Ken was just about to turn around and leave when a loud, passionate voice called out.
"Hey, Ken! Since you're so strong, come and fight me! I'm on fire!"
Ken didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Natsu.
Without looking back, Ken spread his hands in mock defeat. "But I just got to Magnolia not long ago, and I don't even have a place to stay. If I don't find a house, I'll end up sleeping on the street again tonight."
Natsu's face lit up with a rare moment of brilliance. "This is easy! Lucy!"
Lucy, who had also joined the guild recently, was no stranger to the local real estate scene.
"Natsu's right!" Lucy said, grinning. "I know just the place. Let's go look for a house!"
It seemed that Ken had no real reason to refuse, especially since he was curious about a friendly bout with Natsu.
Ken rubbed his palms together, smirking. "In that case, why don't we go outside and fight right now?"
"Wait, I have something else to ask you," Natsu said suddenly, his tone turning more serious.
Ken raised an eyebrow, curious. What's this about?
Natsu hesitated for a moment, then asked with a cautious air, "You're also a dragon slayer, right? Does that mean you were raised by a dragon?"
Ken immediately understood where Natsu was going. As the first-generation Dragon Slayer, Natsu had been raised by the Fire Dragon Igneel. Similarly, Gajeel, the Iron Dragon Slayer, had been raised by the Iron Dragon Metalicana. Both had searched desperately for their dragon parents after they disappeared, leaving them with painful memories of their absence.
Ken could guess that Natsu was hoping he might have some clue about where his dragon, Igneel, had gone.
"I'm sorry, Natsu," Ken said apologetically, "I didn't grow up with a dragon. I only got my dragon-slaying magic by implanting a dragon-slaying magic crystal into my body."
At hearing this, a look of disappointment flashed across Natsu's face, but he quickly masked it with determination. "But... you know something about the dragons, right? Please tell me!"
Ken chuckled lightly, seeing the fire in Natsu's eyes. "I do know a thing or two about the dragons... but only if you beat me in a fight."
Natsu's eyes lit up again, his excitement palpable. "Deal! I'm going to win for sure!"
The guild members had gathered around the scene without anyone realizing it, their anticipation growing. The news that Ken knew something about the whereabouts of the dragons was all they cared about now. Who would win this battle?
"Ken's taking Natsu's challenge?" one member asked, eyes wide.
"But how could Natsu win? Remember how Erza always beats him up?" another member replied with a smirk.
"I'll bet a pack of spicy strips that Natsu gets slapped away in five minutes," another person teased.
"Where's Cana? I want to place my bet on Ken winning—10,000 J!" someone else called out.
At the mention of bets, the guild members' voices became louder, and even Erza, the guild's unofficial disciplinary officer, couldn't help but glance at Makarov, hoping he would step in.
Makarov sighed but couldn't hold back his smile. "It's fine for everyone to have a little fun now and then," he said, but secretly, he was hiding his money pouch and thinking, I might place a bet with Cana myself.
In the midst of the noise, someone else called out, "But what happens if Natsu loses?"
Natsu turned around, indignantly shouting, "I'm not going to lose! I'm gonna win for sure!"
"Then let Ken decide," Ken replied with a grin, not missing a beat. "What should I do if you lose?"
Natsu's eyes sparkled with his usual boldness. "I'll do anything! Just tell me, and I'll do it!"
Ken didn't want to make Natsu feel too pressured, so he casually threw out, "Help me pay my rent for a year."
"Deal!" Natsu agreed without hesitation.
Happy, the ever-supportive flying cat, tugged at Natsu's pants. "Natsu, you should think this through!"
Natsu waved him off. "No need to think about it! If we find out where Igneel is, paying rent for ten years is no problem!"
Ken was almost taken aback by Natsu's eagerness but nodded approvingly.
Outside the Guild
The atmosphere had become charged with excitement. Ken and Natsu stood facing each other, ready to settle the challenge.
Natsu, ever determined, shouted, "Alright! When I defeat you, you'll tell me about Igneel!"
Ken smiled lightly, nodding his head. "That's the deal. Let's see if you can win."
Without waiting for Ken to make a move, Natsu charged forward, fists blazing with flames. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Ken didn't flinch, raising his hands to summon a massive Cave Dragon's Shield to block the attack.
Boom!
The fire and rock magic collided, sending gusts of wind and dust into the air. The force was so strong that even the spectators felt the pressure and took a small step back.
Ken stood firm, unaffected, as the giant shield absorbed the full brunt of Natsu's fire magic.
A surprised glimmer flashed in Natsu's eyes as he quickly adjusted his stance, sidestepping and changing his approach. "Fire Dragon's Wing Strike!!"
Natsu's arms, engulfed in roaring flames, lashed out like wings. Each strike hit the shield with a resounding force, one after another, pushing against the shield's magical power.
Ken didn't move, simply watching Natsu's relentless assault. As Natsu's attacks grew faster, the glow on the shield began to weaken.
"Got you now!" Natsu shouted, his fiery enthusiasm driving him forward. He jumped back for a moment, his energy building.
Ken raised an eyebrow as Natsu prepared his final move.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!!"
A massive, fiery blast erupted from Natsu's mouth, consuming the area in searing flames. The intensity of the fire was so fierce it felt like the ground itself might crack under the heat. The flames surged toward Ken's shield, slowly cracking it under the pressure.
The cracks spread rapidly like a spiderweb, and with a final burst of flame, the shield broke.
For a tense moment, the flames seemed to swallow Ken whole.
"Is it over?" someone murmured nervously, unsure if Ken had underestimated Natsu.
But as the smoke and fire cleared, a calm voice emerged from within the flames.
"Well done, Natsu."
Everyone stared in disbelief as Ken stood unharmed, unscathed by Natsu's powerful attack.
(Next Chapter: The Three Dragon Slayers)