The Last One, S-Class

"You're totally cheating!" Qian Guang frantically backed away, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. This was way too unfair—how could he suddenly recover to full health in the middle of a fight?

Qian Guang thought of the "Lightning Burst" Laxus had fired into the sky earlier. Looking at it now, that thing definitely had not been some ordinary Lightning Burst. The situation was incredibly bad.

"That's nothing compared to your little tricks. Come on, got anything else?" Laxus smiled at Qian Guang as the situation instantly turned around.

"I knew it wouldn't be that easy. Bring it on!" Qian Guang sighed helplessly. He could only use his final trump card.

"Amaterasu: Twenty-Eight Forms!" This magic was still far too enormous for Qian Guang, so he had spent most of the battle setting up the magic circle.

Laxus's eyes narrowed. He clearly recognized this magic, but he had never expected this kid to actually be able to use it.

Several enormous black magic circles appeared around Laxus. Since they had been set up beforehand, their power was not as great as usual, but they were more than enough to deal with a half-baked Laxus.

Black beams of magical light shot toward Laxus in an instant. There was nowhere to dodge. Lightning once again covered Laxus's body as he prepared to take them head-on!

"Lightning Dragon's Crashing Fist!"

"Lightning Dragon's Roar!"

"Lion's Might!"

The area where Laxus stood was bombarded without end, smoke filling the air. Still not reassured, Qian Guang used the last of his magic power to add another Lion's Might. He had great faith in Laxus's ability to take a beating.

"Cough, cough... brat!"

As the smoke cleared, a figure covered in wounds and dressed in tattered strips of cloth staggered out. Blood covered his forehead, but the dark clouds above had not dispersed, and lightning continued charging him.

Qian Guang looked at the figure and forced a smile. "Hey, hey, you're a monster, aren't you? You're already at your limit. Keep this up, and you'll be bedridden for a long time."

"That's still better than letting you become S-Class before me!" Laxus roared, charging forward with his fist raised.

Qian Guang felt as though Fairy Tail's signature battle music had started playing behind Laxus, making him seem like some great villain.

Qian Guang lowered his head and let out a breath. He was out of magic power. His little tricks were all spent too. Seriously, why was this guy like an unkillable cockroach? He should call him Blond Cockroach from now on. Qian Guang was starting to suspect Laxus was the one with the Sage Body.

Qian Guang smiled freely. "Whatever." He abruptly raised his head, grinning savagely at the charging Laxus. "Don't say I'm bullying you!" With that, he rushed forward as well.

Seeing Qian Guang finally confront him head-on, Laxus laughed excitedly. "Now that's more like it! What was all that crap earlier?"

Both of them threw punches at the other's face. Unfortunately, Qian Guang's arms were shorter. Before he could reach Laxus, he was hit first. He quickly adjusted his body and, at the instant he was sent flying, kicked out.

The two separated, grinned stubbornly at each other, and continued their bare-knuckle brawl.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."

The tornado drew closer and closer to them, mercilessly tearing at the pathetic remnants of their clothes. But neither of them cared. Right now, they only had eyes for each other.

"Brat, that huge thing you made looks like it's going to get you killed first." Laxus looked at the tornado behind Qian Guang and laughed.

"Then I'll just knock you down before that happens!" Qian Guang could also feel the pull from behind him, but he could not think of any other way to escape it. He had little strength left, and the wind was dragging his body away against his will.

"You're too lax. You've wasted your talent for nothing." Laxus frowned, lecturing him in the tone of a senior.

Indeed, even with magic power reinforcing him, Laxus could not compare to Qian Guang's Sage Body. But Qian Guang had never trained diligently, instead allowing it to grow naturally. He could not properly control his body. Before, he had at least had Laxus as a sparring partner, but after two months apart, his body no longer moved in sync with him.

Qian Guang's Sharingan had also shut down after that Lion's Might. His uncoordinated body could not keep up with Laxus's movements at all.

"Just lie down already!" Laxus knew they could not drag this out any longer. He acted as if he did not care about the tornado, but getting caught in it would be an enormous problem.

"Raging Volt!"

With magic power still available, Laxus decided to paralyze him first. But Qian Guang was unwilling to give up so easily, raising both hands to block Laxus's attack.

He felt electric currents numbing his entire body, but he could still move his head. He threw his head back and slammed it into Laxus!

"Get lost!"

Laxus was dazed from the blow. He shook his head, trying to see Qian Guang's position clearly, but when he focused his eyes, his pupils instantly contracted.

Qian Guang had completely lost control of himself and was flying toward the tornado. He had already reached its edge.

"Brat!"

Ignoring the blood running down his forehead, Laxus charged forward to save him. It was not easy to find someone he got along with.

Qian Guang was not having an easy time either. He knew he should have obediently let himself be knocked unconscious, but he was still unwilling to accept it. He had used every trick he had, even set a trap, and still could not win.

Feeling the howling wind around him, Qian Guang was left somewhat dazed by that headbutt. He felt himself about to lose consciousness. How pathetic, Qian Guang. How many times has this been? Twenty, right? Lost again.

"Brat!"

Just before closing his eyes, Qian Guang saw the familiar figure wreathed in lightning charging toward him. It was the first time he had seen such anxiety on Laxus's face.

"So you can make that expression too, Laxus." Qian Guang fell into darkness. He was too exhausted and had reached his limit.

Laxus was near his limit as well, but there was still some distance between him and Qian Guang. He could only keep squeezing every last bit out of himself to accelerate.

At that moment, an orange-haired figure rushed out, caught Qian Guang from within the tornado, and pulled Laxus back with him.

"You two really are troublesome brats." Gildarts set them down in an open area nearby and helplessly scratched his head.

"Ah, such a huge tornado. You two really did a fine job. Hahahaha!" Gildarts praised them as he looked at the tornado before him.

Laxus finally relaxed. "Hmph, I won!" Then he too fell into darkness.

"Hey! You're making this old man carry two people by himself?" Gildarts stared speechlessly at Laxus, who had passed out in an instant, and nearly punched him in the face. "Well, whatever. But you really were impressive, new S-Class. That expression you made when you saved him was great."

"Alright, now for this big problem." Gildarts faced the tornado and assumed a stance.

"Purge Evil, Manifest Righteousness: One Heaven!"

A gust from his fist swept forward. The tornado suddenly stopped in place, and then the invisible wind seemed to crack apart. Sounds of shattering rang out continuously before the entire tornado shattered outright, its invisible winds dispersing.

"Done! Let's clean up and head back."

Gildarts tucked Qian Guang under one arm, carried Laxus over his shoulder, and left. There was no reason to stay here any longer.

The battlefield was a complete mess. Only scorched rocks and howling winds bore witness to the fierce battle that had once taken place here.