In the dense forest behind the guild's mountain, sunlight filtered through the thick canopy, illuminating a wide clearing where Zorn was fully immersed in weighted training. He wore weighted protectors on his arms, legs, and waist, his figure darting left and right, dodging leaves falling from the trees.
Time quietly passed, and Zorn was drenched in sweat, yet his body showed no signs of slackening, meticulously completing every movement.
"Hey, Gray, how do you think he precisely detects where each leaf will fall?" Natsu whispered to Gray, shielding his mouth with his hand.
"How would I know? I've been watching for so long, and I haven't seen him use any magic power... Shhh." Gray frowned, pushing Natsu away and making a shushing gesture, indicating Natsu to be quiet. Natsu turned his head, about to retort.
"Whoosh~"
"What are you two doing here? Did you figure anything out?" Zorn said, rubbing both of their heads with his hands.
"So fast! When did he get here?" Both Gray and Natsu looked surprised, but then, remembering Zorn's abnormal speed, they weren't too shocked. They quickly adjusted and turned to ask Zorn.
"Can Zorn teach us that ability of yours to predict without looking? We want to learn it, can we?" Natsu and Gray asked simultaneously, full of hope.
"Yes, but there's a condition. If you agree, I can teach you." Zorn held up a finger in front of them, causing them to look at each other in confusion, not understanding what Zorn meant. However, thinking of how gentle Zorn usually was to Everyone in the guild, it probably wouldn't be an overly harsh request.
"What's the condition? We agree to anything."
"That is, as long as you two can be good buddies for one day—bah, good friends. You have to hold each other's hands the entire day, one hand is fine, of course. If you can do that, then I can teach you, how about it?" Zorn said with a smile, then clasped their hands together.
Natsu and Gray looked at their tightly clasped hands, their faces contorted, instinctively wanting to pull their hands away. Yet, they thought of Zorn's miraculous physical techniques and his ability to move without any magic power fluctuations, which was incredibly tempting, so they endured.
"That's right, just adapt. A day will pass quickly, haha. Let's go back to the guild, it's almost lunchtime. I'll treat you to barbecue, grilled by me, how does that sound?" Zorn said, patting the two kids' heads, comforting them before making the suggestion.
"I want five large plates of beef!" Natsu was the first to answer, extending his hand.
"I want five large plates of lamb!" Gray also stretched out his hand, unwilling to be outdone.
"Alright, alright, but no wasting. Let's go back now, we need to prepare."
Erza walked into the lively, noisy guild and immediately saw Natsu and Gray lying on the floor, bellies distended and burping, but still holding hands. She asked Zorn, who was still grilling meat for Cana and Levy, "What's wrong with these two again? They're acting so strangely."
"Those two? They probably wanted to tire me out at first, but then they started competing to see who could eat more, and this is the result," Zorn replied calmly, using tongs to put meat into the two girls' bowls.
"What a pair of idiots!"
"By the way, Erza, have you eaten? Come have some." Zorn asked, looking at Erza, who had her fists clenched.
"I have, but a little more won't hurt." Erza sat down next to Cana and began eating a grilled skewer.
"Perfect. You take Cana and Levy to eat. I'm going to talk to the Master." Zorn casually wiped his mouth and stood up, walking towards the bar.
"Master, I have something I want to tell you. This is some information I've compiled about another type of power, a unique training method from where I used to be." Zorn said, handing the papers documenting Haki to Makarov, who was still drinking.
"Hmm~ Armament Haki, Observation Haki, what is this...?" The Master mumbled, then looked at Zorn with a puzzled expression.
"It's a latent power that all humans possess. This power is an innate ability: spirit, killing intent, fighting will... When these unseen senses are manipulated, willpower can transform into a weapon. This powerful force is called Haki. Most people are unaware of this power and may never unleash it in their lifetime."
"Armament Haki can enhance one's defense and offense, while Observation Haki can improve one's sight and hearing. Although these two abilities are difficult for Everyone to manifest, I still want to teach and guide Everyone in the guild as much as possible to unearth this power." Zorn explained to Master Makarov.
"Is that so? I've never heard of these things before. The place you were from... I won't inquire further. Is this why your physical techniques are so good?" Makarov said, as if something had just occurred to him. Could it be that place? - A parallel world - Edolas.
"Then give it a try. First, select a few people who are willing to learn." Makarov nodded.
"Yes, Master."
Zorn didn't know at this time that the Master had mistaken him for someone from the parallel world, Edolas. This also served as a partial cover for his abilities, as this world didn't know much about that one.
A few days later, early morning...
"Thump, thump, thump~" Heavy footsteps suddenly echoed from the guild entrance. The Master stopped drinking and turned to look at the doorway.
"Laxus, you're back! You look very energetic, did you get injured on your mission?" The Master asked with a hearty laugh.
"Hmph, of course not. Old man, when you were testing the new guy, you actually got pushed back a few steps. It seems the new guy is strong, huh? Let me test how much he's really worth!" Laxus grew more excited as he spoke, clenching his fists, with faint electrical currents flickering around him.
"You're getting more and more out of line, Laxus." Upon hearing this, the Master's face darkened, his magic power surged, and the air became slightly heavy.
"None of your business, old man. He's in the back mountain, right? I can already sense him. I'll go meet him first." Laxus said, then immediately transformed into lightning and headed straight for the back mountain.
At the back mountain now...
"Natsu, you need to calm your mind... otherwise, you won't be able to sense it..." Zorn said, seeing Natsu, who, though his eyes were closed, was clearly still fidgeting.
"Hey, how exactly do I calm my mind? As soon as I close my eyes, my thoughts just run wild. It's so hard, Zorn!" Natsu said, hearing Zorn's reminder, still somewhat unclear on what to do.
Suddenly, a dazzling bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by an electrically charged figure arriving in the clearing on the back mountain.
"So you're the new guy in the guild. Your magic power is the strongest here."
Zorn looked at the teenager in front of him, who had the same golden hair as himself, a lightning-shaped scar on his face, a fur coat draped over him, and a magic music item—an Soundpod. He thought to himself, 'Isn't this Laxus, one of the leading figures?'
"Hello, my name is Zorn. I use Holy Light Magic, and my physical techniques are pretty good. It's a pleasure to meet you." Zorn said with a warm smile, extending his hand.
"Oh, Holy Light Magic, and physical techniques are pretty good, quite confident, aren't you, kid? My name is Laxus Dreyar." Laxus said with a swaggering smile, also extending his hand to shake Zorn's.
Natsu, Gray, and the others watched, swallowing hard, as the ground already showed slight cracks due to their handshake.
Zorn looked at Laxus, who was even more realistic than in the anime, and at this moment, Laxus truly resembled a delinquent.
"Let's have a match, Laxus. I've also heard the Master mention he has a very strong grandson. Please give me some pointers." Zorn thought it best to propose it first.
"Alright, then let's set another time." Laxus released his hand and replied.