Chapter 167: Kana & Rhodes vs. Laxus

The shimmering, ripple-like door was likely created by an illusion magic circle. Rhodes guessed it was Mest's doing. But as soon as he saw the person behind them, he realized it was a figure with golden hair, wearing a coat.

Kana's eyes widened, "Laxus!"

At least the guy's coat was finally season-appropriate.

"It's you two," Laxus scratched his head, looking impatient. "You're really late, Kana, and... who was it again?"

Kana was furious, "Laxus! Don't be so rude!"

"Huh? Rude? With so many random people in the guild, am I supposed to remember each and every one of them?" Laxus said with a provocative expression.

Rhodes couldn't help but laugh. This guy had a talent for getting under people's skin, probably on par with Tatsuya.

With these self-absorbed types, the easiest way to retort was just to say, "You're right, guild master's grandson."

But there was no need for that.

He was here for an exam, not to squabble. The more arrogant the examiner, the better.

"Just explain the rules. If it's too hard, we might just give up, and save you the trouble."

"Rhodes?" Kana was surprised that Rhodes was able to hold back.

But thinking about how he was doing all of this for her exam, she couldn't help but feel a bit ashamed.

"I thought about it and realized it would be difficult to find any weaknesses in the S-Class wizards' abilities, so instead, why not take advantage of their personality flaws?

For example, Erza tends to be overly serious at times, sometimes even naive. Mest doesn't want people to see his face. And Laxus... is arrogant."

These were Rhodes' words to her a few days ago, and now it seemed that things were going according to plan.

Still... it made Kana angry that her companion was being looked down upon.

That damn Laxus!

"You sure are surprisingly sensible," Laxus gave him a sidelong glance. "Since it's the old man's request, I'll go ahead and explain the rules."

"There's a flag up there." Laxus pointed above them. "And there's a magic circle behind me. If either of you two manages to get the flag and stand in the magic circle, then you've passed."

Rhodes frowned — that sounded tough.

The area behind Laxus seemed like a narrow valley, similar to "Thread of Sky" or "Huarong Road," a terrain where one person could hold off thousands.

The flag he mentioned was stuck on the right cliffside, about ten meters above ground.

To reach the magic circle, they would need to get through the dozens of meters-long narrow path behind him.

With Laxus's lightning magic being as fast as it was, they could be attacked at any moment, even if they got the flag.

So instead of just getting the flag, it was more like...

Laxus looked at the troubled expressions on the two's faces, smiling with satisfaction. "That's right. Unless you defeat me, you won't be able to do it!"

Rhodes frowned. That wasn't entirely true — if it were Mest, this task could be completed in a second.

Now, he was starting to suspect that the guild master had rigged the test in favor of Mest. With teleportation magic, it was basically cheating.

Laxus continued, "But to defeat me... hmmph, hahaha... can you two even manage that? Hm?"

"Don't underestimate us!" Kana took out a handful of cards, spreading them like a fan.

"Hahaha..." Laxus showed no concern at all. "Let me be clear: if we're fighting, I won't hold back. You can still surrender while there's time."

"Summon, Crimson Beak Birds! Ancient Stone Beetles!"

Eight creatures in total — a set of stone beetles and a set of Crimson Beak Birds — appeared, lining up in front of Rhodes.

A trace of surprise flashed through Laxus's eyes. "Oh? A swarm tactic? How boring."

Kana threw all the cards she had in her hands into the air. "It's time to put an end to that smug look of yours!"

Laxus moved a few steps casually, letting the dozen or so cards, gleaming with golden light, fly past him and embed themselves in the ground.

He twisted his neck. "All these years, and still no progress, Kana."

"Feathers of Fury!"

The Crimson Beak Birds flapped their wings, shooting dozens of feather daggers. The birds themselves charged forward.

"Nice shooting, but too weak!" Laxus waved his hand, arcs of golden lightning slashing through the feathers, reducing them all to ash. As for the birds charging at him, Laxus punched the largest one away, kicked another smaller one, and lightning shot through his leg, electrocuting three others in the process.

The last remaining bird was quickly approaching the flag on the cliffside.

"Too naive!" Laxus, as if deliberately showing off his speed, moved like a bolt of golden lightning, and in the blink of an eye appeared in front of the bird, kicking it down.

"Now's our chance!" Kana shot three cards at Laxus in mid-air:

"Starlight Brilliance!"

"Fountain of Prayer!"

"Fate's... Thunder Strike!"

The first card exploded, releasing a blinding flash like a flashbang; The second card shot out countless water blades, aiming at Laxus while he was disoriented by the flash; The third card fired arcs of lightning, targeting Laxus, who should have been wet from the water blades if they didn't injure him.

In Kana's mind, Laxus wasn't a Dragon Slayer wizard — using lightning against a lightning-type wizard shouldn't be an issue.

To be fair, it was a strong combo. Most wizards wouldn't be able to react mid-air and would be easily taken down. This combo would be a reason to celebrate.

But Laxus was clearly no ordinary wizard, which was why Rhodes summoned another set of Crimson Beak Birds for a volley attack.

He also summoned a set of Shadow Wolves, two of them spinning in tandem to charge forward, while a two-headed wolf launched itself with a spiraling attack.

Fang Over Fang! Twin Fang Attack!

"Takeover: Crimson Beak Bird!" Rhodes leaped into the air, flapping his wings to fly.

"This kind of lightning — who do you think you're mocking?" Laxus was irritated that they dared use lightning against a lightning wizard.

He shrugged off his wet coat, his body erupting with lightning, once again turning all the incoming feathers to ash.

Laxus lifted his knee upward, striking the two-headed wolf on the chin.

Lightning surged through its body, scorching the wolf's fur, and the two-headed wolf fell, trailing black smoke.

He then swung his elbow downward, striking two normal wolves, electrocuting them until they were charred black.

Only after that did Laxus land on the ground. By this time, Rhodes had grabbed onto the flagpole with bird talons, pulling the flag from the cliffside.

"!?" Laxus noticed Rhodes's movement and felt a flash of anger. "You damn brat, are you underestimating me that much?!"

"Nice one, Rhodes!" Kana fired two more cards, "Sun's Blaze! Emperor's Wind Blade!"

"Enough!" Laxus swung his right arm back, bright lightning swallowing up both the flames and wind blades, even reaching towards Kana behind him.

"Ahhh!!!" Kana let out a scream as the lightning struck her.

Rhodes took advantage of the moment to dive towards the magic circle.

Laxus turned and took a step, only to have a card at his feet shatter, freezing him in place in a block of ice.

Kana, her hair slightly singed, smiled, "Reaper's Ice Pillar."

However, as soon as the ice pillar formed, it shattered. Laxus turned into a bolt of lightning, intercepting Rhodes, and kicked him in the stomach.

Rhodes flew backward, sliding across the ground. When he got back on his feet, he was already back by Kana's side.

Laxus held the flag now, pressing it into the ground as he said each word clearly, "I said, enough."

Laxus's entire body crackled with lightning, even his mouth and eyes seemed to emit electric sparks.

That stance was like an enraged thunder god.

Kana checked on Rhodes, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Rhodes released the takeover magic. "Sorry, I was so close."

"It's my fault for not holding him off." Kana wasn't discouraged and drew a few more cards. "This guy is definitely not easy to deal with."

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Most of Kana's magic names are derived from tarot cards.

I don't fully understand what each tarot card represents, so I've tried to make up names based on the style in the manga. If any are inappropriate, please correct me.