Fairy Tail Destiny-Chapter 162: Ch : Growth

"There's one thing you're still lacking to reach the pinnacle of the magical world. Let me teach you what it is."

Boom!

An overwhelming surge of magical power erupted from Gildarts, creating a suffocating pressure that shook the very air.

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The ground trembled as dust and small rocks were lifted into the air.

The sheer force of his magic shot into the sky, making the entire Tenrou Island quiver slightly.

"W-What is this pressure...?" Happy stared at Gildarts in shock, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

"This magic power... Is that Gildarts?" Elsewhere on the island, Noel, who had just passed Levy and Gajeel, sensed the overwhelming surge and paused, momentarily stunned.

"He's really taking this seriously..."

"Natsu, I don't blame those who summon the courage to challenge me head-on," Gildarts spoke calmly as he watched Natsu, who had his head lowered, his expression hidden by his bangs.

"But very few possess the courage to sheathe a sword after it has been drawn. Fear is not a sin—it is the realization of one's own weakness. Only those who understand their weakness can grow stronger... and become kinder. This is something every S-Class Mage must learn."

Silence and solemnity filled the small area.

"Hey, Gildarts."

Natsu suddenly spoke, his voice unexpectedly calm, catching Gildarts off guard.

"Hm?" Gildarts raised an eyebrow slightly, his magic power wavering ever so briefly due to the unexpected shift in mood.

In his expectations, Natsu should not have been able to withstand such overwhelming magical pressure.

Yet, Natsu remained composed, seemingly unaffected by the oppressive aura.

Slowly, Natsu lifted his head.

His eyes were filled with unwavering determination and tranquility—there was no panic, no fear.

Instead, the corners of his mouth curved into a confident smile as he spoke softly, "I've known for a long time... what fear truly is."

"You've known?"

Natsu closed his eyes, as if recalling something, and gently placed a hand over his chest.

His expression remained incredibly serene.

"I once fought Noel when he turned into a monster. That experience is still deeply etched in my memory. The sheer pressure he emitted was on an entirely different level—an overwhelming force that felt as though it could crush me into dust. Back then, I was afraid. I felt the fear of standing before an opponent I could never hope to defeat. But even so, I fought. Even knowing that no matter what, I could never win..."

Happy covered his mouth with his paws, his mind flashing back to that night after their first battle with Noel—how strangely silent Natsu had been.

(So that's why... That night, after fighting Noel for the first time, Natsu became so quiet. It was because of this?)

"Hmm." Gildarts stared blankly at Natsu, unable to say anything.

Deep crimson flames roared, as if they had sensed their master's unyielding spirit, silently howling in response.

"That's why... I have to become stronger—strong enough to fight alongside my comrades, strong enough to protect them. This fear... it will become the driving force that makes me stronger! As long as I am with my comrades, I will be fearless!!!"

With a loud shout, a trace of platinum-colored flames appeared within Natsu's fire.

The moment this new power merged with his own, Natsu's strength surged to a level even Gildarts couldn't ignore.

"Come on, Gildarts! Let me show you—this is my full power... Fire Dragon God!!!!"

Gildarts' lips slowly curled into a smile, forming an expression of genuine praise.

The immense magic power surrounding him gradually receded back into his body as, for the first time, he took a serious battle stance.

"Natsu, you've grown so strong." Gildarts sighed with heartfelt admiration.

This was a sincere acknowledgment of Natsu's strength.

In just three short years, Natsu had reached this level—it was truly beyond Gildarts' expectations.

With battle spirit burning in his eyes, Gildarts looked at Natsu. "But I never planned on losing to you, Natsu."

Boom!

Natsu leaped forward, his body transforming into streaks of red and white flames.

Using the acceleration of his fire, he closed the distance in an instant, appearing right behind Gildarts.

(So fast!)

Gildarts was slightly surprised that Natsu had managed to move behind him so quickly, but it wasn't fast enough to catch him completely off guard.

He swiftly turned, reaching out with a hand imbued with Crush Magic to counter.

Natsu leaned back slightly, dodging Gildarts' grasp, then opened his mouth wide—

"Roar of the Fire Dragon God!!!"

A torrent of red-and-white flames erupted from Natsu's mouth, surging like a raging inferno.

The sheer heat distorted the air itself, reducing it to shimmering waves and white steam.

Under this blazing onslaught, even the very atmosphere seemed to ignite, as if capable of incinerating everything in its path.

Boom!

A deafening explosion erupted as Natsu's roar clashed with Gildarts' hand, triggering a violent shockwave that sent both fighters flying dozens of meters apart.

However, there was a key difference—Natsu remained completely unharmed, whereas Gildarts' arm, which had taken the brunt of the attack, was now scorched black with severe burns.

As soon as he landed, Natsu wasted no time.

He pushed off the ground with tremendous force, charging straight toward Gildarts with his fist engulfed in swirling red-and-white divine flames.

"Flaming Iron Fist of the Fire Dragon God!!"

"Tch, you really don't let people catch their breath, huh?" Gildarts muttered, watching Natsu rush at him.

He could still feel the searing pain in his hand from blocking that last attack.

His expression tensed as realization dawned—his arm had definitely suffered serious burns from that clash.

With a wry smile, he acknowledged the sheer intensity of Natsu's flames.

Bam!

Natsu's blazing punch was caught by Gildarts' hand, their magic colliding in a fierce struggle.

But something was different—Gildarts' usually unstoppable Crush Magic couldn't overpower Natsu's divine flames.

In fact, it was being overwhelmed.

Slivers of fire seeped through his magical defenses, leaving searing burn marks on his hand.

Forced onto the defensive, Gildarts found himself continuously fending off Natsu's relentless assault.

"Natsu... This time, you're really pushing me to my limit."

Natsu's eyes burned with determination. "Gildarts, this time, I will win! Fire Dragon God Horn!!"

His body became engulfed in fire as he tilted his head back, then lunged forward with a blazing headbutt aimed directly at Gildarts.

"You reckless idiot." Gildarts' expression shifted slightly as he realized Natsu wasn't letting up.

With no other choice, he abandoned his defensive stance and leaped backward, narrowly evading the attack.

Seeing Gildarts retreat, a triumphant grin spread across Natsu's face.

"This is it! Final strike—Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Crimson Lotus Fire Dragon God Blade!!"

With a powerful roar, Natsu's entire body spun at high speed, generating a whirlwind of red-and-white flames.

His overwhelming magic surged outward, twisting the surrounding air into a violent storm, the sheer pressure alone enough to crush anything caught within.

Gildarts' expression grew extremely serious as he formed a hand seal, his entire body surging with magical power.

It was clear he was going all out.

(Damn it, give me a break! This attack is seriously bad news. Is Natsu trying to kill me?! If I don't go all out, I might actually get taken down!)

"Ahhhhhhh!!"

The red-and-white whirlwind surged toward Gildarts, incinerating everything in its path.

Even the air itself was consumed by the searing heat, filling the atmosphere with an overwhelming sense of destruction and dread.

It was a devastating attack, like a crimson lotus that could burn the world to ashes—unstoppable, unmatched.

"Natsu!!"

From the sidelines, Happy clenched his tiny paws, eyes filled with excitement as he watched Natsu, who was brimming with energy, and Gildarts, who looked more serious than ever.

"This time... he might really win against Gildarts! Go, Natsu!!!"

Thud.

A sudden heavy crash broke the tension.

Gildarts, who had been bracing himself for the full impact of Natsu's attack, and Happy, who was cheering excitedly, both froze in place, their expressions going blank as they stared at the scene before them—

Natsu, collapsed on the ground mid-charge.

"Ow! Owwww!!"

His body twitched in pain, contorted into a bizarre shape, and his face had turned a ghostly white, his eyes rolling back like a dead fish.

Gildarts let out a deep sigh as realization dawned on him.

Shaking his head, he adjusted his slightly disheveled clothes and spoke in an amused yet exasperated tone.

"Looks like you still have some growing to do, Natsu. But... you've definitely earned it."

His expression softened as he continued, "Go on, become an S-Class mage, Natsu. You've got what it takes."

Then, turning to Happy, he added, "Take care of him, will you? I'll be heading off now."

With a lighthearted chuckle, Gildarts turned and walked away, leaving behind a dumbfounded Happy and Natsu, who lay sprawled motionless on the ground.

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