Chapter 7: My Foolish Oni-san
"Who the hell are you?!"
Laxus's words instantly enraged Natsu. He sprang up from the ground, ready to go head-to-head with this stranger.
Unfortunately, due to the difference in height, Natsu had to crane his neck just to glare at him.
He might be short, but Natsu's temper was just as explosive as his fire magic. This guy he'd never seen before suddenly showed up just to insult him — no way he was letting that slide.
"Remember this name: I'm Laxus. Future Guild Master of Fairy Tail."
Laxus straightened up and turned his gaze away from Natsu. With that arrogant declaration, he brushed past him and walked off.
To him, weaklings weren't even worth a second glance. Once he became Guild Master, he'd personally drive out every single one of them from Fairy Tail.
Especially unstable lunatics like Natsu — someone like him had no business being a wizard. He'd be better off living as a normal, harmless civilian.
"…"
Natsu stared in confusion as Laxus strutted away with obnoxious swagger.
"…Is he, uh… okay in the head?"
Natsu leaned toward Moen and whispered, casting a cautious glance over his shoulder. It wasn't that he was afraid of Laxus — he just genuinely didn't want to offend someone who might actually be mentally unstable. Natsu could be unexpectedly considerate like that sometimes.
"…Seriously?"
Moen's mouth twitched at Natsu's question.
You guys are two peas in a pod, he thought. Not one of you has a fully functional brain — so maybe don't point fingers.
Ignoring Natsu, Moen turned his attention inward. Something had just triggered in his Saint Seiya System — a new quest had appeared.
[Quest: "My Foolish Oni-san"]
Objective:
Laxus, once a kind and passionate child, has entered a period of intense rebellion. Harsh criticism and unfair treatment have pushed him into isolation, causing him to lose touch with others and spiral into extremism.
As his younger brother, it is your duty to pull him back. Awaken his heart. Remind him of the love he once held for the guild and those around him.
Progress: Incomplete
Reward: Random Gold Cloth (Saint Seiya Armor)
Moen stared at the quest with mixed emotions.
Bringing back his foolish older brother from the edge wasn't going to be easy.
Over the past few years, Moen had started to shine. His magical talent was becoming more and more apparent — and at the same time, Laxus had begun slipping into his rebellious phase. The more Moen rose, the more Laxus felt the sting of inequality. The weight of expectations and judgment bore down on him harder than ever.
And under that pressure, the bond between the two brothers had started to crack. Laxus stopped confiding in Moen. He locked himself inside his own world, cutting himself off from everyone.
Moen could relate — he'd been through his own angsty, self-absorbed teenage years. So he never blamed Laxus for the way he'd changed. He'd always tried, in his own way, to pull him out of it.
But some emotions can't be soothed by words alone. Some battles have to be fought from within.
"But still… a Gold Cloth, huh…"
Just reading those words made Moen's eyes practically glow green with envy.
He was already feeling stronger thanks to the Bronze Pegasus Cloth — if he got his hands on one of the Gold Cloths, the boost would be on a whole other level!
"Too bad there's no way I'm completing this any time soon. Something like this can't be rushed."
Fortunately, the quest didn't seem to have a time limit. He could take his time with it. With a small sigh, Moen shelved the idea for now — no point obsessing over a reward that wasn't within reach yet.
"Natsu, you've recovered already? Were you looking for me?"
Moen turned to look at Natsu while casually beginning his daily physical training routine. As a close-combat mage, his body was his greatest weapon — staying in peak condition was non-negotiable.
Natsu glanced at Moen and tried to recall what had happened earlier. As he remembered, a visible shiver ran down his spine.
Sure, Moen's punch had left an impression—but what truly traumatized him was that slap he'd taken while half-conscious. That massive, echoing slap was burned into his memory far more deeply than any punch.
"Was it… Erza who hit me?"
Natsu asked in a trembling voice.
"Huh?"
Moen, currently doing some flashy one-armed push-ups, gave him a puzzled look. Then it clicked—he was asking about the slap.
Moen couldn't help but be amused.
Seriously? One slap messed up a ten-year-old this badly?
"Yeah, it was Erza. Why, you planning to get revenge?"
Moen replied casually. He wasn't going to cover for her—she'd done it, and Erza wasn't the type to lie about it anyway. She'd own it without hesitation.
"I'm going to challenge her!"
Natsu roared, gritting his teeth in defiance.
"Challenge all you want—but do you have to shout about it?"
Moen sighed, pressing one hand against his ear while continuing his push-ups.
"You hot-blooded loudmouths are a real pain."
Natsu's volume, as usual, was at max. It was probably because he'd spent so much of his life in the wild—he still hadn't adapted to normal society. Every time he spoke, it was like he was trying to make sure a deaf dragon could hear him from a mile away.
"But I'll warn you, Natsu—at your current level, you don't stand a chance against Erza. If you fight her, you're just asking for another beating. And unlike me, she doesn't pull her punches. You might not get out of bed for days."
Natsu was practically radiating fighting spirit, determined to reclaim his pride after being slapped into unconsciousness. Moen figured he'd better offer a reality check.
Sure, Erza had the look of a future beauty, but she was far from just a pretty face. Her strength was real. Even Moen himself couldn't casually beat her like he did with Natsu—he'd have to fight seriously.
"Wait… she'sthatstrong?"
Natsu's bravado faltered a bit, doubt creeping into his eyes.
This little "fire dragon" had always thought he was pretty powerful. But after being instantly KO'd by Moen's Pegasus Meteor Fist, he wasn't so sure anymore.
"If you include Laxus, then Erza is probably the second strongest in our generation. Without Laxus, she's number one."
Moen thought for a moment before giving his honest ranking. For now, Erza couldn't beat Laxus, but she was definitely next in line.
"Laxus…?"
Natsu froze.
Wasn't that the stuck-up guy from earlier?
He's actually that powerful?!
"Then where do you rank, Moen?"
he asked, a little confused. If Laxus was #1, and Erza was #2, didn't that mean Moen was weaker than both of them?
"Me? I'm off the charts. I don't count in the rankings."
Moen smiled mysteriously, giving a response that left Natsu speechless.