Being an anime based on the concept of magic and mythical creatures, Fairy Tail easily satiates its fans with its extensive lineup of different magic types and elements. These magic powers are symbolic of both strength and peril, but none come close to the might of ‘Dragon Slayer Magic’, a type of Lost Magic that only a few can utilize in the fictional world of Earthland.
As this magic is the strongest of all types, only wizards with immense competency can wield this sorcery, with the show’s protagonist, Natsu Dragneel, being one of the few wielders. In a way, Fairy Tail centers itself around Dragon Slayer Magic, as the focal plotline of the anime is directly linked to the same events that led to the origin of both Dragon Slayers and Dragon Slayer Magic. Furthermore, this unique magic is further riddled with complexities, which the show explains in bits throughout its runtime.
Origins of Dragon Slayer Magic
Before delving into the complexities, it is essential to first understand the origins of this lost magic. Dragon Slayer Magic originated around 400 years ago from the show’s present time, during the Dragon King Festival – a war that led to the extinction of Dragon-kind from Earthland. The war was primarily between two factions of Dragons; ones that sought peaceful coexistence with humans and those that did not.
The war had reached a stalemate, with both sides equally matched in prowess. To tip the balance in their favor, the pro-human Dragons devised a tactful strategy – teaching humans the Dragons’ special magic. The plan initially seemed successful, as the tide of battle shifted in their favor; however, there was a grave miscalculation. The humans that were taught Dragon magic started slaying allied Dragons as well, resulting in the god-like beings becoming extinct in the world. This led to the magic being dubbed as ‘Dragon Slayer Magic’, and its wielders as ‘Dragon Slayers’.
Characteristics of Dragon Slayer Magic
Being a type of Lost Magic, Dragon Slayer Magic boasts a number of unique features and characteristics, allowing its wielders to truly become some of the strongest mages in the Kingdom of Fiore. Firstly, Dragon Slayers are immune to their respective elements, no matter the source of the magic, meaning a fire Dragon Slayer cannot be harmed by fire in any case. These powers are further exacerbated by the fact that they can consume their elements through their mouths, fueling and replenishing their magic power. This is, however, limited to magic from a source other than their own.
Another unique aspect of Dragon Slayers is that they can consume elements of other types as well, which makes them the only spell-users to be able to wield several types of magic at once. Dragon Slayers are also the only known mages that have the ability to slay a Dragon, who are otherwise immune to every other type of magic.
Dragon Force and Dragonization
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Dragon Force is the final form that a Dragon Slayer can attain, in which the wielder becomes infused with inexplicable power. The user’s skin also takes on a scaly appearance, resembling those of Dragons. Dragon Slayers rarely take up this form, as continuous use of this unparalleled power is unsustainable for the users. Moreover, only Third Generation Dragon Slayers are capable of using Dragon Force at will, while First Generation Dragon Slayers can only achieve this state after consumption of a strong magical force, such as Etherion-infused Lacrima and Ethernano-abundant air in the cases of Natsu and Wendy respectively.
Dragon Slayer Magic doesn’t come without its risks and drawbacks either, which can be seen in the form of Dragonization – an irreversible phenomenon where Dragon Slayers turn into an actual Dragon. This is caused by the Dragon Seed to sprout within the wielders as a result of excessive use of Dragon Slayer Magic. This inevitable fate can only be prevented by a Dragon entering the Dragon Slayer’s body and lying dormant within them, acting as a sort of vaccine to prevent the Dragonization process.
Dragon Slayer Generations
Dragon Slayer Magic can be achieved through a number of ways, and Dragon Slayers that obtain their powers through these methods are differentiated by their generations. There are a total of five different ways through which this magic can be obtained, therefore, sectioned into five generations.
- First Generation Dragon Slayers are those that have been taught this rare magic by Dragons themselves.
- Second Generation Dragon Slayers achieve their power by having a Dragon Lacrima implanted into their bodies, making them artificial Dragon Slayers.
- Third Generation Dragon Slayers are, in a way, a combination of the First and Second Generations, as these magic users achieve their power by learning directly through Dragons while also having a Lacrima implanted into their bodies.
- Fourth Generation Dragon Slayers are artificial beings that are powered by Dragon Lacrima.
- Fifth Generation Dragon Slayers gain their powers by consuming either a Dragon or a Dragon Slayer.
First Generation Dragon Slayers are regarded as the most powerful ones, as their power is derived purely from Dragons and remains untainted. Nevertheless, Dragon Slayer Magic as a whole remains the strongest magic in all of Earthland, and Fairy Tail has made it clear that this precedent isn’t going to change anytime soon.