"Why are you calling me in such a cramped place? If something falls on its own, I'm not paying for it."
Purgatory Sub-Dragon made his entrance, quickly shirking responsibility as usual, dropping his grandeur without hesitation.
Even so, no one dared to underestimate him, as the sheer size and the heat he emitted brought an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Purgatory Sub-Dragon looked around, his gaze fixed on Stinger and Rogue: "Oh, really, there are a couple of dragon kids here, ones I've never seen! Come over and let me take a good look at you!"
Stinger and Rogue stood frozen, large beads of sweat rolling down their foreheads. This aura, this magic power, this was undoubtedly a real dragon.
Are we really supposed to fight this guy?
Though they claimed to have personally slain a dragon, they knew the truth of the matter.
If it were a real dragon fight...
The two of them involuntarily took a step back.
Stinger still couldn't believe what he was seeing and pointed at Rhode, questioning, "How can you summon a dragon?"
Rhode looked puzzled, "I thought everyone knew I could summon a dragon."
He remembered demonstrating it seven years ago and had admitted it to the Council.
He'd even shown it while dealing with Raven's Tail.
Was there really no word of it outside?
Or was it only Sabertooth who didn't know?
Mira said, "Maybe it became a legend because so much time has passed?"
At this moment, Purgatory Sub-Dragon looked at Stinger and Rogue with some disdain.
These two kids aren't up to snuff, backing off when they see him.
By contrast, he still preferred the Fire Dragon kid and the Iron Dragon kid's attitude—recklessly charging forward, just like him.
The Sky Dragon kid was fine too, being obedient and cute; he wished he had a daughter like that.
But these two in front of him... they're neither that cute nor courageous, tsk tsk.
Rhode reminded, "Don't underestimate them; they said they've killed dragons. Don't be too arrogant and get yourself killed."
Mira gently patted Rhode, as Purgatory Sub-Dragon had a volatile temper, and provoking him might lead to trouble.
Purgatory Sub-Dragon scrutinized Stinger and Rogue and said bluntly:
"Nonsense! Them, slay a dragon? At most, they could slay dragon eggs... They couldn't even crack the eggshell! Don't mention anything else; back when I was a dragon egg, just rolling over could've roasted them alive!"
Rhode almost couldn't hold back his laughter; Purgatory sure had a way with words, skillfully attracting hatred.
Stinger and Rogue's faces turned beet red because even though encountering a real dragon revealed many incongruities, their memory insisted they'd done it.
Stinger had personally slain his mentor, the White Dragon Basiliskia, and Rogue had slain the Shadow Dragon Shikidora who had taught him magic.
Although it was at the White Dragon and Shadow Dragon's request, in their final days—to ensure they became true Dragon Slayer Mages.
The White Dragon and Shadow Dragon sacrificed their lives for their growth; they could not betray these dragons' expectations!
This power of personally slaying their 'adoptive fathers' must not be underestimated!
"That look in their eyes is quite something!" Purgatory Sub-Dragon exclaimed, delighted. "Bro, sis, you two step aside."
Rhode and Mira casually moved aside as the White Dragon and Shadow Dragon, maintaining their Dragon Power mode, charged at Purgatory Sub-Dragon.
"White Dragon's Fist!"
"Shadow Dragon Slash!"
"White Dragon's Holy Breath!"
"Shadow Dragon's Roar!"
The two unleashed their full Dragon Slayer Magic in an absolute flurry.
Purgatory Sub-Dragon swatted with his claws and lashed with his tail, playing merrily.
"Stinger..."
"Rogue..."
Rekete and Floros watched with wide eyes as the two attacked with all their might. Yet the Purgatory Sub-Dragon didn't budge, and their hearts ached.
The Dragon Slayer Magic they trained for years had no effect on a dragon, how devastating it must be for them?
Tears welled up in the eyes of the two little cats.
Mira caressed her cheek, "This all feels so familiar."
"Yes, because we've seen it so many times."
Every time Natsu challenged, he ended up shrugged off by Purgatory Sub-Dragon like this.
...Though it couldn't be said to be a shrug-off; he was genuinely enjoying the game.
Stinger and Rogue, having attacked with all their might for a bit, were now gasping for breath.
The physical exhaustion and magic drain were one thing, but more devastating was the despair of not even scratching a scale.
For so many years, they believed themselves the mightiest Dragon Slayer Mage, yet what did they amount to now?
The others watched Stinger's and Rogue's disheveled state, unable to hide their shock.
Those powerful moves unleashed one after another almost lifted the guild, yet the dragon remained unharmed.
Thinking back, they once mocked Fairy Tail and questioned if Rhode's power matched the title of Ten Wizard Saints... What kind of creature were they doubting?
Everyone felt inadvertently guilty.
So what Yukino said was true... Fairy Tail indeed had many formidable mages.
Had they been wrong? Was President Jerman, relying solely on underestimating other guilds, wrong?
Considering it personally, if they had such power and learned people gossiped and mocked behind their backs, what would they do?
They dared not think further.
Now they could only hope their companions kept their mouths shut.
Mira took out a pocket watch and checked the time, whispering, "Seems about time."
Purgatory Sub-Dragon's nature meant he couldn't play with kids for too long, even if he himself wanted to play with 'dragon kids' just a few days ago.
Sure enough, after learning about Stinger's and Rogue's attributes and strength, Purgatory Sub-Dragon's freshness faded, and he began yawning.
"Rogue, use that move!"
"Got it!"
The two leapt several steps back, each extending a hand behind them, palms facing each other.
The black and white magic power began to release, creating a large black and white magic ball at their backs.
With their concentration, the magic ball slowly started to compress, black and white powers merging.
"Holy Shadow Dragon Flash Fang..."
The two shouted the move name passionately, then a hefty tail swung over.
Stinger and Rogue were immediately swept away, embedded into the wall behind them, the white and black marks on their faces starting to fade.
Purgatory Sub-Dragon had a good hand; the hefty strike appeared fierce but didn't knock them out.
"Damn! Just a bit more!"
"If we could've finished..."
Purgatory Sub-Dragon looked at the defiant young lads and lectured, "What are you hemming and hawing for? Can't you practice and master it before using it? Who's going to stand still and let you prep a big move? Isn't that foolhardy, are you two out of your minds?"
A barrage of scolding left Stinger and Rogue a bit dazed. Though the words weren't pleasant, they sensed no malice, more like an elder advising kids.
"Alright, had enough fun, I'm off. I'll come back when I miss you guys in a couple of days."
Sabertooth's mages fell into despair, "Come back again?"
One visit already left the place in shambles, and the guild was nearly torn apart!
Though most of it was Stinger's and Rogue's doing, whether by their attacks or collisions...
How were they supposed to explain to the President when he returned?
Purgatory Sub-Dragon's body gradually turned hazy, addressing Rhode, "Bro, I'm heading back. Call me if needed... Eh? Why did you call me this time anyway? Need me to burn this lousy place down?"
Rhode chuckled, "No need, you can go back."
It's already quite a mess.
And it wasn't even by our hands.