Chapter 7: Defeating Gray

Natsu and Gray quickly went outside the guild for the match. Everyone in the guild followed them including Makarov and Erza. Some people even started making bets about the match.

Makarov was a bit curious about Natsu. He knows that Natsu is a dragon slayer and a powerful one at that. So, he wanted to learn more about Natsu from this match. Erza was just curious about Natsu.

"Are you ready pinkie? I'll turn you into an ice statue with my Ice-Make magic," said Gray with a smug expression getting into his fighting stance.

"Yeah, I'm ready to beat your sorry ass. Get ready to walk naked on the streets." Natsu said with a carefree attitude.

Seeing his carefree attitude pissed Gray. He quickly attacked him using Ice-Make Lance but before it could even reach him it quickly evaporated. Everyone was shocked by this display.

"Was that an attack? I thought someone sprayed me with water." Natsu said with a smug expression. He didn't even need to use a basic spell to evaporate the ice.

"Bastard! I'll make you regret looking down on me," said Gray attacking Natsu with his Ice-Make Canon. The same thing happened again before the attack could reach him it quickly evaporated.

Gray was shocked seeing this. He never thought his attack would fail him. Gray tried multiple Ice-Make spells but all of them evaporated before it could damage Natsu.

"Let's end this quickly," said Natsu as he disappeared from his spot. He quickly arrived in front of Gray and knocked him out with a punch.

"Hah... I didn't even have to use my magic. I guess I've become a lot stronger due to my training." said Natsu with a low voice but Makarov and Erza heard it. They were shocked to see Natsu was so strong.

"Alright, everyone! The winner is Natsu," shouted Makarov ending the match. He quickly brought Gray to the guild infirmary. Those that bet on Natsu were shouting happily while those that bet on Gray were cursing him.

Natsu quickly left everyone and arrived at the forest. He didn't like having a house in the town. So, he needs to build his own house in the forest like anime.

When he was going to start his daily training, he quickly noticed Erza has approached him. He greeted with a smile.

"Hey Erza, what are you doing here?" asked Natsu.

"How are you so strong?" asked Erza with a stoic expression ignoring his question.

"What do you mean strong?" Natus asked. He knew about Erza's past but he won't try to pry into her past if she's uncomfortable with it.

"I mean what I asked. How are you so strong? You beat Gray like it was nothing. You're even younger than me but how can you be so strong?" asked Erza with a serious expression.

"When you were raised by a living dragon and trained every day sparring with him, then I guess anyone can become strong," Natsu said sarcastically. Hearing such an absurd thing, Erza quickly becomes mad.

"What do you mean by Dragon! There's no such thing as a dragon in this world. If you don't want to answer then just say so. No need to lie with such an absurd reason." shouted Erza snapping at him. Natsu was a bit startled by her outburst but quickly calmed down.

"If you think I'm lying about dragons, then feel free to do so. I don't have to prove anything. My magic is fire dragon slayer taught to me by my father, Fire Dragon King Igneel." said Natsu in a calm manner.

"You're lying... I know you're lying... just like my best friend," mumbled Erza while sobbing.

"I don't know who your best friend is and I don't care anyway. I'm your friend now, so if you need someone to talk to then feel free to do so," said Natsu while quicking wrapping his arms around the sobbing Erza hugging her.

'She probably needed some outlet for her pent-up frustration. I'll probably bash that bastard Jella's head when I get the chance.' Natsu thought.

Erza quickly calmed after crying for a while. She quickly broke the hug. She was quite embarrassed by her action earlier but quickly calmed down at looked at Natsu who was smiling. She became dazzled by his smile but quickly shook her head to clear her head.

"Please train me to be stronger! I know it is a selfish request but I know you can make me stronger. So, please train me!" asked Erza bowing her head. Natsu quickly stopped her from bowing.

"Stop bowing your head. It's quite embarrassing. You can join me in my daily training. I'll teach you everything I can. We're friends, aren't we? So, you don't need to thank me for it." said Natsu with his trademark grin which made Erza blush.

"Thank you. If there is anything I can do for you, then please feel free to ask me," said Erza with a serious expression.

"Hmm... there probably is something I'll need your help for," Natsu said while thinking.

"If there is anything I can do, then feel free to ask me. We're friends aren't we?" said Erza with a genuine smile. Seeing that smile made Natsu dazzled for a bit.

"You should smile more. You're beautiful that way," said Natsu in a low voice but Erza heard it making her blush.

"Anyway, I need someone to teach me how to read the language here. I don't know how to read human language. Igneel only taught me the draconic language." Natsu said in embarrassment.

"Don't worry about it. I'll teach how to read and write and you can train me to become stronger." Erza said quickly agreeing to the deal.

"Alright, Let's meet here every day at 6 AM. See you soon Erza," said Natsu with a smile as he left the area leaving a blushing Erza.

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