From Makarov's descriptions, Rowan already knew what kind of magic Gildarts wielded.
Crash magic.
A supreme-tier spell that shattered matter at the atomic level, breaking bonds instantly on contact. Against living targets, its effect depended entirely on the caster's intent. It could reduce someone to dust in a heartbeat, or split them into countless fragments. Its destructive power was infamous.
The problem was that Gildarts himself was… careless.
When he fought seriously, entire streets tended to suffer. Magnolia had even developed a "Gildarts Mode" for road layouts, redesigned specifically because he kept accidentally destroying buildings whenever he returned.
The man currently trading blows with the black dragon matched Makarov's description perfectly. Age, appearance, magic, even the direction of Rowan's tracking spell. There was no doubt about it.
That was Gildarts.
What happened next made Rowan's breath catch.
During the Fairy Tail tournament, he had been the one making everyone stare in disbelief. Now, it was his turn.
Gildarts' punch landed cleanly. The magic behind it was overwhelming, the kind that could pulverize mountains.
The black dragon didn't even flinch.
Then the dragon struck back.
One claw came down, and Gildarts' left arm and leg were torn away instantly.
Rowan's pupils shrank.
"Human," the dragon rumbled, its voice echoing like thunder. "You were entertaining enough to break the monotony. I'll spare your life this once."
With that, it turned away, wings beating as it vanished toward the sea.
It hadn't come here for Gildarts. It was hunting other dragons. The ones that had fled and hidden themselves. This human had merely been a diversion.
Once it rested, it would resume its hunt.
And when it did, it intended to wipe every dragon in this world from existence.
Rowan moved.
In an instant, he reached Gildarts' side, gathering the severed arm and leg and pressing them back into place.
"Restoration."
Healing magic surged through the wounds. Flesh reconnected. Bone knit. Blood flow stabilized.
The healing spells he'd learned elsewhere were remarkably effective. True limb regeneration was difficult without potions or preparation, but reattaching severed parts was well within reach.
Gildarts groaned, then blinked in confusion. "Healing magic…? Since when did you learn lost magic, Happy? And weren't you blue?"
Rowan withdrew his hand. "I'm not Happy. Name's Rowan Mercer. Joined Fairy Tail about a year ago. Try moving your arm and leg."
Gildarts flexed experimentally, then burst into laughter. "Feels perfect. Like I was never hurt. Thanks, Rowan."
He studied Rowan more closely. Similar size, similar shape, but the eyes were completely different. Sharper. Older.
"Why're you on the northern continent?" Gildarts asked. "Did something happen back home? Did the old man send you?"
"No," Rowan replied. "I'm here for the Hundred-Year Quest too."
Gildarts froze.
"The Hundred-Year Quest? He approved that?"
To him, Rowan still looked like a guild mascot with some unusual magic. The Hundred-Year Quest wasn't something just anyone could touch.
"Relax," Rowan said calmly. "Makarov approved it. And I'm not as weak as I look."
He flicked a coin into the air and snapped his fingers.
A thunderous blast punched through a nearby mountain, leaving a massive crater in its side.
Gildarts whistled. "Alright. I believe you."
After a brief pause, he sighed. "That black dragon wasn't my target. I ran into it by accident today. The actual mission is about five other dragons."
He looked grim.
"They're called the Five Dragon Gods. They arrived on the northern continent centuries ago and have been wreaking havoc ever since. The quest is to find them and seal or kill them."
He shook his head. "I've been searching for three years. Nothing. No traces. No clues. And if those five are anywhere near as strong as that black one… we should probably give up and go home."
The quest's issuer, Elefseria of Dragon Cry Circle, had given no information beyond the objective itself. No locations. No hints. And for reasons unknown, the Five Dragon Gods had gone completely silent.
Gildarts had wandered cities, forests, and mountain ranges for years. Part of that was bad luck. Part of it was getting lost constantly.
Today had been one of those days.
"If all dragons were that strong," Rowan said slowly, "then dragons wouldn't have been hunted down and turned into dragon crystals."
He thought of Serena, who had slain multiple dragons. Of the crystal Ivan had acquired from the north. Dragons were powerful, yes. But not all of them could be equal.
"There's a gap," Rowan continued. "Even among dragons."
Gildarts listened quietly.
"I'm heading to Dragon Cry Circle," Rowan said. "I want to speak to Elefseria directly before deciding whether to formally accept the quest. If you want to withdraw, head back to the guild."
After everything he'd seen, Rowan had no intention of giving up.
If dragons were this powerful, then the potential locked inside dragon crystals was even greater than he'd imagined.
And that made the risk worth considering.