Upon entering Fairy Tail, Axel spotted Makarov waiting near the counter, a faint smile on his face.
"It seems Pest Cleaning did you some good, boy," the Master said. "You look… stronger."
"Just adapting, Master," Axel replied, handing over the mission report.
As Axel spoke with the guild master, Natsu suddenly snapped his head toward him, nostrils flaring as if he'd caught a strange scent.
His eyes widened.
In the next instant, he rushed forward.
"You smell like a dragon!" Natsu blurted out. "Do you know where Igneel is? You're strong—fight me!"
The latent Draconic Aura within Axel—now more pronounced after his level-up and increased Mana—had caught the Fire Dragon Slayer's attention.
Axel froze.
Natsu wasn't just sensing mana.
He was sensing the Sleeping Dragon Soul.
Flames flickered around Natsu's fist as excitement surged through him.
"Fight me! I wanna fight someone who smells like a dragon!"
"Natsu, that's enough!" Makarov's voice thundered across the hall, cutting through the noise.
But Natsu didn't move. His dark eyes were locked onto Axel, burning with curiosity and anticipation.
Axel knew lying outright would be pointless.
Dragon Slayers didn't just smell magic—they sensed intent.
He needed a half-truth. One that didn't expose the System.
"Calm down, Natsu," Axel said, gently pushing the boy's hands away. "I don't know anyone named Igneel."
That much was true.
But he needed to give him something.
"I…" Axel hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I'm not a dragon. And I'm not a Dragon Slayer. But before I came here… I was touched by one."
Natsu blinked.
"A dragon… gave me part of its power," Axel continued. "That's why you smell it."
(Axel's thoughts: Damn it. He's not just sensing the Earthland dragon seed. He's picking up on the resonance—between the Sleeping Dragon Soul and something else. A diluted echo of Ddraig… the concept of a Heavenly Dragon.)
It wasn't a lie.
Just a carefully framed truth.
"My power is sealed," Axel added, appealing to Natsu's instincts. "If I fight you right now, it might break loose by accident."
(Please don't ask the dragon's name. Please let the 'sealed power' excuse work.)
Little Natsu swallowed.
Uncontrolled power—especially something that smelled like a dragon—was genuinely frightening.
"…Okay," he said reluctantly, stepping back. Then he pointed at Axel. "But when it's not sealed anymore, you WILL fight me!"
"Deal," Axel said with a quiet sigh of relief.
Makarov rested a hand on Axel's shoulder, studying him with a mix of caution and something almost proud.
"A dragon?" Mirajane approached with her siblings, eyes shining with curiosity.
Young Mira was fearless—and far more fascinated by power than her future self.
"So your magic is sealed?" she asked, tilting her head.
Elfman nodded vigorously. "A secret power! That's manly!"
Lisanna smiled shyly, though her gaze sparkled with interest as well.
Axel seized the opening to explain—magically, without mentioning the System.
"Yes," he said, touching the Fairy Tail mark on his left shoulder. "The power the dragon gave me is in forced dormancy. I can't use destructive magic yet."
He shifted suddenly—just a few inches—using a brief burst of Shadow Step.
The movement was subtle.
Almost invisible.
Mirajane noticed anyway.
"But I can feel and manipulate the Ethernano around and inside my body," Axel continued, flexing his arm slightly. "I use it to enhance myself. Strength, speed, stealth. For now, that's my support magic."
He briefly activated Magic Vision and Emperor's Eyes, focusing on Mirajane.
Her mana burned dense and wild—unstable, overwhelming.
Take Over potential, he realized.
"My eyes can see the flow of magic," Axel added calmly. "Or at least its traces. It helps me move… and predict."
Mirajane frowned, processing it all.
"A magic that turns you into a physical monster and lets you see magic itself?" she said, then smirked. "Weird. But strong, right?"
"Strong enough for Green-rank missions," Axel replied as he turned toward the mission board.
One request stood out.
[ESCORT] Carriage Protection — Green RankRoute: Road to Shirotsume (1 day travel)Requirement: Mage with combat or evasion skillsDetails: Bandits and wild creatures sightedReward: 5,000 JewelsEstimated CP Gain: 150–200
Axel calculated quickly.
A full day of travel meant multiple encounters.
Multiple fights.
Plenty of Conquest.
He turned back to Makarov.
"Master, may I take this one? I can use my evasion magic to keep the client safe."
Makarov studied Axel carefully—then glanced at Natsu and Laxus, both watching in silence.
The old man sighed.
"Very well. If you take it seriously and prioritize safety, I'll allow it." His gaze sharpened. "But if you slip even once, I'll personally bring you back."
Axel nodded immediately.
"Go speak with the client," Makarov continued. "Madame Rosalie. She's staying at the city inn."
Axel's heart raced.
150 to 200 CP…
That would put him dangerously close to unlocking the Boosted Gear.
"Understood, Master," Axel said. "I'll be back tomorrow."
As he turned to leave, the path forward was clear.
This wasn't just a mission.
It was the next step toward becoming something far more dangerous.