When you're focused, time always seems to slip away unnoticed.

Lying on a patch of grass, Rayne felt a cool breeze—once the harsh breath of summer but now gentler—rustling through his slightly grown-out black hair. The sunlight filtering through the canopy above had softened, too.

Sitting up cross-legged, Rayne murmured, "Is it almost autumn already?"

Tilting his head back, he gazed at the sky, now higher and bluer than before, and realized half a month had already passed.

"Mmm… delicious!"

Turning his head, he saw Kanna curled up beside him, hugging her tail in her sleep, mumbling something about food.

"Today's the last day of training. Think you've got what it takes, kid?"

The magnetic voice of the Dragon Empress, Ddraig, echoed in his mind.

Over these past weeks, she had closely observed Rayne's progress—and had wholeheartedly approved of his goal to land at least one solid punch on Makarov's face.

As his partner, Ddraig couldn't help but feel annoyed at how many hits Rayne had taken during training. If he didn't return at least one, she'd consider it a personal insult.

"I do."

Rayne's lips curled into a faint smile as he pulled his gaze from the sky.

As a guild master, Makarov was undeniably reliable—when danger struck, his presence alone brought reassurance. But in peaceful times? The old man had a mischievous streak, especially during sparring sessions, where he loved aiming for Rayne's eyes.

If not for Porlyusica's potent medicines, Rayne's face would've rivaled a panda's by now.

Which only solidified his resolve.

That punch was happening.

"Rayne…?"

A soft, drowsy voice called out.

The next second, Kanna's plush body flopped onto him, her tiny fangs lightly sinking into his neck.

"What's wrong?"

Pushing her away gently (though not before wiping off the damp spot she left), Rayne gave her a questioning look.

"I dreamed you were tasty."

Her sky-blue eyes blinked sleepily, still hazy from her nap.

"And now that you've had a bite… was I?"

Rayne sighed, ruffling her pale lavender hair. Maybe because she hadn't gone to school like in the original timeline, the little dragon girl had grown even more clingy—and gluttonous.

"Nope."

She answered without hesitation, playfully butting her head against his hand.

"Ah, you're awake?"

Makarov's cheerful voice rang out from ahead.

When Rayne looked up, the guild master was already perched on a massive tree root, grinning down at them.

As the leader of Fairy Tail, Makarov couldn't stay indefinitely to train Rayne. Instead, he visited every few days, sparring with him and pointing out flaws. The rest of the time? Rayne trained alone in the forest.

As for guild chores? Rayne had quit.

According to Makarov, once this physical combat training ended, Rayne could start taking on real jobs. There was no need to waste time on guild busywork anymore.

So for the past two weeks, Rayne had been staying at Porlyusica's place. Occasionally, he'd wander the woods, hunting or gathering fruits to replenish his energy.

And today—was the final test.

Pass, and he'd be free to leave.

"I've been here a while."

Hopping down from the roots, Makarov dusted himself off, his usual grandfatherly smile in place.

"Didn't want to wake you two."

"Then let's not waste time."

Rayne strode toward an open clearing, his own smile sharpening.

Noticing the commotion, Porlyusica stepped out of her cottage, scowling at the two. Then, with practiced ease, she scooped Kanna into her arms—a routine they'd repeated often over the past weeks.

(Feeding the little dragon had its perks.)

"...Ready?"

Makarov studied Rayne, then nodded approvingly.

Two weeks of intense training had honed the boy's edges. His stance was firmer, his movements sharper—and his eyes burned with the unmistakable fire of a true mage.

"Yeah. Just try not to grit your teeth too hard, old man."

Rayne's grin turned downright feral.

"Hah! Prove you can make me first."

Makarov chuckled, but his gaze was unwavering. He knew exactly what he'd done during their spars—and he was ready for payback.

The air between them crackled.

"Here I come."

BOOM—

The instant Rayne moved, the ground beneath him cratered, dirt exploding outward as he shot forward like a bullet.

In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance, his right fist already pulled back—a drawn arrow about to be loosed.

WHOOSH—

The air itself groaned as his punch tore through it.

Compared to half a month ago? His speed and power had skyrocketed.

"Just how are you improving this fast?!"

Even Makarov couldn't hide his shock.

He'd only been gone a few days, yet Rayne had grown stronger again. This rate of growth defied logic, even for a teenager in their prime.

Still, his reflexes didn't fail him. Arms crossed, he braced—

THUD!

The impact reverberated through the clearing.

Makarov's boots sank into the earth, his arms trembling from the sheer force.

"Not bad… but your magic needs work!"

A split-second assessment: at equal magic levels, he'd have been overwhelmed.

"This is our bond, after all!"

Rayne's grin widened as his left fist followed like lightning.

Thanks to [Dragon's Origin], his body had been tempered beyond normal limits—his magic, too, had surged forward.

CRACK—

A massive fist met Rayne's blow head-on.

The once-tiny old man had transformed—now a towering, muscular figure nearly two meters tall.

Same grin, though.

"You don't mind, do you, Rayne?"

Makarov's tone was almost playful.

"Not that I'd undo it even if you did."

"..."

Rayne's fists clenched. The difference in raw power wasn't insurmountable, but—

His pupils burned.

Oh, it was ON.

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