The Last S-Class

"You're totally cheating!" Qian Guang frantically backed away, cold sweat beading on his forehead. This was way too unfair. How could he suddenly be back at full health in the middle of a fight?

Qian Guang remembered the "Lightning Burst" Laxus had fired into the sky earlier. Looking at it now, that thing definitely had not been a Lightning Burst. The situation was extremely bad.

"That still doesn't compare to your little tricks. Come on, do you have anything else up your sleeve?" Laxus smiled at Qian Guang as the situation instantly reversed.

"I knew it wouldn't be that easy. Fine, let's do this!" Qian Guang sighed helplessly. He could only use his final trump card.

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

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

Several enormous black magic circles appeared around Laxus. Since they had been set up in advance, they were not as powerful as usual, but they were enough to deal with a half-baked Laxus.

Black beams of magic instantly shot toward Laxus. There was nowhere to evade, so lightning once again covered Laxus's entire 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 pause, smoke filling the air. Still worried, Qian Guang used the last of his magic power to add another Lion's Might. He had tremendous faith in Laxus's ability to take a beating.

"Cough, cough... brat!"

As the smoke dispersed, a battered figure staggered out, covered in wounds and dressed in little more than strips of cloth. Blood covered his forehead, yet the dark clouds overhead had not dispersed, and lightning continued charging him.

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

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

Qian Guang felt like Fairy Tail's signature background music had started playing behind Laxus, making him look like some great villain.

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

Qian Guang smiled freely. "Whatever." He abruptly raised his head and grinned viciously at the charging Laxus. "Don't say I bullied you!" With that, he charged forward as well.

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

Both of their fists flew toward each other's faces. Unfortunately, Qian Guang's arms were shorter. He was struck before his fist could connect, but he quickly adjusted his body and kicked out the instant he was sent flying.

The two separated, smiling stubbornly at one another before continuing their hand-to-hand fight.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh."

The Tornado drew closer and closer to them, mercilessly tearing at the remnants of their clothes. Yet neither of them cared. All they could see was each other.

"Brat, it looks like that huge thing you made is about to get you killed." Laxus smiled at the Tornado behind Qian Guang.

"Then I'll 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. He had little strength left, and the wind tugged at his body without restraint.

"You're too careless. You're wasting your talent." Laxus frowned, lecturing him in the tone of a senior.

It was true. Even with magic power strengthening him, Laxus could not compare to Qian Guang's Sage Body. But Qian Guang had never trained hard, instead letting it grow naturally. He could not control his own body well. Laxus had served as his sparring partner before, but after not seeing each other for two months, Qian Guang felt somewhat out of sync with his own body.

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 he could not drag this out any longer. He acted like he did not care about the Tornado, but getting caught in it would be incredibly troublesome.

"Raging Volt!"

With magic power still available to him, Laxus decided to paralyze Qian Guang first. But Qian Guang was unwilling to give up just like that and raised both arms to block Laxus's attack.

He felt electricity numb his entire body, but he could still move his head. Tilting his head back, he slammed it into Laxus's face!

"Get lost!"

Laxus was left dizzy by the blow. He shook his head, trying to see Qian Guang clearly, but the moment he focused his eyes, his pupils suddenly constricted.

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

"Brat!"

Ignoring the blood on his own forehead, Laxus charged forward to save him. It was not easy to find someone he got along with so well.

Qian Guang was not doing any better. He knew he should have obediently let himself be knocked unconscious, but he was still unwilling to accept it. He had used every method he had, even set a trap, and still could not win.

Qian Guang felt the howling wind around him. That headbutt had left him a little dazed, and he felt himself about to pass out. How pathetic, Qian Guang. How many times has this been? Twenty to one, right? Lost again.

"Brat!"

Just before closing his eyes, Qian Guang saw the familiar figure wrapped in lightning rushing toward him. It was the first time he had seen such a worried expression on Laxus's face.

"So you can make that face too, Laxus." Qian Guang sank 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 forcing more speed from himself.

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 placed them on an open patch of ground some distance away and helplessly rubbed his hair.

"Ah, such a huge Tornado. You two really did well! Hahaha!" Gildarts praised them as he looked at the Tornado before him.

Laxus finally relaxed completely. "Hmph, I won!" Even as he said that, he too sank into darkness.

"Hey! You're making this old man carry two people by himself!" Gildarts looked speechlessly at Laxus, who had passed out in seconds, and almost punched him in the face. "Well, whatever. But that was truly impressive. A new S-Class... and that expression when you went to save him was great."

"Alright, now for this big problem." Gildarts assumed a stance as he faced the Tornado.

"Purge Evil, Manifest Righteousness: One Heaven!"

A gust from his fist swept out. The Tornado suddenly stopped in place, then the invisible wind seemed to crack apart. Sounds of shattering rang out continuously before the entire Tornado directly broke apart, its invisible winds scattering away.

"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 remain here any longer.

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