The pre-battle meeting last night.
In the dim room, Laxus stood with his arms crossed, facing Mavis head-on, his gaze incomparably resolute.
"First Master, leave Jura to me in tomorrow's final battle."
Mavis looked at him and slowly tried to persuade him.
"Jura is one of the Ten Wizard Saints and extremely powerful. Sending Lu Chongwei gives us the best chance of winning."
"I know."
Laxus refused to yield an inch, his tone stubborn.
"But I have to defeat him myself. I don't want to live forever under someone else's halo. I want to prove Fairy Tail's strength with my own fists!"
He did not wish to borrow anyone else's power and insisted on personally facing this Ten Wizard Saints powerhouse.
Moved by the determination in his eyes, Mavis ultimately granted his request.
The scene returned to the present.
The three members of the Thunder God Tribe sat in the stands, each brimming with confidence.
"Laxus is invincible!" Freed clenched his fist, his face filled with fervor.
"A mere Ten Wizard Saints Mage is absolutely no match for Laxus!" Bickslow loudly echoed.
"Laxus will definitely win!" Evergreen wore a proud expression, utterly convinced.
Crocus, the city's magic library.
The ancient building was filled with precious magic tomes.
The surroundings were utterly silent, quiet enough to hear a pin drop.
Following Mavis's prediction, Lu Chongwei had arrived here ahead of time.
Sitting before a wooden table, he idly flipped through ancient books as he quietly waited for his opponent to arrive.
Twenty minutes later.
Creak—
The heavy doors were slowly pushed open, and Rufus stepped into the library.
Having just shaken off his pursuers, he planned to rest here and regroup.
But when he looked up and clearly saw the figure at the table, his entire body instantly stiffened as if