Although Noah didn't understand what he needed the cane for, Gray still used his Magic, Ice-Make, to create an ice cane that was frozen solid.
Noah returned to the empty library with the freezing cane, and after closing the door, he used Magic to submit it.
Within moments, Noah received a response.
[Otherworld Wish Completed]
[Reward: Otherworld Power · Flying Kick]
[Requester's Comment: My friend who doesn't wish to be named, thank you for your help, but I'm sorry I can't return the ice cane that broke into several pieces. Please accept my sincere thanks again... Oh! Jade! What are you doing here?!!!]
He actually thought of returning the ice cane—this archaeologist is truly a good person.
After silently giving a "good person card" to the archaeologist Jackie Chan, whom he'd never met, Noah eagerly checked the reward. He wanted to see what this "Flying Kick" was all about.
After a ripple-like fluctuation, a piece of text appeared on the Wish's white light.
[Otherworld Power · Flying Kick: When you use a Flying Kick, there is a ninety-nine percent chance of entering an invincible state and effectively striking your opponent.]
[The unnamed Lord once commented on this skill: Encountered an unlucky blue-shirted archaeologist, the invincible frame Flying Kick is as strong as a monster, impossible to defeat even with full power.]
Although he didn't know who the Lord was, Noah understood the meaning of the word "invincible."
He'd previously wondered why a mere Flying Kick could sit at the same table as Armament Haki. Now it seemed there was a reason.
Haki requires training but can increase overall offensive and defensive capabilities. The latter can easily enter a brief invincible state but is limited to the Flying Kick move.
It's hard to say which of the two is stronger or weaker.
Automatically ignoring the one percent chance of the invincible trigger failing, Noah accepted this power. In an instant, he mastered over a dozen Flying Kick stances.
Rubbing his hands together excitedly like a fly, Noah now urgently needed someone to help him test this power.
As for who to ask for help... that would have to be the guild's sole designated "iron-headed child."
Returning to the hall, he issued a challenge to Natsu, and the battle-crazed Natsu naturally agreed enthusiastically.
"Eh!! Noah actually challenged Natsu to a fight!"
"That's strange—did the sun rise from the west today...?"
"Let's go, let's go, let's watch."
"..."
Upon hearing that Noah had proactively challenged Natsu to a fight, everyone in the hall became extremely curious. Even the usually composed Makarov followed along.
After all, in recent months, Noah's penchant for slacking off had left a deep impression on his guildmates' minds.
Jude and Lucy, the father and daughter, were also swept up in the crowd, joining the excitement, but they were utterly confused about the reason.
"Miss Mira, why is everyone so interested in Noah and Natsu's sparring match?"
Having just joined the guild, Lucy's tone was still a bit unfamiliar.
However, Mirajane believed that it wouldn't be long before Lucy became familiar with everyone, so she just smiled slightly at her question. "Well, you'll know later."
In the open space behind the guild, a rare crowd had gathered.
In the center of the arena, amidst the boisterous atmosphere of his companions' cheers, Natsu felt his blood surge. "I'm fired up!"
"Noah! This time, in our physical combat contest, I'll definitely defeat you!"
Hearing this, Noah merely picked his ear. He'd heard those words many times before.
Among the spectators outside the arena, a slightly tipsy Cana suddenly perked up. She directly put down her half-person-tall wine barrel. "Come, come, place your bets! Bet on whether Noah can knock Natsu out with one punch. Maximum bet of one hundred Jewels per person."
Makarov's face darkened. He hadn't expected Cana, that little drunkard, to dare to openly organize gambling in front of him, the Guild Master.
These kids nowadays truly don't respect adults.
This is no longer just any guild member—he must strike hard!
Makarov reached into his pocket.
That damned little drunkard, I'll show you...
"Cana, one hundred Jewels—I'm still betting on Noah knocking Natsu out with one punch."
"Received, Guild Master."
Makarov skillfully tossed the money to Cana, indicating that he'd participated in such small, recreational gambling many times.
After all, Cana's betting limit was only one hundred Jewels, which could be earned back dozens of times over by simply completing a single job in the guild. Even if one lost, no one would feel bad.
Such gambling was originally meant to liven the atmosphere. If someone were to open a large-scale bet, attempting to profit from their companions, Erza would teach those people a lesson without Makarov even needing to say a word.
"Oh, oh! It's starting!"
"Natsu is still going all-out as usual!"
As an unknown companion's voice alerted them, everyone's gaze returned to the center of the arena.
The pink-haired youth rushed forward in a few steps, his hands clenched into claws, emanating an impressive and incredibly swift aura as he lunged toward Noah's face.
Before he even got close, Noah felt a strong gust of wind, but he merely shifted his body slightly, perfectly dodging the attack.
Natsu, as if he'd anticipated Noah's move, changed his claws to palms, sweeping a hand chop horizontally to pursue him.
Listening to the tearing sound of the air, Noah smiled faintly.
After several months of physical combat training, and under his guidance, Natsu was no longer the youth who only knew how to charge headfirst.
Now, his punches and kicks were fierce and unstoppable, yet also fluid and adaptable.
Watching Noah "narrowly" evade Natsu's relentless, rain-like attacks in the arena, Lucy and Jude both showed worried expressions.
Even they, two novices in physical combat, could see that Natsu's every move was deadly. If it were an ordinary person, they probably wouldn't last a single blow before collapsing.
It's just sparring—is it really necessary to be like this...?
"Don't worry, both of you."
Mirajane noticed their concern and immediately fulfilled her duty as a hostess. "Noah is our guild's physical combat instructor. Natsu's attacks are nothing to him."
"It might look like he's dodging precariously, but in reality, every one of Natsu's movements is within his prediction. Noah can precisely anticipate the maximum range of Natsu's every move and dodge within a tiny space just beyond that."
Hearing this, Jude praised him inwardly: As expected of Mr. Noah.
Lucy, however, accurately grasped the key point in Mirajane's words: physical combat instructor? Doesn't that mean Noah's physical combat skills are among the best in the guild? Otherwise, how could he command respect?
In just a short conversation, the match had already reached a fever pitch—of Natsu, that is.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
"Fire Dragon's Claw!"
"Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"
Natsu continuously unleashed various moves. Although these attacks didn't involve Magic and were purely physical, they subtly formed a fiery aura around him.
Facing an increasingly fierce Natsu, Noah finally launched his first attack.
Under everyone's astonished gaze, Noah pushed off the ground, leaped into the air, and executed a somersaulting Flying Kick toward Natsu.
"There's no leverage in the air, so try not to attack while airborne—it will leave you completely exposed."
These were Noah's words to everyone during physical combat training.
But now he was using such a flawed Flying Kick. Had Natsu's offense rattled him?!
"Heh, you've been rattled, haven't you, Noah."
"Right now, you're full of openings!"
Both instinct and experience told Natsu that he could easily dodge Noah's wide-open Flying Kick.
Clenching his five fingers, Natsu, finally seizing the opportunity, accelerated forward and swung his fist forcefully at Noah's foot joint.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
"Thank you for your guidance, Fire Dragon!"
The two figures crossed paths. The pink-haired youth, clutching his stomach, spun two and a half times in mid-air before falling to the ground in a sorry state.
The white-haired youth, however, stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from the crowd, in the posture of a peerless master.
After sparring with Natsu, Noah came to a conclusion.
Even if he intentionally left himself completely exposed, a Flying Kick with invincible frames was a fundamentally unbeatable existence!