You're Strong

The scorching sun beat down over the scorched earth.

Lu Chongwei watched the figure swaying unsteadily but refusing to fall, his brow furrowing slightly.

Ryujin Jakka was already sheathed in his hand, and the terrifying aura that seemed capable of burning the heavens had faded with it.

"Why?"

Lu Chongwei asked, baffled.

"This is only a trial, not a fight to the death. In your current condition, if we keep going, you'll die."

He couldn't understand why Laxus was so stubborn. That stubbornness went beyond a desire to win or lose; it was more like he was fighting against some invisible fate.

"Cut... the crap..."

Laxus panted heavily. Blood ran from his forehead into his eyes, stinging fiercely, but he kept his gaze fixed on Lu Chongwei.

"As long as I can still stand... I haven't lost!"

Lu Chongwei fell silent for a moment, then sighed.

"What a stubborn bastard."

He let go of the hilt and spread his hands, showing he was unarmed.

"I've run out of magic, too."

Lu Chongwei lied. Even after using Shikai, his spiritual pressure was still abundant. But facing an opponent he respected, he chose to answer him in the most straightforward way.

"Now we're just two ordinary people who can't use magic."

Lu Chongwei stepped forward, one step at a time, and clenched his fists.

"If you want to fight, then let's settle it with our fists!"

A glimmer of light flashed in Laxus's murky eyes. Gritting his teeth, he forced his foggy mind to clear and clenched his battered fist as well.

"Just... what I wanted!"

"Raaagh!"

Laxus let out a beastlike roar and charged, dragging his heavy body forward.

Beneath the sunlight, the two figures collided on the devastated island.

There were no dazzling magical effects, no earth-shaking explosions.

Only the dull thud of fists striking flesh.

"Thud!"

Lu Chongwei punched Laxus in the face. Laxus staggered back, blood running from the corner of his mouth, but he didn't make a sound. Instead, he swung back and punched Lu Chongwei in the chest.

"Thud!"

Lu Chongwei grunted as pain flared in his chest, but he didn't retreat. Instead, he closed in and drove an uppercut into Laxus's stomach.

They fought like a pair of thugs brawling in the street, trading punches and kicks without any technique, driven only by sheer force of will.

Sweat and blood sprayed across the scorched earth.

Laxus's vision grew blurrier and blurrier. Each breath felt like a knife twisting in his lungs. But he kept swinging mechanically, getting knocked down again and again, then staggering back to his feet each time.

"Why... won't you go down?"

Lu Chongwei panted heavily. His left leg had also gone numb from taking one of Laxus's kicks head-on.

"Because..."

Laxus roared and threw a punch that missed. He lost his balance and pitched forward, but used the momentum to slam his head hard into Lu Chongwei's shoulder.

"Because I don't want to be that old man's grandson anymore!!!"

That furious roar seemed to drain every last bit of strength from him.

Lu Chongwei froze.

So that was it.

Is this the demon in your heart?

Lu Chongwei looked at the bloodied man before him, a trace of respect in his eyes.

"If that's the case, then sleep."

Lu Chongwei took a deep breath and sidestepped Laxus's feeble punch. Then he clenched his right fist, gathered all his strength, and slammed it into Laxus's chest.

"Thud!"

That heavy blow was the final straw.

Laxus's body stiffened for an instant, and the light in his eyes finally faded away.

He slowly toppled backward and crashed to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

This time, he didn't get back up.

Lu Chongwei stood in place, gasping for breath, his chest heaving violently. He looked at Laxus on the ground and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"You're strong, Laxus."

Lu Chongwei spoke softly, his voice full of genuine respect.

"Both in strength and in will."

At those words, Laxus's fingers twitched slightly where he lay. He gazed up at the blue sky, and his eyes suddenly grew moist.

It wasn't the pain of defeat, but the relief of finally being acknowledged.

"Tch... a loss is a loss..."

Laxus's voice was weak, but a bitter yet relieved smile tugged at his lips.

"Next time... I'll win it back."

Lu Chongwei smiled, stepped forward, and held out his hand.

"I'll be waiting."

Laxus looked at the offered hand, stayed silent for two seconds, then reached out with his trembling hand and grasped Lu Chongwei's.

Lu Chongwei pulled hard, hauling Laxus up from the ground.

The two exchanged smiles. Though they were battered and bruised, a bond between them had quietly formed in that moment.

Just then—

"Rumble—"

The ground shook.

Two enormous figures charged out from the edge of the forest.

"Stop!!!"

Makarov's anxious shout rang out.

When he and Gildarts arrived and saw the two standing shoulder to shoulder, the magic they had been ready to unleash died in their throats.

"Uh... is it over already?"

Gildarts scratched his head. He looked at the landscape, which seemed to have been struck by a meteor, then at the two men—battered, but clearly reconciled—and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Looks like we worried for nothing."

Makarov returned to his usual short stature and walked over to the two. Seeing Laxus covered in injuries, a flash of heartache crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by relief.

"Hmph. You've made quite a mess of yourselves."

Makarov kept a stern expression, but his tone had softened considerably.

He surveyed the surroundings and the battlefield, which had been almost completely leveled, then cleared his throat and announced loudly:

"Given your current condition and the fact that this site has been damaged beyond further use..."

"I hereby cancel the second round of the trial!"

"The winner of this S-Class Mage Promotion Trial is—"

Makarov looked at Lu Chongwei, his eyes full of praise.

"Lu Chongwei!"

Hearing the result, Laxus showed no resentment. He simply turned his head away and snorted.

"Congratulations, Lu Chongwei."

Gildarts came over and clapped Lu Chongwei hard on the back, making him grimace in pain.

"Becoming an S-Class Mage means you'll have to shoulder greater responsibilities."

Makarov walked up to Laxus and looked up at his tall grandson.

"You did well, too, Laxus."

"You lost this time, but that doesn't mean you're weak. I'll be waiting for you at next year's trial."

Looking into his grandfather's encouraging eyes, Laxus felt the hard wall in his heart crack, just a little.

"You're so annoying, old man."

Laxus turned his head away, hiding the moisture in his eyes.

"Next year... I'll become an S-Class Mage and show you all!"

"As for Lu Chongwei..."

Laxus looked at Lu Chongwei and clenched his fist.

"I accept my loss to you this time."

"But don't get too comfortable. One day, I'll knock you flat!"

Lu Chongwei grinned, showing a row of white teeth.

"Anytime."

The sun sank in the west, stretching the four men's shadows long.

Amid the ruins, Fairy Tail welcomed its newest S-Class Mage.