Third Gen. Dragon Slayer

When Natsu got himself off the floor, he started demanding Gray to fight again while also asking him how he got so much stronger is such a short amount of time.

This conversation garnered the attention of many of the other guild members, but they were all left disappointed when Gray refused to answer.

Ur just gave a Alex a sidelong look at Natsu's question, an action that didn't go unnoticed by Alex who responded with a quirked eyebrow at Gray that seemed to have a hidden meaning.

'To punish.. Or not to punish? That is the question.. Hmm I bet she threatened or at least brow-beat it out of him. Can't get too mad that he spilled the beans, though I did tell him not too.' Alex thought, slightly annoyed.

He couldn't find it in himself to even find this outcome unexpected as Ur had influenced Gray in such a profound way in his childhood and even much of his life within the guild (through his own guilt and memories of her teachings).

Her asking about his change and him being unable to with-hold that information was actually a forgone conclusion.

Alex interrupted Natsu's questions by telling him that Gray had a lucky encounter on their last mission that helped him re-unite with his master he thought previously dead.

He explained how the encounter let him discover something about his magic that gave him a way better understanding of the nature of it. He didn't specifically lie, but he absolutely did not tell the entire truth either as Ur had nothing to do with his transformation.

Currently the only ones within the guild that knew Gray was a slayer wizard now was the Master, Ur and himself.

It would probably take some bullshitting on Grays part to explain that part eventually, but as long as Alex didn't get dragged into it, he didn't care.

While the explanation would not have worked against anyone whom actually wanted to know the specifics, Natsu was an air-head who just wanted to beat Gray.

He immediately started asking Alex if he could come along on the next S-class quest so he could get a power up too.

'Of course he thinks that was the reason.. Moron' Alex just laughed lightly at him while rolling his eyes.

"I don't plan on heading out to any S-class quests anytime soon, but if you're serious about getting stronger come by my place tomorrow morning for some training. Be warned though, since I know how ...Resilient you are, I won't be holding back". He said with a slightly evil smirk.

Wendy and Carla stepped back at the look and had a chill run down their spines, they knew that look and didn't want anything to do with the 'Training' Alex had in mind.

Natsu agreed and left the guild with happy. "Just you wait Gray, I'm gonna get way stronger than you and kick your butt!" Natsu shouted as he left the guild.

The rest of the guild laughed at the display, already looking forward to the next show. Natsu was nothing if not persistent.

Ur got closer to Alex and asked in a low tone "I know most up what you told him was bullshit, what is it you actually plan to do?" she asked curiously.

"You are welcome to come for the "Training" but you'll need to promise secrecy and it honestly wont be pleasant to witness" Alex replied cryptically, in equally low tones.

Evidently having heard the whispered conversation, Gray asked if he was gonna turn Natsu into some kind of Dragon/Demon hybrid slayer.

Alex simply laughed while shaking his head. 'would be pretty funny though, having a Demon with Demon slayer magic'. After bidding everyone a good day, Alex left the guild and headed back to his place, he needed to prepare for tomorrow.

Alex reached his house deep in thought. 'Should I just awaken the Etherious inside of him? Or make a fire dragon lacrima for him.

The latter should give him easier access to his dragon force and I'm not sure it would be a good Idea to awaken E.N.D. this early, he and Gray might actually kill each other then.

I could also just use enchanting to strengthen his connection with Igneel inside of him, it should benefit him the most in the long run, but won't be the quick boost he would need to match Gray right now.

Hmmm Fuck it. I'll just do the lacrima thing, it's all I was gonna do originally and will be way less work.

Natsu can just grow into the rest naturally, can't hold his hand too much. That's just not his style'. After coming to a decision, Alex entered his room and began meditating while channeling magic into his hands.

It was the same way he had made the lacrima for Porlyusica but this time he was doing it with fire dragon magic.

The toll it would take on his own magic reserves was way higher than just making a healing magic one and wouldn't even be currently possible for him with any other element, at least not within a time frame he was willing to just sit there and channel magic.

Meditation was already boring as hell and channeling magic for so long was incredibly draining.

By his estimation, it was already going to take him about 12 hours of uninterrupted {Mana Manipulation} to finish the lacrima.

If he was using a different element it would be even longer, having a 'God Given' natural affinity for fire in all its forms made it by far his easiest element.

The hours past slowly for Alex and many times he had found himself wondering why he was even doing all this, he knew Natsu would eventually get really strong on his own.

He ended up using the fact that he had already taken many of Natsu's 'Character building' experiences away from him, and if he continued to change the story as he had been doing, Natsu wouldn't be anywhere near as strong as he would have been during some of the key moments in the future.

'If he even has any key moments in the future' Alex chuckled to himself.

Another reason was that he liked Natsu's character and like the rest of the guild enjoyed the fights and nonsense he brought along.

He also thought the 'rivalry' between him and Gray also was a major factor in why they had both improved so much as quickly as they do.

"Besides, watching him and Gray fight for such stupid reasons is actually kind of relaxing" he said to nobody.

It took him a little longer than he had estimated before the lacrima solidified, taking 14 total hours.

Seeing the lacrima floating above his hand left him oddly satisfied even being as tired as he was.

Not having any motivation to do anything else, he had a quick meal from one of his pre-made meals, a quick shower, then headed right to bed.

He woke early the nest morning feeling refreshed as he did his morning routine.

It was still a little to early to expect Natsu so he just kind of wandered around his house checking the enchantments he installed and pondering anything he may have forgotten or could add.

Natsu and Happy arrived before the sun had risen fully looking eager to start 'training'. Well Natsu did, happy was still asleep being carried by the eager Natsu.

"Well aren't we excitable?" Alex asked as a greeting.

"Yeah! I wanna beat Gray as soon as possible, I'm still annoyed he actually won" Natsu said with his usual vigor. "This is a nice house you have here! Musta cost a lot!" He added, his usual attention span making an appearance.

"Not really, I built it myself so all I had to pay for was the land" Alex said absently as he invited Natsu in. "You can leave Happy on the couch, he probably wont care too much about missing the next part" Alex said while pointing to the living room.

Natsu did as he suggested before quickly catching up to Alex who kept heading out back where he had a training area set up.

"Alright, before the actual training I have a gift to offer. I will warn you upfront that it will be very painful. It will however give you a massive power boost right off the start and since you already have dragon slayer magic, the pain will be front loaded" Alex said once they reached the training yard.

Natsu was a little hesitant at first, but the words 'Massive power boost' had him hooked right away.

"Pain I can handle, loosing to Gray I can't!" Natsu spoke with determination.

"Good resolve, if a little childish" Alex said lightly as he pulled out the lacrima.

Natsu felt an instant connection to the lacrima and started drooling as if it might be a savory delicacy. He gulped. "What is that?" he asked salivating.

Alex laughed at the look. "It is a Dragon Slayer lacrima, and unfortunately for you its not for eating" he said to the crestfallen Natsu.

"How do I use it then?" Natsu asked.

"It gets pushed into your body from the outside, that's where the pain involved comes from. I imagine you probably could actually eat it, but given the nature of your magic then it would make in non-permanent and kinda defeat the purpose" Alex explained.

As Alex was going to start the process he felt Ur's presence at the front of the house. Remembering she wanted to see the process he quickly went to let her in.

After getting Ur up to speed about what was happening and going to happen, Alex had Natsu go through the obstacle course he had set up.

He had to use his full abilities and complete it as fast as possible. This was to give everyone involved a base understanding of where Natsu's current abilities were so they could see any improvement after the lacrima was placed inside him.

Alex and Ur watched as Natsu ran the obstacle course three times back to back, using his fire in different ways each time he was able to improve his time slightly each time.

"Good, now we have a baseline of what to expect we can implant the lacrima" Alex said. "This is going to be very painful" he reminded Natsu.

"I am ready" Natsu said resolutely.

"Good, we can begin right away. Lay down over here" Alex said point to a circle carved out on the ground. "This area has been enchanted to block all sound so you don't startle the entire neighborhood if you cry out from the pain" Alex said to their un-asked questions.

Natsu and Ur just nodded at that as Natsu was laying down in the circle.

Simply implanting a lacrima was way quicker and easier than forcing one to completely integrate with the body of its host like he had done with Laxus.

He also wouldn't be in pain as long as Porlyusica had been as Natsu already had Dragon Slayer magic, where Porlyusica had none at all.

The whole process only took a couple minutes but Natsu ended up passing out in the end. Thankfully even that was quick and Natsu was up shortly after.

A quick healing later and Natsu was rearing to go and full of energy. "I've never felt so much power in all my life!" He yelled in excitement as dark red flames danced all over his body.

"That was an incredible increase for such a short period of time" Ur commented in slight awe.

"Yeah, but that is only because the lacrima has the highest affinity for him. Put into another wizard it would be way more time consuming and painful and that's not saying anything about compatibility" Alex replied.

Once Natsu was done playing around and getting a hang of his new power, they had him to the obstacle course again.

His speed and precision at tackling the different challenges was night and day different. He didn't even seem out of breath when he was done.

This led to another bout of him shouting like a maniac about beating Gray and Erza while shooting flames all around.

Alex and Ur watched in amusement while Ur asked questions about the process and steps involved.

As someone who studied and practiced magic all her life Ur was interested in this project simply because she was curious.

He explained the process as best he could. Ur was shocked for only a second when he said he made the lacrima himself, but got over it very quickly when she remembered that her current body was also made by him and compared to that she really shouldn't be surprised about anything he can do.

Before they all set off from the training yard, he told Natsu to try not to brag and tell too many people about the 'gift' he had been given as there wasn't any more to give out.

He hadn't told Natsu that he was the one who created it as he knew Natsu wasn't one for subtlety.

Natsu agreed while thanking him and they all entered the house to go find Happy.

The lazy blue cat was hanging out in the hot tub with Wendy and Carla while munching on a fish.

When Natsu saw the pool area it completely derailed the thoughts he was having about beating up Gray and he cannonballed into the big pool.

Alex rolled his eyes at the group before getting changed and going for a swim himself.

Ur out of habit seemed to have had a bathing suit under her cloths and joined them shortly after.

The group played around in the pool for the rest of the morning before heading to the guild.