Ten Wizard Saints vs. Ten Wizard Saints (I)

Mavis floated down to Makarov's side, put her hands behind her back, and blinked her emerald green eyes.

"Speaking of which, where exactly did we find Jiang Bai back then, this kid from the third generation?"

Makarov stroked his beard, a look of reminiscence crossing his face.

"Years ago, I left the guild to travel the world. In a small border town, I felt a burst of magical energy. I happened to run into him and Erza. Seeing that the two kids were helpless, I took them back to the guild. In a way, I just picked them up by the roadside."

This matter was common knowledge in the magical world of the Kingdom of Fiore back then.

After news spread that Fairy Tail had found an unparalleled prodigy, the guild leaders of various guilds were filled with regret, and a strange "travel craze" even swept through the magic world.

Whether it's Bob of the Blue Pegasus or Obaba of the Lamia Scales, they would frequently venture into remote and impoverished areas, hoping to find a promising talent like Jiang Bai in a garbage dump or a dilapidated temple. In the end, they gained nothing except for adopting a bunch of ordinary homeless orphans.

Mavis dangled her bare little feet, her voice full of admiration.

"This kid is really remarkable. Back on Tenrou Island, he actually managed to fight the Black Dragon King Acnologia head-on, and even dominated him the entire time."

Makarov said with some surprise.

"First Generation... you witnessed everything that happened on the island back then?"

"Of course, I was secretly watching everyone the whole time."

The mere mention of the Black Dragon King weighed heavily on Makarov's chest.

"Seven years have passed, and that dragon's strength has probably increased considerably. If that guy comes knocking again..."

The rest of the sentence was left unsaid, but Mavis was well aware of the old man's stubbornness in being willing to risk his life to protect his family.

Mavis smiled and gently patted Makarov's head with her small hand.

"Don't worry about that kid, third generation. No matter how much stronger the Black Dragon King has become in these seven years, his progress will never match Jiang Bai's."

Makarov was taken aback.

"The meaning of 'first generation' is..."

"No one but the child himself knows exactly how much he has grown in these seven years."

Mavis stood with her hands behind her back, her long golden hair swaying gently in the breeze.

"According to Jiang Bai's exact words at the time, from now on, I am the only one who reigns supreme in heaven and earth."

On the other side of the stands, Sting leaned against a stone pillar, arms crossed, listening to the cheers erupting for Fairy Tail, and let out a cold snort.

"Tch, what's with all the shouting? It's just that it's not our turn to step up yet."

Rogue stood in the shadows, his tone indifferent.

"In the end, they are just remnants of the old era who have been mired in decadence for seven years; they are hardly a new threat."

Sting tilted his chin up, his blond hair gleaming brightly in the light.

"What Ten Wizard Saints Mages, what defeat of the Oración Seis? Those achievements back then were simply because we were too young to participate. The current top leadership on the continent should have been replaced long ago."

In the center of the arena, Jiang Bai steadied himself, looked up, and nodded at the referee.

"Alright, stop dawdling and let's get started."

The Pumpkin -headed referee waved his arms and shouted the order.

"Activate the barrier! Pumpkin!"

Four stone pillars, inscribed with high-level defensive runes, rose from the ground at the four corners of the arena.

With a soft hum, an incredibly thick, semi-transparent magical barrier suddenly opened, like a giant glass inverted over the entire battle area, completely separating the arena from the surrounding audience seats.

Many ordinary people in the stands pointed and whispered, their faces full of confusion.

What are they doing?

"Why was the arena suddenly sealed off?"

The Pumpkin -headed referee wiped his cheek and loudly explained into the megaphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please be patient, Pumpkin!"

"This is a defensive fortification set up by the organizers to ensure everyone's safety. Next up are two of the top Ten Wizard Saints Mages on the continent. Once the aftershocks of the battle spread, the ordinary stands simply cannot withstand it, Pumpkin!"

Jiang Bai glanced at the barrier light screen with flowing runes and chuckled.

"Actually, erecting such a barrier is completely unnecessary; why bother with all that trouble?"

"Anyway, with me here, the fight won't affect the audience."

Jura his hands together in prayer.

"Your Excellency Jiang Bai, this is also the organizer's painstaking effort."

The Pumpkin Man confirmed that the barrier's energy was stable, and then suddenly raised the red flag in his hand.

"Everything is ready! Now, the competition officially begins, Pumpkin!"

The huge bronze bell above the stands was struck with tremendous force.

"Clang--!"

The melodious and powerful sound of the bell echoed throughout the entire arena.

Almost at the same instant the bell rang, Jura's robes suddenly bulged.

Seize the opportunity!

There were no formalities, and no intention whatsoever of testing the waters.

Jura his right index and middle fingers together to form a sword-like gesture, locking onto Jiang Bai's position.

The powerful and profound magical energy within his body poured down along his meridians, flowing into the depths of the earth through the soles of his feet.

Boom!

The bluestone slab beneath Jiang Bai's feet, along with the foundation beneath it, instantly crumbled.

More than ten massive, dark brown rock pillars, thicker than a person could hug and with sharp, cone-shaped tips, rose from the ground, carrying immense power, and pierced towards Jiang Bai in a triangular formation!

An ordinary mage would be blasted away on the spot by the overwhelming pressure alone.

Jiang Bai stood still, his right hand in his pocket, his left hand in front of him, and his eyelids slightly raised.

The incredibly hard, dark brown rock pillar suddenly stopped less than an inch from Jiang Bai's chest.

The momentum of moving forward seemed to have crashed into an invisible and intangible wall of bronze and iron.

The immense propulsive force from behind not only failed to propel the rock pillar forward, but instead caused it to explode instantly under intense pressure.

A series of crackling sounds rang out as more than ten steel-like rock pillars crumbled inch by inch from their front ends, turning into a shower of pebbles and sand that slid down Jiang Bai's side without even touching a single piece of his clothing.

The audience erupted in cheers.

"It's blocked!"

"The stone pillar shattered without even lifting a hand!"

"Is this absolute defense? It can't even break through the attacks of the Ten Wizard Saints?"

Jiang Bai patted non-existent dust off his shoulders and looked at the bald, muscular man in front of him.

"Jura, you seem really excited."

Jura maintained her sword-finger gesture with both hands together, a powerful yellow magic flowing between her palms, and there was no sign of discouragement on her forehead.

"Of course! To be able to fight Lord Jiang Bai again has been my greatest wish for the past seven years."

"Ever since my defeat years ago, I've known all too well just how vast the gap is between us, and I've been training relentlessly every single day for this moment."

Jiang Bai's lips curled into a slight smile.

"Oh? So now you feel like you've reached the same level as me?"

Jura's expression was remarkably frank, and he shook his head without hesitation.

"I have never had such an arrogant thought. Your realm is like the bright moon hanging high in the sky. I have cultivated diligently for seven years, just to see how close I can get to you!"

In the stands, at the Lamia Scale rest area.

Sherria clasped her hands to her chest, watching the battle below with some tension.

"Mr. Jura's attack just now had a magical fluctuation far exceeding his usual practice, yet he couldn't even touch the hem of Jiang Bai's clothes?"

Lyon leaned against the stone wall, arms crossed, calmly analyzing the situation.

"Don't make a fuss, that's Jiang Bai."

"Even before the Tenrou Island incident seven years ago, Jiang Bai was recognized throughout the kingdom as the pinnacle of individual combat strength. Mr. Jura was well aware of this; that move just now was merely a greeting."

Obaba slammed her cane on the ground and shouted loudly.

"Stop with the formalities Jura! Show me what you've got, and give that old woman a good beating!"