Chapter 70.1 : Laxus vs. Makarov (1)

"Sleep, Erza!"

"Sacred Song!"

The intense burst of magic sent shockwaves through the room.

Mystogan wielded his staff, unleashing a barrage of powerful spells without restraint.

"Requip!"

"Adamantine Armor!"

Erza quickly changed into her Adamantine Armor, known for its exceptional magical resistance. It could even withstand Mystogan's sleep magic to a degree.

However, mere resistance wasn't enough!

Erza took a deep breath, bracing her stance as she lifted the two massive semicircular shields, resisting the magic's effect while charging toward Mystogan.

Seeing her approach, Mystogan swiftly retreated and launched a volley of magical blasts at Erza.

With a fierce yell, Erza switched into her Purgatory Armor, enduring the attack and lunging forward, slashing toward Mystogan with her massive sword!

'Boom boom boom'

The sound echoed through the cathedral, which had become a battleground.

These mages wielded destructive power at the highest level. For them, ordinary structures weren't much more durable than sheets of paper, and the cathedral quickly began to crumble.

"Natsu!" Gray shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.

Natsu roared and charged forward, with Gajeel right behind him.

Gray stayed calm and focused, keeping himself protected while supporting the two Dragon Slayers as they launched their assault.

Despite being outnumbered, Laxus managed to hold his ground against the combined onslaught from the trio.

Time seemed to flow like sand slipping through a clenched fist, and in the blink of an eye, several minutes had passed.

In the cathedral's Park Plaza, large craters had formed from the fierce battle, which slowly began to settle. 

The once grand structure was now on the brink of collapse, with debris scattered everywhere. Despite the devastation, the fighting spirit of the Fairy Tail mages remained strong.

"Heh heh..."

Erza caught her breath as she saw Mystogan gripping his staff, his strength ebbing away.

"What do you mean, Mystogan?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.

"The battle isn't over yet, Erza," he replied, tightening his grip on his staff.

Erza straightened, ready to fight again. "Looks like the only way to get you to talk is to knock you down completely."

Just then, the noise inside the cathedral faded away.

'Tap'

'Tap'

'Tap'

A figure, short but imposing, walked up from the end of the street. The setting sun cast a long shadow that stretched toward the cathedral's shattered entrance. It was Makarov, the Guild master of Fairy Tail.

He approached with fists clenched, his expression calm yet serious.

Inside the cathedral, Natsu, Gray, and Gajeel were down, though clearly not by choice. They looked frustrated and beaten.

Laxus, meanwhile, was covered in cuts and bruises. His upper clothing had been ripped to shreds, exposing his muscular torso. He sat on a collapsed pillar, elbows resting on his knees, his head bowed as if deep in thought. There was a hint of anger in the air around him.

Makarov reached him.

Laxus glanced up with a smirk. "So this is Fairy Tail, huh? The strongest guild, brought to its knees by a handful of people?"

Makarov sighed. "Laxus, you can't understand the truth that I understand. I wanted to avoid this battle, but sometimes, like Everit said, some things can only be resolved with fists."

Laxus chuckled. "That guy said it? The one who never uses fists?"

"He's right," Makarov replied. "Sometimes, you have to fight."

Laxus stood, his tone filled with sarcasm. "Yeah, I guess it's easy for an old man who should've retired ages ago to say that. But let's see if you're strong enough to lead the guild."

And with that, the battle erupted with sudden ferocity.

Makarov was on a different level from the likes of Natsu and the others.

Gray had felt the intense pressure from Laxus earlier, but it was nothing compared to what Makarov could unleash.

Makarov, being one of the Ten Wizard Saints, knew a wide array of magic and had decades of combat experience.

In every way, Laxus was outmatched. The only advantage he had was his youth and his strength as a Dragon Slayer.

Of all the magic he wielded, Makarov's specialties were Giant magic and light magic. The former gave him incredible physical power, while the latter could unleash devastating magical attacks.

Laxus couldn't stand showing any weakness. His entire body was covered with dragon scales, especially his elbows, which were as tough as steel. 

He was practically impervious to magical attacks, charging straight at Makarov and engaging him in a brutal hand-to-hand brawl.

"Old man, is this really all you've got?" Laxus taunted with a crazed grin, his punches getting heavier and more relentless.

"Laxus, I'm getting old," Makarov replied, taking a step back. He was having a hard time keeping up—Laxus had grown a lot over the years, and his magic had evolved from the days when he was just an unruly child. It was now wild, ferocious, and dangerously powerful.

Was it his magic that had made his personality this way?

The mind shapes magic, and magic shapes the mind.

Laxus...

Ever since he was a kid, Makarov had always believed in him, but now he couldn't help but doubt if there was any way back for him. Was he too far gone?

Makarov's thoughts spiraled into confusion and guilt—he felt like a failed grandfather. He couldn't even be sure if he could bring Laxus back from the edge.

"Hahahaha!" Laxus laughed with a sinister tone. "Fight back, old man, you're not even putting up a real fight."

"Forget everything else, Laxus, you are not strong enough!" Makarov's eyes narrowed as he readied himself for the next attack.

'Boom!'

Makarov's strikes became fiercer, surprising Laxus.

"Hahaha!" Laxus wasn't fazed; he wasn't scared of getting hurt. He unleashed his magic to its fullest, every strike echoing like thunder.

'Boom boom boom!'

The entire town could hear the commotion.

Sometimes there was lightning; other times, it felt like a giant was stomping around.

The fight sent shockwaves through the earth.

"Old man, you should've changed your ways a long time ago!"

"The Phantom Lord Guild has been provoking us for years. If I were the Guild Master, I would have crushed them much earlier!"

Laxus roared.

"All these years, everywhere I go, people talk about Fairy Tail—"

"Makarov is too old!"

"Fairy Tail has no future!"

"Fairy Tail is nothing but chaos, no better than a Dark Guild!"

"Why hasn't this guild been shut down!"

"Why?! Old man, tell me why! Fairy Tail is supposed to be the most respected guild on the entire continent. How dare they say things like that!"

****

Support me on my patreon and read upto 15 early chapters.

https://www.patreon.com/AniScout