Mira understood—
Today's battle was inevitable.
If Laxus were allowed to continue his reckless rampage unchecked, the guild would face dire consequences—perhaps even irreversible harm.
This "game"…
It had undoubtedly been Jehfrit's idea.
He had persuaded both Laxus and the Master to participate. By doing so, he created an opportunity for this estranged grandfather-grandson pair—who rarely communicated or truly understood each other—to confront their issues head-on.
Jehfrit aimed to steer the chaos toward a resolution, transforming what could have been a disaster into something constructive.
Perhaps…
Mira blinked thoughtfully.
Laxus, Mystogan, and the Master all had their reasons for joining this fight. And Jehfrit? He certainly did too—and Mira suspected his motivation stemmed from a unique, albeit roundabout, way of protecting the guild.
She remembered something Jehfrit once said: "Magic don't need be understood, and magicians don't need to be either."
But…
Magic wasn't just about tricks and illusions. Sometimes, someone needed to clap at the right moment—for the magician's sake.
---
Meanwhile, Reedus and Elfman leaned on each other as they made their way toward the hospital.
"Ah—Fried lost too, huh? Now it's just me left," a pleasant female voice called out from a nearby shop.
Reedus and Elfman turned cautiously toward the source.
Emerging gracefully was Evergreen, clad in a green dress that accentuated her figure. She held a fan, gently fanning herself as she stepped forward.
"Evergreen, it's over!" Reedus warned warily. "Bickslow has been defeated by Gray, Fried by Miss Mira, and even Jehfrit has fallen."
"What does that matter?" Evergreen replied dismissively. "As long as Laxus is still standing, it isn't over. No one can defeat him."
"Still clinging to delusions, are we? Then there's no choice…" Reedus began, but before he could finish, Evergreen struck without warning.
*KABOOM*
A massive explosion sent them flying backward.
Evergreen wasn't limited to petrification magic—her gaze alone could turn people to stone. On top of that, she wielded word magic, fairy dust magic, and flight magic. The detonation came from igniting tiny particles of her enchanted fairy dust, causing significant damage.
"Cough… cough…" Reedus struggled to his feet, but as soon as he looked up, his eyes met hers. In an instant, he was turned to stone.
"Evergreen, don't go too far!" Elfman roared, activating his Beast Soul Take-Over. His body transformed into a hulking beast-man, radiating raw power.
"Oh, Elfman~" Evergreen teased, eyeing his muscular form. "Your name sounds cute, but you've grown into quite the manly figure."
Elfman paid no mind to her taunts. With the enhanced senses granted by his Beast Soul, he tore off a strip of cloth and tied it around his eyes, blocking her petrifying gaze.
"Afraid to look at me and fall hopelessly in love?" Evergreen smirked.
"I won't hold back, Evergreen!" Elfman charged at her with brute force.
But Evergreen sprouted wings and took to the air. "You think you can find me with just your sense of smell? But even if you do, what good will it do? My fairy dust already surrounds you."
"You can't see danger, nor can you smell it."
"Scream like a true man, Elfman!"
*KABOOM KABOOM KABOOM*
The fairy dust bombs detonated, engulfing Elfman in explosions.
"AHHH—"
Poor Elfman collapsed once again, writhing in agony.
"Water Lock!" A commanding female voice rang out suddenly.
Before Evergreen could react, a sphere of water enveloped her entirely.
"Open, Gate of the Golden Bull—Taurus!"
"MOOOO—"
A towering bull spirit wielding dual axes appeared, slamming its weapon down onto the water prison. The impact shattered the sphere, sending Evergreen crashing violently onto Elfman below.
*KABAM*
"Ah, no!" Lucy quickly covered her mouth, her cheeks flushing red.
"Miss Lucy, you…" Juvia added shyly.
"That was quite the pose!" Taurus remarked approvingly. "i am jealous!"
"That's enough—you can go back now," Lucy said hastily, dismissing the spirit.
Before them lay Elfman sprawled on his back, while Evergreen—still wearing her skirt—had landed in an awkward position atop him.
Thankfully (or perhaps mercifully), both were unconscious.
Or perhaps they were pretending to be.
Elfman discreetly turned his head away.
Though he couldn't see Evergreen's face, her ears burned crimson with embarrassment.
Lucy and Juvia hurried over to separate the two—not because they wanted to intervene, but because the situation was… uncomfortable.
---
Kardia Cathedral
Laxus sat brooding on the steps, his expression dark.
"So Fried, Bickslow, and Evergreen have all fallen…"
"And Jehfrit too?"
"How could you lose…"
"Why…"
"You'll lose too!" a voice shouted abruptly.
Laxus raised his head to see a figure emerge from the light at the cathedral entrance.
It was Gajeel.
Cracking his knuckles, Gajeel locked eyes on the magical array behind Laxus—where Levy stood, petrified.
"I haven't been part of this guild for long," Gajeel began, advancing steadily while gathering his magic energy. "I don't know what grudge you hold against us or who you really are. I do know you're the Master's grandson, and maybe, like Natsu said, you have your reasons. But so what?"
"Levy's trapped as a statue behind you."
"I'm here to save her!"
"HAHAHAHA!" Laxus burst into laughter, clutching his face before lowering his hands to reveal a scowl of pure disdain. "Our guild? You dare call it yours?"
*CRACKLE*
A bolt of lightning shot toward Gajeel.
"This time, I won't take it head-on!" Gajeel dodged swiftly.
"Fine then. Before the real challengers arrive, let me show someone like you—"
"The cries that lie beneath my thunder."
*KRAKKA BOOM*
Laxus attacked.
"Damn, he's fast!" Gajeel thought, stunned. The pressure Laxus exerted far surpassed anything Gajeel had experienced when battling Natsu to a standstill!
Both Dragon Slayers, yet the gap between them felt insurmountable.
Gajeel was at a severe disadvantage.
An Iron Dragon Slayer facing off against a Lightning Dragon Slayer—a natural disadvantage compounded by Laxus's overwhelming strength.
Within moments, Gajeel found himself overwhelmed. His speed lagged behind, leaving him unable to counterattack effectively. Add in the elemental disadvantage, and Gajeel became little more than a punching bag—completely defenseless.
"Is this all you've got? You talk big about saving Levy, but where's the proof?" Laxus sneered contemptuously. "What right do you have to say such things?"
*KABOOM*
The devastating barrage of lightning struck Gajeel full-force, launching him out of the cathedral and through the wall of a nearby house before finally coming to rest amidst the rubble.
Gajeel clawed his way painfully to his feet.
Laxus glanced at him sideways, casually tossing another bolt of lightning.
*KRAKKA BOOM*
Gajeel collapsed again.
Turning his back, Laxus ascended the steps nonchalantly. "If you rise again, you'll die," he stated coldly.