Chapter 96: Can't Stay Cool for More Than Three Seconds

Everyone else was equally stunned. "Isn't Natsu only able to eat fire?"

"Did that guy just eat Laxus's lightning?"

Happy was thrilled. "Natsu!"

"Ahahaha! I'm not afraid of your lightning anymore, Laxus!"

For a moment, an astonishing amount of magic power erupted from Natsu, but after taking two steps, he began to stumble.

"Take this! Huh? La~xus..." Natsu wobbled and, with a thud, collapsed to the ground.

"Natsu!" Everyone rushed over.

Mira knelt down to check on Natsu's condition. "He doesn't seem injured; perhaps he can't digest Laxus's lightning."

Erza held her forehead, thinking he had truly mastered the ability to consume lightning magic.

Gray, who had just been worried, clicked his tongue. "That idiot!"

"Natsu..." Happy was concerned. "Is he really okay?"

Mira patted Happy's head. "He should be fine, but it's best to have Granny Porlyusica examine him."

"..." Laxus's budding fighting spirit was interrupted. The lightning around him dissipated as he turned away coldly. "Boring."

Freed draped Laxus's coat over his shoulders, and the group left together.

Rhodes frowned. Why did they even come? They showed up and then left—did they just clock in at the guild?

"I'll take Natsu to Granny Porlyusica's place," Rhodes said, having previously called her "ma'am" but now consciously following Mira's lead in addressing her.

That's nice; calling her "Granny" feels even more affectionate.

Rhodes summoned the Swift Canyon Crab, and together with Gray, they lifted Natsu onto its back to lie down.

He was initially worried about handling Natsu too roughly and causing bumps or bruises.

But seeing Gray being even rougher, almost wanting to kick Natsu up there, Rhodes immediately felt at ease.

No big deal; Natsu is a tough kid.

Rhodes climbed onto the Swift Crab, taking Natsu and Happy along as they rumbled away from the guild.

The doorframe being scratched a bit by the crab's shell was a minor issue—not nearly as much damage as Natsu's earlier Roar attack.

The others relaxed. Those who needed to settle bets did so; those who needed to repair the guild began repairs.

"Emergency patient coming through! Make way, make way!"

Rhodes experienced the feeling of "a crab crossing the street—domineering and unimpeded," although the Swift Crab didn't walk sideways.

There were quite a few pedestrians on the streets. Many local residents recognized Rhodes's crab. Tourists, seeing locals calmly making way, weren't afraid either.

As expected of a city where magic thrives—magical beasts running all over the streets!

After leaving the city, they finally didn't have to shout to clear the way.

Rhodes poked Natsu's face, noticing that his current condition was much worse than his usual motion sickness. Was this considered food poisoning?

"Happy, can Natsu eat magic other than flames?"

"I don't know; I've never seen him eat anything else. But he does eat my fish."

"Fish aren't magic... So he just got impulsive and thought he'd try eating it first?"

"Aye."

That's too unreliable.

Rhodes signaled the crab to speed up, and soon they arrived at Porlyusica's treehouse.

"Happy, go knock on the door."

"Aye!" Happy flew over but immediately flew back. "Rhodes, I don't dare to go."

"She dislikes humans, not cats."

"I'm not an ordinary cat."

"Heh." Rhodes had seen through Happy.

Happy's standards were flexible; whether he considered himself a cat depended entirely on the situation.

Having no choice, Rhodes went to knock on the door himself.

Porlyusica, who came to the door, didn't look pleased. "What are you here for? Used up the antidote already?"

"No, it's that Natsu's condition seems off, so we'd like to ask you to take a look."

Rhodes pointed to Natsu lying on the crab's back. "He ate Laxus's lightning during their duel."

"Another reckless fool! That idiot Makarov—can't he discipline them properly?"

Grumbling, Porlyusica went to examine Natsu.

"Wait here." Porlyusica returned inside, seemingly not intending to let them in.

"Rhodes, Natsu won't be okay, right?" Happy asked worriedly.

"Judging by Granny Porlyusica's attitude, he should be fine," Rhodes speculated based on his understanding of her. "Otherwise, she'd have us carry Natsu inside or dig a hole on the spot."

"Aye."

A few minutes later, Porlyusica came back holding a test tube and poured the potion inside down Natsu's throat.

"Is that all?" Rhodes asked.

"It's not that simple!" Porlyusica said irritably. "He'll be weak for a while. When you go back, tell him to rest well and not to eat random things in the future!"

"Natsu, Natsu~" Happy patted Natsu's cheeks. "But why isn't he waking up?"

Porlyusica waved her hand. "Step aside."

Happy obediently moved away, only to see Porlyusica punch Natsu in the stomach.

"Blegh!" Natsu folded up like a stapler, bending in half, then naturally flopped back down.

"Ouch! That hurts!" Natsu woke up, clutching his stomach with a pained expression.

"What are you doing!" Happy exclaimed angrily.

Rhodes also said, "Granny, isn't hitting a patient going too far?"

"You wanted me to wake him up," Porlyusica retorted, irritated by people who disregard everything when they fight.

"If he's fine now, hurry up and leave—go back quickly!"

"We'll go now; sorry to bother you," Rhodes said. "Let's go, Happy."

Although Natsu had been punched again, at least he'd received treatment. Doctors must know their limits when hitting patients.

Consider it part of the medical fee; Rhodes forgave her on Natsu's behalf.

Porlyusica suddenly called out to Rhodes, "Wait a moment!"

"Yes? Oh, is there something you need my help with?"

Porlyusica looked at Rhodes and frowned. "Have you been through many battles recently?"

"No, just occasional sparring with companions and regular training."

Porlyusica seemed a bit angry, pointing a finger at him but momentarily speechless.

Rhodes didn't understand her emotions. "Um, you..."

"Wait here!"

The way she said it made Rhodes want to run away immediately.

A moment later, Porlyusica returned with a cloth bundle and thrust it into Rhodes's hands.

"Dissolve the medicine inside with warm water. After each workout, use the solution to massage any sore muscles. Don't randomly use all sorts of external medicines!"

"How did you know I..."

"Enough, get out!"

"Oh... Thank you." Rhodes pulled Natsu and Happy along, riding the crab away.

After they had gone some distance, Porlyusica stomped her foot like an angry little girl, venting her frustration.

"Idiots! All of Fairy Tail are idiots! The old ones and the young ones never let people have peace of mind! The youngsters are even more reckless, one after another! Do you think your bodies belong to someone else? Idiots! Idiots!"

Still not satisfied after scolding, she grabbed a broom and started whacking a big tree.

"That idiot Makarov, how on earth is he educating these kids? One after another..."