"Ha!"
Deep within the Southern Forest, Goku delivered a palm strike that instantly took down a fearsome five-meter-tall Great Bear capable of breathing fire.
However, instead of immediately building a fire to roast it as he usually would, he pulled a magic book out of his box titled, How to Quickly Conjure a Feast. This was a specialized text on culinary magic. The core principle relied on various extensions of the Transfiguration branch.
Previously, Goku's level of finesse wasn't quite high enough to execute these spells perfectly, but after his recent studies and growth in focus, his Transfiguration had reached a point where he could handle it.
Holding the book in one hand, he waved his other hand in rhythmic patterns, his mouth moving fast as he incanted the charms.
Before long, the massive carcass of the bear began to transform. Slices of meat were seasoned, steamed, roasted, and boiled. A moment later, a table's worth of delicacies sat before him, the rich aroma of bear meat wafting through the trees.
He tucked the book away and began to feast.
"Time for training!"
Full and energized, Goku began his physical regimen. Unless he was in the middle of a life-or-death battle, he never neglected his body. He knew that a stronger physical vessel birthed more powerful ki, and ki was the foundation of everything he did.
Selecting a colossal fallen tree from the forest, Goku shouldered the massive timber and carried it back to the clearing in front of the boys' dormitory.
"Engorgio!"
He pointed a finger at the log. The already massive tree trunk swelled, doubling in size and density.
Heaving the now-astronomical weight onto his back, Goku began his daily routine: weighted frog leaps, push-ups, and sprints across the clearing. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, the other mages of the guild started returning to the dorms in groups.
"What in the world...?"
The mages, many of them swaying from a few too many drinks, rubbed their eyes at the sight before them.
"Am I seeing things, or is there a giant tree dancing?"
"You're just drunk, you idiot! Look closer—someone is doing frog leaps with a mountain on their back!"
Not everyone was intoxicated. Cana Alberona, who could out-drink a barrel without getting tipsy, saw exactly who it was: the rookie, Goku, training with a log that looked heavy enough to crush a building.
"No wonder he's such a monster in a brawl without magic," she muttered, impressed. "That thing has to weigh close to a hundred tons."
The weight was staggering. Even Erza, famous for her physical conditioning, would find training with such a mass difficult. The mages watched in awe, their minds racing. Giant Magic functioned as a multiplier: the stronger the base body, the more terrifying the giant form.
If Goku could eventually reach the hundred-meter height of the Master with a base strength like that, he might be able to challenge the top-ranked Wizard Saints.
"This kid... he has the potential to be a Wizard Saint!"
"Good evening, everyone!"
Seeing the crowd, Goku tossed the massive log aside—it hit the ground with a thundering *thud* that shook the dormitory windows—and waved with a pure, innocent smile.
"Good... good evening..." they stammered back.
"I thought Erza, Natsu, and Gray were the only monsters here," one mage whispered. "But this kid might be the fastest one to reach S-Class in the history of the guild."
...
The Next Morning
In a clearing within the East Forest behind the guild, Makarov stood facing Goku. The old man was grinning so wide the wrinkles on his face could have trapped a mosquito. He had heard the reports from Mira and the other mages about Goku's hundred-ton workout.
Originally, he just wanted Goku to learn Giant Magic for self-defense. He hadn't dared to hope the boy would reach his level—after all, in a hundred years, only Makarov had mastered the hundred-meter form.
But looking at Goku's freakish natural talent, he realized the boy was born for this. With a base body that strong, Goku wouldn't even need to reach a hundred meters to match Makarov's power.
"Magic in our world is primarily divided into two categories: Holder Type and Ability Type," Makarov began, holding a magical tome. "Giant Magic is an Ability Type."
Goku, still unfamiliar with the jargon of this world, tilted his head. "What's the difference?"
Makarov patiently explained. "
Holder Type mages require a medium or an item to cast their spells. Think of Lucy; she needs her Celestial Spirit keys. Or Cana, who uses her cards. They can be very versatile, but their weakness is obvious: if they lose their items, they lose their ability to fight."
Goku nodded. 'That sounds like the wizards at Hogwarts needing their wands. I wonder if I could just use an Expelliarmus on them and end the fight immediately?'
"Ability Type mages," Makarov continued, "rely on the magic power within their own bodies to manifest spells directly. Like Natsu's fire, Gray's ice, or the Giant Magic I'm teaching you. As long as you have energy and your body can move, you are never unarmed."
"I definitely like Ability Type better," Goku said. To a martial artist, relying on an external tool felt less reliable than relying on one's own muscles and spirit.
"I thought so," Makarov chuckled. "Now, let's begin. Focus on the energy in your core..."