Second Origin

The journey between Riyao and Floating Island is a two-way one.

He accelerated at full speed and soon collided head-on with the giant floating Magic Crystal island.

[Life Mimicry - Azure Dragon]

Riyao stood directly in front of the floating island, its dark green dragon scales emerging as it spread its arms wide, using all its strength to hold the island back.

The dragon's claws dug deep into the edge of the floating island, its ten fingers gripping the rock, but the island's inertia was too great, only slowing its speed.

Gajeel lay on the island, gripping the stones on the ground with both hands, watching Riyao struggle alone.

"Hey, Riyao, what do we do now?"

"What to do? Just stall them."

Riyao gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead.

"I can't fly, can I?"

Gajeel shrugged, indicating that he was powerless to help.

"Where's that black cat? Still not convinced? Are you even capable?"

"I subdue cats with virtue, not with fists."

Panther Lily squatted nearby, looking conflicted, unsure whether his stance was right or wrong, his claws unconsciously leaving several scratches on the ground.

Natsu and his friends flew out of the palace at that moment, sitting on a Legion. Natsu stood on the Regios and Riyao to the Legion.

"Riyao! We're here to help you!"

Can you fly?

"Well..."

Natsu looked down at the Legion at his feet and scratched his head.

Soon we won't have to worry about this anymore, as the Magic Crystal Floating Island will be connected to the Floating Island of the Exceed Race.

Natsu and the others all jumped down, standing between the two islands as a buffer.

Erza turned her head and asked, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Why not smash the Magic Crystal?"

"There are still Magnolia residents inside. Releasing them would only cause more trouble, so it's better to keep them here."

Mirajane then flew over, his Satan Soul wings unfurling behind him, joining the struggle against the floating island and holding it back on the other side.

Erza stared speechlessly at Riyao, her lips twitching slightly.

"Then why was Mira released?"

Riyao whistled, turned his head away from Erza, his golden eyes darting around.

Mirajane gave a wicked smile, his eyes slightly raised.

"My husband spoils me rotten."

Erza, feeling rebuffed, pursed her lips into a thin line, ignoring the two of them, and turned to continue pushing the floating island.

Led by the Queen, the entire Exceed race charged forward to join the struggle.

With hundreds of cats pushing together, although each cat wasn't very strong, their sheer number caused the floating island to visibly slow down.

It's also possible that the floating island's kinetic energy has decreased.

"Looks like these ugly cats have finally realized their mistake."

Riyao took a breath, a hint of mockery on his lips.

Hearing this, the cats nearby twitched at the corners of their eyes, and almost lost their grip on the floating island.

That's so hurtful, how could you say that about a cat?

Riyao froze for a moment, then let out a muffled groan, his brows furrowing sharply, as if something inside him had exploded.

To put it more vividly, it's like a force you've never felt before gushing out from deep within your body, spreading along your meridians to every part of your body.

Mirajane looked over, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

"No, it seems like my Second Origin has activated..."

Even Riyao himself was somewhat surprised, looking down at his hands that gleamed with a green light.

"That's great." Mirajane breathed a sigh of relief, a smile playing on her lips.

Riyao's body underwent another change, his dragon transformation becoming more pronounced. Dark green dragon scales spread from the back of his hands to his shoulders, and denser patterns appeared on his dragon horns. His aura suddenly rose to a new level.

Just as they were about to exert their strength to push the floating island back, the Magic Crystal on the island vanished, as if wiped away by an invisible hand.

Mystogan appeared riding a dragon, his cloak fluttering in the wind.

"I arrived just in time and sent everyone in Earth-land back. The Magic Crystal will return to its original state over there, so don't worry."

A group of flying cats cheered and jumped for joy, somersaulting in the air and hugging each other.

"We have successfully protected Extalia!"

Mystogan removed his mask, revealing a face identical to Jellal's, and looked at Lily with gentle eyes.

"You saved my life. It's wonderful that you were able to protect your hometown."

Lily nodded, his voice low and solemn.

"Yes, thank you so much, Your Highness."

Lucy's eyes widened and her mouth formed an "O".

"Prince?!"

Everyone was immersed in Joy when Edolas Erza caught up on her dragon, her short hair flying in the wind, her eyes filled with madness.

A laser beam shot out from the Ten Commandments Spear, piercing through Lily 'Lily chest and exiting from his back.

"It's not over yet! It's not over yet!" Her voice was hysterical.

Riyao finally came to his senses. His emerald green vertical pupils suddenly contracted, and he instantly flew to Lily's side, placing his hands on the wounds, from which emerald green healing light poured out.

The wound was repaired in an instant, and flesh regenerated at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Damn, in the short time I was distracted, someone... the cat got hurt."

Mystogan a long sigh, turned to Erza with short hair, and spoke in a calm and authoritative voice.

Do you intend to turn your swords against me, the prince of this kingdom?

Erza, with her long hair standing beside her, paused for a moment. A prince? Jellal is a prince? Her eyes were filled with confusion.

Short-haired Erza glared at Mystogan, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the Ten Commandments Spear.

A familiar sound rang out, coming from all directions and echoing in the sky.

"Haha, you're a prince? Don't embarrass yourself."

"I stopped considering you my son a long time ago."

"You disappeared for seven whole years without a trace, and you still dare to come back? You have no shame whatsoever."

"I knew all along you were shutting down Anima all over Earth-land; you've already betrayed your country!"

Coco spoke up, her voice sounding somewhat nervous.

"That's the king's voice."

Riyao listened for a while, then his emerald green eyes narrowed slightly.

"Isn't that the old man's voice?"

Natsu looked around and sniffed, but he couldn't find the source of the sound.

Where is he? I can't find him.

Gray looked around as well.

They shouldn't be among us.

Erza, with her long hair, kept staring at Mystogan, as if trying to confirm whether it was Jellal from Earth-land.

After all, Jellal has changed his identity before, so it's good to be cautious.

Seeing Erza's state, Riyao's mind began to stir.

If it were Jellal of Edolas, that wouldn't be a problem either.

But wouldn't this be considered a form of stand-in literature?

Mirajane tilted his head, wondering what was going through Riyao's mind.

"What are you thinking about? Your smile is a bit lewd."

Everyone was searching for the king, and multicolored lights began to appear on the ground, growing brighter and brighter.

A giant metal egg slowly rose, its surface covered with dense magical runes, radiating a suffocating magical aura.