Life-and-Death Trial

A figure suddenly appeared between them and shattered the roar with a wave of his hand.

"Ye, you finally came!"

"Sorry, Natsu, Gajeel. I was late. I saw everything you just did. You've both grown a lot."

Natsu grinned, baring his teeth. "Next time, I'm going to challenge you."

"Ah, I'm looking forward to that day."

Ye looked at Laxus. "Want to wait until you've recovered before fighting? Otherwise, people might say I won unfairly."

"No need! This is nothing more than a warm-up."

"Laxus, it's been several years since we last fought, hasn't it?"

"Yeah. I've waited six years for this day. Back then, I lost to you. The winner became king and the loser became a bandit, so I had nothing to say. You know how arrogant you've been these past years. But today, that changes. Come on, Ye! Let's decide who's truly the strongest in the guild!"

"Me, arrogant? That's just what you think."

"Besides, Laxus, you know I've never cared about that stuff, because none of you will ever be stronger than me!"

"Quit acting so arrogant!"

"Lightning Armor!"

Violent lightning erupted from Laxus's entire body.

"Lightning Impact!"

Lightning shot from Laxus's hand toward Ye. Ye raised a hand and shattered the attack with an Energy Bullet. At that moment, Laxus rushed before Ye, gathering lightning in his hand and striking with all his might.

"Lightning Dragon's Crushing Fist!"

Ye activated Armament Haki and wrapped his fist in Conqueror's Haki. Red-and-black lightning covered his body.

"Let me show you what a Crushing Fist really is, Laxus!"

Their fists clearly did not touch, yet it was as though they had collided. The powerful airflow created by their exchanged blows made the entire cathedral tremble faintly.

Natsu and Gajeel stared blankly. "Their fists... didn't... touch..."

"Why are you copying me, you stupid Iron Body!"

"You're obviously the one copying me!"

"Bang!" Laxus was sent flying. This clash had ended in Laxus's complete defeat. Laxus steadied himself and fired a Lightning Spear from his hand toward Ye. Seeing the incoming lightning, Ye charged straight into it without hesitation. The lightning had no effect on him at all. Then he used Shave to flash behind Laxus and swept his legs out from under him.

"What! So fast!"

Then Ye kicked Laxus directly in the stomach, sending him crashing into the ceiling.

After adjusting his posture in midair, Laxus fired a roar back at Ye. Ye flashed away again, and Laxus used the ceiling as a foothold to launch himself in the direction Ye had dodged.

"Lightning Orb!"

Seeing the dense barrage of lightning spheres, Ye did not defend himself. After destroying several with Energy Bullets, the remaining spheres landed around him. Seizing the chance and using the recoil to accelerate, Laxus gathered a massive amount of lightning in his leg and kicked at Ye. From within the smoke, Ye sensed it with Observation Haki, twisted his body, and threw a heavy punch backward. His fist collided with Laxus's foot. The smoke instantly dispersed, revealing the two locked in confrontation as lightning raged around them.

Seeing that the attack had failed, Laxus withdrew his force and began fighting Ye hand-to-hand.

"What's wrong, Laxus? You clearly have plenty of options. Why choose the worst one and fight me hand-to-hand?"

"Because I know my magic can't hit you at all. This is my only chance!"

Every collision of their fists and feet unleashed violent shockwaves, leaving Natsu and Gajeel dazzled.

"Damn, they're so fast! I can't see anything at all."

"Laxus, I have to admit it. Your growth over these past few years is truly incredible. You can finally entertain me a little."

"Stop pretending this is easy!"

"You're the one who should stop getting cocky!!"

Their fists smashed heavily into each other's faces. They exchanged smiles and both abandoned defense, their fists raining down on each other like a storm.

"Fire Dragon, these two are too strong."

"Yeah! Damn it, I want to fight opponents like them too!"

"You'd be defeated instantly."

"Tch! I know!"

After trading one final punch, they both retreated. Laxus was covered in wounds and breathing heavily, while Ye merely had some torn clothes and no injuries to speak of.

"That's enough, Laxus. Are you satisfied now? This should all be over."

"What did you say?! Don't talk like you're doing me some favor! I'm going to defeat you! I'm going to prove myself!"

"You've seen it yourself. You're no match for me. The fact that you managed to fight me this far means I did underestimate you."

"Shut up!!! You always act like this! Don't talk down to me, you bastard!!!"

"Lightning Dragon Fangtian Halberd!!"

"Boom!!"

"Pant... pant... pant..."

"When the smoke cleared, Ye still looked as though nothing had happened."

"Why! Why! How can you still be so calm?! Is the gap between us really that huge?!"

Ye looked at the collapsing Laxus and shook his head.

At that moment, Erza rushed in and shouted, "Ye! Laxus! The Master isn't going to make it! Stop fighting and hurry back to see him!"

"What? Old man!"

"Grandpa, how could that be?" Natsu said in disbelief.

Ye grabbed Erza's hand and urgently asked, "Impossible. The old man is one of the Ten Wizard Saints. He was clearly fine when I left! What happened?"

"Laxus activated Thunder Palace and threatened the Master with the safety of the entire town. He couldn't catch his breath, and with his heart already in poor condition, he collapsed."

Ye looked at Laxus sternly. "Come back with me and apologize to the old man!"

Laxus, still in a breakdown, said, "The old man is finally dying, huh? I can finally inherit the guild, huh? Hahahahaha!"

"Apologize? Apologize for what? I'm not going! I'm going to defeat you here and become the strongest!"

Laxus pressed his palms together.

"Fairy Law! Activate!!"

An enormous golden magic circle appeared above Cardia Cathedral.

"Dong!"

A clear bell rang throughout Magnolia Town. Holy light descended from the heavens onto Cardia Cathedral, as if a god had descended into the world.

The people in the guild immediately recognized the sound as the Master's signature magic, Fairy Law.

Then the light spread outward from Cardia Cathedral until it covered all of Magnolia Town.

After a while, the light gradually faded.

Laxus's body trembled with excitement.

"I won, hahaha... I won, Ye... Hahahahaha! I won!"

"Cough, cough! I'm choking to death!" Coughing came from within the smoke.

Laxus looked toward the smoke and discovered that Erza, Natsu, and Gajeel were all unharmed.

"How... how is that possible...?"

"Why? Why is everyone all right?"

At that moment, Fried walked over to Laxus and said,

"It's not just them. Not a single person in the entire town was hurt."

Laxus fell into madness and shouted, "Impossible! Fairy Law should be the perfect magic! No one hit by that much magic power could possibly be all right!"

Fried shouted, "Laxus, don't you understand yet? Fairy Law destroys the people the caster sees as enemies. But everyone is unharmed."

"Laxus, what you inherited from the Master wasn't only his powerful magic, but also his heart that cared for his companions."

"Impossible! They're all enemies standing in my way!!"

"You can deceive yourself, but magic does not lie, Laxus!! You can't deceive your magic or your own heart!"

Cold sweat poured down Laxus's face at Fried's words. "The old man's life or death has nothing to do with me. I'm nobody's grandson. I am Laxus. I am the strongest mage!"

Ye said furiously, "Strongest! Strongest! Strongest! That's all you ever talk about. My ears are growing calluses from hearing it. Then today, I'll show you what despair is!"

A shocking wave of Conqueror's Haki shot into the sky, blowing away the clouds overhead. The earth groaned, and everyone in town felt the suppression of a superior being, unconsciously lowering their heads.

Facing the Conqueror's Haki head-on, Laxus felt unprecedented terror.

"I... I... I... wh-what's... happening? I'm... scared..."

"Don't joke with me! How could I be afraid? I'm Laxus!" A sky-piercing surge of magic power erupted from him to resist the Haki.

Ye looked in surprise at Laxus, who had broken through the Life-and-Death Trial, then the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

"Laxus, I have to praise you. You truly have exceptional talent! To break through the Life-and-Death Trial at a time like this... It won't be long before you reach a new level."

"I don't need your praise! Come, let's fight to the end, Ye." Laxus walked toward Ye with heavy steps.

"Even if you've broken through the Life-and-Death Trial, you still won't be my match, Laxus!"

"Dragon-Slaying Secret Art: Thunderclap!"

"Ghostly Wail!!"

Golden lightning collided with red-and-black Ghost Aura, making all of Magnolia Town shake. The tremendous blast echoed throughout the entire town, and Cardia Cathedral at the center was reduced directly to nothingness.

"Who won?!" Natsu asked urgently.

"It's still unclear." Erza thought, A Life-and-Death Trial... I can break through it too. Her fists clenched unconsciously.

The smoke slowly dispersed, revealing Laxus standing with his eyes rolled white.

"Even unconscious, you still refuse to fall. You're a qualified warrior."

Then Ye dragged Laxus by one leg and headed toward the guild.

"Did Ye win?!"

"Looks like it."