Natsu and Gajeel had truly gained something good from their misfortune.
While Wise Dragon Belserion was passing the Holy Dragon Slayer Magic to Hope, he also passed on all the related knowledge of Dragon Slayer Magic.
Dragon Slayer Magic grafts a dragon's power onto a human, letting the human wield draconic might against dragons. To truly draw out that strength, the crucial step is awakening "Dragon Force".
Once "Dragon Force" is activated, a Dragon Slayer Mage's magic power receives a boost and they enter a powerful burst state, greatly amplifying their strength.
Yet Hope had no interest at all in "Dragon Force".
Mighty power always walks hand-in-hand with risk—look no further than Mr. Marufuji next door, still confined to his wheelchair.
"Dragon Force" lets a Dragon Slayer Mage surge in strength for a short time, but it also carries a side-effect hard for any human to accept—dragonification.
That Dragon Slayer Magic will turn a Dragon Slayer Mage into a dragon is no secret; the magic slowly alters the user's body, steering it toward a draconic form.
In truth, many Dragon Slayer Mages never dragonify unless they overuse "Dragon Force".
"Dragon Force" does grant a temporary spike in power, yet it also sharply accelerates the bodily transformation wrought by Dragon Slayer Magic.
If one resorts to Dragon Force too often, within ten years they could fully dragonify and become a true dragon.
After becoming a dragon, one's strength would indeed grow even greater.
But that price was a bit too steep for Hope to accept.
Most humans still want to live as "humans." After all, not everyone can be like Dio, boldly declaring, "I reject my humanity!"
The Magic Circle dissolved, and Natsu and Gajeel woke up.
However, after being ravaged by that overwhelming magic power, their bodies were still weak; the rest of their vacation would apparently be spent lying in bed.
Without hiding anything, Hope told everyone about "Dragon Force".
"What?! Something that awesome exists?! I'm fired up!"
Natsu, who had been listless moments ago, was instantly ablaze with excitement.
Gajeel nodded in satisfaction, boasting, "As expected of me—stronger again!"
The instant the words left their mouths, each got a ringing slap from Erza. "Hope told you about Dragon Force so you'd be careful not to overuse it, not so you could show off!"
"Got it?"
Under the boss's glare, Natsu nodded as fast as a chick pecking grain.
Gajeel, however, thought his wings had hardened and tried to resist—until Erza punched his head right into the ground, making Cana beside him shudder.
Cana swallowed and unconsciously met Happy's eyes.
If nothing went wrong, once Erza finished lecturing Natsu and Gajeel, it would be the turn of these two "accomplices".
Just as Cana and Happy tried to slip away while Erza scolded Natsu, a familiar roar came from nearby.
"Natsu! Gajeel! Cana! Happy!"
You idiots—!!!"
"And you, you brat Hope—you dared keep it from me!"
A fuming Makarov strode over; the four humans and one cat froze. Spotting Mirajane behind Makarov, they realized their secret was out.
Hope sighed; he'd meant to keep Erza's presence from Makarov, but who knew Mirajane would tattle to the old man?
"We're doomed," Natsu whispered.
Gajeel, once again tamed by Erza, nodded in agreement.
Happy had already spread his wings, ready to bolt at any second. "Aye! The master looks really mad—should we run?"
Hope and Cana exchanged glances and shouted in unison:
"Run!"
The boys and girl sprinted along the beach, a giant fist-waving Makarov in hot pursuit, while their companions couldn't help laughing.
The second day of vacation thus ended in chaos… The air was scorching, volcanoes roiled, and the sky was choked with crimson smoke.
This place was someone's mental plane.
A gray orb intruded, its metallic sheen clashing with the crimson world, quickly drawing the attention of the being dwelling within.
"Megalicana, what brings you here?"
"Entry is forbidden; interference even more so. Leave at once!"
A majestic, steady voice echoed through the plane, yet the gray orb did not retreat. Instead it advanced to a colossal volcano whose magma surged below.
Watching the titanic creature in the lava open its eyes, the orb intoned, "I'm not that busybody Grandeeney—do you think I enjoy visiting you, Igneel?"
"Hmph!"
The massive fire dragon reared up, meeting the orb gaze for gaze. "Megalicana, instead of keeping an eye on your whelp, what are you doing in my domain?"
"Because I sensed you nearby."
The gray orb continued: "You felt it too—those two reckless bracts acted without a thought for consequences. Fortunately, they awoke Dragon Force in the end."
The great dragon said nothing.
The orb went on: "Did you notice the boy who helped them? He's also a Dragon Slayer Mage, yet oddly he carries the scent of our old acquaintance."
"Belserion. Who knows what method he used—400 years after death he still managed to pass down the Holy Dragon Slaying once more."
"Shall we try visiting that boy's mental plane? Perhaps Belserion is there?"
"Enough!!"
The fire dragon roared. "Megalicana, since when have you become so curious? Do not meddle with humans!"
Or would you rather incur my wrath, Igneel!!
With the titanic roar the entire plane quaked; volcanoes erupted in droves, the sky filled with searing sparks—an apocalyptic scene.
After a few seconds the gray orb replied, "Quite the domineering Fire Dragon King. Rest easy—I was merely speaking. We still need to conserve our strength."
"As for Zeref's situation… forget it, let's not speak of him."
"Seven years remain until the Dragon King Festival. We shall meet again then, Igneel…"
The gray orb faded; as the great fire dragon closed its eyes, the mental plane fell silent once more.
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