Ben had recovered his physical strength and magic power. He was now trying to get used to his current condition after losing his left hand by sparring with Laxus at the guild's training ground. Laxus also isn't in the best shape, so both of them were trying to adapt to their current situation.
Even without his left hand, Ben is still dominating the sparring match with Laxus. Well, Laxus was having trouble with his low power output, so it's not a great feat. Ben's only struggles are adjusting his balance when making moves and he often forgets he doesn't have a left hand anymore.
"Magical Barrier Particles, huh? They are really troublesome. With some effort and time, I can remove them from my body by destroying them using his super hot magic. By flowing my Sun Magic through my body, the Magical Barrier Particles will be destroyed. But I can't use this technique on others because I don't think anyone has immunity to my magic." Ben said after they finish sparring.
"Yeah, I won't survive that. I can try it using my lightning, but the problem is my lightning has gotten weaker and it stimulates them instead of destroying them." Laxus replied.
"Then you'll need someone that knows Dispel Magic or any kind of magic that remove those particles. It's very rare, but there are a few types of magic that are used to dispel barriers. The users of those magic types are even rarer. So instead of waiting for a meeting with them, you should find a solution yourself. I will help you with it, but you also need to work for it too." Ben remarked.
"Obviously. I'm not someone who will just rely on others all the time." Laxus said.
After he's done resting, Ben went inside the guild hall. 7 individuals were waiting for him there. The seven were Kenshin, Natsu, Gajeel, Gray, Lily, Sting and Rogue who were present when he fought Acnologia.
"Oh, I thought you guys would continue avoiding me." Ben said as he walked over to the bar and ordered a drink. Kenshin pulled out a chair and sat down next to him.
They remained silent until Gray spoke. "Ben, we want to apologize. If we weren't so stubborn and full of ourselves, then you wouldn't need to protect us and lose your left hand as a result."
"Yeah, we thought we would be able to help, but we were only burdens." Sting admitted.
"I even forgot about the dire situation and thought of something else before Kenshin reminded me to focus. I'm very sorry about that." Natsu said before six of the seven bow to Ben.
Everyone there just watched from the side without saying anything because this was a very important moment. They all saw Ben wasn't looking back and just took his drink before gulping it down. He drank all of it and put the glass on the bar.
Kenshin then broke the silence. "If you expect him to harbor a grudge over protecting you, you don't have him figured out at all."
"There's no need for you to apologize. But I'll forgive you nonetheless because you did. I hope this will make you realize that bravery alone isn't enough in this world. Bravery, confidence, strong will, trust and other feelings aren't enough without power to back them up." Ben added.
"This is Fairy Tail, not Fairy Tale. I'm sorry, but I don't have the same ideals as Fairy Tail. For me, feelings are important, but they aren't the base of my powers. If feelings were enough, then no one would die protecting their loved ones. Power comes from hard work and those feelings like a strong will, determination, the feeling to protect your loved ones, etc. Those are just supplements to do all the hard work which gives you the power you desire." Ben said in a serious tone.
Now everyone is looking down because it felt like Ben was talking to all of them. His sentences hit really hard because they came from the hardest-working and strongest person here. So his words truly had weight to them.
Everyone became silent while Ben continued drinking alcohol from a bottle that he took just now. Then he suddenly stood up and walked towards the door to leave the guild. He stopped in front of the door when Natsu called out to him.
"Ben! I-Can I ask you something? Did Igneel say anything to you in his final moments alive?" Natsu asked.
"No. I only spoke to Grandeeney before they left this world. So your parent's final conversations were with you guys." Ben answered without looking back.
4 of the 5 Dragon Slayers feel a little happy but also sad because they won't hear anything else from their dragon parents.
But then they heard Ben say, "You know, I'm actually jealous of you guys. Even if it was brief, you could meet your parents again. I would trade all of my power just to see mine for a second."
Ben didn't say anything else and left the guild hall which was now silent. His words made the eyes of 4 of the Dragon Slayers and Gray widen and shake. Even if it was brief, they've met their dragon parents, but he'll never meet his for as long as he lives.
They think of Escanor because they all knew him as the Sun Dragon's son. Although Ben would like to meet Escanor at least once, he was actually referring to his family in his past life. Years had passed and he already had a new family, but he will always miss them.
Even so, Ben didn't say anything because he really wants to meet them in this life. He said that to make those guys feel grateful that they got the chance to meet their parents again for the last time. If there's one thing Ben always regretted, it's not saying goodbye to his parents and little brother for the last time, so he didn't want it to happen to his new family and friends.
Also, he hopes it will motivate them to become a lot stronger than what they aimed for. He knew full well the importance of feelings to make someone stronger. But those feelings are just fuel to motivate someone to obtain the power they desire and needed.
Ben went home and on the way there, he remembered that Gray had Acnologia's frozen left arm. It's too late to return now and ask for that guy's hand because it would be too awkward. He left the guild hall in a cool way.
"Well, I can ask about it later." Ben said.
His chance to ask Gray came a lot sooner than expected. The next day Gray, Natsu and Happy came to his house. They came there to tell him they will train outside and spend a year gaining experience.
"This is Acnologia's left arm. I kept it after you asked me to freeze it." Gray said before he gave him the frozen left hand.
Ben took it and said, "Hmm. You guys really act fast, don't you?"
"I don't want to waste any time and lose to this iceman." Natsu said.
"Hah. I will be stronger than you, flame brain." Gray replied.
Both of them start insulting each other and then they fight in front of Ben's house. Ben just sighed before flicking their foreheads. They writhe in pain while holding their foreheads and Happy can only shake his head.
"Don't cause a commotion in front of my house. And rather than arguing now, prove it with results." Ben told them.
The two of them agree to compete for results for a year. Then they walk away from Ben's house to begin training. But then Ben called out to them and threw a book to each of them, even Happy.
"Don't just train your bodies and magic, but your brains as well." Ben said while walking to his house while the gate closed.
The 3 were confused, but then their eyes widened when they read the book's titles. These books are specially made training menus and magic improvements for each of them. They don't like reading books, but they knew that these books were too good to not use.
"That guy. He really..." Gray said, but didn't know what to say anymore.
Natsu put his book in his backpack and said, "It means he expects a lot from us. Let's not disappoint him. Wait! I won't disappoint him, but I'm sure you will."
"Huh? What did you say?" Gray angrily asked.
They argue and fight again as they walk away. Those 2 were hopeless.