Victory!

A mage's fighting style was basically to probe first. Once they had a countermeasure, victory or defeat would be decided in a very short time.

It was especially obvious in the anime. Natsu and the others might look like they were at a severe disadvantage at first, but once they identified the enemy's weakness and came up with a targeted strategy, Natsu, Erza, and the others would shout, "We are Fairy Tail!" Then they would unleash a burst of attacks and instantly defeat the enemy.

That was because mages were still human. Even though everyone had their own defensive methods, even the most common magic shields had a limit to how much damage they could withstand.

That was why Dragon Slayer Mages like Natsu were especially prized. As long as the gap in strength was not too great, he could lock his HP, recover mana rapidly, and clash head-on with increasingly powerful waves of attacks until his opponent could no longer endure.

Ifrit was not a Dragon Slayer Mage. He was merely an ordinary mage.

He did not possess any exceptional abilities. At most, his observation skills were a little better.

After all, a mage who made a living through deception and moonlighted as a street magician would not be able to make a living without sharp observation skills!

It was about time—

During that series of battles just now, Ifrit had already roughly grasped Jose's attack patterns.

That included the casting speed, power, stamina and magic consumption of his various spells, his attack habits, and so on.

Those subtle details would become the key to defeating Jose.

But the key issue now was—

This black mist magic was troublesome.

Dispelling the black mist would consume a massive amount of Laxus's magic.

And even if they dispersed it, it would return in a very short time.

Therefore—

The final battle could not take place inside the black mist.

Then what method could make Jose leave the black mist?

Excluding Laxus, there was only—

"..."

Ifrit lowered his head and looked at the revolver, Till.

The black revolver with golden trim looked incredibly cool.

This gun had accompanied him for a long time.

But back on Galuna Island, it had already begun to struggle when facing enemies.

Now, against Jose, it could practically no longer be of any use.

Though he really did not want to say it—

Till 6.0, which had accompanied him for such a long period, was going to be retired.

He said, "Laxus, your HP bar is longer than Jose's, right?"

"What do you mean?" Laxus frowned.

"Follow my commands."

After saying that, Ifrit drew Hani. He held the gun in his left hand and the blade in his right.

Crackle, crackle, crackle—

Laxus was covered in golden lightning as he charged straight at Jose.

"Are you going all out?" Jose sensed Ifrit moving.

That brat who was even afraid of getting his clothes dirty in battle had drawn a sword meant for close combat. He must have intended to gamble everything on one desperate strike.

Jose did not dare lower his guard. One hand defended against Laxus while the other controlled magic to attack Ifrit.

"Don't underestimate me!" Laxus said angrily.

Trying to defend against him with one hand was going too far!

"Lightning Dragon's Fist!"

"Dark Spiral!"

The pressure on Jose surged.

Meanwhile, he launched a wide-area bombardment against Ifrit.

"Ghost Arrows!"

From the purple-black Magic Circle, hundreds upon thousands of Ghost Arrows fired out in an endless stream.

Ifrit had already grasped Jose's magical attack patterns, but even knowing the answer did not make it easy to write out a perfect solution.

He switched to the Wind Blast chamber. He dodged whenever he could, and when he could not, he could only use Hani to cut down the Ghost Arrows.

"Laxus! Can't you put in a little more effort?!"

Charging headlong through the enemy's magical bombardment was not Ifrit's specialty.

"Bastard!" Laxus gritted his teeth as dragon scales appeared on both arms.

"Dragon Slayer Secret Art—"

"Roaring Thunder!!!"

Dragon Slayer Magic unleashed at full power.

Even Jose's heart trembled at the sight!

He had no choice but to resist Laxus with all his strength.

Ifrit finally found an opportunity to close in!

"Damn it!" Jose sensed the danger. He was, after all, an experienced veteran, and immediately tried to pull away and retreat.

But Laxus desperately held him back.

Click, click, click—

Ifrit turned the cylinder, first resetting it, then rotating it left three times and right six times before unlocking the final chamber effect—

Self-Destruct.

He directly threw Till at Laxus.

Laxus already knew what Ifrit intended to do, but he grabbed Till in one hand.

Self-Destruct activated.

Jose sensed the powerful, chaotic fluctuations of magic.

"Not good!"

Jose's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly activated a magic shield, trying to defend against the terrifying magical explosion.

"As if I'd let you!"

"Lightning Dragon's Jaw!!!"

Laxus charged at Jose like a madman!

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?!" Jose roared.

Boom—

Laxus's right hand dragged countless bolts of golden lightning as his fist slammed viciously into Jose's shield.

Crack—

A fissure appeared in the shield!

Laxus seized the chance and tore the shield apart!

At the same time, Till's body swelled as magic power erupted.

Self-Destruct!

Rumble—

The earth shook, the sea boiled, and the black mist was completely dispersed by an enormous mushroom cloud!

Two black shadows were blasted out of the smoke.

One flew diagonally downward, while the other flew diagonally upward.

"Gray! Natsu!" Ifrit shouted.

"Ah—" Gray roared as he squeezed out every last bit of magic power!

"Ice-Make: Ice Spring!"

Boom—

A massive pillar of ice burst from the ground, freezing the black shadow flying upward!

"Don't underestimate Fairy Tail!" Natsu roared.

"Dragon Slayer Secret Art—"

"Crimson Lotus Exploding Flame Blade!!!!"

The Fire Dragon's flames coiled around his arms. Natsu ran up Gray's ice pillar into the sky, swung his flaming blade, and unleashed a ruthless fiery slash. He shattered the ice pillar without hesitation and slammed the attack hard into Jose's body.

"Puh!"

Jose spewed blood as he continued flying backward!

"Erza!"

Ifrit shouted.

Erza, who had just defeated Aria, had long been prepared. Upon hearing Ifrit's words, she immediately cast her magic.

"Requip!"

"Purgatory Armor!"

Clad in pitch-black steel armor and wielding a massive serrated blade, Erza leaped high into the air and slashed down!

"Cough, cough, damn it!" Jose could only raise a hand in haste. He had almost no time to cast a spell, but he had to give it everything he had, no matter how much defense he could muster!

"Death Storm!"

"Ah!"

Erza roared and cleaved Death Storm apart with one strike.

The massive explosion sent them both flying.

Boom—

Jose smashed violently into the ground.

First, his defenses had been shattered by Till's Self-Destruct, then he had suffered the successive attacks of Gray, Natsu, and Erza.

Even Jose had been severely wounded!

He struggled to rise.

Tap—

Ifrit appeared before him.

Jose's pupils suddenly contracted. He instinctively raised his right hand to block.

The young man curled his lips into a smug smile, raised his blade high, and slashed down viciously!

Slash—

A massive wound ran from Jose's left shoulder to his thigh, blood gushing wildly from it.

His severed right hand fell and struck his own face, but Jose could no longer feel the pain.

Swish—

Ifrit spun the blade in a stylish flourish before sheathing it.

Splash—

A giant waded through the waves. Guild Master Makarov had returned.

But clearly, he was one step too late.

He looked over every guild member. Though they were all injured, no one had died.

He let out a sigh of relief, then finally looked at Ifrit, his face filled with gratification.

Crash—

Laxus pushed away the rubble and sat up. He shook his head, looking somewhat dejected.

He too had practically become a half-bloody mess.

Seeing his grandson in such a miserable state, a trace of heartache flashed across Makarov's face.

"..."

Ifrit turned his head slightly in embarrassment, only to see, by the distant cliff—

Mirajane held a glass of iced red Sparkling Water and gave him a graceful smile.

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