ALL NOVEL Chapter 33: 33
There are 10 advanced chapters at patreon.com/dzeref887
I don't want to waste my time translating novels if I don't get anything out of it.
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Hearing Laxus's words, the entire Fairy Tail guild hall felt as if a bomb had been dropped, instantly exploding into chaos.
"Does this mean, according to Laxus, Roy can also resist Mystogan's magic?"
"Doesn't that imply his strength surpasses Erza's and is at least on par with Laxus and Mystogan?"
"No way! Another contender for the strongest has appeared!"
The information conveyed in Laxus's statement was so shocking that the members of the guild were abuzz with discussion, all casting astonished gazes toward Roy.
Laxus had grown up in the guild, with most members either watching him grow or growing alongside him. His immense strength was well-known and undisputed.
Mystogan, though he had joined the guild only a few years ago, was an S-Class Mage personally authorized by the Guild Master. His overwhelming magic, which could put everyone in the guild to sleep, left no room for doubt about his abilities.
These two were universally acknowledged as contenders for the strongest in the guild, and no one had ever questioned it.
But now, a newcomer who had been in the guild for only a few days was already being placed on the same level as them.
The shock was overwhelming.
Faced with the astonished gazes of his guildmates, Roy merely smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying their assumptions.
"The strongest contender, huh?"
No, he thought to himself. He should be the strongest, period!
With the Dragon Rider Card Box that provided a tenfold power boost, combined with a 45% justice value increase, Roy's transformed state already boasted terrifyingly high stats.
A punch force of 145T and a kick force of 290T in sheer numbers alone were extraordinary.
Adding his powerful cards to the mix, Roy's true strength far exceeded what these numbers could convey.
Roy didn't know the full extent of Laxus's strength, but he was confident it couldn't surpass his current capabilities.
Even though Laxus's Dragon Slayer Magic might pose some challenges, Roy was absolutely confident he would emerge victorious in a fight.
As for Mystogan? That guy didn't stand a chance against Roy.
With complete immunity to mental magic, Roy was the perfect counter to a mage like Mystogan, whose spells would have no effect on him.
Moreover, as an Edolas native, Mystogan's body contained almost no magic power.
In other words, Mystogan's physical capabilities were even weaker than Roy's, who had just started training in magic. Mystogan was practically no stronger than an ordinary person.
Roy wouldn't even need to transform to defeat Mystogan.
In comparison, Roy clearly surpassed both Laxus and Mystogan in strength.
For this reason, Roy didn't accept the title of "strongest contender."
However, he couldn't be bothered to explain this to the others.
It was too much trouble. He wasn't about to drag Laxus into a fight just to prove a point.
With no real benefit to gain, Roy decided it wasn't worth his time.
Instead, he simply smiled faintly to address everyone's reactions.
To the guild members, however, Roy's smile seemed brimming with confidence, mysterious and unfathomable.
They took it as confirmation that Roy possessed strength comparable to Laxus and Mystogan.
Once again, the members were utterly stunned.
Watching their shocked expressions, Roy couldn't help but tease them in his mind.
"Are you guys shock addicts? All you ever do is get amazed. Why not do something productive for a change?"
Hearing Roy's lighthearted comment, the members finally snapped out of their daze. They looked at him curiously, ready to bombard him with questions they'd been dying to ask.
At that moment, someone who could sense the aura of a strong opponent woke up.
While everyone else had been awake, Natsu was still lying on the ground, fast asleep.
Not even the guild's lively discussions had woken him.
Judging by how soundly he was sleeping, his sleep quality must have been exceptional.
However, just as the members were about to surround Roy, Natsu woke up at the perfect time.
Unaware of Roy's immense strength, Natsu immediately locked onto Laxus as his target.
"Laxus! Let's have a showdown!"
With a swift motion, Natsu leaped up from the ground, pointing a finger at Laxus with a face full of fighting spirit and boundless energy.
"Oh?"
Leaning on the railing with his hand supporting his chin, Laxus looked at Natsu with a teasing grin.
"Come on, then! If you make it to the second floor, I'll fight you!"
"Perfect!"
Shouting with excitement, Natsu flashed a cocky grin and charged straight for the second floor.
At that moment, Makarov, who had been seemingly dozing off all along, suddenly extended his giant fist and smashed Natsu to the ground in an instant.
"I won't allow you on the second floor. You're not qualified yet."
Seeing Natsu flattened by Makarov, Laxus laughed arrogantly.
"See that? You got put in your place! You're a hundred years too early to challenge me!"
"Laxus, that's enough!" Makarov scolded, his expression stern.
"Tch, how boring," Laxus muttered, smirking dismissively as he turned away from Makarov.
He then set his gaze on Roy and spoke haughtily, "Newcomer, your name is Roy, right? Remember this: the name is Laxus. Don't be like these weaklings and bore me!"
With those words, and without waiting for Roy's response, the sound of thunder echoed through the hall. Laxus vanished in a flash of lightning.
"He's as distant as ever, that guy Laxus."
"Damn it! If only I could beat him, I'd have turned him into a punching bag long ago! He's so full of himself!"
"Yeah, right. You only dare talk like this behind his back. If Laxus heard you, you'd be the one turned into a punching bag."
"That's why I'm saying it now that he's gone! Haha..."
"What a cocky guy! Speaking so rudely to a senior like that, he's way too arrogant!"
Hearing the guild members' chatter and recalling Laxus's earlier behavior, Lucy puffed up her cheeks in frustration.
Her impression of Laxus was abysmally poor.