Gray pressed his right fist into his left palm, closed his eyes to gather his magic power, then opened his eyes and placed his hands on the water surface:
"Ice-Make: Lake Heart Stage!"
A light blue magic array appeared, magic power surged from Gray's body, and a path of ice quickly extended forward from his hands.
When it reached the center of the lake, the ice path suddenly expanded and rose, forming a giant ice crystal stage.
The center of the stage was deliberately made frosted, with exquisitely crafted railings on the edges.
"Phew..." Gray exhaled deeply and sat directly by the shore, such a large-scale creation wasn't easy for him,
"It's done, the stage is frozen all the way to the bottom of the lake. As long as it's not deliberately destroyed, it should hold."
Mira praised, "Impressive, you finished it in one go."
Erza hugged Gray, "Great job."
Clang!
Rhode cheerfully placed a Crown of Insight on the dizzy Gray and returned the clothes he had casually tossed away before casting.
"Thanks." After all, it was Rhode's suggestion, and he felt a bit bad seeing Gray so exhausted.
Gray groggily waved his hand, "No worries, I'm looking forward to it anyway."
After many days, Mira and Erza were going to fight.
Both were taking it very seriously, so fighting in the guild's courtyard was definitely not an option.
However, many people wanted to watch the duel, and going too far was inconvenient, so Rhode suggested creating a platform on the lake.
Gray's performance amazed many people.
Beautifully crafted, huge in scale, and incredibly fast, by the standards of shaping magic, Gray was the best they had seen.
Macao exclaimed, "Since when did Gray become this strong?"
Wakaba mused, "Young folks are like that, they progress frighteningly fast."
"Gray, you're a man! Go, sis!" Elfman had just returned, not knowing what's happening, but cheering was a given.
Natsu looked envious, "Damn, I want to fight Erza too!"
Hapi was not optimistic about him, "But Natsu was just instantly defeated by Mira, right?"
"I'm stronger than last time!" Natsu barked confidently.
"Aye." Hapi replied perfunctorily.
Kana set out two baskets and shouted energetically, "Place your bets! Those betting on Erza to win, put it here; Mira to win, put it here!"
"I bet on Erza to win!"
"Definitely Mira!"
A crowd noisily placed their bets, and the atmosphere heated up instantly.
"You two..." Makarov wanted to remind them to be considerate, but saying that now would dampen the mood.
Besides, Rhode had thought about the venue so thoroughly...
Finally, Makarov just said, "Let it begin! Give it your all, both of you!"
The two walked along the long ice path to the stage, standing apart at a distance.
The crowd complained that it was too far to see clearly, demanding that Gray and Laki create a seating area for spectators.
Laki was a bit troubled, her magic power couldn't compare to Gray's, so she only made a few small boats.
Gray originally wanted to say he'd drained his magic power, but suddenly realized maybe not so much.
He looked at the blue glow around him and exclaimed, "This feeling... Rhode, your magic..."
"Hmm? The Crown of Insight, oh, you haven't experienced it yet, how does it feel?"
"It's almost like cheating," Gray sighed, soon creating a viewing platform closer to the stage.
Rhode was originally going to sit on a small wooden boat but seeing the seasick Natsu miserably lying on it, he summoned a Swift Crab instead.
The two on stage had said most of what they wanted and, regardless of whether the audience was ready, began to fight.
Erza, unsure of Mira's current state, started with Celestial Wheel Armor, sending over a dozen swords flying.
Mira decisively used Satan's Soul, swiftly avoiding the flying swords and dashing to Erza's side.
In close quarters, they exchanged a few moves, with Mira kicking Erza's back.
Rhode felt a twinge of concern, would Mira have to compensate for the armor broken during this spar?
"Requip: Flight Armor!"
Erza switched to a speed-oriented armor, exchanging blows with Mira for dozens of rapid rounds.
Their movements were so fast it was dizzying, until Erza's two long swords shattered in her hands.
The ice surface bore numerous cuts and small pits from their footwork.
Rhode stared at Mira's hands, seemingly uninjured.
"Not strong enough? Then... Requip: Purgatory Armor!"
Clad in black armor, Erza unleashed a terrifying burst of magic power, her heavy serrated saber smashing a pit in the ice.
"After all, Purgatory Armor still packs a punch." Mira's tongue slowly licked her lips, eyes filled with excitement.
Perhaps it was the thrill of battle in her nature or sheer joy at facing Erza again after so long.
Boom!
Mira's fist, enveloped in a purple-black light, collided with Erza's serrated saber, exploding with a thunderous crash.
The ice beneath them cracked and splintered, the fractures extending to the stage's edge.
White and red hair fluttered in the wind, and everyone watching felt the gale from the clash.
"No way..." Gray was surprised, he had reinforced the stage well, "Should I say, as expected of those two?"
The duo continued their relentless exchange, battling from the stage's center to its edge, then back to the other side.
Cracks multiplied across the ice crystal stage, the ornate railings long vanished.
In the end, both retreated, Mira deactivating her Receiving Magic, breathing heavily.
Erza reverted to her usual attire, in noticeably better shape than Mira.
Rhode wanted to buff Mira, but unfortunately, their opponent was a fellow guild member.
"Pretty much... whew..." Mira panted, "Only enough magic for one final strike left."
Erza nodded, "Then, let's decide it with this move."
A tacit understanding reached, Mira's form began to change, her white hair fluffed, horns sprouting, clad in blue-white attire with a black cape billowing at her back.
Her feet were enveloped in fierce flames, as if emerging from the inferno of Hell itself.
The ice beneath her began to melt and steam, the oppressive pressure soaring.
Demon Hutley, currently Mira's strongest form, Rhode had only seen the complete form once before.
And Mira only let him see, never dared using this move on him.
At the same time, Erza completed her Requip, now adorned in a pink armor with pink wing decorations on the shoulders and a light purple cape at her back.
"Requip: Fairy Armor!"
This was likewise Erza's strongest armor available, bearing the 'Fairy' name, wearing it came with the guild's reputation, so she couldn't afford to lose.
They exchanged a gaze, then simultaneously charged each other.
Mira surrounded by flames, Erza by sparkling green lightning.
A thunderous crash echoed, Gray's ice crystal stage shattered completely, countless ice shards scattering around, waves surging on the lake, splashing against the stands and small boats.
"Whoa whoa whoa... isn't this a bit much?"
"Those two, they really overdid it!"
"Don't just stand there, defend!"
Fortunately, the crowd consisted entirely of mages, with the guild master there, preventing casualties from the battle's aftermath.
The worst that happened was a few clothes got soaked.
Seeing the ice break, Rhode decisively received the Gorge Swift Crab, diving into the water to rescue the exhausted Mira.