User blog comment:IamJakuhoRaikoben/Sorcerer Magazine, Issue 3: March 2012/@comment-67.177.209.211-20120403203124/@comment-4985657-20120404000730

it seems to me he matured, leading the group against Hades was more of a leadership role, which it didn't seem he had in the beginning of the series, he relied on Erza to come up with ideas and strategy, and just did stuff on his own. lol idk, like i said, i think i'm just a fan lol