Fairy Tail: Collapsing Stars

Chapter 366: The War Has Begun!

Clouds howled across the sky! The wind roared in stillness!

With just one serious punch from Evan, Wisdomʼs Super Dragon Knight PRO exploded into countless shards in an instant!!

”BZZZZT!”

With a blinding white light, Wisdom was thrown back down to the ground. His face pale, his forehead beaded with sweat, the fear etched into his very DNA was now surging up from within, screaming in agony…

For a moment, it was as if he had remembered that first time he stood before Selene, the Moon Dragon God, the overwhelming sense of weakness and helplessness.

”Damn it… I can already imagine that smug bastard Evanʼs face after this. I mean, I see that punchable face every morning in the mirror and it pisses me off to no end! Ah, itʼs so frustrating!!”

Just the thought of Evanʼs arrogant smirk after winning was enough to make Wisdom internally collapse. One egotistical genius in the world was already too many, why did there have to be another one?!

”Clap, clap, clap…”

Just as Wisdom was spiraling in chaos, Evan slowly walked toward him, smiling, and applauding.

”Congratulations, Wisdom…”

”No matter what anyone says, just daring to challenge me puts you ahead of 99% of the people in this world.”

”Win or lose, youʼve done well.”

Evanʼs face held a sincere smile as he softly praised Wisdom.

”Huh…?”

Wisdom was stunned. He hadnʼt expected this. In the end, Evan didnʼt put on a haughty air but instead showed genuine warmth and offered praise and encouragement.

”Possessing individual might, power so great that a flick of the wrist could shake the heavens and earth, doesnʼt necessarily make one strong.”

”But you, my friend… you, my Edolas counterpart, Wisdom. You relied solely on your intellect and created such tremendous strength. And within your chest, you held the courage to challenge someone like me. That makes you the true strong one.”

Evan smiled with heartfelt sincerity as he declared his respect for Wisdom.

”Clap, clap, clap…”

”Congratulations!”

”Congratulations, Wisdom!”

”Youʼve always been our proud guild master!”

”No matter the outcome, youʼre the hero who saved Edolas!”

Following Evanʼs lead, the members of Edolas Fairy Tail gathered around Wisdom, surrounding him with warm smiles and applause.

”Everyone…”

Wisdomʼs heart warmed. He felt genuinely moved as he looked around at the familiar faces of his Fairy Tail family, his eyes shimmering faintly with tears.

”Thank you… all of you!”

Finally, Wisdom took a deep breath and softly thanked those around him, especially Evan.

Yes… He had come this far thanks to their tolerance, their support, and the love of the Fairy Tail guild.

”Hahahahaha…”

Around him, the Edolas Fairy Tail members all laughed joyfully, grateful to Wisdom for his contributions to both Edolas and Elentear.

”Evan…”

After a moment, Wisdom rolled himself forward in his wheelchair, stopping directly in front of Evan.

It was the first time heʼd taken a close, serious look at his Earth Land counterpart, at Evanʼs tall, muscular frame, his handsome face, and those sharp, burning eyes. Wisdomʼs expression became slightly complicated.

”Evan, I must thank you for waking me up. It was you who helped pull me out of the wrong path and..”

”..Who am I kidding?!”

”You really thought I was going to say that?!”

”The war between intellect and brute force has only just begun!”

”Humanityʼs brains grew larger while our spines carried more weight, because we abandoned brute strength in favor of intelligence! Next time, Iʼll bring my upgraded Dragon Knight and crush you to bits!”

Wisdomʼs face twisted, a vein bulging on his forehead as he glared at Evan with fury.

”Excellent, Wisdom.”

Evan smiled calmly. But the moment Wisdom finished his rant, Evanʼs smile sharpened into a cold sneer, his gentle eyes turning icy.

”Originally, for Erzaʼs sake, I was going to be the bigger man and try talking some sense into you. But it seems thereʼs no point anymore. Go on, keep building your little weapons. But no matter what you build, itʼll never be a match for my body, forged through endless battle.”

”Even if you make a Super Dragon Knight PROMAX version next time, Iʼll still crush you under my heel.”

Evan looked down on Wisdomʼs arrogance with pure disdain, because, unlike Wisdom, Evan was actually humble.

”Tch. These two egomaniacs… here we go again.”

Around them, the Fairy Tail mages sighed helplessly as they watched Evan and Wisdom exchange jabs. Maybe this was what people meant by ”like poles repel, opposites attract”?

Two equally overconfident loudmouths clashing was inevitable. After all, there was only room for one tiger in a mountain.

”Tch~”

Both Evan and Wisdom scoffed at the same time, their eyes filled with contempt for one another. Then they turned and walked in opposite directions.

It was like one had chosen the path of ultimate intelligence, while the other had chosen the path of ultimate strength.

Evan and Wisdom, two people on the same road, walking in opposite directions.

”Erza, Laxus, Mirajane, Kagura, letʼs go.”

Evan waved to his companions, signaling their departure.

Though Erza and Kagura hadnʼt fought in the matches, Evanʼs true goal had already been achieved, heʼd brought them here just to give them a broader view of the multiverse.

”Mm…”

The group followed behind Evan without hesitation.

”The magic in this world is too weak. If we stay here too long, itʼll negatively affect our bodies. At the very least, weʼll fall far behind in our magical training.”

Laxus commented quietly as he walked beside Erza and the others.

He had sensed from the beginning that Edolasʼs low magic density would be a problem.

”However, after receiving the soul of the Underworld King Mard Geer, I found that curses, which demons use, arenʼt really affected by the lack of magic in this world. Perhaps demons are better suited to living in a magicless world. After all, when no one else can use powers, a demon who can… becomes the apex predator.”

”Though the downside is, my time using Demon Soul is still shorter than usual because of the magic shortage here…”

Mirajane sighed. She couldnʼt imagine what kind of disaster it would be if a bunch of curse-wielding demons existed in a world where no one else had magic.

”That kind of world wonʼt be born, as long as I exist.”

Evan smiled at her words. If, in the original timeline, Tartaros had succeeded in activating Face, that world might have existed…

But there was no ”if.” Tartaros was already annihilated by him. That future would never happen.

”True.”

Mirajane nodded and smiled. Evanʼs voice always had a calming effect on her.

”Thanks for everything, Evan.”

”My brother… his brain really does short-circuit sometimes.”

Just as they were about to leave, Erza Wisdom called out to Evan, her voice soft with gratitude.

”No need to thank me. Itʼs understandable, Wisdom isnʼt as smart as I am, so an occasional lapse is expected.”

”Erza, youʼve got a tough job ahead. Keep an eye on him. Donʼt let that idiot use his tech for something stupid.”

Evan smiled gently as he spoke to Erza Wisdom.

”Huh?!”

”Got it, Evan!”

Erza Wisdom looked at Evan, glowing in the sunlight, and her pupils quivered slightly. Then she gave a firm nod.

”Erza Belserion.”

After bidding Evan farewell, Erza Wisdom turned to her Earth Land counterpart and softly called her name.

”Hmm?”

Erza Belserion blinked in surprise, looking back at her Edolas self with puzzled eyes.

”Take care of Evan for me.”

”Also, come visit Edolas sometime, okay?”

Erza Wisdom smiled warmly.

”You donʼt need to say it.”

Erza Belserion smirked. Sheʼd protect her brother herself, no one else needed to say so.

”Hehe…”

Erza Wisdom also smiled. When Belserion was alone and came to Edolas… that would be her chance.

”Hahahaha…”

Joyful laughter filled the air for a moment.

Then, 

”BZZZT!”

A rippling space gate appeared before Evan and his group.

In an instant, Evan, Erza, Mirajane, Laxus, and Kagura vanished from the world of Edolas…

All was peaceful and harmonious, 

Except for Edolas itself, quietly bearing the weight of wounds far too heavy for one world to carry.

A universe… broken in silence.

After leaving Edolas, Erza, Laxus, and Kagura all trained with fiery determination.

Clearly, they had been thoroughly shaken, by both Mirajaneʼs Demon Soul, and Evanʼs terrifying power.

Especially Mirajane, before acquiring the Demon Soul from Tartaros, she had been the weakest of their little trio…

Laxus went straight to find his grandfather, Makarov.

”Do you need something, Laxus?”

Makarov narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Laxus, who wore an unusually serious expression. He had a feeling Laxus had come for something important.

”Old man, isnʼt it about time you passed that magic on to me? Also, Iʼd like you to teach me the magic that you use. I remember Grandfather was also a lightning-type mage, wasnʼt he?”

Standing in front of Makarov, Laxusʼs gaze was firm, his eyes radiating an unprecedented resolve and determination.

”That magic? Laxus, are you sure about this? Do you truly intend to learn that magic? You do realize what learning that magic entails, donʼt you?”

Makarov immediately understood what Laxus was asking for. The cheerful expression on his face vanished, replaced by gravity as he questioned Laxus in return.

”Iʼm not interested in inheriting the guild or anything like that. Being Guild Master is too heavy a burden, itʼs not something I can shoulder! But if itʼs about inheriting Fairy Tailʼs will...”

”Old man, Iʼve been ready for that for a long time! As long as Iʼm still standing, no oneʼs going to hurt my comrades.”

Laxus firmly declined the unspoken expectation of succession but straightened his back like a true man, prepared to bear the will Makarov upheld, the will to protect everyone in the guild.

”You brat...”

Makarov chuckled after hearing Laxusʼs words and nodded softly, agreeing to Laxusʼs request.

At that moment, in Makarovʼs eyes, Laxus had finally grown up.

As for Erza…

Gajeel had just been quietly sitting in the guild…

Then suddenly, 

”Gajeel, come!”

A voice rang out from outside the guild. Like a blade unsheathed, Gajeel shot out of the building.

Gajeel, ”I…”

The Fairy Tail guild members, ”…”

”Hahahahaha…”

A few seconds later, everyone in the guild burst into laughter as if nothing had happened.

Wherever Fairy Tail members gathered, every day felt like a holiday.

”Heh, looks like Erza really loves the weapon I gave her~”

Evan smiled as he watched Gajeel being called away by his master.

”Creak~”

Just as Evan was smiling to himself, delighted by how well Gajeel and Erza were getting along, the guildʼs front doors suddenly swung open.

A handsome female knight, wearing armor bearing the crest of the Kingdom of Fiore, walked into the guild.

”Hmm?”

Evan turned his head toward the noise. Upon seeing the knight, he was visibly surprised.

To his surprise, it was someone he knew.

The woman wasnʼt just anyone, she was the one who had once guarded the Divine Temple and Dragonʼs Tear. A knight under the Kingdom of Fioreʼs banner, known as the ”White Tiger.”

”Lord Evan, His Majesty requests your presence. Please come with me to the capital, Crocus.”

The White Tiger scanned the guild before locking eyes with Evan. She walked straight up to him, gave a slight bow, and spoke respectfully.

”Oh?”

Evanʼs relaxed demeanor shifted slightly as his eyes narrowed.

The only person living in Crocus whom this woman would call ”His Majesty” was that man, the one with the Fairy Tail guild emblem tattooed on his butt, old Toma!

”Whatʼs up? His Majesty Old Toma needs something from me?”

Evan asked, seated casually as he looked at the refined female knight.

”...Yes, it is indeed King Toma who requests your presence.”

The knight frowned slightly at Evanʼs casual tone, clearly displeased, but said nothing.

After all, Evan was one of the Ten Wizard Saints of Ishgar, equal in status to kings. So even addressing King Toma by name wasnʼt inappropriate, especially since Evan did at least tack on the ”His Majesty” title.

In fact, if one were to be strict about it, the Wizard Saints, those capable of leveling cities and toppling nations, were more revered than most kings. Even a nationʼs ruler would tread lightly around them, wary of offending someone who might switch allegiance and bring catastrophe upon their land.

”Alright then, letʼs go~”

Now certain that Toma had summoned him, Evan stood up without hesitation. He had nothing else to do anyway, might as well take a trip to the capital.

”Youʼre agreeing? When do you plan to depart?”

The White Tiger asked quickly.

”Right now.”

With a smile, Evan casually opened a portal beside them.

”Letʼs go~”

He stepped into it without hesitation.

”Eh? The capital is quite a distance from here, you..”

Shocked, the White Tiger hurried to follow him through the portal.

In the blink of an eye…

When she opened her eyes again, the White Tiger found herself inside the palace of the Kingdom of Fiore.

”This level of spatial magic?!”

Her pupils contracted slightly. She never imagined Evan possessed such high-level teleportation magic.

Simply put, Evanʼs ability to instantly travel between the Fairy Tail guild and the royal capital meant he was essentially a top-tier assassin!

If Evan ever wanted to assassinate a king, there was virtually no one who could stop him.

It was only after witnessing Evanʼs terrifying power firsthand that the White Tiger finally understood why, among all the Wizard Saints, King Toma had specifically instructed them to treat Evan with exceptional care.

Before she could process further, Evan was already walking toward the palaceʼs conference room as if it were his own home, so familiar with the palace that it seemed he knew it better than she did…

Soon after, Evan pushed open the door to the chamber and strode inside, taking the main seat at the head of the room.

”Yo, Your Majesty Old Toma. Long time no see~”

He sat down casually, greeting Toma, who stood alone by the window, gazing outside.

”Youʼve finally arrived, Evan…”

Toma turned at the sound of Evanʼs voice, forcing a smile more painful than crying.

”So, what did you need me for?”

Evan got straight to the point, not wasting words.

”Why am I not in this photo?”

Toma pulled a picture from his pocket, looking at Evan with teary eyes.

”Uh… you didnʼt summon me here just for that, did you?”

Evan hadnʼt expected this to be the first thing Toma would bring up.

”Ahem. Of course not...”

”While the photo is important, I do have something far more urgent I need your help with.”

Toma coughed twice to cover his embarrassment.

”Well, you are the king. If you were in a Fairy Tail group photo, it could send... troublesome signals to the kingdom, internally or externally.”

Evan explained why Toma wasnʼt invited for the photo. Then he asked,

”Okay, explanationʼs done. So whatʼs the real reason you called me here?”

”Fair enough…”

Toma had tried to ease the mood with the photo bit, but now his expression turned serious.

”Ahem. Then Iʼll get straight to the point, Evan, 

The war is about to begin.”