Ken finally realized that he had traveled through time—and entered the world of Fairy Tail.
This was a world ruled by magic, where those who could manipulate it were known as wizards. What Ken had just demonstrated was not ordinary magic, but an extremely rare and legendary technique: Dragon Slayer Magic, a power said to slay dragons themselves.
The greatest feature of Dragon Slayer Magic was its ability to consume elements of the same attribute, transforming them into the user's own magic power. This absorption even extended to magic attacks from opponents. In other words, if a wizard specializing in fire magic attacked him, a Fire Dragon Slayer could simply devour the flames and grow stronger—free experience.
"So... I'm a Rock-type Dragon Slayer," Ken muttered, sitting down cross-legged. "Swallow rocks and transform them into power... That move earlier must have been the Cave Dragon's Roar."
He gently placed his right hand over his chest, carefully feeling the fluctuations of magic deep within him. After about half a minute, a majestic and unyielding magic force slowly emerged from his core, gradually spreading throughout his body.
Ken looked down at his arms and skin. His body had subtly changed—the color had shifted to a dark, earthy brown, resembling natural rock armor.
With this transformation, Ken instinctively knew that his defense was now formidable, perhaps even tougher than the rhinoceros he had just fought.
"But... this magic isn't ready to respond instantly yet," Ken frowned. "It took me half a minute just to activate it. If I was in a real battle, I'd be dead by now."
Determined to improve, Ken closed his eyes again, concentrating his mind. He tried to circulate the magic energy more fluidly through his body, striving to master the strange new power.
In his trance, Ken found himself wandering through a vast, dark space. Floating in the darkness ahead was a massive, dark brown, spindle-shaped crystal—shining brilliantly with a familiar aura.
Ken realized immediately that this was the Rock Dragon's Dragon Slayer Magic Crystal, the source of the power he had just used.
However, a strange sensation pricked his senses. Somewhere deeper in the darkness, he could smell... another kind of magic.
Driven by curiosity, Ken pressed onward through the darkness, leaving the rock crystal behind. The closer he got, the more intense the heat he felt.
Finally, he arrived before a new crystal—a fiery red, blazing with heat.
"The Dragon Slayer Magic Crystal of Fire!" Ken's eyes widened in excitement. Carefully, he wrapped the burning crystal with his magic energy. The crystal resisted fiercely at first, but Ken patiently endured, gradually assimilating it into himself.
Moments later, a faint hint of flame began to mingle with his own magic power.
"Success! Two Dragon Slayer magics!"
Ken could hardly believe it. Dragon Slayers were rare in this world—only a handful existed, most of them taught directly by real dragons four hundred years ago. Others had dragon lacrima—Dragon Slayer Crystals—implanted into their bodies artificially, but even then, it was almost unheard of to fuse two different types.
Yet Ken had just done it.
And the sensation wasn't over yet.
"I can still feel more magic ahead..." he realized, excitement surging through him.
Without hesitation, Ken pushed forward into the darkness. Not long after, a delicate yellow crystal came into view, crackling with violent energy.
"A Thunder Dragon's magic crystal!" Ken grinned.
Compared to rock and fire, the lightning energy was far more volatile and dangerous. One wrong move could result in serious injury. However, with careful control and experience from earlier, Ken patiently tamed the power.
The lightning attribute fused with him.
Three elements.
Still, the trail of magic was not finished.
Ken moved even faster now, anticipation building in his chest. Before long, one crystal after another appeared before him:
— A silver-gray Iron Dragon's magic crystal, granting mastery over steel and unbreakable blades.— A shimmering Water Dragon's magic crystal, capable of unleashing devastating waves.— A vibrant green Wood Dragon's magic crystal, pulsing with the life force of nature itself.— A heavy, black Earth Dragon's crystal, giving indomitable endurance.— And finally, a crystal shining with pure white light—the Storm Dragon's magic crystal, granting mastery over wind itself.
Ken absorbed them all.
By the end, his body trembled, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of magic flooding his veins.
"Eight kinds of Dragon Slayer Magic," Ken whispered in awe. "Rock, fire, thunder, iron, water, wood, earth, wind... I can absorb and counter almost any magic now!"
With these eight elements, Ken knew he had the potential to become one of the strongest wizards on the entire continent.
Returning from the space of consciousness to the real world, Ken opened his eyes. The rocky landscape stretched endlessly before him.
He took a deep breath.
"Now... it's time to find a guild," Ken said, clenching his fists in excitement. "Since I'm here, of course I want to join Fairy Tail!"
Stretching his body a bit, Ken was just about to set off when something caught his eye—a short old man sitting on a distant rock, sipping tea leisurely.
Despite the peaceful scene, two hungry wolves were creeping up behind the old man, ready to pounce.
"Uncle, watch out!" Ken shouted instinctively.
But the old man didn't react at all—he simply continued enjoying his tea, looking utterly relaxed.
Ken slapped his forehead. "Is this uncle deaf?"
Before Ken could rush over, the wolves leapt!
Just as their claws were about to land, the old man finally turned his head, smiling faintly.
With a casual motion, his left fist suddenly expanded dozens of times in size—and with a powerful swing, he sent the wolves flying like ragdolls!
Ken stood frozen, jaw dropping in shock.
That magic... that short figure... that bald head...
He suddenly recalled a familiar image from Fairy Tail.
The magic of enlargement. The distinctive hairstyle. The stature.
Ken's expression slowly shifted into one of sheer joy.
"It's him... it's really him!"