Chapter 3: Training

Igneel taught Natsu everything about Fire Dragon Slayer magic. Due to Instant Mastery, Natsu quickly mastered every spell. Every day they would spar with each other to help Natsu gain battle experience. Natsu has gotten a lot stronger now.

Today was the same as usual. After finishing their daily spar, Natsu just laid down on the ground. Even though he will get quickly healed due to his instant regeneration, he still feels mentally tired.

"Dad you're too strong for me. Even though I land a hit on you, it won't cause any damage to you," said Natsu with a sigh. Igneel was called Fire Dragon King for something. He is a lot stronger than the current Natsu.

"Don't worry Brat. You've got a lot stronger as well. You've mastered all the spells I've taught. I remember finishing you with a quick tail attack. Now you can at least take my hit like a good punching bag and you'll be back to normal due to your abnormal regeneration haha..." said Igneel while laughing.

"Ugh... I'll beat your sorry ass someday. Then I will be the one laughing." Natsu pouted. Igneel just ignored his comment and continued laughing.

"Okay brat, I'll teach you something new today. You've already mastered all the basic spells. Now I'm going to teach you some advanced spells as well as secret arts. If you master all these spells, then I can finally teach you how to use Dragon Force." said Igneel with a serious expression.

"Dragon Force? What is that?" Natsu asked curiously.

'I don't know much about Dragon Force except its sort of final power-up for dragon slayers. Natsu always activated dragon force unconsciously in the anime.' thought Natsu.

"Dragon Force is the power every genuine dragon slayer has. It usually lays dormant in the slayers but when a slayer has enough mastery over his/her dragon slayer magic, then he/she can access it. It's like a transformation making you a lot stronger and have more access to draconic magic. Only a genuine dragon slayer taught by a living dragon can access Dragon Force. Those fake slayers, that have dragon lacrima implanted inside them can never access it." explained Igneel.

"I see. So to use Dragon Force, I need to master my Dragon Slayer magic. Anyway, What are dragon lacrima? Do you have that?" Natsu asked curiously.

'In the anime, it wasn't explained why Natsu and the other first-generation slayer didn't have dragon lacrima implanted in them. C'mon Igneel, Metalicanna and Grandeeney must have their lacrima. I always thought the author just randomly introduced those as a plot.' thought Natsu.

"Dragon Lacrima is simply a lacrima infused with Dragon Slayer magic. Every Dragon has its lacrima. So, of course, I have mine as well." said Igneel answering my question.

"What happens when you implant your lacrima inside me then? Will I get a lot stronger then?" asked Natsu curiously.

"That's... well I'll tell you now that you've brought this topic. I can implant the lacrima inside you and you will be even stronger and have an easy time accessing Dragon Force. The dragon lacrima fuses with your magic container strengthening it but you'll experience a lot of pain. So, I didn't implant my lacrima inside you." said Igneel.

"Well, why are you hesitating then? I want to become stronger so a little pain won't stop me from achieving it." Natsu quickly told Igneel.

"Are you sure? Sure, the lacrima will make you stronger but you'll eventually become strong anyway. So, you don't need to do this. The pain you'll be experiencing will be a lot worse than anything you've experienced." asked Igneel for confirmation. Natsu quickly nods his head. Seeing this, Igneel sighs and heads inside his cave to bring his dragon lacrima.

"Okay. I'll start the process. Lay down on the front and I'll start infusing the lacrima." said Igneel. Natsu quickly follows and lays down on the ground.

Igneel soon places a crimson red lacrima on his back and pushes it inside Natsu. As soon as the lacrima went inside him, he felt so much pain at once.

'Sh*t! It's really painful. Now, I know why Igneel didn't infuse his lacrima inside Natsu in the anime. Still, I can't believe Metallicana as a big-softie hehe.' thought Natsu as he inwardly chuckled. Soon, the pain started getting worse and he fainted.

'I didn't want to implant it in him. But I guess it's better for him this way. I don't have much time left. Thankfully, Natsu is a little genius to have learned everything from me. I guess I'll start teaching him Fire Dragon King Mode and Dragon Force. He needs to get all the power to defeat the accursed Acnologia.' thought Igneel with a sigh. He quickly brought Natsu inside his cave for rest.

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