Genesis Zero

The resounding countdown echoed in everyone's minds, steady and resolute.

Everyone unleashed their magic simultaneously, and bursts of magical energy erupted at the same moment, blasting towards their respective core Magic Crystals.

Lucy waved the key, the golden magic circle lit up, Taurus Taurus appeared as summoned.

He raised the giant axe, taller than a man, with both hands, his muscles bulging and veins popping, and with a roar, he cleaved the axe blade into the core Magic Crystal.

The crystal shattered at the axe mark, scattering fragments like hailstones.

Erza donned the Purgatory Armor and gripped the Infernal Sword in her hand.

She stomped her feet hard, transforming into a dark red streak of light as her greatsword slashed horizontally.

The sword emitted a sharp hiss the moment it sliced through the core Magic Crystal, and the crystal neatly split in two from the cut surface, then shattered into countless crystal fragments.

Gray clasped his hands together to gather magic power. The icy blue magic power spun rapidly in his palms, spreading a chill and causing the temperature to plummet. A thin layer of frost covered the stone slabs beneath his feet.

He suddenly spread his hands apart, and an ice hammer larger than his body materialized out of thin air, its surface covered with intricate ice crystal patterns.

He gripped the handle with both hands, raised it high above his head, and slammed it down. The moment the ice hammer collided with the core Magic Crystal, a ring of icy blue shockwave exploded, shattering the crystal into dust within the shockwave.

Jura his hand and pressed his palm down, causing the earth to tremble, the stone slabs beneath his feet to crack, and the soil to surge.

A thick pillar of earth rose from the ground, the pillar, covered in soil and gravel, resembling a giant fist, pushing upwards into the bottom of the core Magic Crystal.

The crystal was pushed off its base, tumbled in the air, and was then smashed by the second pillar of earth from the side, with fragments embedded in the soil.

Wendy leaned back and inhaled, her cheeks puffed out. The magic surging from her small body was not to be underestimated. The magic of the Sky Dragon churned and compressed in her chest cavity, carrying a sharp wind pressure.

She suddenly opened her mouth, and her roar transformed into a thin, rapid column of wind that pierced through the core Magic Crystal. A fist-sized hole was drilled in the center of the crystal, and cracks spread outwards from the hole. Moments later, the entire crystal shattered with a crash.

Natsu feigned an attack to distract Wu, his fists flaming as he aimed a punch at Wu's face before turning and charging toward the core Magic Crystal, his fingers almost touching its cool surface.

[Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame]

He clenched his fists together, and blazing flames erupted from between them, carrying a scorching stream of air as they hurtled toward the core Magic Crystal.

Without raising his hand, a purple magic circle appeared in his palm, from which dark magic power poured out.

[Darkness Devours ]

He opened his dark domain, like an invisible giant maw, swallowing Natsu's blazing flames whole. The flames struggled for a few moments in the darkness before extinguishing, leaving not even a trace of heat behind.

The core Magic Crystal remained intact, its eerie blue light still pulsating quietly, as if mocking Natsu's futile efforts.

Natsu was extremely anxious, his teeth grinding together, but he couldn't break through Wu's blockade.

Every time he tried to get around it, Wu was like a moving wall, precisely blocking the way between him and the core, not even letting him touch the hem of his clothes.

Boom~

The core Magic Crystal suddenly shattered.

It wasn't shattered by Natsu; fragments flew in all directions, and the eerie blue light went out abruptly the moment it broke.

Without turning his head, he saw Riyao standing smilingly where the core Magic Crystal had been, his dragon tail swaying leisurely behind him, holding a crystal shard in his hand as if admiring a work of art.

When did that guy arrive?

"You bastard! Die!"

Wu's rage erupted instantly, and dark magic poured out from his body, more intense than ever before. The air became thick and heavy, as if it had been filled with black mud.

[Genesis - None]

He gathered all his dark magic power and unleashed Darkness Impact was powerful enough to distort space and time, turning the place where the Riyao into absolute nothingness.

Dark green energy tentacles surged from Wu's palms, like countless hungry pythons, twisting and writhing as they attacked the Riyao. Wherever they passed, the stone slabs were corroded with scorched grooves, and the air hissed.

Energy tentacles wrapped around Riyao's ankles, rapidly climbing up his legs and enveloping him inch by inch. Dark green light swallowed his waist, chest, and shoulders.

Natsu stared wide-eyed as he watched the Riyao's figure being devoured bit by bit by the tentacles, his heart clenching as if by an invisible hand.

When the energy tentacles disappeared, the Riyao also vanished, leaving not even a trace of clothing behind.

Natsu's eyes widened in fury, his pupils contracted sharply, and he let out a hoarse roar.

"You bastard! What did you do to Riyao!?"

His anger reached its peak, and the dormant power within him was like a fuse that had been lit.

The Dragon Force emanated uncontrollably from the depths of his body, and magic surged beneath his skin, scorching and violent.

Dragon scales appeared on his body, spreading from his arms to his shoulders, and climbing up his neck to his cheeks. Hot white steam surged beneath the scales, making him look like an enraged dragon cub, radiating scorching heat.