The Gap Is Too Wide

"Cheating…cheating!"

"Unbelievable!" Pantherlily's eyes and those of Happy went wide in shock.

"Seriously?" Orga's face paled.

Rufus glanced between Sting and Rogue. "I don't recall any technique like that ever being used before."

Natsu met Sting's gaze—and for the first time, Sting felt a flicker of something long buried: fear.

"Master Sting…" Lector's body quivered, tears welling in his eyes.

Chapati: "What on earth is happening here?! Sabertooth's Twin Dragons are being overwhelmed by Fairy Tail's duo?!"

Rogue roared, charging at Gajeel—only to be shoved aside with effortless strength.

Both Sting and Rogue attacked in unison, but every strike was met and countered by Natsu and Gajeel. Even Makarov, watching from the stands, muttered in disbelief, "Has just three months of training made them this powerful?"

Yakima: "The strength difference is staggering."

Chapati: "Who could have predicted this turn? Sabertooth's champions are helpless before Fairy Tail! Is this contest already decided?!"

"Impossible," Pantherlily mumbled. "I never imagined it would end like this."

Su Tan nodded thoughtfully. "Fairy Tail's era of hardship—facing Oración Seis and Grimoire Heart—shaped them into true fighters. They've sparred with foes at every level."

"When Natsu first returned, he was outmatched by Makarov himself. His magic had to relearn this era's limits. Their power was raw, unrefined."

"But after three months of relentless training, Natsu and Gajeel have grown immensely."

Sting and Rogue rose slowly, supporting themselves on trembling limbs.

"How can this end like this?" Rogue panted.

Sting pressed a hand to his chest. "I… I had no idea their power could be so high. But I won't lose… not in front of Lector."

A luminous white glow surrounded Sting; shadows darkened Rogue's form.

Lector: "What magic is this?"

Pantherlily: "Dragon Power?!"

Minerva smiled knowingly. "Behold the Third Generation Dragon Slayer's birthright: the power to manifest a dragon's might at will."

Sting straightened, confidence flaring. "Stand back, Rogue—I can handle them myself now."

Chapati: "Remarkable! Sting goes from disadvantage to solo challenge!"

Yakima: "He certainly looks confident."

Gajeel cracked his knuckles. "Confidence or not, we'll see who stands."

Natsu watched Sting gather his energy. "This feels…different. Stronger."

In a flash, Sting charged. His fist, encased in white light, crashed into Natsu's guard, driving him backward. Gajeel's legs transformed into iron rods, sweeping low—forcing Sting to duck. Sting immediately countered, firing a shard of glowing energy at Gajeel's face.

Natsu recovered quickly, lunging in to land a solid punch—but Sting caught his fist midair, pinning him in place before driving a knee into Natsu's gut. With a casual flick, he sent Natsu hurtling toward Gajeel. The two collided, and Sting soared upward on a powerful kick.

"The Holy Breath of the White Dragon!" he thundered.

BOOM! The arena floor cracked beneath the shockwave.

"Gajeel!"

"Natsu!"

Levy and Romeo cried out in horror.

Broadcast: "The match continues! Watch the magic crystal relay for more!"

Beneath the rubble, ancient ruins lay scattered—remnants of a battlefield long forgotten.

Natsu rolled to his feet on a fallen slab, flames flaring around his boots. "Fire Dragon's…Flame Claws!" he roared, rocketing at Sting.

"Ha! Iron Dragon's…Crushing Storm!" Gajeel unleashed a torrent of iron dust from his mouth. The blast slammed Sting into a ruined wall, but he staggered up again.

Sting's eyes gleamed with white fire. "The glory of the White Dragon purifies all!" He thrust both hands forward.

"Holy Rain of Light!" A cascade of luminous energy rained down on Natsu and Gajeel.

They crumpled beneath its brilliance.

"Ugh—!"

"Light magic?!"

"Is that the Holy Familiar spell?"

Pantherlily and Happy watched in shock. Even Droy and Jet looked grim and tense.

Chapati: "No denying it—Sting is overwhelmingly strong!"

Sting stood victorious over the fallen pair. "Lector," he called out, voice ringing with triumph, "you once said I would surpass the dragons. Today, I've fulfilled that promise."

He raised his arms in victory as Natsu and Gajeel struggled beneath him.

But Natsu's fiery eyes blazed with defiance. Rogue knelt beside Gajeel. "Times change," he proclaimed. "We've honed our skills for seven years. The old era's over. Even you can't stop us—"

"Stand up, Natsu!" Lucy urged through tears.

"This is only the beginning!" Natsu growled, flames igniting once more under his feet.