Natsu was overjoyed, not knowing when it started, Laxus had been spending less and less time in the guild, making it impossible to find him.
Even when he came to the guild, he always rested on the second floor, completely ignoring his challenges.
Today he finally caught him, and he even agreed!
"Alright, let's begin, I'm fired up!" Natsu turned and walked away.
Ibarglin snapped her fan shut and pointed at Natsu's back, asking:
"What are you doing? Are you running away before the duel even starts? So you know how strong Laxus is, and the challenge is just talk because you don't dare to fight?"
"Huh?" Natsu turned around, looking puzzled, and asked, "What are you talking about? For a duel, shouldn't we go to the backyard?"
Biguslo asked in confusion, "Since when did the guild have such a rule?"
His small dolls fluttered up and down, repeatedly saying, "When, when? Rule, rule..."
Rhode pressed his temples, "This guy is so noisy, and the emblem is actually printed on his tongue..."
Mira said, "That's Biguslo's Celestial Spirit Magic, he uses it to control those dolls in battle. When most people encounter him, they're knocked down before they even get close."
"Celestial Spirit Magic, Nabu uses that too, right?"
"Yes, but Nabu's is 'Animal Spirit Possession', and Biguslo's is 'Doll Possession', even though it's the same type of magic, their methods are completely different."
Magic is free, allowing you to choose the way you want to use it; Rhode understood a bit more.
Upon hearing the word 'rule', Fried seemed to be triggered by a keyword and said earnestly:
"If there's truly such a rule, we should adhere to it because rules are absolute."
But Natsu's earlier actions were just instinctive, and now he's bewildered, turning to look at the others:
"So, is there really such a rule in the guild?"
Two voices spoke simultaneously: "There's no such rule! (Of course there is!)"
The spectators immediately split into two groups: one thinks fighting can happen anywhere, while the other believes challenges and duels should be in the backyard.
They themselves can't recall when they formed this opinion.
And the culprit, Rhode, was still clueless: "Is there or isn't there?"
Mira chuckled: "Don't you find it that those who believe in such a rule look familiar?"
Rhode looked closely; hmm... they've all been challenged by him.
Huh? I set the rule?
"I just didn't want things in the tavern to be damaged..."
Some things inexplicably become customary 'rules', like rock-paper-scissors, palm or back of the hand, 'counting soldiers'...
"Is there something else silly in this guild?" Laxus found it troublesome and flipped the coat draped over him backward.
Fried naturally caught the coat, tidied it up, and draped it over his arm, like a...
Rhode rubbed his eyes, confirming with Mira: "Fried is male, right?"
"Of course." Mira said, "But he's not good at socializing, and might only have appeared more often than Mystogan, so people don't quite know him."
Another oddball, in all sorts of ways.
Laxus extended a hand, gesturing to Natsu: "Come at me, Natsu, I don't need such a spacious place to deal with you."
"Don't look down on me, I've gotten much stronger!" Natsu was too lazy to change places, charging straight up, "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Laxus stood still, easily catching Natsu's wrist: "Oh? You really have gotten stronger, huh?"
Jet exclaimed in surprise: "He caught Natsu's fist so casually!"
Troy said, "That's Laxus for you."
Reby, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, leaned back, bumping her head into a solid chest plate: "Erza?"
The sense of security improved.
Erza watched the battle intently:
Natsu, after his fist was caught, immediately kicked, but Laxus easily blocked it and threw Natsu away with a backhand.
Natsu flipped in the air, landed, and charged again, attacking continuously with punches and kicks.
Though all were blocked, Erza nodded in satisfaction: "Mm, Natsu really has gotten stronger."
"Strong where? Isn't he completely suppressed?" Gray felt it wasn't due to Natsu's strength but because Laxus wasn't serious.
Hapi ran to Kana: "We're changing our mind, betting on Laxus to win."
Kana refused: "No way, the betting is closed."
"How can you do this." Hapi couldn't do anything but turn around, "Go Natsu!"
Loki chuckled: "You only cheer for Natsu on those conditions?"
"Manliness!"
Laxus knocked Natsu back again, with a hint of golden lightning on his arms: "If this is the extent, it's a bit disappointing."
"Hee... you're really strong!" Natsu laughed instead, taking a deep breath, "Fire Dragon's Roar!"
The spectators quickly retreated, being experienced mages who wouldn't get caught in the chaos.
But the floors, tables, chairs, and benches weren't so fortunate, some burned, others sent flying.
Rhode watched with heartache, this is why I fight outside.
Laxus stood still, arms folded, letting the flames engulf him.
Natsu wiped the corner of his mouth, excitedly said: "How's that move, Laxus!"
Laxus waved, and the electric glow flickered around him, the flames vanished: "Huh? How was what?"
Then he dusted off his clothes: "Enough, I'm tired of this."
A golden lightning appeared from nowhere, enveloping Natsu.
"Whoa ah ah ah..."
Natsu screamed in agony, Laxus turned to leave, Fried ready to hand over the coat.
Yet Natsu's voice came, "I'm not done yet!"
With the lightning gone, despite smoke rising from him, Natsu was still smiling: "I'm not the little punk you can knock down so easily!"
"Oh?" Laxus watched Natsu charge at him, pulling a somewhat cold smile, "Seems you can still move a bit."
"Fire Dragon's... ugh!"
Natsu's abdomen took a heavy blow, followed by hits to his face, chest, back...
Punches and kicks imbued with lightning kept hitting Natsu, leaving him no chance to fight back.
Bang!
With the final blow, Natsu fell to the ground.
Laxus rolled his neck a few times: "You're quite durable in taking hits, don't you think you should give up?"
"Not... not yet..." Natsu wobbled but got up again.
"Persistent guy, you should understand the gap in power by now!"
Laxus raised his right fist, astonishing magic power erupted from him, lightning gathering.
Erza felt it wasn't good, wanting to stop him: "Laxus!"
But she was a step too late, the terrifying lightning enveloped Natsu, the blinding light made it hard to see him.
"Ah ah ah ah..."
"Natsu!" Even Hapi was scared this time, tearing up.
Yet Natsu's screams didn't last, instead, the lightning dimmed quickly, finally as if a stream absorbed into Natsu's mouth.
"What?!" Even Laxus couldn't help but show a surprised expression.