Chapter 68 : Laxus vs Gajeel!!

Mirajane understands. Today's battle seemed unavoidable. If Laxus was allowed to act recklessly, it could spell trouble for the guild and might lead to serious consequences.

"A Game." Mirajane thought to herself. This must be Everit's plan. He'd managed to persuade both Laxus and the Guild Master to talk, giving the estranged grandfather and grandson a chance to communicate after years of misunderstanding. 

Everit seemed to be the type to take control, someone who could steer a potentially disastrous situation into something more positive. 

Mirajane blinked in surprise.

Laxus, Mystogan, and the Guild Master—they all had their reasons for getting involved in this battle.

Everit must have his reasons too, and it's probably because—

This proud mage has his own way of protecting the guild.

Mirajane remembered him saying once, "Magic doesn't need to be understood by others, and mage don't need anyone's approval."

But Mirajane knew that magic wasn't the only amazing thing in life. There had to be someone who would applaud the mages at the right moment.

On their way to the hospital, Alzack and Elfman supported each other. Suddenly, a cheerful voice came from the shop nearby.

"Ah, Fried's out too? I guess that leaves only me," said a woman in a green dress, which emphasized her slender figure. She walked out of the shop holding a fan, gently fanning herself.

Alzack and Elfman exchanged cautious looks as they watched her approach. This was Evergreen, a powerful wizard wearing glasses. 

"Evergreen, it's over!" Alzack said warily. "Bickslow has been defeated by Gray, Freed by Mirajane, and even Everit couldn't hold out."

Evergreen shrugged, "It's not over as long as Laxus is still in the game. No one can beat him."

"Are you still resisting?" Elfman asked. Before he could say another word, Evergreen struck him with a powerful blast, sending both him and Alzack flying.

Evergreen wasn't just skilled at petrification magic—where direct eye contact with her could turn you to stone—but she could also use word magic, fairy magic, and flying magic. 

The sheer force of her magic, combined with the power to detonate finely ground scale powder, made her a dangerous foe.

Alzack cleared his throat, reluctantly standing up. But as soon as he lifted his head, his gaze locked with Evergreen's, and he instantly turned to stone.

"Evergreen, you're pushing it!" Elfman roared, his magic transforming him into a hulking beast of a man.

Evergreen looked him over with a teasing grin. "Elfman, huh? Your name's kinda cute for someone so... manly."

But Elfman wasn't interested in banter. Having used Take Over magic and taken over the soul of the Beast King, his senses—vision, smell, and hearing—were heightened to incredible levels.

He ripped a piece of cloth and tied it around his eyes.

"Afraid if you gaze upon my beauty, you'll be too entranced to fight?" Evergreen taunted.

"Evergreen, I won't hold back!" Elfman charged at Evergreen.

But she had wings sprout from her back and leaped into the air. "Think you can track me by scent? Good luck with that—Fairy scales are already everywhere around you."

"You can't see them, and even your keen nose can't detect danger."

"Elfman, scream like a girl!" she shouted with a cruel laugh.

Suddenly, the air was filled with tiny, shimmering scales, and a series of explosions followed—Boom, boom, boom!

"Arghhh—!" Elfman screamed as he was sent flying by the blast, hitting the ground hard.

"Water Magic: Constriction!" a voice cried from behind. A water mage wrapped Evergreen in a swirling sphere of water.

"Open! Gate of the Bull—Taurus!"

"Mooo!" A massive cow with a double-sided ax emerged from a portal and slammed the water sphere with the flat side of his ax, scattering water everywhere and squishing Evergreen like a bug.

Thud.

Evergreen landed on top of Elfman, both of them sprawled on the ground.

"Ah, no, this is bad!" Lucy quickly covered her mouth, her cheeks turning a shade of red.

"Miss Lucy, you..." Juvia was also blushing furiously. 

"What a touching gesture!" Taurus exclaimed. "I'm envious!"

"Okay, okay, just go back," Lucy said, dismissing Taurus before things got too embarrassing.

Elsewhere...

Elfman was sprawled on his back, while Evergreen, wearing a skirt, lay face down on top of him. Fortunately, both were unconscious. Well, at least they seemed to be.

Elfman quietly turned his head to the side. He couldn't see Evergreen's face, but her ears were so red they looked like they were about to bleed.

Lucy and Juvia rushed over to separate the two. This wasn't a good look for anyone.

At the Kardia Cathedral...

Laxus sat on the steps, looking grumpy. It was rare to see him like this.

"Did Fried, Bickslow, and Evergreen all lose?" he asked himself.

"Did you lose, too, Everit?" 

"Why did you lose?"

"What happened?" 

Suddenly, a voice called out, "They're not the only one who loses! You will get your turn soon."

Laxus glanced up, turning toward the cathedral entrance.

A figure stepped into the light.

It was Gajeel.

He clenched his fists, staring at the magical circle behind Laxus.

There was someone there—Levy.

"I've only recently joined the guild, so I don't know the whole history between you and the others," Gajeel said, walking forward, his magic energy flaring.

"I know you're the master's grandson, and maybe, like Natsu said, you have your reasons. But that doesn't excuse what you're doing."

Levy, turned to stone, stood behind him.

"I'm here to save her. Let's go!"

Laxus burst into laughter, his hand covering his face. After a moment, he lowered his hand, revealing a face twisted with displeasure. "This is what our guild is reduced to, Only Talking!"

With a loud crash, he swung his attack at Gajeel.

"This time, I'm not holding back!" Gajeel jumped out of the way.

"Forget it, before a real powerhouse shows up, let's see how you handle this—"

"Thunder's Cry."

The sound of thunder shook the room as Laxus launched his attack.

"So fast!" Gajeel was caught off guard. Laxus's assault felt overwhelmingly more intense than his fights with Natsu, which had left them both battered and bruised.

Though they were both Dragon Slayers, the difference in power was staggering. Gajeel found himself at a massive disadvantage.

The Iron Dragon faced off against the Thunder Dragon.

And the power gap was clear.

In just a few moves, Gajeel couldn't keep up with the speed and ferocity of Laxus's attacks. He couldn't strike back, outpaced and overwhelmed. He was getting pummeled like a punching bag, utterly outmatched.

"You only have this much strength, and you still dare to talk about saving Levy?" Laxus taunted. "What makes you think you have the right to say that?"

Another blast of thunder smashed into Gajeel, sending him flying out of the cathedral, crashing into a nearby house.

Gajeel struggled to rise from the wreckage, his body battered.

Laxus glanced at him with contempt and tossed another bolt of lightning his way.

Gajeel fell again, hitting the ground hard.

Laxus turned his back, walking toward the steps. "If you try to get up again, it'll be your end."

****

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