Karna smirked. "Alright. Time to get serious."
Just as Erza prepared to strike again, Karna suddenly vanished.
"What?!" Gray exclaimed.
"Where did he go?" Ultear asked, scanning the area.
Erza frantically looked around, but before she could react, everything went black.
When she woke up, she found herself lying beneath a tree, Gray and Ultear beside her.
"What… happened?" she asked groggily.
Ur's voice answered from nearby. "You three got knocked out the moment he got serious."
Erza's eyes widened. "What exactly did he do?"
Ur sighed. "If I saw correctly, he stopped holding back and started channelling mana through his body. That increased his speed, strength, and reflexes—basically enhancing every aspect of himself. He took all of you out within seconds."
Erza was stunned. "Wait… does that mean he wasn't using magic to enhance his body when he was fighting us before?"
"Yeah," Ur confirmed with a weary sigh. "It gave me a shock too when I realized it. When Master said that kid had turned into a monster, I didn't think he meant that much of a monster. At this rate, he might surpass me in my prime sooner than I expected."
A bitter feeling settled in Erza's stomach. She had always known Karna was stronger than them, but the sheer difference was staggering.
"Even though we're the same age, why is the gap between us so huge?" she thought, frustration bubbling inside her.
Ur noticed her expression and chuckled. "Don't let it eat at you, kid. Karna has been training in the guild ever since he was a child. Being surrounded by S-Class wizards from such a young age is bound to have an effect. And trust me, you kids are really strong for wizards your age. Karna is just… an exception."
"I know that, but—" Erza started, only to be interrupted.
"It's annoying to be so outclassed, huh?" Gray muttered, sitting up.
Ur blinked. "Oh? When did you wake up?"
"Just a few moments ago, while you were explaining everything," Gray replied. He glanced to the side. "Looks like Ultear's awake too."
"Yeah, Mom. That was a nice explanation," Ultear added with a smirk.
Ur huffed. "Don't let it go to your heads, though. Even if you kids are strong, it doesn't make you invincible. Sometimes, wizards weaker than you will win simply because of their experience."
The three nodded, taking her words to heart. They might be weaker now, but they wouldn't stay that way. A new determination ignited within them—a drive to become even stronger than they were in the original timeline.
Then Ultear suddenly asked, "By the way, Mom…"
"Yeah, dear?"
"Why are you… tied up upside down from the tree?"
Gray turned his head and immediately recoiled. "Wait—what?! Don't tell me this is some weird new fetish you're going to force on us!" He shuddered at the thought.
It was only now that Erza finally noticed Ur's condition. The older woman was hanging upside down from a tree branch, bound tightly by ropes. Cuts and bruises covered her body—injuries that looked eerily familiar, though Erza couldn't quite place where she had seen them before.
Ur shuddered. "You'd better start praying, kids. After you all got knocked out… she showed up. She took me down first, and then she went after those two."
Gray paled. "Wait. You don't mean—"
"Oh my god," Ultear whispered, horrified.
Erza stiffened.
The three of them began shaking at the realization. If it was her, then they were in deep trouble.
Meanwhile, at the Guild
The guild hall was lively as usual, with Makarov and the others drinking and enjoying themselves.
Suddenly, the doors were kicked open, and Karna stormed inside—carrying Cana in a princess carry.
"Wooooaaahhhh!!"
The drunken guild members erupted in howls and whistles.
"Hahahaha! Youth!" Makarov roared with laughter.
Macao smirked. "Are you guys getting this bold because Gildarts isn't around?"
Cornelia wiped fake tears from her eyes. "Ahh, it's nice to see my baby girl growing up."
But Karna didn't stop to chat. Still carrying a blushing Cana, he jumped onto the second floor, heading straight for the S-Class request board.
"System, tell me which quest!" he demanded in his mind.
[The quest in the upper right corner will allow you to access the Drakon Quest Path.]
Karna didn't hesitate. He grabbed the quest and suddenly heard another notification.
[Major World Quest Activated.
Drakon War Prevention Chain Quests Activated.]
Chain Quest 1: The S-Class mission to scout the dangerous Redwood Forest seems like a standard request… but it may hold clues about the coming war. Find the clues.
Reward: ???
Failure: The end of the world.]
"Got it!" Karna shouted in his mind before leaping back down towards Makarov.
"Master, I want to take this S-Class quest!" Karna practically shoved the request poster into Makarov's face.
The old guild master snatched it away before it hit his mouth. Raising an eyebrow, he scanned the paper.
"Hmm… seems like a decent quest to start with. It'll also help you refine your skills as a hunter, using a bow in jungle environments."
"So, I can go, right?" Karna asked hurriedly.
Before Makarov could answer, Karna added, "And I'm taking Cana with me!"
"HOOOOOHHH!!"
The entire guild exploded with cheers, howls, and whistles.
Makarov grinned, clearly entertained. "Well, Cana, what do you say?"
Cana, still blushing with steam practically coming out of her head, could only nod.
Makarov chuckled. "Alright, you two can go. Just make sure to come back safe."
Karna grabbed the quest paper and turned to run again. "Thanks, Master! And… I'm sorry for what's about to happen."
With that, he activated his magic and disappeared in a blur.
Makarov blinked. "Huh? What did the kid mean by that?"
A/N- hope you like it and every 100 powerstone gets extra chapter of Jason.