"Damn it, where are you going?" Suddenly, a sharp voice came from behind, followed by two children and two cats running over, panting, their gazes at Zorn filled with both wariness and hesitation.
"Fro, Fro~" A frog-like cat put his finger to his mouth and said blankly.
"Exactly, don't even think about taking anyone from our Guild!" Sting's cat, Rex, also took a step forward and said firmly.
"Oh, really? You've got some guts!" A smile appeared on Zorn's lips.
"So, what do you want to do?" Zorn looked at Sting and Rogue, as well as Fro and Rex, and a desire to tease and test them arose.
Sting and Rogue exchanged glances, both seeing the fear in each other's eyes, but they still bravely took a few steps forward.
And Fro and Rex also followed their masters closely.
"Haha, not bad, commendable courage!"
Zorn nodded and said with a smile.
However, he took a direct step forward, his aura slightly expanding.
Instantly, the entire world seemed to be left with only the two small figures and two cats.
A terrifying aura like a mountain pressed down on Sting, Rogue, Fro, and Rex.
Sting and Rogue, as well as Fro and Rex, instantly felt as if they were being stared at by a fierce beast, and the entire sky seemed to darken at this moment.
Cold sweat poured down their bodies, and their legs trembled violently, but they were still holding on.
His upper teeth chattered against his lower teeth: "Please... return Yukino and Runa to us, they are our Guild Members."
"Oh, I remember Runa doesn't seem to count, don't you also know that they were sent here?" Zorn's voice was dark and teasing, as if mocking Sting and Rogue's naivety.
However, his words plunged the scene into silence.
"You still consider them partners? Wouldn't it be better if I took them away?" Zorn continued to tease, trying to make Sting and Rogue realize their mistake.
However, Sting and Rogue were not swayed by this; they clenched their teeth tightly, struggling to hold on.
Suddenly, one cat couldn't bear the pressure and collapsed to the ground. Immediately after, the other cat also fell.
This made Sting and Rogue's situation even more difficult, but they still refused to give up.
"A partner... is a partner, I can feel it... I just consider them partners, no... you say it's not, then it's not!!!" Sting lowered his head and said with difficulty.
His voice was full of determination and unyielding spirit, which made people moved.
"I won't allow it!!! They are my most important partners!" As Sting's words fell, Rogue also raised his head, his eyes flashing with firm light.
Powerful magic surged from their bodies, contending with Zorn's dark power.
As Sting and Rogue's beliefs grew stronger, their magic became more turbulent and surging. Two different attributes of magic, one white and one black, intertwined, forming a powerful force that surged outwards.
Runa and Yukino were shocked by Sting and Rogue's aura, and a strange emotion arose in their hearts.
Looking at Sting and Rogue, something in Yukino and Runa's hearts began to sprout and grow.
"Sting... Rogue..." "Fro, Fro" The two cats also looked at the two people blankly at this time, their original fear seemed to have disappeared a lot, and they slowly stood up.
"Hmph~" Zorn snorted lightly, and a terrifying gravity instantly pressed Sting and Rogue to the ground, unable to move, but this force only lasted for an instant before disappearing without a trace.
"If you're worried, then come along!" Zorn looked at Sting and Rogue with an amused expression and said with a smile.
Then he turned and continued walking forward with Lucy and Runa.
"Are you two alright?" Yukino, however, rushed over, helped Sting and Rogue up from the ground, and then hugged the two adorable cats, Fro and Rex, with a happy smile on her face.
...
The next afternoon, on a small road leading to Tenkaigawa Town.
Zorn walked with the girls with large strides, his steps light, as if unaffected.
Sting and Rogue, on the other hand, seemed a bit strained, trudging forward step by step, each step causing the ground to indent.
Zorn had imposed gravity restrictions on them, making their movements exceptionally difficult.
This was not Zorn doing it on purpose, but the two of them had, in unison, firmly and unyieldingly expressed their desire to become stronger, no matter what it took, as long as they could become stronger.
For such a request, Zorn could only fulfill it.
The weather was still cold, and the sea breeze whistled by, carrying a salty scent.
However, Sting and Rogue felt hot all over, sweat constantly dripping from their foreheads. They panted heavily, their faces flushed, seemingly having reached their limit.
"Don't think about being lazy. Since you want to become stronger, you have to endure this hardship." Zorn's voice echoed in the wind.
He looked at the two young men, a hint of sternness flashing in his eyes.
"Natsu and Gajeel lasted longer than you two!!" These words were like a fire, igniting the fighting spirit within Sting and Rogue. They gritted their teeth, barely propped themselves up, and continued to move forward.
Seeing this, Zorn nodded slightly. These two children were indeed worthy of becoming Dragon Slayers, possessing tenacious perseverance.
So, he directly released the gravity restriction.
However, the moment the burden was lightened, Sting and Rogue immediately collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.
Their clothes were already soaked, their faces full of exhaustion, but their eyes gleamed with firm determination.
"Sting, Rogue, come quickly, have some water!" Yukino ran quickly to hand them water, looking at them worriedly. The two cats also quickly fanned them from the side.
"Since we've arrived at this small town, let's go directly to the magic shop to take a look!" Zorn looked at the hurried pedestrians in the town and announced directly.
"If that doesn't work, then we'll go to the local auction house to take a look!" Zorn thought seriously for a moment, then continued.
"Dizzy!" Runa stumbled directly, then steadied herself.
She immediately burst out: "I say, is it that casual? That's a Zodiac gold key, not something you can just find anywhere like a stray cat or dog!"
Back then, she had to go through a lot of hardship to get those two keys, and one of them cost her all her savings just to get a piece of information.
She felt that the second option, going directly to an auction, had a higher possibility.
Future Lucy heard Runa's voice and deeply agreed. Besides the keys passed down from her family, she basically had to go through a lot to obtain hers as well.
"Yukino, what do you think, should we go to the magic shop?" Zorn asked Yukino again.
This time coming to this small town, Zorn had directly taken out the map and asked Yukino where she most wanted to play and where she thought was best to decide.
Yukino and the two cats exchanged glances, then said loudly, "I want to go, and I want to buy another Celestial Spirit Key!"
"Alright, this was your sister's decision, not mine!" Zorn spread his hands.
...
In the arena on the other side, the third day of the competition officially began. Laxus's face was gloomy, like a volcano about to erupt at any moment. The low pressure emanating from him made people dare not approach, and even Natsu, Gray, and the others nearby could only watch from afar.
"Laxus, what's wrong?" Levy asked cautiously. She didn't understand why the usually calm Laxus would be so angry.
"It's all because Zorn seems to have gone to do something with Future Lucy again, and he didn't even take him!" Lucy whispered from the side.
"Ah... what!" Levy was so surprised she almost cried out, and various strange images instantly flashed through her mind.
"Ouch~!" Kana gently poked Levy's little head with her finger and said with a smile, "Don't overthink it. Laxus is just angry because Zorn always takes on everything by himself and doesn't want to share it with Everyone."
"And, if Zorn comes back, I will definitely not let him off!" Kana clenched her fist, a flicker of anger in her eyes. She was very dissatisfied with Zorn's solitary behavior.
To be continued~
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