than before.
Their current strength was no weaker than when they opened their second magic source seven years later.
Compared to Natsu, Laxus's growth was even more astonishing.
"They are evenly matched."
Natsu stood up from the ground, intense heat radiating from his body and scorching the floor beneath his feet.
"Evenly matched."
Laxus looked at the charred object in his hand and frowned slightly.
"It seems Caesar was right. This thing is not a help to me at all, but a restriction."
As he spoke, Laxus tore open his clothes, revealing his muscular chest.
With a swift motion, he plunged his hand into his chest and pulled out a crystal crackling with lightning.
"Wait, what is that."
Natsu stared blankly at the scene before him.
Then he clearly felt Laxus's lightning power surge again, more than doubling in strength.
"This guy is cheating."
Natsu could hardly believe it.
Happy flew back, saw the scene, and immediately turned around and ran, not daring to stay even a second longer.
"Dragon Slayer Crystal."
Laxus casually tossed aside the bloodstained magic crystal and spoke calmly.
"It was embedded in my body by my father because my magic power was too strong."
"It increased my physical strength and prevented me from dying early."
"But fundamentally, it also suppressed my power."
"Now, I feel much better."
Watching from outside, Caesar laughed softly.
"This is getting interesting."
"Without the Dragon Slayer Crystal restricting him, Laxus is stronger than the Twelve Shields of the Alvarez Empire."
"Only August and Irene could truly fight him head on."
"Does the Dragon Slayer Crystal really have that kind of effect."
Selene looked at Caesar with an unchanged expression.
"It depends on the person."
Caesar explained calmly.
"For some people, embedding it strengthens them."
"For others, it limits them."
"And what about you."
Selene recalled the information she had learned and looked at Caesar.
"I remember you also have one in your jewelry, right."
"I am not embedding it."
Caesar shook his head.
"I am absorbing it."
"I am different from them."
"I absorbed the Dragon Slayer Crystal directly, so the situation is completely different."
Selene paused for a moment.
That thing could be absorbed.
You could actually eat it.
Caesar did not bother to explain further, since his situation could not be replicated anyway.
Inside the maze, Laxus and Natsu resumed their battle.
Without the Dragon Slayer Crystal suppressing him, Laxus unleashed his magic freely.
His overwhelming power completely crushed Natsu.
Even when Natsu activated Flame Dragon King Mode, he was still no match.
Boom.
With a deafening sound, Natsu was blasted away and slammed into the ground.
"Laxus is still so strong."
"I lost."
Laxus was also breathing heavily as he sat down on the scorching ground.
He took out a charm from his pocket and tossed it toward Natsu.
"Even though you lost, your strength is already more than enough for a normal S Class mission."
"So in my eyes, you have passed."
"That charm can withstand five attacks from the dungeon traps."
"Keep it safe and continue forward."
"Try to get your S Class rank."
Natsu caught the charm and felt a surge of motivation rise within him.
He stood up and looked at Laxus, who was resting on the ground.
"Alright."
"Once I become an S Class mage, Laxus, let's fight again."
"Let's talk about it after you become S Class."
Laxus waved his hand and closed his eyes to rest.
Natsu called out to Happy and walked away from Laxus's position.
After this, Laxus would use his remaining strength to block the path here.
He did not have much combat power left for the short term.
The rest would be left to them.