Summoner of the Fairy Tail - Chapter 269
Swift and decisive.
That’s how one could describe the battle between Natsu and Sting that followed. It took Natsu only a few moves to dispatch Sting, leaving no room for doubt.
From the moment Natsu declared the start of the second round to its conclusion, it took just two minutes.
Seeing Natsu’s relaxed demeanor, it was clear how effortlessly he ended the fight.
The entire audience was in an uproar. Every spectator and participant present could not deny Sting’s strength, especially after using Dragon Force. But for Natsu to win so easily, the only explanation was that the gap in their levels was too vast.
“Unbeknownst to me, Natsu has grown to this extent? That kid has improved a lot,” Calvin thought to himself, genuinely surprised. Before using Dragon Force, Calvin wouldn’t have been surprised if Natsu had defeated them. But to win so easily even after they unleashed Dragon Force was unexpected. To Calvin, Sting in Dragon Force was almost as strong as he was at seventeen.
Seventeen-year-old Calvin had already become an S-Class mage.
This meant that Natsu, if he were a bit more clever, could already be S-Class.
Unfortunately, Natsu’s brain often had holes in it.
While Calvin was merely satisfied with Natsu’s growth, Makarov was ecstatic. He had known from early on that Natsu had great potential, but now, Natsu was just fifth in strength within their guild. Counting Gildarts, Natsu wasn’t even fifth!
Yet, his strength now surpassed the aces of other guilds.
If someday Natsu could also unleash Dragon Force, how strong would he become? Makarov couldn’t even fathom it.
And that wasn’t even considering the potential of Gajeel and Gray, who refused to believe Natsu was stronger than them.
“Sixth Master, you’re smiling too grotesquely,” Mavis suddenly said, looking at Makarov with disdain.
Makarov was immediately embarrassed. Was his joy that obvious? He quickly put on a nonchalant facade.
“Well, Natsu did quite well.”
The guild members around him could only sweat nervously. Thankfully, no one saw it, or the guild’s reputation would be in shambles.
In contrast to Makarov’s joy, Jiemma, the master of Sabertooth, was fuming. His anger was so terrifying that no one dared approach him. The spectators around him had already fled.
Proudly proclaiming his guild as the best in the world, today’s fight was an undeniable defeat, with no excuses to be found. His fury seemed to engulf him, and if not for the fleeing spectators, they might have become his targets for venting his rage.
He sat in silence, his anger rendering him speechless. One thing was certain: Jiemma wouldn’t let the defeated Twin Dragons off easily.
Natsu leaped out of the pit with a strong push of his legs. Sometimes Calvin envied such physical prowess; without magic, he could never perform such a feat.
“Let’s go, you did well,” Calvin said with a smile, turning to leave.
Natsu looked at Rogue, then at Calvin, noticing his pristine clothes compared to his tattered ones. He suddenly felt a sense of frustration.
“Why are you talking to me like a senior? We’re the same generation,” he grumbled, dissatisfied, but due to the vast difference in their strength, he dared not say it to Calvin’s face.
Despite winning the match, Natsu sighed in disappointment, following Calvin.
With this victory, Fairy Tail’s points rose to 57, leading by 17 points over Sabertooth and Mermaid Heel. With only one day left, the gap was nearly insurmountable.
Fairy Tail had practically one foot in the champion’s circle.
“Great job, Calvin!” Mira rushed into Calvin’s arms, and he welcomed her warmly with a laugh.
Similarly, Erza was pleased with Natsu’s performance, hugging him enthusiastically. However, since she was in her iron armor, Natsu’s head clanged against it. Laxus could almost feel Natsu’s pain.
Fairy Tail’s match against Sabertooth, especially featuring their Twin Dragons, drew everyone’s attention. Even those not present watched through magical projection crystals on the streets. Taking advantage of this, Jellal sneaked into a certain inn.
He came to find the future, Lucy. This started the previous night when Calvin had snuck to the outskirts of Crocus to meet Crime Sorcière and inform Jellal of the impending future.
Jellal was shocked but felt something was amiss, although he didn’t realize it immediately.
It wasn’t until the next day that it hit him.
Just before Calvin had informed him, Jellal had sensed magic similar to Zeref’s, but in a location opposite to where future Lucy was staying. His suspicious nature made him feel uneasy, so he snuck into the inn while Calvin was busy with his match, intending to question the future Lucy.
However, he found the room in disarray and future Lucy missing.
Everything in the room suggested she hadn’t left voluntarily; she had been abducted.
“Who could it be?!” Jellal quickly searched the room for clues, finally finding a small note tucked under the table leg. It had a single word, “Soldier,” scrawled on it.
“Soldier? In Crocus? Wait, could it be…”
In Fiore’s capital, only the royal castle would have soldiers. Jellal quickly connected the dots. He knew someone had tried to kidnap Lucy two days ago.
It was initially believed to be Raven Tail, but now Jellal knew the kingdom’s Eclipse Plan required Celestial Spirit mages. The earlier attempt was likely the kingdom’s doing.
“Unable to take Lucy under Fairy Tail’s protection, they took future Lucy instead?” Jellal speculated. “I must inform Calvin immediately. But he’s still in his match… Should I just storm the castle and rescue her?”
“No! The Eclipse Gate in the castle absorbs magic, making it easy to get captured. If they need her to open the gate, they won’t harm her.”
“I’ll consult with Calvin first. There’s still all day tomorrow before the plan is enacted…”
Having decided, Jellal left the inn secretly and waited for Calvin in a secluded corner near the arena.
After the day’s matches ended, Fairy Tail didn’t plan to celebrate due to Lucy’s injuries. After visiting her and ensuring she was okay, they prepared to leave. At this moment, Calvin called Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy.
“Come with me. There’s something I need to show you.”
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