Chapter 225: Support Mages Should Learn Attack Magic
"Did you know about this all along, Noah?" Carla asked.
Wendy and the others, snapping out of their daze, all turned to look at him.
"I knew she was from Edolas," Noah admitted. "I could tell she was different from us, so I asked her about it a long time ago. She told me where she was from, but she never mentioned her original name was Grandeeney. I only guessed that part just now, when Wendy said she smelled Grandeeney's scent in this forest, right near her house."
They all understood. If Porlyusica hadn't wanted to reveal her identity, there was no way anyone could have known.
With her questions finally answered, Wendy and the others happily followed Noah back to the training grounds. Wendy was bursting with excitement to start learning the magic from the book Grandeeney had left for her. Just knowing her mother had left her these Dragon Slayer Secret Arts filled her with joy.
Wendy began her practice immediately, with Yukino and Meredy training alongside her. Whenever she got stuck, she would ask Noah, who was also training nearby. He had studied Sky Dragon Slayer magic in the past, so he grasped the principles of the Secret Arts quickly. He easily explained the difficult parts, and Wendy's progress sped up.
During this time, Natsu heard that Wendy had found a "clue" about Grandeeney, which made him incredibly excited. If there was news about the Sky Dragon, could news about Igneel be far behind?
Seeing Natsu, however, made Noah think of something else. Wendy still had almost no offensive magic. On her missions with Yukino and Meredy, she was always the dedicated support. Noah had let it slide because she was still young, but she had mastered her support spells. Now, it was time.
Noah intercepted Natsu, asking him to teach Wendy some offensive Dragon Slayer techniques.
"Huh? I mean, I guess," Natsu said, scratching his head. "But our magic is different. Besides, I don't even know how to teach it..."
He was completely baffled. Natsu had never been a good student, let alone a teacher.
Noah looked at Natsu's confused face and, remembering the monumental effort it had taken just to teach him how to read, decided not to force it.
"Okay, new plan," Noah said. "Just spar with me. Use every Dragon Slayer move you've got."
"Seriously?!" Natsu's eyes lit up. All his confusion vanished. "Alright, I'm all fired up now!" He started cracking his knuckles, raring to go.
Happy immediately flew over to Carla for safety.
"Natsu, try not to lose too badly," Happy called out.
"Ha! What are you talking about? I'm totally gonna win this time!"
"Aye... he's being an idiot again," Happy sighed.
"Our Wendy is much smarter," Carla said proudly.
"If you can't teach, Natsu, then just demonstrate," Noah said. He then turned to Wendy. "A lot of the core principles in Dragon Slayer magic are the same. Just watch how he uses his fire, and apply those same concepts to your sky magic."
"But... what if I can't?" Wendy asked meekly. "And... isn't it enough for me to just heal everyone from the back?"
Noah shook his head. "Look at the Secret Arts Grandeeney left for you. One of them, 'Shattering Light: Sky Drill,' is a pure attack spell. You can't just rely on that one move. More importantly, as a support mage, you need to learn how to attack. That's how you protect yourself so you can support everyone else."
Wendy's eyes widened. She realized that if she could protect herself, Yukino and Meredy wouldn't have to waste one of their own to guard her on missions. She could be a better partner.
"Okay, Brother Noah!" she said, her voice much firmer. "I'll do my best to learn!"
"Don't worry," Noah smiled. "I'll make sure you do."
He turned back to Natsu. "Alright, come on!"
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" Natsu's fist ignited as he charged.
Noah caught the punch in his open palm. "See, Wendy?" he said, not even looking at Natsu. "He's wrapping his element around his hand. You can do the same with wind."
"Wrapping wind around my hand..." Wendy murmured, clenching her own small fist.
"You can also use it like this," Noah continued, letting Natsu go.
Natsu jumped back and swung both arms. "Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!"
Noah casually swatted the fire-wings away. Natsu followed up by coating his entire body in flames and rocketing forward. "Fire Dragon's Sword Horn!"
Noah stopped the headbutt with one hand, turning his head to Wendy. "You don't need to learn that one." He then threw Natsu across the field.
Natsu landed, ignited his feet, and launched himself back. "Fire Dragon's Talon!"
"This one you can learn," Noah said, easily catching Natsu's ankle mid-kick. He tossed him aside again.
Natsu scrambled to his feet and charged in, his hands like claws. "Fire Dragon's Crushing Fang!"
"This one, too." Noah blocked the strikes with a fluid, effortless motion.
Seeing his attacks weren't working, Natsu leaped back, creating two fireballs in his palms. He slammed them together over his head, forming one giant, blazing orb. "Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"
He hurled it at Noah.
"This one is just a concept for you to adapt," Noah explained to Wendy as he casually swiped the massive fireball, sending it flying high into the sky.
BOOM!
The fireball detonated above them, and a wave of heat washed over the training grounds.
~~~
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