Chapter 41 : Victory??

A mage's combat style essentially involves initial assessment, followed by devising a countermeasure. Victory or defeat is then swiftly determined.

This was clearly depicted in the animation. Observing Natsu and the others initially struggling, but after identifying their opponents' weaknesses and devising targeted strategies, Natsu, Erza, and the rest would exclaim "We are Fairy Tail!" before unleashing a barrage of attacks, swiftly defeating their enemies.

Because mages are ultimately human, even with various defensive measures, the most common magical shields have limits to the damage they can endure.

Hence, dragon slayers like Natsu are highly sought after. As long as the power gap isn't too vast, he can absorb the opponent's attacks and replenish mana at a rapid rate. His relentless onslaught is like crashing waves, gradually wearing down his opponent until they can't endure any longer.

However, Everit isn't a dragon slayer; he's just an ordinary mage.

He doesn't possess any exceptional abilities, perhaps the only notable quality is his keen observation skills.

After all, a magician who relies on deception and occasionally performs street magic wouldn't survive without sharp observation skills!

In the recent series of battles, Everit had actually managed to discern Jose's attack patterns quite accurately.

This included details like casting speed, power, physical and magical consumption, as well as attack habits for his various spells.

These nuances would be crucial in defeating Jose.

But the current problem lies in the fact that this black mist magic is incredibly troublesome.

Dispelling this black mist consumes a significant amount of Laxus's magical power.

And even if dispersed, it tends to return within a short period.

So, the decisive battle can't take place within this dark mist.

The question now is: How can they lure Jose out of the black mist?

Apart from Laxus, there's only one option left.

Everit lowered his gaze to Revolver Tier.

The revolver with its black background and gold trim looked quite impressive.

It had been by his side for a long time.

But in reality, using it against enemies on Galuna Island had proven somewhat challenging.

Now, facing Jose, it seemed almost futile.

Though he hated to admit it, Tier, his trusted companion for so long, was nearing its end.

"Laxus, your health bar exceeds Jose's," he remarked.

"What do you mean?" Laxus frowned.

"Follow my lead."

With that, Everit drew the cane sword, Haven. He held the gun in his left hand and the sword in his right.

"Hi la la la la."

Laxus was enveloped in lightning and charged towards Jose.

"Are you feeling desperate?" Jose sensed Everit's movement.

This boy, who would fuss over keeping his clothes clean even in battle, must have decided to take a risk now that he had drawn a sword for close combat.

He dared not be careless, balancing his resistance against Laxus with one hand while controlling magic with the other to assail Everit.

"Don't underestimate me!" Laxus roared in frustration.

Attempting to defend with just one hand was proving too much!

"Thunder Dragon's - Collapse Fist!"

"Dead Wave!"

Jose's pressure intensified greatly.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, he unleashed a massive bombing attack on Everit.

"Shade Arrows!"

Within the swirling purple-black magic circle, hundreds of ghostly arrows were unleashed in rapid succession.

Everit had mastered Jose's mode of magical attack, but even armed with this knowledge, executing a perfect counter was no easy feat.

He alternated between dodging the bomb blasts and deflecting the arrows with Haven. If evasion wasn't an option, he had to rely on Haven to intercept the arrows.

"Laxus! Can't you muster more power!"

Enduring the opponent's magical onslaught and maintaining proximity was not Everit's forte.

"You bastard!" Laxus gritted his teeth, dragon scales emerging on his arms.

"The Mystery of Dragon Slaying——"

"Crying Thunder!!!"

Dragon-slaying magic surged forth at full power.

Even Jose's resolve wavered in the face of this onslaught! He had to muster all his strength to withstand Laxus.

Finally, Everit seized an opportunity to draw near!

"Damn!" Jose sensed the imminent danger. Being an old scoundrel, he immediately sought to retreat.

But Laxus was relentless in his pursuit.

'Kakaka'

Everit's Tier first returned to its upright position, then veered left three times and right six times before activating the final effect -

self-destruction.

He hurled Tier directly towards Laxus.

Laxus already anticipated Everit's intentions, yet he intercepted Tier nonetheless.

And then, self-destruction commenced.

Jose sensed the onset of powerful and chaotic magical fluctuations.

"No!"

Jose recoiled in horror, hastily erecting a magical shield to fend off the terrifying magical explosion.

"I won't let you have your way!"

"Jaws of the Thunder Dragon!!!"

Laxus charged towards Jose with reckless abandon!

"You're risking your life!" Jose yelled.

'Boom'

Laxus' right fist, trailing thousands of lightning bolts, slammed hard against Jose's shield.

"Kacha!"

The shield cracked!

Laxus seized the opportunity and tore open the shield! At the same time, Tier's gun body expanded, and it's magic power exploded.

Boom!

The earth shook, the sea boiled, and the black fog was completely dispersed by a huge mushroom cloud! Two black shadows emerged from the smoke.

One descended diagonally, and the other ascended diagonally.

"Gray! Natsu!" Everit shouted.

"Ah——" Gray roared, squeezing out all his magic power!

"Ice Make Geyser!"

Boom!

Huge icicles erupted from the ground, freezing the ascending black shadow! "Don't underestimate Fairy Tail!" Natsu bellowed.

"Dragon Slayer's Art——"

"Red Lotus - Explosive Flame Blade!!!!"

The flames of the fire dragon wrapped around his arms. Natsu stepped on Gray's icicle and soared into the sky, wielding the flame blade ferociously. The fiery slash shattered the icicles mercilessly and struck Jose forcefully.

Pfft!

Jose spurted blood and was sent flying backwards!

"Erza!"

Everit called out.

Erza, having just defeated Aria, was already prepared. Upon hearing Everit's words, she immediately cast her magic.

"Requip!"

"Purgatory Armor!"

Clad in jet-black steel armor and wielding a giant serrated sword, Erza leaped high and slashed with her sword!

"Ahem, damn it!" Jose could only temporarily raise his hand. He had almost no time to cast a spell, but he had to put up as much defense as he could muster!

"Death Storm!"

"Ah!"

Erza roared angrily and slashed through the Death Storm with her sword.

A massive explosion sent the two hurtling away.

Boom!

Jose crashed hard into the ground.

First, he was hindered by Tier's self-destruction, and then he was assaulted by Gray, Natsu, and Erza.

Even Jose was gravely wounded!

He struggled to rise.

Thud!

Everit appeared before him.

Jose's pupils contracted sharply, and he instinctively raised his right hand to halt him.

The young man lifted his lips in pride, hoisting a long sword high before bringing it down with force!

'Pfft.'

A gaping wound stretched from his left shoulder to his thigh, blood gushing forth freely.

His shattered right hand fell limply, striking his face, yet Jose could scarcely feel the pain anymore.

'Shua!'

Everit brandished a beautiful snow-white sword before sheathing it with grace.

'Wow!'

A colossal figure surged through the waves, none other than Guild Master Makarov returning in haste.

But alas, he arrived a beat too late.

Surveying the guild members, though all were wounded, none had died.

He let out a sigh of relief, his gaze finally settling on Everit, a look of gratitude etched across his features.

'Wow.'

Laxus pushed aside the rubble, sitting up and shaking his head, feeling somewhat despondent.

He, too, bore the scars of battle.

As Makarov beheld his grandson's woeful state, a pang of anguish flitted across his visage.

"..."

Everit turned his head slightly, a twinge of embarrassment creeping over him, only to catch sight of Mirajane, poised at the edge of the distant cliff, holding a glass of crimson sparkling water with ice, offering him a dignified smile.

****

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