"Gray, I heard you've been learning magic from Marco lately?"
Coincidentally, Natsu was also looking for Gray.
Having just returned from a mission, Natsu had learned that Gray had been training under Marco, which instantly put him on guard.
No wonder Gray had been missing lately—he'd been secretly getting special training from Marco!
"That's right! Prepare to lose, Natsu! I've returned stronger than ever!"
Gray wasted no time answering Natsu's question and immediately challenged him, unable to wait even a second longer.
"Hah? Since when did a loser like you get so bold?"
Naturally, Gray's words provoked Natsu, who instantly accepted the challenge.
The two headed straight back to "Fairy Home," ready to settle their rivalry in the arena.
Under these circumstances, neither of them started a fight on the spot—instead, they made a beeline for the arena, a testament to Marco's influence.
The "xxx Rematch" between these two troublemakers naturally drew the attention of their peers, and everyone followed them back to Fairy Home to watch the spectacle.
As time passed, the new generation of Fairy Tail gradually made their mark.
Natsu, too, had slowly built a reputation, earning himself the nickname 'Salamander.'
Natsu's "Fire Dragon Slayer Magic" showcased immense power and destructive capability, and his tendency to burn everything in his path was the main reason for his notoriety—and the many complaints it brought.
Not only Natsu but other active Fairy Tail Mages had also gained considerable fame.
For example, there was Erza Scarlet, widely recognized as the guild's strongest female Mage, the ' Titania.'
Then there was Mirajane, the 'She-Devil,' who was only slightly inferior to Erza.
Both of them were far more renowned than Natsu.
Gray, an outstanding "Ice Make Mage," had earned the title of "Ice Prince" and was quite popular.
After all, outsiders weren't aware of his habit of randomly stripping off his clothes.
Setting that aside, Gray was actually pretty normal.
"The Ice Prince's Revenge Match!"
This latest battle between Gray and Natsu was jokingly dubbed the "Revenge Match" by their comrades.
After all, prior to this, Natsu had reversed his losing streak and successfully overpowered Gray, becoming the stronger of the two.
Now that Gray had returned from his training and challenging Natsu again, it was clear he was here for revenge—to once more suppress the evil fire dragon!
"Let me see what you've learned from Marco."
Natsu glared at Gray, his tone defiant, but inwardly, he was wary.
Before their last mission, Natsu had just challenged Marco and gotten thoroughly beaten, leaving him in a phase of reverence.
Naturally, he was cautious about Gray, who had returned after training under Marco.
Even if he didn't respect Gray, he had to respect Marco.
...
"Who do you think will win?"
In the stands, Marco watched the match with Lucy and posed the question to his second student.
The answer was obvious.
"Definitely Gray. He's much stronger now."
As expected, Lucy firmly sided with Gray.
Though Gray was only an unofficial student—never formally apprenticed—he still used the "New Celestial Spirit Magic" of Marco's.
Lucy, well aware of how powerful this magic was, naturally didn't support Natsu.
Even without learning "Cygnus Celestial Spirit Magic," Gray had never been far behind Natsu.
Now, he was sure to win outright.
Marco smiled but said nothing as the duel in the arena began.
...
"Raaaaah!"
With a roar, Gray summoned the 'Cygnus Saint Cloth.'
That's right—though Gray was technically just an unofficial student, after successfully forming a connection with the Cygnus constellation, Marco had still given him a set of the 'Cygnus Saint Cloth.'
This was practically treating him as a true student.
"The Saint Cloth looks different from mine."
Lucy observed the "Cygnus Saint Cloth" Gray wore.
Of course, Gray's version wasn't the same as hers.
In fact, Lucy's was the modified design, while Gray's was essentially a replica of the "Cygnus Bronze Saint Cloth."
Well, Marco's original version was designed for men, so adjustments had to be made for a girl.
Speaking of which, Marco had recently unlocked another "Bronze Saint Cloth"—the "Leo Minor Bronze Saint Cloth," whose skills leaned toward fire attributes.
This Saint Cloth had been unlocked thanks to Bisca and Alzack.
The reason Marco had invited these immigrants to join Fairy Tail was partly because they had triggered a quest.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have casually invited them—he only did so knowing they would eventually become guildmates.
In the arena, Gray erupted with power.
Clad in the "Cygnus Saint Cloth," he channeled the Cygnus constellation in the sky, his body overflowing with stellar magic energy.
The freezing aura he emitted even made Natsu shiver slightly.
"Damn it! You really learned it!"
This scene was nothing new to Natsu.
It was quite similar to when he fought Hisui, with only one constellation responding to Gray.
When Marco fought, it was much more exaggerated than this.
"Diamond Dust Punch!"
Gray's figure twisted as he threw a fierce punch.
A terrifying wave of icy aura howled forth, carrying a biting cold wind.
Natsu was no stranger to this move, the "Diamond Dust Punch."
In fact, one could argue he was even more familiar with it than Gray himself.
After all, Natsu had personally experienced it many times.
Every time he challenged Marco, he would get frozen by this move and then Marco would leave him alone, waiting for him to break free on his own.
"Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"
Despite having endured it countless times, Natsu stubbornly charged forward anyway.
He refused to believe Gray's version could be as strong as Marco's!
"BOOM!"
Ice and fire clashed.
After a brief stalemate, the icy aura completely overwhelmed the flames.
"Sizzle—"
The fire was extinguished by the frost, and as the mist cleared, Natsu stood frozen in place, still in his punching stance.
He had been completely encased in ice—defeated by Gray in a direct confrontation!
Before the ice took hold, only one thought crossed Natsu's mind.
He wanted to learn it too!
He wanted Marco to teach him this so-called Celestial Spirit Magic!
There had to be a Celestial Spirit related to fire, right?!
---------
Please read my new fanfic, Fairy Tail : Digimon Take Over
Read 50 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator