Natsu's Dragon Slayer Training: A Legacy of Dragon-Killing Magic

The Origin and Purpose of Dragon Slayer Magic

The magical power known as Dragon Slayer Magic, a unique and potent form of magic, was developed during a historical conflict that occurred approximately 400 years ago in the world of Fairy Tail. This magic, which grants humans the ability to harness the power of dragons, emerged from a conflict between two factions of dragons: the Alakitasia Faction, which saw humans as food, and the Ishgar Faction, which coexisted with humans.

Origins of the Alakitasia and Ishgar Factions

During this period, Earthland, the setting of Fairy Tail, was home to both dragons and humans. The Alakitasia Faction, centered in the western continent, viewed humans as nothing more than a food source, while the Ishgar Faction, centered in the eastern continent, advocated for coexistence with humans. The two factions were largely independent, and contact between them was minimal.

However, a report by the Sage Dragon Belserion, an ally of the human Queen Irene of the Ishgarian kingdom of Dragnof, revealed that the Alakitasia Faction was planning to invade the Ishgar Faction to spread their ideology. In response, Irene and the Ishgar dragons mobilized to defend against this incoming attack. Several Ishgar dragons defected to the Alakitasia Faction, including Zirconis, Atlas, and Motherglare. These dragons would later be referred to as the Dragnof Faction, as the Ishgar dragons were divided.

The forces of Irene and the Dragnof dragons were eventually overwhelmed by the sheer number of invading dragons. Desperate for a solution, Irene decided to enchant her magic onto humans, giving them the ability to cast dragon magic. This act of creating Dragon Slayer Magic placed Irene among the first Dragon Slayers.

The Training of Dragon Slayers

The Dragnof Dragons then began to train humans in Dragon Slayer Magic, with the goal of using this power to fight the enemy dragons. Among these Dragon Slayers was a young boy named Natsu Dragneel, who would later become one of the most famous Dragon Slayers in the series. However, the story of Natsu's training is interwoven with a darker narrative involving the dragon Acnologia.

Ancient Tensions and Acnologia

Acnologia, a rogue Dragon Slayer, pledged to slay every dragon, regardless of their alignment or faction. His brutal campaign against dragons led to countless deaths, including the partial decimation of the Ishgar Faction. His actions ultimately led to the formation of a group of young Dragon Slayers, including Natsu, Gajeel, Wendy, Sting, and Rogue, who were trained by the Dragon Igneel with the hope that they would be powerful enough to defeat Acnologia and avenge the dragons.

Igneel's training served multiple purposes: it prepared Natsu and his comrades for battle, enabled them to master their unique powers, and provided them with the understanding needed to face powerful dragon opponents. Igneel's ultimate objective was to train Natsu well enough to confront the formidable Acnologia.

It's important to note that training a human to kill other humans, or in this case, humans to kill dragons, involves a complex moral and ethical dilemma. In the context of the series, the training was seen as a means to an end, designed to preserve the survival and coexistence of dragons and humans in the long term.