I'm confident I can beat you

I turned around and saw Gadjeel standing there, a challenging gleam in his eyes.

"Oh, it's you, Gadjeel. I thought you didn't care about me because I'm too weak, no?"

"I've changed my mind," he replied with a smirk. "I've heard you've gotten stronger, and your power will soon equal mine."

At that time, Gadjeel wasn't yet a Phantom Lord S-rank mage.

"Well, why not? But not here."

"So where do you want us to fight then?"

"I suggest the forest. It's a place where we can destroy everything without any problem," I said, hoping to avoid the master's watchful eyes.

"Alright, but it's a pity no one will see me fighting you there."

"Don't be so sure, Gadjeel. I'm confident I can beat you."

We walked to the forest and faced each other, ready for the battle.

"Ready to lose, Jade?"

"I should be asking you that," I retorted.

We both assumed fighting stances, and Gadjeel launched the first attack.

"Howl of the steel dragon!" he shouted, sending his attack straight at me.

I blocked it with a dome of light, smoke billowing around me. Seizing the opportunity, I threw balls of light at him, which he deftly dodged.

"Not bad, but it's not with this that you'll get me."

"Are you sure about that, Gadjeel?"

Hundreds of balls of light appeared above him. I directed them towards him, causing a massive explosion that destroyed several trees and filled the area with smoke. I couldn't see Gadjeel through the thick haze.

I don't think this attack will be enough to defeat him.

"Gadjeel, I know my attack didn't do anything to you. Show yourself!"

"Yes, you're right. It was a sneaky tactic," he said, emerging unscathed.

"Let's get down to business now," I said, excitement tinging my voice.

"Yeah, enough playing," he agreed, rushing towards me. I matched his pace.

"Sword of the steel dragon!"

"Sword of Light!"

Our attacks collided, neither of us yielding. After a few seconds, we both backed up a few feet.

"You've got plenty of fight in you, Jade."

"And you haven't seen anything yet," I said, summoning arrows of light around me while holding my sword.

"You can do that too? This is going to be interesting."

With each swing of my sword, a dozen arrows flew towards Gadjeel. At first, he managed to dodge, but after a few minutes, my attacks began to land, pushing him back.

"Enough joking around. I'm getting seriously fed up. Steel dragon armor!"

Gadjeel's body transformed, steel scales covering him. He charged at me, my arrows of light barely scratching his new armor.

"Oh, that wasn't planned."

He closed the distance between us, his steel-covered fist aimed at me.

"Steel Dragon Fist!" he shouted, his attack breaking through my light dome and sending me crashing into nearby trees.

"You wanted it, Gadjeel. Angel of Light mode!" I summoned my katana and drew it from its scabbard.

My appearance changed as pure white wings sprouted from my back, my eyes turned golden, and I was enveloped in light. I rushed at Gadjeel, our fists colliding and creating a shockwave that forced us both back.

"I didn't think you were hiding such strength. I thought I had already won."

"Well, you haven't seen anything yet. But it's time to end this, Gadjeel."

"Yes, you're right. It is time to end this fight. Anti Dragon Secret Technique: Karma Demonic Steel Spiral," he said, charging at me.

"Secret Technique of the Angel of Light," I responded, my katana glowing brightly as I lunged at Gadjeel.

Our attacks clashed again, but this time, I had the upper hand. Gadjeel was pushed back a few feet.

"This is the end for you," I said, focusing my magical energy into my katana.

It glowed even brighter, and I struck Gadjeel, sending him flying backward.

"As I said, it's over."

I moved closer to Gadjeel and saw that he was no longer in his steel dragon mode.

"Well, Gadjeel, I thought you were stronger than that."

"I admit defeat this time, but next time, I will win."

"We'll see about that next time then," I said, making my katana disappear and returning to my normal appearance.

I helped him up.

"Let's become friends, Gadjeel."

"Yeah, why not? So I can fight you whenever I want."

"Well, that's a good start."

And that's how a year passed. Some time after I beat Gadjeel, Juvia became my friend. Gadjeel and Juvia often did missions with me. I now had the power of an S-rank mage and was known as the Angel of Phantom Lord. I even got into Sorcerer Magazine and was one of the top ten mages people dreamed of having as a girlfriend. But for now, Gadjeel was heading toward me to talk.

"Hi, Jade."

"Hi, what are we doing today?"

"I suggest we try to become Phantom Lord S-rank mages."