The Ember Canyons became a crucible for Katsuki's newly enhanced power. The Vulcans, hulking primate-like creatures wreathed in their own natural flames and wielding crude stone weapons, were indeed aggressive and resilient, their bellows of rage echoing through the superheated ravines. They swarmed him, their fiery attacks painting the canyon walls with streaks of orange and red. But they were no match for the azure-tinged inferno Katsuki now commanded.
He moved through their territory like a vengeful god of destruction. His new dark grey attire, true to its promise, held up remarkably against the ambient heat and the occasional stray blast from his own superheated explosions, though the air around him shimmered with the intensity. He didn't just fight them; he erased them.
For the alpha, a particularly massive Vulcan whose flames burned with a distinct orange intensity, he saved his new masterpiece. Channeling a massive amount of his 'Explode' magic, focusing on that searing, Dabi-like heat, he launched himself into the air.
"Explode: Incinerate – Howitzer Impact!"
The name was an instinctive modification, reflecting the terrifying thermal upgrade. The ensuing explosion was a miniature sun. A blinding sphere of azure and white light engulfed the alpha Vulcan and a significant portion of the canyon wall behind it. The roar was deafening, the heatwave so intense that distant rocks cracked and popped. When the light subsided, there was nothing left of the alpha but a scorched silhouette on the molten rock, and the surrounding stone glowed like the heart of a forge. The remaining Vulcans, their primitive minds overwhelmed by a level of destructive power they couldn't comprehend, scattered in terror, their fiery bravado extinguished.
Katsuki landed, his breathing slightly harsher than usual. Channeling that much thermal energy was draining, even with his magic, but the result was undeniable. He found a suitably large, partially melted horn from the alpha – his proof of subjugation – and added it to his collection, which was rapidly outgrowing his pocket space. He'd have to get a damn bag or something.
With the job done, and the thrill of his new blue-flame capability still thrumming through him, he prepared for departure. This time, he consciously decided to differentiate his flight method, a subtle acknowledgment of the dual nature of his power.
"Explode: Nitro – Turbo Cluster!"
He focused on the more familiar sensation of his nitroglycerin-like sweat igniting, a series of rapid, concussive blasts, the classic orange-yellow explosions that were his signature. It felt different from the magic-fueled flight – rawer, perhaps a bit less controlled at the absolute peak, but with a distinct, almost comfortable familiarity. He rocketed out of the Ember Canyons, leaving behind a scene of utter devastation and the lingering smell of superheated rock and burnt sulfur.
By the time he returned to Fairy Tail, night had fully fallen. The guild hall was even more boisterous, if possible, the evening festivities in full swing. He ignored the stares – which were now a mixture of awe, fear, and something approaching reverence from some of an younger members – and made his way to the bar.
Mirajane greeted him with a knowing smile and efficiently processed his report, her eyes lingering for a moment on the clearly superheated Vulcan horn. She handed over his payment – in notes, without him having to ask this time – and he accepted it with a curt nod.
He was hungry. The day's exertions, the constant output of explosive energy, had taken their toll. He ordered a large platter of whatever roasted meat they had available and a tankard of water, pointedly ignoring the ale everyone else seemed to be consuming. He found an unoccupied section of a long table, away from the main locus of chaos, and began to eat with a focused, almost mechanical intensity.
As he ate, his gaze swept the room, observing. He wasn't interested in socializing, but he was always cataloging, assessing. His eyes landed on Erza Scarlet. She was unmistakable, even in the dim, flickering light of the guild hall, her crimson hair a vibrant splash of color against the dark wood. She was wearing a different set of armor now than earlier in the day, this one sleeker, more practical-looking than the ornate breastplate she'd been polishing. But the design philosophy, the craftsmanship, was undeniably Heart Kreuz.
Katsuki finished his meal, the food doing little to dull the restless energy that still simmered within him. He stood, his new dark attire making him seem like a shadow detaching itself from the wall. He walked over to Erza's table. She looked up, her expression neutral but attentive as he approached. Natsu, Gray, and Lucy, who were at the same table, paused their bickering and looked at him with curiosity.
Katsuki didn't bother with pleasantries. He looked directly at Erza, his crimson eyes meeting her brown ones. "Your armor," he stated, his voice blunt. "It's Heart Kreuz, same as my gear." He jerked a thumb towards his own jacket. "Heard you say earlier they take their sweet time. Figured I'd share a tip."
He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial, if still abrasive, level. "If you want your shit done by the day, pay lots and lots. Overwhelm 'em with so much Jewel they can't afford not to do it fast. Works every time." He straightened up, a smirk playing on his lips. It was a piece of pragmatic, if somewhat ruthless, advice, delivered with his characteristic lack of finesse. He wasn't trying to be friendly; he was stating a transactional reality he'd proven effective.
With that, he turned and began to walk towards the guild exit, not waiting for a response. He'd done his jobs for the day, refueled, and acquired better gear. He had no intention of lingering in the noisy hall. He needed to find a place to crash for the night, and then, tomorrow, more jobs, more power, more progress. The path to becoming Number One, even in this strange new world, was paved with relentless effort and overwhelming force.