Chapter 96: Rod's Rules
Chapter 96: Rod's Rules
Natsu was overjoyed. For some time now, Lagusas had been spending less and less time at the guild, making him hard to find. Even when he did show up, he always retreated to the second floor, ignoring Natsu's constant challenges.
But today, he finally caught him, and Lagusas had even agreed to a duel!
"Alright, let's start! I'm fired up!" Natsu turned and started to walk away.
Erbaglin snapped her fan shut and pointed at Natsu's back. "What are you doing? You're running away before we even start? You must know how strong Lagusas is, so you're just talking big and don't actually have the guts to fight, right?"
"Huh?" Natsu turned around, looking confused. "What are you talking about? For a duel, shouldn't we go to the backyard?"
Bickslow, puzzled, said, "When did the guild have a rule like that?"
His mini puppets fluttered around, repeating, "When did this happen? Rules, rules..."
Rod rubbed his temples. "This guy is so noisy, and he has a rune tattooed on his tongue..."
Mira explained, "That's Bickslow's Spirit Magic. He controls those puppets in battle. Most people don't even get close before they're defeated."
"Spirit Magic? Just like Bickslow?"
"Right, but Bickslow uses 'Animal Spirit Possession,' while Bickslow uses 'Possessed Puppets.' They're the same type of magic, but used in completely different ways."
Magic is free, and you can choose to use it however you like. Rod found this to be a valuable lesson.
Fried, hearing the word 'rule,' seemed to perk up. "If there is such a rule, then we should follow it, because rules are absolute."
But Natsu had just acted on instinct and was now confused. He turned to the others. "Hey, does the guild have a rule like that?"
Two different voices rang out simultaneously: "There's no such rule! (Of course there is!)"
The onlookers quickly split into two camps. One group believed that fights could happen anywhere, while the other thought that challenges and duels should take place in the backyard.
They couldn't even remember when this idea had taken root.
Meanwhile, the cause of all this confusion, Rod, was still oblivious. "Is there or isn't there?"
Mira giggled. "Don't you think the people who believe in this rule are all familiar?"
Rod looked around carefully. Hmm... they were all people he had challenged before.
Ah? Did I make this rule?
"I just didn't want to break anything in the bar..."
Sometimes, things become unspoken 'rules' for no apparent reason, like rock-paper-scissors, odd or even, and choosing sides.
"This guild has enough boring things already," Lagusas said, annoyed, as he flicked his coat back.
Fried naturally caught the coat and neatly folded it over his arm, looking like...
Rod rubbed his eyes and asked Mira, "Fried is a guy, right?"
"Of course," Mira replied. "But he's not good with socializing and shows up at the guild less often than Mystogan. Not many people know much about him."
Another oddball, in every sense of the word.
Lagusas extended his hand and beckoned Natsu with a finger. "Come on, Natsu. I don't need a lot of space to deal with you."
"Don't underestimate me! I've gotten a lot stronger!" Natsu, no longer caring about the location, charged forward. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Lagusas remained standing still, easily catching Natsu's wrist. "Oh? You really have gotten stronger?"
Jett was surprised. "He caught Natsu's punch so effortlessly!"
Troy added, "That's Lagusas for you."
Levy felt a bit uneasy and leaned back, her head bumping into the hard chest plate. "Erza?"
A sense of security washed over her.
Erza watched the battle intently:
After his fist was grabbed, Natsu immediately kicked, but Ragsas easily blocked it and threw Natsu back with a flick of his wrist.
Natsu flipped in mid-air, landed, and charged again, unleashing a barrage of punches and kicks.
Although all of his attacks were blocked, Erza nodded in approval. "Hmm, Natsu has indeed gotten stronger."
"Stronger? He's completely being dominated," Gray argued, thinking that the fight was dragging on because Ragsas wasn't taking it seriously.
Happy ran to Cana. "I've changed my mind. I'm betting on Ragsas to win."
Cana refused. "No can do, the betting is closed."
"Aww, come on." Happy had no choice but to turn around. "Go, Natsu!"
Loke chuckled. "So you only cheer for Natsu when you're not getting your way?"
"Man up!"
Ragsas pushed Natsu back again, a faint golden electricity crackling around his arm. "If that's all you've got, it's a bit disappointing."
"Heh... You're as strong as I thought!" Natsu laughed, took a deep breath, and shouted, "Fire Dragon's Roar!"
The crowd quickly backed away. These seasoned mages knew better than to get caught in the crossfire.
The floor and furniture weren't so lucky, though. Some were scorched, others blown away.
Rod winced. This was exactly why he preferred to fight outside.
Ragsas stood his ground, arms crossed, allowing the flames to engulf him.
Natsu wiped his mouth and said excitedly, "How about that, Ragsas?"
Ragsas waved his hand, and the electric sparks around him flickered, extinguishing the flames. "What about it?"
He then dusted off his clothes. "Enough of this. I'm bored."
A golden bolt of lightning appeared out of nowhere, enveloping Natsu.
"Ah! Ah! Ah!"
Natsu screamed in pain. Ragsas turned to leave, and Fried was already ready to hand him a towel.
But Natsu's voice rang out. "Not done yet!"
The lightning dissipated, and despite the smoke rising from his body, Natsu grinned. "I'm not some kid you can just knock down anymore!"
"Is that so?" Ragsas looked at the charging Natsu and smiled coldly. "Let's see if you can keep up."
"Fire Dragon's... huh!"
Natsu's stomach was hit hard, followed by his face, chest, and back.
Ragsas's lightning-charged punches and kicks rained down on Natsu, leaving him unable to defend himself.
Thud!
Natsu hit the ground with the final blow.
Ragsas stretched his neck. "You're pretty tough, I'll give you that. But are you ready to admit defeat?"
"Not... yet..." Natsu wobbled to his feet.
"Persistent, aren't you? It's time you understood the gap in strength!"
Ragsas raised his right fist, and a surge of magical power erupted from his body, gathering into a brilliant lightning aura.
Erza felt a sense of foreboding and tried to intervene. "Ragsas!"
But it was too late. A terrifying bolt of lightning enveloped Natsu, the blinding light making it impossible to see his form.
"Aaaaaah!"
"Natsu!" Happy was genuinely scared, tears welling up in his eyes.
But Natsu's scream didn't last long. Instead, the lightning rapidly dimmed, and it seemed to flow into Natsu's mouth like water.
"What?!" Even Ragsas couldn't hide his surprise.
(End of Chapter)
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