Acnologia's performance had ended, and then he was dragged by Laxus to the Thunder Castle to investigate.
Laxus was quite depressed; his carefully crafted Thunder Castle actually had no one coming in to see it, so wasn't his hard work in vain?
However, at the critical moment, it still depended on Acnologia. By saying that only a real man could clear the Thunder Castle, he provoked them, and there were as many people who refused to lose as one could imagine.
If they bragged in the future, saying that so-and-so usually claimed how powerful they were, but in the end didn't even dare to venture into the Thunder Castle, that would be a huge loss of face.
At this time, under Laxus's leadership, Jura, Natsu, Gray, Gildarts, Jellal... a large group of people came, numbering over a hundred at a glance.
Laxus could hardly hide his excitement. Sure enough, Acnologia had a way. Why hadn't he thought of it himself? These brainless guys definitely wouldn't be able to resist a little provocation.
Time flew by. After the group walked for twenty minutes, they arrived at a remote uninhabited area. What they saw was a castle with walls and floors made entirely of golden lightning, its dazzling light reflecting a golden hue across the sky.
Thunderclouds rolled in the sky, and from time to time, a bolt of lightning struck down, merging with the Thunder Castle.
"This is the Thunder Castle? Is this a place a human can actually enter?"
"Laxus, you're trying to kill us, aren't you!"
Before even getting close, wisps of lightning made everyone's hair stand on end, and an aura of destruction rushed toward them.
Seeing many people flinch, Laxus grew anxious. They were already here, and they still wanted to run?
He introduced it with a sincere face: "Actually, the interior of the Thunder Castle is made of steel. I just electrified it. It's not really dangerous. You guys can try it."
Everyone was speechless. This guy was lying through his teeth; only a fool would believe him.
"Try it and die, is that it!"
Natsu, who didn't know what fear was, was the first to step forward: "Let me try!"
Laxus's face showed joy. It had to be Natsu; he was indeed reliable at critical moments.
He patted Natsu's shoulder appreciatively: "As expected of the bravest in our guild. From today on, you're my good brother. As long as you can walk out of there, I can grant you any one request."
Natsu said proudly: "Of course, I'm super brave!"
Saying that, under everyone's watchful eyes, he strode into the Thunder Castle. As soon as he touched the golden lightning, he was instantly electrocuted into charcoal, spitting out black smoke.
Macao shouted in panic: "Natsu, are you still alive?"
"I'll go bring him back."
Even Gildarts could feel the violent nature of the lightning. Even if he could clear it, it definitely wouldn't be easy.
Seeing Natsu motionless, everyone thought he was finished and prepared to go up and rescue him.
"Don't come over!"
Natsu suddenly spoke. His eyes showed a fighting spirit, and flames erupted from his whole body as he activated Lightning Fire Dragon Mode: "It's just beginning. I must get through this!"
He wanted to prove that he had become stronger than before!
Happy was excited: "Go Natsu!"
Jura was stunned: "Lightning Fire Dragon Mode, dual attributes?"
Such strong magic power, far stronger than a single attribute!
Sting said in amazement: "In this mode, Mr. Natsu will have extremely strong lightning resistance. He might actually make it!"
He had just mastered Dragon Power, but he didn't expect Mr. Natsu to have already reached such a level, far surpassing him.
Amidst everyone's cheers, Natsu stepped forward, his magic power condensing around him to maximize his defense. With every step he took, a large swath of lightning submerged him.
August saw the power of the Thunder Castle. Seeing the tears appearing on Natsu's skin, his expression became extremely solemn: "This Thunder Castle not only contains all of that blonde young man's magic power but has also been drawing in natural lightning for a long time. It's full of violent and destructive power. It's terrifying."
"You mean... Uncle Natsu can't do it?"
Larcade watched without blinking, ready to rescue Natsu the moment he couldn't take it anymore.
August shook his head: "I didn't say that."
At this moment, Natsu's hair was already numb from the electricity, and he was foaming at the mouth, but he was still persevering, moving forward.
This was simply wading through an ocean of lightning. It took him ten minutes to reach the interior. Countless lightning bolts struck him continuously, and he had turned into a man of electricity.
Laxus couldn't help but be alarmed. The Thunder Castle seemed stronger than he had imagined. Natsu wouldn't be struck to death, would he?
"I'll go pull him out!"
He knew that with Natsu's stubbornness, as long as he was still conscious, he would never stop.
Acnologia reached out to block his path and reminded him: "Watch closely. Natsu's body has already begun to adapt."
The power of lightning can not only destroy but also temper the body. If he can endure it, Natsu's physical strength will increase significantly.
If it were Natsu who only mastered fire, it would definitely not work, but he had activated the Lightning Fire Dragon Power, so it was possible.
As long as Natsu could walk out, they could find a time to fuse the Demon Power later. Natsu's true form is a demon; only by raising his Dragon Power to be no less than his Demon Power can a balance for fusion be found.
As time passed minute by minute, Natsu's expression was no longer as painful as at the beginning. He began to pick up his pace, and amidst the cheers of the crowd, he finally stepped out of the Thunder Castle.
"Natsu, well done!"
"So strong. Such shocking willpower."
"Is this a Mage of Fairy Tail?"
It must be said that today's Natsu really made people look at him in a new light. Once he got serious, he was a completely different person from his usual self.
"Good job. I was even thinking of going in to fish you out."
Laxus couldn't help but marvel. Now that Natsu was getting stronger and stronger, he had to work twice as hard himself, otherwise there really was a risk of being surpassed.
Natsu's hair had turned into a bird's nest and his clothes were in tatters. He stood with his hands on his hips and said proudly: "Hahaha, I am the real man."
Elfman gave a thumbs up: "A real man!"
With someone taking the lead, everyone's emotions were stirred up, and they began to try one after another.
A man's logic is: if others can do it, so can I. If others can't, I might still be able to.
However, reality was cruel. One by one, they were electrocuted into charcoal. Most were lying on the ground twitching, foaming at the mouth, looking half-dead.
After seeing that many top S-Class Mages couldn't do it, everyone finally understood the true value of Natsu clearing the Thunder Castle. This was true strength.
Of course, besides Natsu, there were others who cleared it.
Gildarts condensed all his magic power, his body wrapped in Crush Magic, shattering a swath of lightning with every step he took.
Jellal transformed into a Meteor and cleared it at maximum speed. Although he looked very disheveled afterward, he managed to get out.
Not sure if Jellal was too deep in character, but when he came out, he actually subconsciously showed a wicked and arrogant crooked smirk, causing everyone to shout that the War God was awesome.
Finally, Acnologia also showed off in front of everyone, strolling through as if he were walking in his own garden, making Laxus think his Thunder Castle had run out of power... At midnight, the Harvest Festival also came to an end. Everyone gathered in the square. Amidst joy and anticipation, Makarov lit the grand fireworks. Streams of light streaked across the sky, bursting into brilliant light.
The scene of the Fairy Tail Guild and all its members gathered together slowly unfolded, radiant and dreamlike, reflecting across the entire night sky.
Amidst laughter and cheers, the Harvest Festival came to a complete close!
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