Everyone was shocked and confused when they barely saw Caelum move and found Laxus on the ground holding his abdomen while their founder just stood looking at the lightning dragon slayer. Laxus trying to recognize everything that happened and hearing his words only made him even angrier than before released another massive wave of energy and attacked Caelum who easily evaded every strike but the moment his hand went past his head felt danger and he could do anything an explosion was produced causing a smoke and Laxus took a step back to try to recompose himself.
Caelum was not harmed by making Laxus click his tongue but he did accomplish something and that was catching him by surprise. He was using any multiplier or anything focusing more on his technique than strength trying to grasp the perfection of the [ Hercules Method ]. He only used the innate strength provided by his [ Ancient Primarch ] and sealing most of his strength to help sharpen his techniques.
"Not bad, you caught me by surprise. But kid if we keep this up then I'll be forced to take this seriously."
"Damn you! Fight me seriously! Unlike them, I am the strongest!!"
Laxus roared while powering up before continuing fighting Caelum who decided to take it a bit seriously and clashed with him where their spectator was hardly able to catch their movement. Their fist collided creating a ripple of shockwave canceling each other's attack. He pushed himself in trying to prove that he was the strongest and fought Caelum with everything he had.
Caelum evaded his lightning and used the pebbles as projectiles to attack him that was destroyed by the lightning but this was to be expected and strike him that manage to remain standing doing the same thing. He felt his strike harming his flesh a bit that only had more opportunities to get stronger.
"How does that feel, bastard!"
Laxus roared, joining his hands then striking it into Caelum's back slamming him into the ground creating a fissure of cracks. However, Caelum flipped and kicked his face pushing him several feets but remained standing and blocked his opponent's attacks. Laxus felt his muscles torn from the impact but kept and struck Caelum who redirected his fist then elbow strike Laxus. He stumbled a bit having his mind disoriented from the attack while Caelum smiled at his determination.
"For as young as you, I can say that you are a strong one."
Laxus gritted his teeth, took deep breath and fired a lightning breath towards Caelum who saw this made him smile and held out his hand to produce a [ Ki blast ] that was small as a nail but overwhelmed Laxus' attack. The blast enveloped the whole area where it was only stopped by the barrier made by Caelum. Everyone wondered what happened as the dust and debris blocked the fight. However, it only lasted for a few seconds as the sound of impact could be heard witnessing their clash continue to push the dust and debris.
Caelum strike Laxus but the lightning dragon slayer was able to evade and grabbed him slamming caelum into the ground then tried to stumped on him but it was stopped by Caelum inches away from his face showing a smirked and grab it before flipping forward while throwing Laxus who stopped himself inches away in the boundary.
"Not a bad kid, you are really pushing your luck with me."
"Shut up!! I don't need your praise!! What I need is you to be under my feet!x
He roared, forming a dragon scale on his face and increasing his magical power hundred folds than before attaining the dragon force. Caelum smiled at this feeling proud to see a promising youngling. He was considered to be the True Dragon God even if his yet to attain it was still treated as one.
"Are you shocked!?"
"Yes, quite literally."
Laxus said while Caelum cracked a joke that only annoyed him and struck with a lightning attack with his fist that was avoided by Caelum but the lightning dragon slayer spammed the attack and moved much faster than before where their strike was decimating the ground below them. He was noticeably a lot faster and quicker than not realizing that he's been tempering Caelum Saiyan heritage every passing moment. Caelum continues rapid healing and regeneration in unison with the Zenkai Boost, rapidly making him incredibly stronger than before.
Another half hour no one was backing down but Laxus was slowly feeling physically and mentally exhausted while Caelum just smiled through it all. In a flash, Caelum disappeared before his eyes and shocked Laxus as his eyes weren't able to see through his movement. Laxus about to turn then stopped when Caelum pointed his index and middle finger into his forehead.
Laxus felt chills run down his spine when he saw his emotionless gaze that one wrong move would be his end. Caelum may act laid back and happy go lucky but can take a life without hesitation and remorse. He doesn't care for lives that do not connect to him and Caelum is able to judge someone based on their karma.
"It's been entertaining but give up or you'll really hurt yourself."
"Screw you! I'm going to win!"
He didn't waver one bit even after being threatened by Caelum and despite the dread weighing down upon his chest. Caelum saw his eyes having the unwavering conviction and pride that a true warrior has. It was unfortunate that he did a cowardly method in the future but still this young man before him has his worth.
"You have to knock me out or even kill me to make me give up now!"
"Laxus, Concede! You've done enough!"
"Shut it, old man! I don't need your concern!"
Laxus shouted at Makarov who started to grow worried for his grandson's safety since he could see that he was on the verge of collapsing and Caelum had been holding back the whole time. He smiled and slowly removed his hand in Laxus' forehead making him extremely confused watching him walking outside the ring.
"It's my loss. I can't seem to defeat it without completely hurting you."
"What!? Why!!? You don't want to hurt me because I'm that old man's grandson!?"
"No, not because of Makarov; rather, it's your pride and conviction along with your resolve remain unshaken even after sensing my killing intent. I may defeat you physically but your fighting spirit is stronger than you think."
Caelum saw the spirit of a warrior burning within Laxus reminding him of Vegeta. He only lacks discipline and growth. However, Laxus didn't like the result of their match and attacked him while he wasn't looking but all turned black as he was struck in the neck knocking him out. His allies screamed his name quickly checking if he was alright.
"Take him away and tell him when he wakes up to train, go travel around the continent then he'll eventually find a way to prove himself."
He said while the rest of them took Laxus and Makarov thanking Caelum for holding back against his grandson.
"You have a promising Grandson, Makarov. He just lacks soul searching and finds what he truly needs."
===========
The next few months had passed, Caelum continued his training slowly gaining a firm grasp of his Saiyan physiology along with the Viltrumite Physiology having his racial strength reach incredible degree and using the [ Hercules Method ] was able to nearly perfect his control over them. The children had gained their own Mana core and learned magic like Millianna learning beast magic that focused on feline hybrids while Kagura learned Gravity magic. Yukino and Sorano learn Take Over magic: Angel.
Caelum learns that angel artificial life was made by the gods which is why he modified it a bit for them by creating an artificial soul for Sorano and Yukino. Sorano has Four Archangels while Yukino has Seven Heavenly Virtues. This is the subtle changes he had since in the canon, this was not supposed to happen.
Sorano and Mirajane seem to get along like sisters since they have similar looks where only recently found out they're somewhat related. Caelum was surprised a bit when he learned it but didn't think much since he might have shifted the timeline in the past. Regardless, the thought of a Satan and Angel girl does have charm to it.
Speaking of, Caelum had been visiting Layla and Grammi quite often growing closer with each passing moment. He taught their daughter some magic with Lucy still wanting to be a Celestial wizard while Brandish learned Command T, which allows her to alter the size of an object making them larger or smaller. They enjoyed his company when learning magic and even acquired a mana core making them as strong as an adult mage.
He was playing with the two children when Caelum noticed an energy storm arriving at the estate. It was talking with Layla and went to check it out bringing the two children on his shoulder. He arrived to find someone who looked exactly like Layla but looked a bit older.
"Mama!"
Lucy called out telling Caelum to bring him down and he was still looking at the person who arrived. The Little girl went to his mother, hugging her legs looking at the person before her.
"Mama, who is this? Is she my grandma?"
"Ah…well…"
"Yes, little one. I am your grandmother, Anna."
She smiled, patting her head then turned to look at Caelum.
"You must be the one, Layla mentioned."
The woman, Anna stood up bowing towards Caelum thanking him for saving Layla but he shrugged it off telling her it was a quest and his job.
"Even still, I thank you. I've been trying to find a way to save Layla but I haven't found any clue and fear that she might have….pass away when I return but I am certainly relieved to see him standing and hugging her daughter again."
Anna turned to look at the pair once again feeling a sense of guilt that she would take the chances of her descendents to grow old seeing her daughter grow. She never had the chance because she left for the future hoping to stop a tragedy that was about to come.
Meanwhile, Caelum is still a bit confused why Acnologia is still an issue when he already put a stop to the war and thought something isn't right concluding it was the gods manipulating everything.
Few minutes later they went to have a chat to at least get to know more about Caelum and Anna to catch up on everything that happened. They went into the garden where Brandish and Lucy continued to play with each other while Grammi brought some coffee and snacks for them. At first, Grammi declines to sit down with them but in the end gives up since Layla considers her as a sister especially when it comes to the man they are pursuing.
"Thank you, were you the one who made this coffee?"
"Yes."
"It's just the right coffee I enjoyed."
Grammi inwardly became ecstatic hearing his praise whole Layla saw this didn't want to feel left out took a cookie and about to feed to Caelum.
"How about you try a cookie?"
Caelum saw what's going on, smiled and took a bite making Layla happy while Grammi frowned and tried the same thing sitting closer to Caelum where he was smashed between the two women. Anna watching this couldn't help but be taken aback and giggled, finding that their action to be adorable since they were fighting for the attention of the same man.
They soon realized that Anna was there blushed, apologizing for what happened but she only laughed it off reminding Anna of her youth.
"I have to say, does the Heartfilia not age? You look too beautiful to be Layla's mother."
"Fufufu, I get that a lot but I assure you I'm quite old."
"Damn, if I know any better I would mistake you for Layla's sister."
"My, my what a smooth talker. Now I know why the two of them are head over heels for you."
Anna teases the two a bit, giggling when seeing them blush and Layla tries to change the topic before things escalate.