The entire backyard of the Fairy Tail Guild was so silent that a pin drop could be heard. Everyone's eyes were glued to Riyao's left arm, which had just been fractured and turned outward but was now perfectly intact, as if they were looking at some indescribable monster.
"Snap."
It was unknown whose jaw had dislocated, making a crisp sound. This sound acted like a signal, instantly igniting the air in the backyard.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH—!!!"
Macao was the first to explode. He held his head in his hands, eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets, as he pointed at Riyao's fair arm and screamed, "You've got to be kidding me?! That bone was broken just now! That was a bone! Not some tree branch! How could it grow back in the blink of an eye?!"
"Is this kid a freaking monster?!" Wakaba didn't even notice the pipe falling from his mouth. He rubbed his eyes hard, and after confirming he wasn't hallucinating, he sucked in a cold breath. "I clearly saw that kid's arm twisted like a pretzel just now!"
"Monster! He's definitely a monster!"
"Hey, hey, this healing speed is just cheating! Granny Porlyusica would cry if she saw this!"
The guild members instantly erupted, looking at Riyao like he was an alien. Exclamations and gasps followed one after another. The originally tense and worried atmosphere was instantly replaced by extreme shock and disbelief.
Cana poked half her body out from behind a pillar, forcing back the tears that were swirling in her eyes. Her mouth hung open as she stared blankly at the golden-haired boy who was smiling brightly, muttering softly, "Big Brother Riyao... isn't human?"
At the front of the crowd, Master Makarov and Gildarts, the guild's two strongest combatants, also wore expressions as if they had seen a ghost.
Makarov extended a trembling finger toward Riyao, his mustache twitching. For a long while, he couldn't squeeze out a complete sentence: "You... you brat... what kind of magic is this?! Lost Magic? Or some kind of Forbidden Art?!"
As one of the Ten Wizard Saints, Makarov had seen countless powerful Healing Magics, but he had never heard of such terrifying regenerative ability that could completely restore severe fractures and lacerations within seconds without even leaving a scar! This had completely surpassed the scope of conventional Healing Magic; it was more like a forced physical restoration!
Gildarts stared blankly at his own fist, then at Riyao's intact arm. The guilt that had filled his face instantly turned into profound bewilderment. He scratched his messy orange hair and suddenly burst into a boisterous laugh.
"Hahahaha! Good lad! You really are something!" Gildarts strode forward, slung an arm around Riyao's shoulder, and slapped his back hard. The force was so great it nearly made the newly recovered Riyao cough up blood. "I thought I'd caused a huge disaster this time! I didn't expect you to have such a trick up your sleeve! This recovery rate is even more freakish than those tenacious magical beasts!"
"Cough, cough... Uncle Gildarts, take it easy, take it easy! The bones were just set, don't knock them apart again!" Riyao coughed from the slapping and quickly broke free from Gildarts' clutches. He rubbed his sore shoulder and rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Sorry, sorry, haha!" Gildarts apologized without any sincerity, but his eyes sparkled with excitement. "But what's the name of this move? Self-healing of this level must consume a lot of Magic Power, right?"
Hearing Gildarts' question, the noisy crowd instantly quieted down. Everyone pricked up their ears and stared at Riyao curiously. Makarov also put away his shocked expression and looked at him solemnly.
Riyao stroked his chin, and seeing everyone's thirst for knowledge, a sly curve hooked his lips. He cleared his throat, put on a profound look, and said slowly, "This move... I call it 'Healing Magic: Hundred Battles'."
"Hundred Battles?" Makarov frowned, searching his mind for the name. "I've never heard of it. Is it some kind of ancient spell formation?"
"You could say that." Riyao shrugged and made up a story on the fly. "Simply put, it's about storing excess life force and Magic Power in the Guild Emblem on my chest during normal times. When needed, I release the mark, unleashing massive life force and Magic Power. Through a special spell formation, it stimulates cell division and regeneration, achieving the effect of instant healing."
He paused, pointed to the golden Guild Emblem on his chest, and continued, "As long as my reserves of life force and Magic Power are sufficient, even a fatal injury—as long as my head isn't blown off instantly—can be recovered from in a very short time. So..."
Riyao looked up and grinned at Gildarts, revealing two rows of pearly white teeth, his eyes flashing with eagerness. "Uncle Gildarts, next time we spar, you can use a bit more strength. No need to be so cautious. I won't die anyway, right?"
"..."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire scene fell into a dead silence again.
Everyone looked at Riyao as if they were looking at a madman.
"This kid... his brain must have been broken by the hit, right?" Macao swallowed hard and muttered to himself.
"It's definitely broken! He's actually asking Gildarts to increase the intensity? Who does he think he is? Ultraman?!" Wakaba echoed with a look of horror.
Makarov was so angry his mustache was about to fly off. He suddenly jumped up and slapped the back of Riyao's head, roaring, "You ignorant brat! You think you can do whatever you want just because you have this freakish recovery?! What if your Magic Power runs out?! What if you meet an enemy who can insta-kill you?! Cherish your own life, you bastard!"
"Ouch! It hurts, it hurts! Take it easy, old man! I was just making a joke!" Riyao clutched the back of his head and pouted aggrievedly.
"Hahahaha!" Gildarts burst into hearty laughter again at this heartwarming and funny scene. He stepped forward and ruffled Riyao's messy golden hair, his eyes full of admiration. "Good lad, you've got guts! But the old man is right. Although this ability is freakish, you can't rely on it too much. A truly strong person defeats the enemy without needing to get hurt."
He paused, his tone becoming serious: "However, you've truly impressed me today. Whether it's your spell formation or this terrifying recovery rate, it proves you have immense potential. Perhaps before long, you'll become a Mage who can stand on his own in the guild."
Hearing Gildarts' praise, Riyao chuckled and lifted his chin without a hint of modesty. "Of course, I'm the man who's going to become the strongest Mage in Fairy Tail!"
"Tch, what a boastful brat."
"Exactly. Talk to us when you can take a punch from fifty percent of Gildarts' power!"
"Haha, but this kid's recovery is indeed freakish. In the future, when the guild takes on subjugation missions, having him as a meat shield will definitely be no problem!"
The surrounding guild members started their mocking mode one after another, but their tones were filled with kindness and banter. The atmosphere, which had become tense due to the battle, was instantly replaced by this relaxed and cozy daily vibe.
Cana also ran over, pulling on Riyao's sleeve and staring curiously at the golden emblem on his chest. Her big eyes were full of worship: "Big Brother Riyao, you were so amazing just now!"
Makarov looked at this group of noisy young people and sighed helplessly, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly. With his hands behind his back, he turned and walked toward the guild hall, shouting loudly as he went, "Alright, alright! The farce is over! Everyone get back to the hall and drink! Today, to celebrate this brat Riyao not dying at Gildarts' hands, the old man is treating! The first round is free!"
"Ohhh! Long live the Master!"
"Drink, drink! I'm drinking ten barrels today!"
"Hey, hey, who's going to help me clear the rubble on the ground?!"
Riyao secretly stayed behind with Gildarts while the others cheered and returned to the guild hall, unnoticed by anyone.