Fairy Tail: Collapsing Stars

Chapter 445: The Fairy Tail Crowd: We Donʼt Care! We Want to See Blood Flow!

”Boom!”

Boundless magic power surged throughout the Fairy Tail Guild...

Inside Fairy Tail, not a single magic particle in the air remained calm.

After all, throughout the entire guild, every Fairy Tail mage was either on their way to a fight or preparing for one!

”Evan, youʼre really just going to let the kids in the guild fight Ajeel and the others?!”

”You should know that although Ajeel and the others arenʼt particularly strong, theyʼre still members of the Spriggan 12!”

”Erza and the others might not necessarily win...”

August sat beside Evan and asked softly.

”Iʼve been in Fairy Tail for so many years!”

”Iʼve spent so many resources!”

”Iʼve raised so many Fairy Tail mages!”

”The reason was so that one day they could stand on their own!”

”Fairy Tail mages are battle specialists. Ajeel and the others may possess tremendous magic power...”

”But when it comes to actual combat, they may not necessarily be Erza and the othersʼ opponents.”

Evan sat calmly beside August as he spoke.

”So, Brother Evan, is that why youʼre openly rapping inside the guild?!”

Lucy, who had overheard the conversation between Evan and August, couldnʼt help but complain.

”Hm?”

Evan paused and looked toward Lucy.

Once Observation Haki reached Evanʼs level, not only the happenings inside Fairy Tail, but even everything occurring throughout Magnolia Town, could not escape his senses.

Yes, Lucyʼs complaint had successfully attracted Evanʼs attention.

”Uh...”

Feeling Evanʼs gaze, Lucy immediately lowered her head while silently chanting in her heart:

Donʼt see me, donʼt see me, donʼt see me...

Perhaps Lucyʼs prayer actually worked.

Evanʼs gaze lingered on her for only a brief moment before turning away, no longer paying attention to her.

”Haa...”

After Evanʼs piercing gaze left her, Lucy finally let out a long sigh of relief.

Perhaps Evanʼs reputation was simply too overwhelming. Merely being looked at by him placed enormous pressure on Lucy.

”Um, Lucy~”

”Arenʼt you going to stop those two groups?”

”Judging from the situation, they really look like theyʼre about to fight...”

Brandish sat beside Lucy, holding a paper bowl filled to the brim with ice cream, eating large spoonfuls while asking casually.

”Well...”

Lucy fell silent for a moment after hearing Brandish.

It wasnʼt that she didnʼt want to stop them.

It was simply that with her own tiny amount of strength, there was absolutely no way she could.

Meanwhile...

”What? Theyʼre actually going to fight?”

Some Fairy Tail mages revealed horrified expressions.

”This is... this is becoming... interesting!”

However, that horror lasted less than a moment before transforming into excitement.

Yes, they were indeed horrified.

Horrified because they could no longer suppress the excitement in their hearts!

”Yeah, things are finally getting interesting...”

Another Fairy Tail mage nodded in agreement.

”Fight! Fight! Fight!”

The guildʼs professional instigators immediately began stirring things up...

”Brothers, I wonʼt say another word. Time to place bets!”

”Iʼm betting on Erza...”

”Me too!”

”With Erza having the ultimate siscon brother, sheʼs already standing in an unbeatable position.”

As for the gamblers...

Like sharks smelling blood, they gathered together and happily chatted.

Indeed, after seeing the Spriggan 12 confronting Fairy Tailʼs S-Class Mages, the guild members froze for less than five seconds before bursting into excited cheers.

To them...

Nothing was more enjoyable than watching the fun unfold.

Breaking up the fight?

Impossible.

Absolutely impossible.

They didnʼt care.

The Fairy Tail mages wanted to see blood flow!

”These people have serious problems...”

Meanwhile...

Invel Yura and the other Spriggan 12 stared blankly at the celebrating Fairy Tail mages.

Looking at the fanatical expressions on every Fairy Tail memberʼs face, they inexplicably felt a wave of fear.

They suddenly wondered whether challenging Fairy Tailʼs S-Class Mages had been a terrible mistake...

At the same time, a thought quietly surfaced in every Sprigganʼs heart:

The mages of Fairy Tail...

Definitely had something wrong with their heads.

”Since itʼs a competition, how could I possibly miss it?!”

Just as the Fairy Tail members continued cheering while the not-yet-assimilated Spriggan 12 looked increasingly horrified...

A hoarse, aged voice suddenly echoed through the guild.

A middle-aged man wearing a white mascot suit, a crown on his head, and holding a royal scepter descended from the sky, landing directly between the Spriggan 12 and Fairy Tailʼs S-Class representatives.

”You are?!”

The Spriggan 12 stared blankly before asking.

”First, to ensure fairness!”

”Second, to make the competition more entertaining!”

”Third... I havenʼt thought of the third reason yet.”

”The Number One Magic Games referee of the Kingdom of Fiore...”

”The mysterious Pumpkin Sauce has arrived!”

”I hereby announce that I will personally officiate this match~”

Although the man calling himself Pumpkin Sauce wore a mascot costume, he wasnʼt wearing the mascot head, allowing everyone to clearly see his appearance.

He had short white hair, a tiny mustache beneath his nose, a short body with poor proportions, an unusually large head, and limbs that looked far too short.

Most importantly...

The crown on his head and the royal scepter bearing the emblem of the Kingdom of Fiore had already completely exposed his identity.

It was practically written on his face.

It was almost as though he had never intended to hide who he really was.

”Y-Youʼre...”

Lucy looked at the short middle-aged man in shock.

As the daughter of the Kingdom of Fioreʼs wealthiest family, she had once attended a royal banquet in the capital and had seen the King of Fiore from afar.

Now...

That long-forgotten memory resurfaced.

The face of the king from her memories perfectly overlapped with the face of this so-called mysterious Pumpkin Sauce.

”Arenʼt you His Majesty, the King of Fiore?!”

Lucy shouted.

”Shh! Donʼt say such truthful things!”

”I donʼt know this handsome and dashing King of Fiore youʼre talking about.”

”His Majesty King Toma E. Fiore is busy governing the kingdom every day. Why would he come here?”

”Iʼm merely a humble Fairy Tail guild member with the Fairy Tail emblem branded on my butt...”

”As free as the wind...”

”The mysterious Pumpkin Sauce!”

Old Toma hurriedly explained.

Unfortunately...

The more he explained, the darker things became.

After all...

No one who had ever seen Old Toma would describe him as ”handsome and dashing.”

Except Old Toma himself.

”Uh...”

Watching his reaction, Lucy was now almost completely certain of his identity.

For a moment, she felt dizzy.

Originally, sheʼd thought that as the daughter of the Heartfilia family, she already stood out among Fairy Tailʼs mostly commoners and orphans.

But now...

Even the King of Fiore himself was a Fairy Tail member.

That feeling of being out of place instantly disappeared.

At the same time, Lucy once again realized just how terrifying Fairy Tailʼs influence truly was.

”So Fairy Tail is actually the gathering place of Fioreʼs upper class?”

”No...”

”I have a feeling it isnʼt simply coincidence that Fairy Tail has gathered so many influential people.”

”Could Fairy Tail actually be planning something earth-shattering?”

Lucy murmured after thinking for a moment.

After carefully considering everything...

Fairy Tail controlled the Magic Council, effectively controlling Fioreʼs strongest armed force.

On top of that, Old Toma, the man with the greatest authority in Fiore, was also a Fairy Tail member.

Fairy Tail practically held every aspect of the Kingdom of Fiore in its grasp...

And now...

With her, the heir of the wealthiest Heartfilia family, joining as well...

Power.

Authority.

Wealth.

It seemed Fairy Tail now possessed them all.

”What incredible fortune...”

”If I werenʼt certain that at least I joined Fairy Tail of my own free will...”

”And that joining Fairy Tail had been my childhood dream...”

”Iʼd honestly start believing some conspiracy theories.”

Lucy shook all those chaotic thoughts from her mind and silently complained.

”Lucy... this girlʼs pretty sharp.”

”She actually guessed that Fairy Tailʼs control over Fioreʼs military, political power, and wealth was all thanks to our operations behind the scenes.”

”As expected of Laylaʼs daughter.”

Evan nodded slightly as he looked toward Lucy.

After all...

As the original heroine, Lucy truly was intelligent.

Although after joining Fairy Tail she rarely appeared particularly clever...

That didnʼt prove anything.

Because from the very moment someone joined Fairy Tail...

They practically said goodbye to their IQ.

”...However, Lucy, youʼve overlooked one thing.”

”When exactly did you start believing that joining Fairy Tail was entirely your own choice?”

”Even your childhood dream might not have truly been yours.”

Evan shook his head.

In truth...

Lucyʼs decision to join Fairy Tail had everything to do with her mother, Layla.

Once Lucy displayed magical talent and expressed her dream of joining a guild...

Layla, hoping her daughter would avoid unnecessary hardships and have someone to take care of her, deliberately tried to steer Lucy toward the guild where Evan belonged.

For that reason...

Layla intentionally bought Lucy countless magazines about Fairy Tail.

And every single one of those magazines...

Had been written under various forms of pressure to endlessly praise Fairy Tail.

After reading enough of them...

Lucy naturally developed a deep desire to join Fairy Tail.

Everything had unfolded exactly according to Laylaʼs plan.

To Layla...

Lucy was merely her silly daughter.

Meanwhile...

The confrontation between the Spriggan 12 and Fairy Tailʼs S-Class Mages had finally begun!

The first step...

Drawing lots to determine their opponents.

”Everyone, write your names on the slips of paper Iʼve given you.”

”Then hand them back to me!”

”Iʼll randomly pair one challenger with one opponent!”

”Once the pairings are complete...”

”The battles shall begin!”

Old Toma introduced a rather novel drawing method.

With a wave of his hand...

Twelve identical slips of paper floated into the hands of the Spriggan 12 and Fairy Tailʼs S-Class representatives.

Each person also received a black marker.

”I see...”

Everyone nodded before writing down their names.

Once they finished...

Old Toma retrieved every slip and marker using magic.

Then...

Under his magical control...

The slips bearing the Spriggan 12ʼs names randomly flew toward the Fairy Tail slips.

Soon...

The matchups were decided.

Ajeel Ram vs. Erza Belserion.

Bloodman vs. Mirajane.

Jacob Lessio vs. Laxus Dreyar.

Dimaria vs. Gildarts.

Invel Yura vs. Serena.

Wahl Icht vs. Neinhart.

”These matchups are definitely rigged!”

The Spriggan 12 all looked dissatisfied.

Bloodman especially broke into a cold sweat upon seeing his assigned opponent.

He strongly protested internally.

There was definitely something wrong with this matchup!

As the ”God of Death” whose curses specialized in killing humans...

Bloodman wasnʼt afraid of fighting any of Fairy Tailʼs S-Class representatives.

At least...

In his own opinion.

As long as he activated his Third Seal, the worst outcome would be mutual destruction.

There was only one exception.

Mirajane.

Against someone capable of forcibly absorbing demon souls...

He had absolutely no confidence.

In Bloodmanʼs opinion...

Once Mirajane became his opponent...

His Third Seal, which transformed him into a spirit...

Could no longer be considered his trump card.

It was more like a death sentence.

What would happen if his spiritual form came into contact with someone capable of absorbing demon souls?

Bloodman didnʼt even want to imagine it.

”I protest! I protest!”

Bloodman shouted loudly.

”Protest denied!”

”The match will proceed!”

Old Toma rejected him without hesitation.

Thus...

Under Old Tomaʼs arrangements...

Every Fairy Tail S-Class representative and every Spriggan 12 member had drawn exactly the opponents they wanted.

When the Spriggan 12 looked at their matchups...

Every one of them frowned.

Meanwhile...

The Fairy Tail S-Class Mages all wore bright smiles.

After all...

Smiles never disappear.

They merely transfer from one person to another.

Old Toma had practically written ”rigged” and ”biased” across his face.

As a referee...

His fairness was highly questionable.

But as a Fairy Tail member...

Everything he did seemed perfectly reasonable.

”I hereby declare...”

”The Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Challenge officially begins!”

”First Match!”

”ʼDesert Kingʼ Ajeel Ram VS ʼFairy Queenʼ Erza Belserion!”

”Haha!”

”Our opening match is a clash between two kings!”

”Will the ruler of the desert prevail...”

”Or will the Queen of the Fairies—a legendary magical race rivaling dragons—emerge victorious?!”

”I can hardly wait!”

Old Toma shouted excitedly into the microphone from the arena at the center of Fairy Tail.

”Erza! Erza! Erza! Erza!”

Almost the instant he finished speaking...

Thunderous cheers erupted throughout the guild.

Everyone believed Erza would win.

Because...

Everyone had bet money on Erza winning.

”Hey!”

”Youʼre related to those two monsters, arenʼt you?”

”In that case, just surrender.”

”I donʼt want to accidentally hurt you.”

The moment Ajeel stepped onto the arena, he spoke directly to Erza.

Judging from her appearance and surname...

He had already guessed who she was.

Because of that...

He had no desire to offend someone connected to monsters like Evan and Irene.

After all...

He had witnessed their terrifying strength firsthand.

Provoking people like them could never lead to anything good.

”Ajeel.”

”You have two misunderstandings.”

Erza narrowed her eyes and answered coldly.

”Oh?”

”What misunderstandings?”

Ajeel asked.

”The first...”

”In Fairy Tail, no one cares about your background!”

”If youʼre dissatisfied, then fight!”

”We settle everything with strength.”

”The second...”

”When exactly did you start believing youʼre stronger than me?”

”We may both carry the title of King...”

”But thereʼs an overwhelming difference between our strength.”

The moment she finished speaking...

Erza rushed toward Ajeel while completing her Requip.

The Heavenʼs Wheel God Armor instantly enveloped her body.

Terrifying spatial power distorted the very air around her.

”So fast!”

Watching Erza suddenly appear right before him, Ajeel frowned in shock.

He hadnʼt expected her speed to be this incredible.

”Sandstorm!”

Naturally...

Ajeel wasnʼt about to stand still.

He immediately channeled his magic into the earth, creating an endless sea of sand to block Erzaʼs advance.

In truth...

Had Ajeel been one hundred meters away...

He would have been fully capable of stopping this attack.

As a large-scale control-type mage...

Ajeel had never been suited for close combat.

He specialized in long-range offense and battlefield control.

A traditional long-range mage.

Unfortunately...

Every long-range mage dreamed of becoming a melee fighter.

”Heavenʼs Wheel God: Star Glory!”

The moment Ajeel failed to widen the distance...

The outcome of the battle had already been decided.

Closing the gap...

Erza showed no hesitation.

She swung her blade.

Delivering an overwhelming slash.

”BOOM!!”

The blade capable of cutting through space itself struck Ajeel directly.

The Desert Armor covering his body instantly shattered.

”Ugh...”

To his credit...

A mage whose strength surpassed that of an average Wizard Saint truly possessed incredible toughness.

Even after taking Heavenʼs Wheel God: Star Glory head-on...

He somehow remained standing.

Though barely.

”Itʼs over, Ajeel...”

But...

That was as far as he would go.

As Ajeelʼs face alternated between pale and purple...

Erza performed another Requip.

The heavy armor disappeared.

In its place appeared a light combat suit.

Meanwhile...

The weapon in her hands transformed into a gigantic spiked club completely disproportionate to her body.

”That is?!”

Cold sweat streamed down Ajeelʼs face.

The spatial energy left behind by Heavenʼs Wheel God: Star Glory was still raging inside his body, wreaking havoc and preventing him from fully concentrating.

All he could do was gather every ounce of remaining strength...

To command the surrounding sand toward Erza.

The desert surged like an endless ocean.

In an instant...

The entire arena was swallowed.

Yet...

Faced with the overwhelming sandstorm...

Erza remained expressionless.

She simply raised the massive club high overhead.

Green lightning...

Interwoven with black lightning...

Danced elegantly across the weapon.

”Boom!”

At the exact moment the endless desert closed in...

Erza moved.

Crackle... Crackle...

A flash of lightning.

She instantly appeared before Ajeel.

Gripping the club with both hands...

She smashed it straight toward his head while roaring:

”Thunder Bagua!!”

”BOOM!!”

A muffled clap of thunder echoed through the heavens.

The sea of sand instantly lost its master and collapsed.

As for Ajeel...

After taking Thunder Bagua head-on...

He lay sprawled across the arena.

Eyes rolled back.

Completely unconscious.

Thud!

Erza casually planted the massive club into the arena floor before Ajeel.

Looking down at him coldly, she said,

”Now then...”

”What did you just call yourself?”

”King?”

”You brat.”

”...”

For a moment...

Every member of the Spriggan 12 stood frozen.

Ajeel had lost.

And he hadnʼt even displayed his true strength before being defeated.

According to everyoneʼs perception...

Ajeelʼs magic power was roughly equal to Erzaʼs.

Many had expected an evenly matched battle.

Instead...

It had been a one-sided beating.

In reality...

Although Ajeelʼs magic power was on roughly the same level as Erzaʼs, perhaps even slightly higher...

Their physical abilities werenʼt remotely comparable.

Furthermore...

Erza had already developed Observation Haki to the level of Future Sight.

Armament Haki to Internal Destruction.

Conquerorʼs Haki to weapon coating.

Her true combat strength could no longer be measured merely through magic power.

Observation Haki made her faster than her opponents.

Armament Haki dramatically increased the penetrating power of her attacks.

Conquerorʼs Haki further amplified their destructive force.

Even the Thunder Bagua she had just unleashed...

Was the ultimate finishing move created by combining magic, Haki, and Devil Fruit power into one.

That was why...

One strike had been enough to knock Ajeel unconscious.

Of course...

His initial carelessness had also played a part.

Nevertheless...

No one could deny that Erzaʼs combat ability was overwhelmingly powerful.

”Erza won!”

”As expected...”

Unlike the stunned Spriggan 12...

The Fairy Tail members simply nodded as though everything had gone exactly as anticipated.

”Next!”

Without even glancing at the fallen Ajeel...

Red lightning flickered within Erzaʼs eyes.

At this moment...

Her heart burned with excitement.

She craved battle.

”My turn.”

Just as Erza prepared to continue...

Laxus transformed into lightning and appeared beside her.

The next battle belonged to him.

”Tch~”

Erza pouted in dissatisfaction.

However...

She didnʼt break the rules.

So she could only reluctantly step down from the arena.

”Erza, well done~”

Evan smiled as Erza walked back.

”Of course!”

Hearing Evanʼs praise...

Erza smiled faintly.

Although she felt somewhat disappointed she couldnʼt continue fighting...

Receiving praise from Brother Evan more than made up for it.

”Wasnʼt I supposed to go next?”

Mirajane twitched at the corner of her eye as she looked at Laxus, who had stolen her turn.

Still...

Since they were facing outsiders...

She didnʼt pick a fight with him.

Perhaps Laxus had anticipated exactly that, which was why he rushed onto the stage first.

”The first match!”

”ʼDesert Kingʼ Ajeel Ram versus ʼFairy Queenʼ Erza Belserion!”

”Winner... Erza Belserion!”

”The second match!”

”ʼAssassinʼ Jacob Lessio VS ʼThunder Dragonʼ Laxus Dreyar!”

After Laxus stepped onto the stage...

Old Toma announced Erzaʼs victory before declaring the beginning of the second match.

”Jacob, be careful!”

”These people arenʼt weak.”

”Donʼt underestimate them.”

”And based on my analysis...”

”They seem to possess a power completely unrelated to magic.”

Before Jacob entered the arena...

Wahl Icht, who had been recording battle data the entire time, finally reached a conclusion after failing to analyze the mysterious black lightning Erza had used.

That black lightning...

Was not magic.

For that reason...

He specifically warned Jacob, hoping he wouldnʼt suffer the same fate as Ajeel.

”Donʼt worry!”

Jacob remained completely composed. Unlike Ajeel, he had absolute confidence that he could defeat Laxus.

”Nice to meet you. My name is Jacob. Just like my title, ʼAssassin,ʼ suggests, I am an assassin.”

Like a true gentleman, Jacob stepped onto the arena and politely greeted Laxus.

”An assassin?”

After hearing Jacobʼs words, Laxus seemed to think of something. He muttered to himself as his eyes glowed with a crimson light.

”I see.”

The next moment, Laxus understood everything.

”Then let the battle begin...”

Jacob smiled faintly. The instant he finished speaking, his figure vanished before Laxusʼs eyes.

”He disappeared! Contestant Jacob has disappeared!”

”Could this be some kind of invisibility magic? Unfortunately, even my Eye of Truth canʼt see anything~”

Watching Jacob disappear, King Toma exclaimed in surprise. He possessed a magical item capable of seeing through invisibility, yet even it failed to detect Jacobʼs location. At that moment, King Toma gained a much clearer understanding of Jacobʼs abilities.

”Invisibility?”

”Looks like Laxus is in trouble...”

The Fairy Tail members also guessed Jacobʼs magic and couldnʼt help sighing.

”Heh...”

The members of the Spriggan Twelve, however, simply smiled.

They naturally knew exactly what had happened.

Indeed, this was Jacobʼs Invisibility magic! But unlike ordinary invisibility spells, Jacobʼs magic erased not only his appearance, but also his scent, presence, and very existence. It was an almost flawless form of invisibility.

In Evanʼs opinion, Jacobʼs invisibility was even superior to the powers of the Clear-Clear Fruit or the invisibility provided by Germa 66ʼs Raid Suit. Even ordinary Observation Haki would struggle to detect him.

However, that only applied to ordinary Observation Haki.

Ever since Evan had taught Haki to the talented members of Fairy Tail, and through Laxusʼs relentless training and countless battles against Erza and the others, Laxusʼs Observation Haki had already reached the level where he could briefly foresee the future.

Therefore, Laxus knew very well that Jacob had merely turned invisible. He was still standing somewhere on the arena.

So...

”Thunderstorm!”

Without hesitation, Laxus unleashed a massive lightning spell.

In an instant, dark clouds filled the sky above the arena, and pillars of azure lightning descended, engulfing the entire battlefield.

”Mm!”

The invisible Jacob immediately felt his body go numb.

However, lightning of this level couldnʼt truly injure him.

”Found you~”

Just as Jacob prepared to endure the Thunderstorm, Laxus smiled in his direction.

Indeed, Laxus had never intended to damage Jacob with Thunderstorm.

He had merely used it to locate him.

Being extremely sensitive to lightning, Laxus could distinguish the difference between lightning striking the ground and lightning striking a human body.

”Damn!”

The instant Jacob met Laxusʼs gaze, he knew heʼd been exposed.

”Lightning Dragonʼs Crushing Fist!”

Unfortunately, before Jacob could react, Laxusʼs fist, wrapped in golden lightning, had already arrived before him.

Boom!!

With a deafening clap of thunder, Jacob was blasted backward by the punch.

He lay on the ground twitching as his invisibility disappeared.

”Whoa! That old man suddenly appeared again! Thatʼs amazing!”

Natsu shouted in surprise when Jacob suddenly reappeared on the arena.

”You idiot! Laxus found his weakness and forced him out of invisibility!”

Gray helplessly explained.

”Huh? Really?”

Natsu looked at Gray in confusion.

”Forget it...”

Gray sighed.

”Trying to explain anything to an idiot like you is meaningless...”

At the same time, Gray reflected on himself.

While Natsu was indeed stupid...

Trying to explain things to Natsu made him just as stupid.

”Still want to fight?”

”Your magic is assassination magic. Itʼs completely unsuitable for arena combat.”

”How about we call this match a draw?”

Laxus crossed his arms and arrogantly looked at the fallen Jacob.

He knew that fighting on an arena placed Jacob at a severe disadvantage.

After all, the arena wasnʼt very large.

As long as he used wide-area attacks that covered the entire stage, he would always be able to locate Jacob.

If the battlefield were much larger, however, things would be far more troublesome.

In Laxusʼs opinion, Jacob hadnʼt really lost.

He had merely lost to the rules.

If Jacob had attempted to assassinate him while he was completely unprepared, Laxus wasnʼt certain he would have survived.

”Youʼre strong...”

”But donʼt underestimate me.”

”I can still fight!”

Jacob stared stubbornly at Laxus.

There was no denying Laxusʼs overwhelming strength.

And as Laxus had said, his magic truly wasnʼt meant for arena battles.

But that wasnʼt an excuse to surrender.

Besides...

He still had other magic he hadnʼt used yet.

”Let me show you...”

”My magic!”

”Teleport!”

Jacob immediately cast his teleportation magic on Laxus.

The moment he spoke...

This time, Laxus disappeared from the arena.

”Huh? Laxus disappeared!”

”Did Laxus become invisible too?”

Natsu cried out in shock.

”No.”

”I sensed spatial magic.”

”Laxus was probably teleported away.”

Ur explained calmly after sensing the fluctuations of space magic the moment Jacob activated his spell.

”Exactly.”

”As that young lady said...”

”My Teleportation Magic can send both myself and my enemies into a separate dimension that belongs exclusively to me.”

”Within that dimension, I am the absolute ruler.”

”Everything inside is under my control.”

”Without my permission, no one can escape.”

Jacob smiled elegantly as he explained his magic to Fairy Tailʼs mages.

From his tone alone, everyone could hear his complete confidence.

Apparently, no one had ever broken free from this magic before.

Of course...

That excluded monsters on the level of Magic King August.

”Laxus...”

After hearing Jacobʼs explanation, Freed clenched his fists tightly, silently praying for Laxus.

”Relax.”

”Laxus will definitely be fine.”

Bickslow and Evergreen gently comforted Freed, though they themselves were also worried.

”Well then, Referee...”

”You may announce the result now~”

Jacob smiled at King Toma.

As far as he was concerned, the match was already over.

”Then I hereby declare...”

King Toma nodded and was about to announce Jacobʼs victory.

Boom!!

At that moment, a brilliant bolt of lightning suddenly erupted on the arena.

Immediately afterward...

A portal made entirely of lightning appeared.

Laxus casually stepped out.

”Space Magic: Wings of Lightning!”

”As long as I have enough magic power, I can even cross between worlds.”

”Escaping a mere pocket dimension is nothing.”

Laxus returned to the arena once more.

To deal with spatial mages capable of freely traversing dimensions...

Laxus had prepared a trump card of his own.

”...”

Jacobʼs face instantly turned green.

He had literally just declared that nobody could escape without his permission.

Only for Laxus to walk right back out.

It was a direct slap to his face.

”Heh...”

Jacob merely let out a bitter laugh.

There was far too much helplessness hidden within that smile.

”Oh! Contestant Laxus has safely returned!”

”Then I hereby announce...”

”The match continues!”

King Toma enthusiastically declared into the microphone.

”I surrender.”

The instant King Toma announced the continuation of the match, Jacob calmly raised his right hand.

”Huh?! Astonishing!”

”Contestant Jacob has actually surrendered?!”

King Toma exclaimed in disbelief.

”All my magic has been countered.”

”The only thing left is hand-to-hand combat.”

”No matter how skilled I am physically, Iʼll never defeat a Dragon Slayer.”

”Rather than getting beaten senseless later, Iʼd rather surrender with dignity.”

Jacob calmly looked at both King Toma and Laxus.

At this point...

He had fully acknowledged Laxusʼs strength.

”A wise choice.”

Laxus smiled faintly.

Originally, he had wanted to offer Jacob some words of encouragement.

But by the time they reached his lips...

They somehow came out sounding arrogant instead.

Laxus perfectly embodied the word tsundere.

Perhaps blondes simply couldnʼt escape that fate.

As for Lucy...

Her tsundere personality had long since been polished away after more than a year of surviving in society.

”Then I hereby announce!”

”The winner of the second match is Laxus!”

King Toma declared Laxusʼs victory.

”Laxus won!!”

The moment the result was announced, Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen—the Thunder God Tribe—embraced one another in excitement, cheering joyfully.

In fact...

The three of them seemed happier about Laxusʼs victory than Laxus himself.

And that was indeed the case.

Compared to winning or losing...

Laxus enjoyed the battle itself far more.

”I lost.”

”The enemy is even stronger than I imagined.”

”Their magic is incredibly diverse.”

After stepping off the arena, Jacob helplessly reported to the other Spriggan Twelve.

”Itʼs fine.”

”Donʼt worry about it.”

Bloodman gently comforted Jacob.

Bloodman himself was also a pure warrior who loved combat.

However...

”Come on, Bloodman!”

”Fight me!”

”Donʼt worry! I definitely wonʼt absorb you!”

Just as Bloodman was comforting Jacob, Mirajane had already stepped onto the arena.

She had let down the bangs that were usually brushed upward and tied her long hair into a ponytail.

Once again, she had returned to her delinquent girl appearance.

In that form, Mirajane loudly provoked Bloodman from the stage, urging him to come fight.

”The third match!”

”ʼGod of Deathʼ Bloodman versus ʼThe Demonʼ Mirajane!”

At the same time, King Toma officially announced the third battle.

The entire Fairy Tail guild eagerly anticipated Bloodmanʼs appearance.

”Heh...”

Bloodman merely chuckled coldly.

”I surrender.”

He confidently walked onto the arena, looked down at Mirajane, and calmly announced his surrender.

Thatʼs right.

Since Jacob had surrendered...

He would do the same.

”Huh?!”

Mirajane froze.

She had finally gotten her opponent...

Only for him to surrender immediately.

”What did you just say?!”

She stared at Bloodman in disbelief.

”I surrender.”

”All of my curses are large-scale killing techniques.”

”Besides, Iʼm not suited for sparring.”

”People tend to die.”

”So letʼs forget this match.”

Bloodman sneered inwardly.

He still wanted to keep living for several more years.

He certainly had no desire to become Mirajaneʼs newest absorbed soul.

”Referee.”

”I surrender.”

Ignoring Mirajaneʼs reaction, Bloodman repeated himself to King Toma.

”Uh... O-Okay...”

King Toma was briefly stunned before nodding in agreement.

”Well then...”

”I wish everyone good luck in the remaining matches.”

With that, Bloodman calmly walked off the arena.

”The winner of the third match...”

”Mirajane!”

King Toma announced after Bloodman left the stage.

”...”

Mirajaneʼs eyelid twitched.

Though frustrated, she could only let Bloodman leave.

After all...

Those were the rules.

”Big Sis is amazing~”

”She won without even using any effort!”

Standing below the arena, Elfman and Lisanna watched Mirajane with admiration.

”...Sigh.”

Only Mirajane herself knew...

She wasnʼt satisfied with this victory at all.

After all...

She hadnʼt gotten what she wanted.

”Alright, Mirajane~”

”Hurry and get off the stage.”

”Youʼve already won.”

”Now itʼs my turn.”

Just as Mirajane stood there at a loss, Gildarts stepped onto the arena.

He clearly couldnʼt wait for his own fight.

”Then Iʼll leave it to you.”

Mirajane sighed helplessly before stepping down.

”Now begins the fourth match!”

”ʼWar Queenʼ Dimaria Yesta versus ʼKing of Scumbagsʼ Gildarts Clive!”

King Toma announced loudly.

”Hey, hey!”

”King Toma!”

”Whatʼs with that title ʼKing of Scumbagsʼ?”

”I havenʼt been a scumbag for years!”

Gildarts protested unhappily.

”I refuse to answer your question.”

King Toma immediately rejected him.

After all...

He wasnʼt King Toma.

He was the mysterious Pumpkin Sauce.

”So youʼre my opponent, old man~”

Dimaria wore an extremely revealing outfit.

A crimson bikini barely covered her ample chest, her sexy figure instantly attracting the hungry wolves throughout Fairy Tail.

”Go, Dimaria!”

”Beat that scumbag!”

”Youʼre Fairy Tailʼs future!”

The Fairy Tail members, who should have been cheering for Gildarts, immediately betrayed him the moment they saw the beautiful blonde with enormous breasts.

Compared to her...

Who cared about the so-called King of Scumbags?

”Did you hear that, Gildarts?”

”Even your own guild dislikes you~”

Dimaria smiled with one hand on her waist.

”It doesnʼt matter.”

”As long as you like me, little lady~”

After only a brief glance at Dimariaʼs innocent face and seductive figure...

Gildarts made his decision.

Displaying his seasoned flirting skills once again, he smiled charmingly at her.

”Hmph!”

Dimaria wasnʼt pleased in the slightest.

She immediately activated her magic.

Buzz!

An eerie light enveloped her body.

Instantly...

Everything inside Fairy Tail froze in place.

”Time Magic!”

Yet within Dimariaʼs domain of frozen time...

A number of mages remained completely unaffected.

August.

Irene.

Evan.

And the other monsters standing at the summit of Earth-land...

As well as Ur.

Having mastered Arc of Time, Ur was likewise unaffected by Dimariaʼs temporal domain.

At that moment, Ur stared at Dimaria in shock.

She had never imagined that someone besides herself could wield another form of Time Magic.

Dimaria moved swiftly.

Several flashes of cold light streaked through the frozen world...

Then...

Time resumed.

At the same moment...

Dozens of cuts suddenly appeared across Gildartsʼ already tattered clothes.

His outfit became even more ragged than before.

”What just happened?!”

”Gildarts got attacked?”

”So fast!”

”I couldnʼt see anything!”

To everyone else...

It looked as though Dimaria had merely glanced at Gildarts, and his clothes had been shredded.

”Understand now?”

”First your clothes.”

”Next will be your body.”

”So hurry up and surrender.”

”Youʼre no match for me.”

Dimaria smiled confidently.

”Is that so?”

Gildarts merely responded with a gentle smile.

Rip~

The instant Gildarts finished speaking...

Dimariaʼs clothes and armor suddenly exploded apart like flower petals scattering through the air.