touchnovel Chapter 10: Stubborn, Purebred
Chapter 10: Stubborn, Purebred
"Brother Moen, is training over for today?"
Just as Moen and his two companions finished ordering, a curious girl approached them, carrying her tray, and sat down at the same table.
The table in the hall was rectangular, with benches on both sides. To help Natsu and Gray "get along better," Moen arranged for them to sit on the same side, so the girl sat directly next to Moen.
"Yes, Kana, where's Xiaobai?"
Moen looked at the girl. The girl with brown hair was Kana. Yes, she was also an orphan. Among their peers, Kana was the first to join the guild besides Moen, and the two had always had a good relationship.
Looking at Kana, whose face has gradually matured, Moen recalled the pitiful girl who came to the guild alone five years ago, carrying a small white dog. Kana was only six years old then and didn't know how to use magic.
"Little White is over there; I've already prepared dinner for it."
With a smile on her face, Kana pointed to a corner where Xiaobai was enjoying a hearty dinner.
This once stray dog has been in the guild for five years and has become the guild's mascot.
"Clatter".
Seeing that Cana had moved over here, Erza also came over with her plate. She pulled up a chair and sat down on the side of the table. She didn't say anything and just ate her food quietly, making little noises as if she was enjoying her meal.
Seeing Erza take the initiative to come over and sit with everyone, Moen smiled. If it were Erza who had just joined the guild a year ago, she would never have done such a thing.
Erza was very withdrawn back then. She would always huddle in a corner by herself or go to a secluded place by herself, like a young animal licking its wounds in a corner.
"Erza, how are your eyes? Are they completely healed?"
Looking at Erza, Moen asked.
Erza paused for a moment at these words, then replied casually:
"It's completely healed. Except for the inability to shed tears, this eye is no different from a normal person's eye."
Erza's right eye is a prosthetic eye. Thanks to Granny Polyusica's miraculous healing magic, the prosthetic eye is almost invisible, and its function is basically no different from a real eye.
Erza arrived at the guild covered in wounds and had lost an eye, making her arguably the most pitiful of them all.
Erza never spoke of her past experiences, and out of respect, no one pried too much into it. Instead, they used patience, kindness, and friendship to melt away her hardened defenses.
Erza is much more normal now than when she first arrived a year ago. She has integrated into the community more and more and has gradually shown her talent. Her serious, meticulous, and responsible personality makes her seem like a little adult.
After Erza sat down, Gray immediately became obedient, stopped arguing with Natsu, and began to eat quietly.
This surprised Natsu greatly. He was somewhat confused because he had never challenged Erza before, nor had he ever been beaten up by her. No, actually, he had already been beaten up. Therefore, Natsu looked at Erza with some wariness.
"I'm sorry, Natsu, I shouldn't have treated you like that before."
Erza noticed Natsu's strange gaze, so she put down her cutlery and apologized to him earnestly.
"Um...no...it's okay, we can have another match! Even though Moen said you're really good, I'll get my revenge!"
Faced with Erza's earnest and sincere apology, Natsu scratched the back of his head somewhat awkwardly, and then decisively challenged Erza. Although Moen had already advised him against it, Natsu would not be satisfied without a fight.
stare!
Natsu's words surprised Gray and Cana, who both looked at him in astonishment.
Natsu just got knocked out by Moen, and now he's going to challenge Erza again. Has he never been beaten before?
"Commendable courage."
Moen gave Natsu a thumbs up. He had warned Natsu before that he shouldn't underestimate Erza's cruelty just because she was pretty, but Natsu was such a stubborn guy, he wouldn't turn back until he hit a brick wall.
The outcome of the battle with Erza can be seen from Gray's perspective.
Gray, who trains with Moen every day and gets beaten up every day, isn't actually afraid of fighting Moen, but when he sees Erza, he's like a mouse seeing a cat; he's truly terrified of being beaten.
Moen was very measured in his attacks; although his punches looked fierce, he was actually controlling the force of each blow.
But Erza is different. She is very serious when fighting, and she will go all out when faced with challenges from others because she believes that this is also a way of respecting others.
Of course, Erza would definitely control herself to some extent, at least not attacking vital points or making any attacks that might threaten her life, but the pain of fighting her would be absolutely unforgettable. Gray no longer easily provokes Erza; he was beaten into submission within a year.
Moen could tell that Erza knew exactly how to inflict pain and suffering. She never knocked people unconscious, but instead made them suffer and remember the pain. She was a master at torturing people.
In a sense, Erza was actually quite measured in her actions.
Behind this strange ability, there is definitely not a good story. Thinking of Erza's injuries when she first came to the guild, Moen actually felt quite sorry for this girl. This ability was probably mastered by Erza based on her own personal experience.
"Okay, I promise."
Faced with Natsu's challenge, Erza nodded seriously and readily agreed. She stood up and was about to leave.
"Wait...wait a minute! Let me finish my meal!"
Natsu panicked a little and hurriedly shoveled food into his mouth. Actually, it would be best if he could have some flame to eat at this moment.
"Dragon Slayers" can replenish their magic power by eating things of the same attribute. For example, Laxus can eat lightning, while Natsu can eat fire. They can quickly restore their magic power and stamina and increase their strength by eating these things.
"Natsu, you're the son of a dragon, a Dragon Slayer Mage. Don't embarrass yourself. Show Erza your strength! Cheer up! If you beat Erza, you can rank second!"
Moen stood up, patted Natsu on the shoulder, and said, "Since we can't stop Natsu from courting death, let's give him some encouragement."
Natsu shoveled the food into his mouth and swallowed it with a gulp. He stood up, feeling his body full of energy again.
"Don't worry, Brother Moen! I'm ready!"
Natsu solemnly told Moen that this time, he would also give it his all!
"Well done, Natsu! Let's go!"
Moen smiled and gave Natsu a thumbs up again, hoping the kid would still be this energetic later.
But that's probably impossible.