What surprised everyone was that Gildarts had failed his hundred-year quest.
No one really knew what such a quest entailed, but the fact that even soone as powerful as Gildarts returned in defeat made everyone realize just how formidable it must have been.
Although he didn't appear to be injured, it was obvious to the others that he was exhausted. So no one pressed him for details. After telling Charles to find him later, Gildarts left.
As a side note, he didn't use the door—he casually disintegrated a huge hole in the wall and walked out.
Natsu, of course, couldn't sit still. He imdiately took off with Happy, heading toward Gildarts' house.
Charles followed without a word.
After a short distance, Charles saw a small house styled similarly to Natsu's. It seed clear now—Natsu had modeled his place after Gildarts'.
Charles leaned against the door outside the house, with no intention of entering.
He knew exactly what Gildarts was about to tell Natsu: the reason for his failed mission.
Natsu had always been searching for Igneel, sothing Gildarts was well aware of. So while out on his mission, he had kept an eye out for any information about dragons.
But over the years, the only conclusion Gildarts had reached was that dragons had gone extinct. That is, until this mission—when he encountered a living dragon.
So he relayed this information to Natsu. Not to encourage him to pursue the Black Dragon, but to warn him.
Gildarts was genuinely terrified that Natsu might recklessly run up to that dragon and demand answers about Igneel.
But that Black Dragon wasn't the type to answer questions. It would simply attack—rcilessly.
To make his point, Gildarts even showed Natsu the prosthetic arm and leg hidden beneath his cloak.
Though Charles could vaguely hear Natsu's emotional voice from inside, he remained silent outside.
Soon, Natsu burst out of the house, with Happy chasing after him.
Once their figures disappeared into the distance, Gildarts' voice rang out.
"Hey, kid outside. You've been standing there a while. You're not just passing by, are you?"
Charles turned and walked into the small house. Looking at the seated Gildarts, he said, "I thought I'd hidden my presence well. I'm curious—how did you notice ?"
Gildarts laughed heartily. "If I had to say, probably intuition! You know, when soone strong is nearby, the body just kind of reacts.
The mont you stood there, I felt my nerves tense up on their own!"
"Is that so…" Charles murmured thoughtfully.
Gildarts stared at Charles. "I think I saw you back at the guild. You're new, right? So what brings you to ?"
Charles replied, "I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Charles, a Dragon Slayer raised by Igneel just like Natsu. That guy is actually my younger brother."
Gildarts looked surprised for a mont before nodding. "So you're here to ask about the Black Dragon too?"
Charles shook his head. "I already know plenty about the Black Dragon. What I need to know does involve it, but not in the way you think.
Gildarts, please fight . I want you to tell just how far I am from that Black Dragon in terms of strength."
That was Charles' true purpose—challenging Gildarts in order to gauge his own power against soone who had once faced Acnologia.
Even though Charles understood a lot about Acnologia in theory, the limitations of narrative and dia had never made it clear just how powerful the dragon was in real terms.
That's why he sought out Gildarts.
Gildarts stroked his bearded chin and said, "A fight, huh… We're not that close yet, but since we're guildmates, and you're Natsu's brother, I guess I'll oblige. Fair warning though—I'm not good at holding back."
Charles answered firmly, "Of course. Only a battle fought with full power can give the answers I'm looking for."
Gildarts grinned. "Then no problem! I can tell you're nothing like Natsu. Facing a guy like you's got my blood pumping!"
As Gildarts readied himself to fight, Charles quickly added, "Let's find a proper spot. We're still close to Magnolia. If we wreck the town, the Guild Master's going to have our heads."
Realizing that, Gildarts scratched his head and laughed.
"True, I've already embarrassed myself enough with this failed mission—can't go causing more trouble for the Master."
Charles summoned Fahl and carried both of them away, flying toward a suitable battlefield.
Given their destructive potential, they'd need plenty of space.
After flying for a while, Charles selected a mountain valley. "This should do."
Gildarts nodded. "Alright. I'll wait down there."
With that, Gildarts leapt down in a freefall, landing with a heavy thud that shook the valley floor.
Charles jumped down as well, and Fahl returned to his magic to.
Watching Gildarts stretch his shoulders, Charles ignited his flas.
"Then I won't hold back."
As Charles spoke, he rushed forward and swung a fist straight at Gildarts.
At the sa ti, Gildarts raised his right hand and t Charles with a punch of his own.
Gildarts' Crush Magic was a supre-class destructive magic—its destructive force far too dangerous for casual use. So most of the ti, he fought hand-to-hand.
Their fists collided with explosive force, creating a shockwave that radiated outward from their clash. The two locked eyes, then launched into a fierce exchange of blows.
Although Gildarts didn't use his magic, and even though he had a prosthetic arm and leg, he still managed to match Charles evenly in close-quarters combat.
By channeling his trendous magical power into every blow and relying on his vast experience, Gildarts prevented even Charles' high-level martial skills from giving him an edge.
In fact, it was Gildarts who was more surprised.
He had sensed from Charles' aura that the kid was powerful—but he hadn't expected this level of strength.
In their intense exchanges, he hadn't gained the upper hand even once. And though he hadn't used his Crush Magic, Charles had also refrained from using his Dragon Slayer abilities.
And Gildarts didn't believe for a second that Charles, being Natsu's older brother, would be lacking in Dragon Slayer prowess.
Charles blocked Gildarts' heavy arm with one of his own, and the weight behind the strike caused Charles' arm to tremble slightly.
He countered with a kick that landed on Gildarts' side, just as Gildarts' prosthetic arm crashed into Charles' chest.
Both were sent flying, slamming into the ground behind them.
Like twin bombs detonating, they left two massive craters where they landed. Debris and dirt scattered across the valley.
They both stood up at the sa ti.
Gildarts rubbed his side and said, "You don't pull your punches, do you, junior?"
Charles adjusted his dislocated ribs and replied, "Neither do you, senior.
But let's call that the warm-up. From here on out—it's ti to get serious."
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in Arica's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the Arican Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
Arican Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
Arican TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supre GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
[ 50 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[ 5 Reviews = 1 Extra Chapter]
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