"Sleep now, Erza."
"Divine Symphony!"
A terrifying surge of magical energy erupted.
Mystogan wielded his staff without holding back!
"Requip!"
"Adamantine Armor!"
Erza immediately switched to her Adamantine Armor, renowned for its exceptional magical defense. While it offered some resistance against Mystogan's sleep-inducing magic, mere resistance wasn't enough.
Taking a deep breath, Erza planted her feet firmly on the ground and raised two massive half-moon shields, bracing herself against the spell's effects as she charged toward Mystogan.
Seeing this, Mystogan quickly retreated while unleashing a barrage of spells at Erza.
"HAAAAH—"
Switching to her Hellfire Armor, Erza pushed through the onslaught and lunged at Mystogan with her sword!
*KABOOM KABOOM KABOOM*
The church was even more chaotic.
Four high-powered mages unleashed destruction on an unprecedented scale. Ordinary buildings were no match for them—they might as well have been made of paper or foam.
The battlefield was turning what remained of the cathedral into ruins!
"LAXUS!"
Natsu roared as he charged forward, followed closely by Gajeel.
Gray remained calm, focusing on protecting himself while supporting the two Dragon Slayers.
Despite being outnumbered three to one, Laxus fought with ease, his movements fluid and precise.
Time slipped away like sand through fingers; minutes passed in the blink of an eye.
---
Park Plaza
Craters large and small dotted the landscape. The battle had shifted from intense exchanges to a slower, more deliberate pace.
*PANT PANT PANT—*
Erza breathed heavily, leaning on her sword for support. Mystogan gripped his staff tightly, his stamina nearly depleted.
"Mystogan, what exactly do you want?" Erza asked between breaths.
"The fight isn't over yet, Erza," Mystogan replied, tightening his grip on his staff.
"Fine then. If I have to knock you out completely to get answers, so be it." Erza straightened her posture, determination blazing in her eyes.
Meanwhile, the noise from the church had died down.
*TAP*
*TAP*
*TAP*
A diminutive figure approached from the end of the street. The setting sun cast long shadows ahead, stretching toward the ruined entrance of the collapsed cathedral.
The Fairy Tail Guild Master—Makarov.
He clenched his fists, walking steadily with unwavering resolve.
Inside the church, Natsu, Gray, and Gajeel lay defeated, their expressions filled with reluctant acceptance.
Laxus sat atop a fallen pillar, his upper body stripped bare from the earlier fighting, revealing chiseled muscles. His elbows rested on his knees, head bowed as though asleep.
Only when Makarov stood before him did Laxus lift his head, smirking derisively.
"So this is the mighty Fairy Tail Guild? Toppled by just a handful of people?"
"Laxus," Makarov sighed. "Even Natsu understands something you refuse to see. I hoped to avoid this confrontation, but Jehfrit was right—some lessons can only be taught with fists."
"Would that slippery trickster really say such a thing?" Laxus sneered. "That cowardly magician who relies on deception?"
"You still have fight left in you, don't you, Laxus?" Makarov said, his tone firm.
"I've got enough strength to defeat an eighty-year-old man who should've retired ages ago," Laxus retorted, rising to his feet. "Old man, let's see if I'm worthy of inheriting the guild!"
*KABOOM*
The battle erupted instantly.
Makarov was not someone Natsu or the others could compare to. The overwhelming pressure Gray had felt earlier from Laxus now belonged to Makarov.
As a veteran member of the Ten Wizard Saints, Makarov possessed an extensive arsenal of magic and decades of combat experience. Compared to him, Laxus held no advantages—except perhaps for his youth and superior physical endurance as a Dragon Slayer.
Among his many spells, Makarov excelled most in Titan Magic and Light Magic. The former granted immense physical power, while the latter delivered devastating magical bombardments.
Laxus refused to back down. Scales covered his body, particularly hardened around his elbows, allowing him to withstand magical blasts and charge directly at Makarov. They exchanged blows—fist meeting fist, flesh against flesh.
"Is that all you've got, old man?!" Laxus laughed maniacally, growing more energized with each strike.
"Laxus, I am old," Makarov admitted, struggling under the relentless assault. Laxus had grown significantly stronger since his younger days, his magic wild and powerful.
Had the nature of his magic influenced his personality?
Magic shaped the mind, just as much as the mind shaped magic.
Laxus…
Jehfrit believed in you. But can you truly turn back?
Makarov sank into doubt and self-reproach—I've failed as a grandfather. Why do I lack faith in you?
"HAHAHAHA!" Laxus snarled. "Fight back, old man! Are you already done?"
"No matter what else, Laxus, your strength isn't enough!" Makarov declared, his gaze sharpening.
*KABOOM*
His attacks grew fiercer, surprising Laxus momentarily.
"HAHAHA!" Undeterred, Laxus pushed his magic output to its limit.
*KABOOM KABOOM KABOOM*
The entire town trembled from the commotion. Lightning filled the skies one moment, giant forms appeared the next.
The earth shook violently.
"Grandpa, it's time to change your outdated ways!"
"For years, Phantom Lord has mocked us—challenged us openly! If I were guild master, I'd have crushed them long ago!"
Laxus roared furiously.
"All these years, wherever I go, I hear whispers about Fairy Tail—"
"Makarov is old!"
"Fairy Tail has no successors!"
"Fairy Tail causes nothing but destruction—it's no better than a dark guild!"
"Why hasn't this guild been disbanded yet?!"
"Why?! Tell me why, Grandpa! We're supposed to be the most renowned guild on the continent—why do they dare speak ill of us?!"
"Laxus, we can't control what others say. Even the greatest are criticized behind their backs," Makarov responded calmly.
"NO!" Laxus snapped. "It's because of your weakness! Because Fairy Tail is full of weaklings and unruly members!"
"I will become the guild master of Fairy Tail!"
"I'll make Fairy Tail the strongest guild!"
"I'll change how everyone sees us!"
"I'm not just your grandson—the third-generation guild master, Makarov Dreyar of the Ten Wizard Saints!"
"I am the fourth-generation guild master of the world's strongest guild—Fairy Tail!"
"I'll lead Fairy Tail to greater heights! To a brighter future!"
"GRANDPA, THIS IS MY RESOLVE!"
"Anyone who stands in my way will be defeated!"
"NATSU! GRAY!"
"ERZA!"
"MYSTOGAN!"
"JEHFIRT!"
"GILDARTS!"
"AND YOU—"
"GRANDPA!"
"I—"
"WILL BECOME THE STRONGEST IN THE STRONGEST GUILD!"
"I AM LAXUS!"
"I AM THE GUILD MASTER OF FAIRY TAIL—THE STRONGEST MAGICIAN WHO WILL REDEFINE THE DREYAR NAME! I AM LAXUS DREYAR—UNIQUE AND UNPARALLELED!"
Makarov—this elderly man whose heart had seen countless battles—was deeply moved.
So that's it…
Laxus…
Is this what you truly feel?
Makarov reminisced about the past—
A young, vibrant Laxus.
"Grandpa, wizards are amazing! When I grow up, I'll join Fairy Tail and become a wizard too!"
"HAHA, good!"
"Grandpa, look at this new move I came up with—isn't it great?"
"It sure is!"
"Grandpa, I protected Lisanna today."
"Laxus is starting to act like a big brother already."
"Natsu and Gray keep fighting—should I stop them?"
"No, that's their friendship."
"What strange friendships… But I want one too."
"Don't worry, Laxus. You'll meet someone you'll both want to punch and fully trust."
"That won't happen! If I ever hit someone, it'll only be because they hurt our family—like that guy who bullied Lisanna."
"Perhaps there will be someone like that someday."
"Sorry, Grandpa. I didn't defeat the enemy. I couldn't protect Fried and the others."
"It's okay. Failure is part of life. As long as everyone returns safely, that's what matters."
"It's all because I'm weak! I'll become stronger—so strong that no one can harm my friends!"
"Grandpa, I'll become the strongest wizard in the guild—stronger than Gildarts, stronger than you!"
"Then you must work hard. Neither Gildarts nor I are easy to surpass."
"Grandpa, I'm going to train outside the guild!"
"Laxus, stay safe on your journey."
"Grandpa, why do people always say 'no wonder he's the guild master's grandson'? I worked hard for my achievements—they should praise me!"
"HAHA, don't let it bother you."
"Laxus, why did you attack innocent bystanders during your last mission?"
"They weren't innocent—they mocked our guild."
"Mockery doesn't justify injuring them severely."
"I understand…"
"Laxus, I've told you before—don't attack innocents!"
"Fine, fine, I get it."
"LAXUS, DID YOU KILL EVERYONE IN THAT DARK GUILD?!"
"So what if I did? They were scum anyway. Jehfrit didn't hold back either. Besides, they called us weak for sending kids on missions. I showed them my power!"
"Jehfrit is different—he has a strong heart. You're treading dangerous ground—you'll fall into darkness!"
"How is Jehfrit any stronger than me?! Am I weaker than that sleazy magician?!"
"This isn't about strength or weakness! I'm worried about you, Laxus. You've changed these past few years."
"I haven't changed at all!"
"Grandpa, tell me!" Laxus raised his fist, unleashing Thunder Dragon's Crushing Fist. "AM I WRONG?!"
"This is my lifelong dream!"
"Others rejecting me is one thing—but why must you reject me too?!"
"Even Jehfrit understands me!"
"But you, of all people, stand against me!"
"Laxus…" Makarov gazed at his grandson's frenzied expression, tears streaming down his wrinkled face. Then, using magic to evaporate the tears, he spoke with grave seriousness:
"Laxus, you are wrong!"
"I've told you this before, but the rapid growth of your power has consumed your heart."
"If you've forgotten, then I'll say it again."
"LAXUS!" Makarov shouted. "THE GUILD IS NOT A TOOL FOR YOU TO SHOW OFF OR A STEP TO GLORY!"
"IT'S THE WALL THAT PROTECTS OUR FAMILY! THE WEAPON THAT GUARDS OUR DREAMS!"
"FOR ALL THESE YEARS, EVEN NOW, I'M STILL PROUD OF YOU!"
"BUT TODAY, YOU'VE MADE A MISTAKE. AS YOUR GRANDFATHER, IT'S MY DUTY TO WAKE YOU UP!"
Makarov took a deep breath. "If you want to surpass me, first correct your mistakes!"
"Light Rain!"
*KABOOM KABOOM KABOOM*
Countless magical bombs rained down on Laxus like a storm.
Laxus endured the onslaught defiantly. "Then I'll surpass you here and now!"
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art—"
"LAXUS!" Gray cried out from afar. "ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL THE MASTER?!"
"LAXUS, YOU BASTARD!" Natsu tried to rise despite his exhaustion.
"MASTER…" Gajeel struggled to push himself up, trembling with effort.
This technique was far too dangerous!
During the battle with Phantom Lord, this move overwhelmed even Jose. What chance did an aging Makarov stand?
"Roaring Thunder"
*KABOOM*
Light and lightning collided.
A massive explosion engulfed the area, blotting out the horizon!
After the dust settled, smoke obscured the setting sun!
"Lightning Dragon's—"
"ROAR!"
Laxus unleashed a fearsome column of lightning, piercing through the smoky haze.
On the other side, Makarov raised a weary hand.
"Light Domain!"
*KABOOM*
Perfect defense.
"Lightning Dragon's—"
"Breakdown FIST!"
Laxus charged at Makarov, ready to deliver a final blow.
*THUD*
But then Makarov staggered, clutching his chest, and collapsed backward.
Laxus froze.
Makarov's face contorted in agony, every wrinkle etched with pain!
"OLD MAN!" Natsu shouted.
"GRANDPA…" Laxus lowered his fist.
"STOP FIGHTING, LAXUS! YOUR GRANDFATHER'S HEART CONDITION HAS ACTED UP!" Gray yelled. "IF HE DOESN'T GET TREATMENT SOON, HE'LL DIE!"
Laxus fell silent. Soon, his body began to shake, accompanied by laughter—soft at first, then growing louder.
"Heh…"
"Haha…"
"HAHAHA…"
"HAHAHAHA!"
"Isn't that perfect?!" Laxus threw his head back, laughing maniacally. "THEN VICTORY IS MINE!"
"THE POSITION OF FAIRY TAIL'S GUILD MASTER—"
"IS MINE!"
"LAXUS, YOU BASTARD!!!" Natsu stumbled to his feet.
"I WILL CLAIM FINAL VICTORY!"
"WITH THIS INVINCIBLE MAGIC!"
Laxus spread his fingers wide, forming a sphere-like gesture with both hands.
*BZZT*
An abyssal surge of magical energy erupted!
"What kind of magic is this?" Gray paled.
"It feels like the master's magic…" Natsu murmured in disbelief.
"This level of power… Once unleashed, it might annihilate everyone here…" Gajeel stared in shock.
"Super Magic—Fairy Law." Someone answered their question.