The scene shifted to Kael's side.
Natsu lay sprawled in a crater, forcing his body upright. Too eager to wait, he immediately swung a fist toward Kael without listening to a single word of warning.
Just a single whip-like kick from Kael and Natsu was already in such a miserable state.
"Natsu… a whole week of training wasted! If this is how you fight, your S-Class assessment ends here."
Kael dusted himself off, standing tall. Coldly, he spoke as if the judgment was final, then turned to walk away with resolute steps.
"No… it's not over! It can't end like this!"
Habi's tears streamed freely. It knew how much Natsu had obsessed over this S-Class exam, how deeply he longed for Igneel. If he failed this assessment, who knew how long he'd have to wait before realizing this dream.
Natsu clenched his fists, flames surging again, raising the temperature in the air. The floor around him began to melt slightly, the fire slowly creeping outward.
His gaze followed Kael's every move. Both fists shimmered with Armament Haki.
Kael's lips curved into a faint smirk. He could feel the heat around him and recognized that Natsu had finally calmed down. Earlier, Natsu's recklessness had completely ignored the most essential element: composure.
And that was the deadliest mistake in S-Class missions. Every task above S-Class demanded total focus; even a single lapse could be fatal.
"Looks like you understand!" Kael's smirk widened. Just as he turned, a rushing sound came from above.
"Fire Dragon's Hook Claw!"
A foot, surrounded by orange-black flames, slammed downward with explosive force. Kael's Armament Haki enveloped his right arm, intercepting the blow and dispersing the impact into the ground.
"Crimson Flame Dragon Fist!"
"Fire Dragon Wing Strike!"
The ground crumbled instantly. Natsu's first attack failed, and the follow-up barrage came flooding in. Their blows flashed left and right through the corridor, but Kael skillfully contained the residual force within a controlled range.
Kael moved easily, blocking with his combination of martial arts and Haki, teasing Natsu further:
"Natsu, your physical combat has improved… but fighting without the intent to kill? Still not enough!"
Kael blocked one of Natsu's punches with his left hand, while his right foot glowed with intense light. A blindingly fast kick slammed into Natsu's abdomen.
Bang!
Natsu was sent flying, crashing through the cavern wall. A massive explosion followed, stones raining down, burying him under rubble.
"Natsu~!" Habi cried, tears welling up.
For a moment, Natsu did not respond. Habi's voice echoed faintly through the corridor.
"Don't worry, Habi. Natsu's fine," Kael called, not wanting the little companion to panic. His tone carried reassurance.
That stumble under Kael's foot wasn't leniency; it was Natsu's reflexes kicking in. His Armament Haki fully covered his abdomen, compressing the flames into a concentrated point. That level of reaction was almost instinctual.
"Fire Dragon… Roar!"
Just as Kael predicted, Natsu smashed a fist through the rubble, chest puffed high, releasing a torrent of fire from his mouth. The flames filled the cavern like molten lava.
Kael remained calm, facing the inferno. He extended a hand, and a magic circle erupted instantly, firing a beam of equal intensity. The two forces collided, blinding light filling the corridor.
From behind, Natsu's triumphant laughter rang out.
"Ha ha ha! This is it! This is the result of all my years of training!"
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art—Crimson Flame Blade!"
Natsu's hands and fists were cloaked in orange-black fire, Armament Haki reinforcing the flames. The swirling inferno slammed into Kael.
Rumble~
The cavern ceiling exploded from the heat, chunks falling to the floor. Combined with prior destruction, the corridor now resembled an open arena. Natsu was hurled by the aftershock, landing on Habi. With its help, he slowly regained his feet. Smoke billowed everywhere.
"Did it work? Does this mean the assessment…" Habi asked, uncertain. Though the attack was powerful, they faced Kael, and the hope was for his recognition.
"Well done! You barely meet the standard."
Natsu and Habi stared in disbelief at Kael, completely unharmed. Whispered disbelief escaped Natsu: "Impossible… at this range… under that attack…"
"Damn it! If I don't defeat you, what's the point of becoming an S-Class Mage!" Natsu shouted suddenly, stopping Kael mid-sentence. His fists trembled, body shaking—only by defeating the examiner could he prove his worth.
"Ah, I knew you'd say that! Looks like I'll have to test you a little more… to see if you truly possess it."
Kael took a deep breath and released his magic gradually.
The surrounding rubble began to lift, suspended in the tremor of immense pressure. The cavern itself began to shake.
"Hmph~" Kael snorted, releasing magic into a towering whirlwind.
The gale knocked Natsu and Habi off balance. Fear overtook them.
"Ahhh~ this… this magic…" Natsu stammered, staring at Kael within the pillar of golden magic, struggling to control his body. He froze, legs bending, hands pressing to the ground.
Kael's figure took a terrifying, demonic form, crimson eyes blazing. Air seemed sucked away from Natsu's lungs, and sweat poured from his body.
Slowly, Kael retracted his magic.
Natsu finally could breathe, though his body still trembled. "I… I give up," he whispered, terrified.
Habi's face streamed with tears, mourning Natsu's suffering.
Kael's lips curved.
"Remarkable. Even in such fear, you still challenged me, and then pulled back. That's rare."
"Fear isn't a sin. It means you recognize your weaknesses, which will make you stronger and kinder. That's one of the traits required to become an S-Class Mage."
"Like I said before… you've passed."
"But… but… I…"
"The examiner has declared you qualified. Harder trials await, but I believe in you, Natsu." Kael crouched, placing a hand on Natsu's head, comforting him. The boy had truly been shaken.
"Go! Become an S-Class Mage, Natsu!"
"I believe you will surpass me!"
Natsu's shoulders trembled, tears falling freely—not just from passing, but from Kael's recognition.
...
Hey everyone! Want to read ahead and unlock up to 100 early-access chapters? 📖Plus, enjoy even more exclusive novels! Join my Patreon now and dive into the adventure!
patreon.com/Rawink00