Flames from the earth. Lightning from the heavens.
In an instant, the two forces collided.
BOOM!!!!
A deafening explosion shook the plains as shockwaves erupted outward, flattening the grass beneath them.
Scattered embers and golden arcs of electricity Rayneed down, igniting the earth like firecrackers—leaving behind a field of smoldering craters.
Even the onlookers in the distance had to shield their faces from the blast, though none dared to look away.
Their eyes burned with the afterimage of crimson and gold.
The stalemate between the fire dragon and the storm didn't last long.
With his boosted magic power—doubled by the enhancement—Rayne had pushed himself to a level rivaling Laxus's.
And with the combined feedback from the Red Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet and Kanna's draconic essence, even his raw magical energy carried an overwhelming, tyrannical force.
A force that surpassed even Dragon Slayer magic.
The cascading thunder couldn't extinguish it. Instead, the flames surged upward, defying the storm.
The crimson "dragon" roared silently, its maw tearing through the thunderclouds.
Though its form grew faint afterward, the sheer dominance of that phantom beast left the spectators trembling.
"Impossible!!!"
Laxus's voice cracked with disbelief. His carefully charged spell—shattered by a single punch?!
CRACK—
A brittle sound reached his ears. Laxus glanced down just in time to see Rayne rip apart the lightning chains binding his legs with brute strength alone.
That absurd, barbaric display made Laxus's pupils shrink.
He'd never seen anyone counter magic like this.
Every battle he'd fought had been magic against magic.
But this boy?
He fought with nothing but raw power and reinforced magic—like a human-shaped monster.
The sheer impact of it sent a jolt of fear through Laxus—yet his blood burned hotter in response.
No matter how much he denied it, the Dragon Lacrima inside him made him a Dragon Slayer.
And like a beast, he craved battle.
Fear and fury clashed within him—until his pride as Makarov's grandson, as a mage of Fairy Tail, crushed the hesitation.
"DON'T FUCK WITH ME!!! I'M LAXUS DREYAR!!!"
His roar shook the air as golden magic erupted around him like flames.
Muscles bulged beneath his torn shirt, veins throbbing with power.
The arrogant demeanor he wore in the guild was gone.
Now, there was only the hunger to win.
The only way to conquer fear was to face it head-on.
If he feared close combat with Rayne, then he'd break him in it.
"Whoa! What's happening to Laxus?!"
"His magic's going wild!!"
"These two are insane…"
"Did Rayne really push him this far?"
"Hah! Even Makarov wasn't this strong at their age."
The crowd buzzed with excitement, their eyes glued to the spectacle.
"Laxus…"
Makarov's expression darkened with concern.
"Abandoning his strengths, huh?"
Gildarts stroked his stubble, sighing.
Laxus's "Lightning Dragon's Raiment" was a close-combat spell—coating his body in lightning to enhance his physical abilities to monstrous levels.
But…
"The problem is, the guy in front of him is an even bigger monster."
Gildarts' gaze flicked to the little girl in Carol's arms.
Kanna's tail swayed slightly, her face blank—as if she were watching something mildly interesting.
Or perhaps… something edible.
"Hoh~"
Rayne grinned, sensing Laxus's blazing fighting spirit.
BOOM—
Without a word, they charged at the same time, the ground quaking beneath them.
A crimson streak. A golden flash.
BANG!!!
Their fists collided, compressing the air between them into a visible shockwave.
"QUIT LOOKING DOWN ON ME!!!"
Laxus snarled when he noticed Rayne wasn't even using his gauntlet.
Rayne didn't answer. The sheer force of the impact sent pain shooting up his arm, bones vibrating from the recoil.
But the pain only fueled him further.
The flames in his eyes burned brighter.
His magic, resonating with his emotions, churned like molten lava inside him.
Crackle…
Faint golden sparks flickered along his skin—but against Laxus's storm, they went unnoticed.
"Hah—"
A scorching breath escaped Rayne's lips.
For a split second, Laxus swore he saw a dragon's shadow behind the boy.
But the thought vanished as Rayne pulled back his fist and swung again.
Laxus met it head-on.
BOOM!!!
The second impact was heavier. The ground beneath them splintered.
"He's getting stronger?!"
Laxus gritted his teeth, pouring more magic into his muscles.
"I WON'T LOSE!!!"
He retaliated with another punch.
"HAHAHA—MORE!!"
Rayne laughed wildly, his strikes growing heavier with each blow.
BOOM!!!
BOOM!!!
BOOM!!!
Fists like warhammers.
Each collision sent shockwaves rippling through the earth, cratering the battlefield.
The crowd stood frozen, mesmerized.
This wasn't a battle between mages anymore.
It was something primal.
A clash of beasts.
And yet—
No one could deny the thrill burning in both fighters' eyes.
The heat of their struggle made even the onlookers' blood boil.
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