In another unknown world.
All human beings possess an innate potential for power.
Emotion, momentum, deterrence…
When manipulating these invisible and intangible feelings, human willpower can be extended into a powerful force.
This kind of power is called——『Haki』.
Noah opened his eyes and came out of the state of feeling the power. After he slowly exhaled, his mind moved, and his right palm was instantly wrapped in a strange black luster.
This jet-black sheen that seems to blend into the skin is the "Armament Haki".
After a small explosion, a wisp of green smoke rose from Noah's dark right palm, and the blasting glove on his left hand was still glowing with a faint red light.
In order to test how much the armed color domineering can improve the defense ability, Noah gave himself a small fire attribute explosion.
The power of this "direct explosion" is only one-third of the normal power, but if it acts directly on the body, even Noah will grimace in pain.
But the result was that apart from a slight feeling in his right palm from the impact of the explosion, Noah did not experience anything else.
The improvement in defense by Armament Haki exceeded Noah's imagination, and the improvement in attack power was estimated to be great as well, but Noah did not want to try it in the dormitory.
"Is this the power of the world in which the Navy heroes live… It feels good."
Noah fell on the bed. Although he had gained new power from another world, he couldn't be happy.
Because Armament Haki is a growing power, it needs constant training to become stronger.
Advanced Armament Haki can cover the entire body, or be wrapped around a weapon to increase its hardness and power.
"Hey… Can't you just upgrade my Armament Haki to a higher level? I don't want to level up…"
Noah rolled over on the bed and sighed. To put it nicely, he was content with the status quo, but to put it bluntly, he was a lazy person.
It turned out that with his old father watching over him in Edlas, Noah could work a little harder on practicing physical skills and learning how to use various magical tools.
But when he came to the world of Aslant where there was no one to restrain him, Noah gradually liberated himself and began to live a lazy and lazy life.
Complaints aside, in order to improve his strength, Noah still has to spend some time practicing Armament Haki.
The unpleasant experience with Laxus gave Noah a premonition that sooner or later the two of them would have a fight.
If Noah really faced the guild's strongest wizard of the new generation, he would still feel a little pressured. He didn't want to be the one falling to the ground.
Although Noah is a weakling, he doesn't want to lose.
Then starting next year, use two every day…
Well, it's better to practice domineering aura for an hour.
————————————————————
A few days passed and Magnolia welcomed the last festival of the year, Christmas.
The three-story building, which resembled a pub, was bustling with activity. Many members took a few days off, planning to have a good rest in the remaining days of the year and spend Christmas with their companions.
To celebrate, in addition to props such as lanterns and colored ribbons, Makarov also placed a large Christmas tree in the backyard of the guild, which was hung with small gifts.
Makarov changed into a Santa Claus costume and asked the waitress behind the bar: "Mira, how do you think I look like Santa Claus?"
"Too thin, President."
Mira made her comment without any hesitation. In her impression, Santa Claus should be a slightly fat and kind old man, not a short and thin one.
Makarov sat down helplessly. As he grew older, although he was still strong, he became much smaller and his appetite was not as good as before.
"Good morning, President. Are you going to play the dwarf?"
Before Noah could finish his words, he was interrupted by Erza, who was traveling with him. "If you don't know how to speak, don't speak. The president is clearly acting as Little Red Riding Hood."
Use the most sincere expression to say the most hurtful words.
Makarov thought that Erza interrupted Noah because she didn't agree with what the boy said, but he didn't expect that she was planning to stab him in the back herself.
But Makarov's current appearance is related to dwarves and Little Red Riding Hood.
So it's time to change the subject.
"Noah, are you coming to celebrate with everyone today? I thought you would use the excuse of needing to rest after the mission and stay in the dormitory all the time."
In response to Makarov's teasing, Noah yawned. He didn't want to come, but who knew that Erza would come and drag him out of bed early in the morning.
It is said that this is Noah's first Christmas at Fairy Tail, and it would be great if he could participate in the game that simulates the guild president – "King's Game".
What exactly is the gameplay of this "King's Game" that makes Erza so excited?
Originally, Noah wanted to ask Makarov, but he found that the old man's expression immediately became unnatural after hearing the name of the game, as if he had a psychological trauma about the King's Game.
This made Noah extremely curious. What kind of game could make the president so nervous?
So Noah immediately called over the guild's top iron-headed kid.
"Natsu, come over here and play some games!"
Noah just shouted to the hall, and the cherry-haired boy appeared from some corner.
Also coming with them were Happy and Gray.
Natsu is always full of energy, jumping up and down with great interest, "What game is this, Noah? I can't wait! Watch me make Gray lose miserably in this game!"
"Hmph, that's my line, you single-celled organism."
It was just two sentences but the tension between Natsu and Gray was already high. If Erza hadn't been there, they would probably have started fighting on the spot.
Noah grabbed Happy and said calmly, "Erusa wants you to play the King's Game together."
When he heard the name, Natsu's face changed, "What! That devilish game!"
"I have something else to do, so I'll leave first. Have fun."
Gray even took a step forward, but unfortunately, before he could escape, he was caught by Erza.
"What? You two think my game is not fun?"
In the eyes of Natsu and Gray, the angry Erza seemed to be dozens of times larger, and she could crush them to death at any time.
In order to avoid being beaten, Natsu and Gray said that the King's Game was a good game. In the end, under Erza's pressure, the two of them trembled and "voluntarily" joined the game.
This made Noah even more certain that there was something wrong with the game, otherwise how could it make Natsu, who only cared about eating and not fighting, feel so scared.
Using the excuse of going to the bathroom, Noah easily ran away. In order to prevent Erza from looking for him, he planned to find a secluded place to hide.
The third floor of the guild was where Noah chose to hide.
This is the president's office. Normally no one comes here, not even President Makarov. He prefers to watch the children on the first floor.
However, to Noah's surprise, as soon as he reached the third floor, he saw the short figure. It seemed that Makarov was also worried about being dragged into the game by Erza.
"It's Noah. The office is a bit messy. Find a place to sit." Although it was the president's office, Makarov didn't mind Noah's uninvited visit. There was nothing important here anyway.
The only thing of value is the group photo of the creators of "Fairy Tail".
Noah looked at the group photo hanging on the wall. Having read the guild chronicles, he naturally knew the identities of the four guild founders in the photo.
Mavis Viviamilio, the first president of the guild, shone brightly during the Second Trade War because of his extraordinary wisdom and was known as the "Fairy Strategist", but unfortunately he died young.
Precht Gelberg took over the guild and became the second president after Mavis' death. After working diligently for 40 years, he entrusted the guild to the third-generation student president Makarov, and then traveled around the world without any news.
After the second generation president took office, Volod Sinken quit the guild due to disagreements with Precht. He is now one of the "Ten Holy Wizards" and has been dedicated to desert greening for many years.
Yuri Dorea was deeply depressed by the death of his best friend Mavis and his wife Rita in the same year. He eventually died of depression four years after the departure of his relatives and friends. Before his death, he asked his good friend Precht to take care of his four-year-old son Makarov.
According to the records of the guild chronicles, the four founders went through many hardships and challenges together before they created "Fairy Tail" in X686.
But only 10 years later, the fate of these four people changed dramatically: some died, some left, and some stayed.
Noah said with some emotion: "Life is so unpredictable."
Makarov's words also brought back some memories. Once upon a time, he had companions like the first generation with whom he could confide in, but in the end they also left the guild for their own dreams.
Like his teacher Precht, Makarov has also served as the guild's president for more than 40 years.
"Ah…that bastard Gildarts, when will he come back to take over my job?"
Makarov muttered something, but Noah didn't hear it clearly. Instead, he asked him curiously why Erza's "King's Game" scared Natsu and the others.
Game of Kings:
Those who participate in the game will draw lots. If they draw a lot with the president's logo, they can choose other participants in the game and issue mandatory orders to them.
After listening to Makarov's introduction, Noah felt very strange.
The person who wins the lottery will choose one or more people from those who did not draw the president's lottery to complete a task.
Isn't this essentially a big adventure game? What's so strange about that?
Wait… could it be that!
Seeing Noah's expression change, Makarov smiled bitterly: "You guessed it, right? That's right, most of the orders from the winners are quite shameful, or they are unacceptable."
"For example, ordering an exhibitionist to wear ten pieces of clothing and not take them off until the game is over."
How cruel! This is simply pushing Gray to death.
"Or asking someone to strip naked in public and shout out the name of the person they like."
What a move to cause social death, killing people and destroying their hearts! Killing people and destroying their hearts!
But wouldn't this be too exciting…
Noah stopped Makarov. He no longer wanted to know these punishments that could exceed his level of cognition.
I don't know why Erza is so passionate about such an "exciting" game. It's impossible that she can draw the president's lottery every time, or that she has not been given perverted orders, right?
The old and young in the office ended the topic tacitly.
Makarov brought out a box with various styles of Santa Claus costumes in it. "Noah, come and help me find out which one is suitable for me. I have to go to the orphanage to deliver gifts to the children tonight."
So that's how it is. This old man is actually a kind-hearted person.
The image of Santa Claus in storybooks has another important feature besides reindeer and red clothes.
It's the big, snow-white beard that connects to the sideburns and cheeks.
Makarov is short and skinny, but with a big beard, at least he won't be mistaken for a dwarf or Little Red Riding Hood at first glance.
Following Noah's advice, Makarov put on a fake beard and looked in the mirror. He found that his outfit looked much better.
"Okay, okay, this year when I give gifts to the children, I will definitely not be recognized like before."
Makarov was in a good mood. He turned around and was about to praise Noah, but found that the other party was looking at him with a strange look.
"President, try wearing another wig."
Before Makarov could answer, Noah put a wig on the old man's head.
Looking in the mirror, Makarov discovered that the wig Noah put on him was particularly thick. Could this kid be making fun of me for having so little hair?
But it is true that my Mediterranean hairstyle is too conspicuous, and I might be recognized even if I wear a Christmas hat.
Noah is a very careful boy.
But Makarov didn't know that Noah looked at him with a weird look.
"President, please stand on the table for a moment. I'll stand farther away and see if you have any questions."
Standing at the stairs, watching Makarov jump onto the desk, Noah's heart was filled with turmoil.
Because Makarov's image at this time is 100% similar to Noah's father Faust!
As for the reason, Noah already understood.
Why the old father was unhappy with Ivan for selling out information so easily.
Why the old father felt so relieved when he beat Ivan.
It's because of "Makarov" and "Fawust", they are isotopes in parallel worlds!
No wonder the old father beat Ivan three times a day, and always served Ivan "orange", "green garlic", "celery", "nori"… at every meal. It seemed that he was venting his anger for Aslant's "self".
Noah thought of something else. If calculated by seniority, he and Ivan are of the same generation.
Doesn't that mean that Noah is Laxus's half-father, half-mother, half-grandfather, and uncle from another world!
Makarov looked at the boy standing at the stairs with a silly smile, "Noah, what are you laughing at, do I look funny?"
"No, no."
Noah waved his hands quickly, but still couldn't help laughing, "I just remembered something very funny."
"What's up?"
"I'm going to be an uncle."