"Dragon Slayer Magic?"
Facing Gajeel, who wielded Ancient Magic and withstood two explosions, Azuma perked up a bit.
He no longer used explosions to tackle him, but instead countered Gajeel's attacks with fists and kicks.
The two rapidly exchanged dozens of blows, their speed making Reby's eyes dazzle as she climbed back up.
"To be able to fight Gajeel to this extent."
Li Li usually trained with Gajeel, whose strength seemed very formidable, but against this person, he was utterly outclassed.
Not only that, Gajeel's defense was fully activated, his limbs transforming into Iron Dragon Staffs, Iron Dragon Swords, Iron Dragon Spears, and other forms, but he still couldn't injure Azuma.
"If they're evenly matched, then we should help!" Reby immediately raised her hand, preparing to write.
"No... Helping is a must, but the situation isn't that optimistic." Li Li could clearly see that, even if Gajeel's punches landed, they left no scars.
But the opponent's fists and feet often shattered the iron scales on Gajeel... with just fists and feet!
"Is this all you've got?" Azuma punched Gajeel in the stomach, sounding a bit disappointed.
"Ugh..." Gajeel staggered back, spitting blood. The condescending tone hurt him more than the blow.
"Solid Script: SHINE!"
A blinding golden light shot towards Azuma's eyes, causing his movements to pause.
Li Li flapped his wings, darting to Azuma's front with lightning speed, and punched his chin.
Azuma's body lost balance momentarily, and Li Li retreated, shouting, "Now, Gajeel!"
If he had a handy sword, he would have chosen to pursue himself, but empty-handed, he had to rely on Gajeel.
Gajeel took a deep breath, "Roar of the Iron Dragon!"
The Iron Blade Storm swept over, enveloping Azuma.
Reby cheered, "It worked!"
Li Li smiled slightly, "Hit directly by Gajeel's breath..."
"Boring." Azuma's cold voice came from within the Iron Blade Storm.
With a wave of his hand, he dispersed Gajeel's breath, standing unscathed.
Immediately after, flames erupted under Reby, Li Li, and Gajeel's feet, and explosions rang out again.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
"Ah..."
Reby and Li Li screamed in agony as they were blown away, their bodies covered in burns, their clothes tattered.
"Ugh..." Gajeel, too, was assaulted, his iron scales scattered, covered in blood.
But he didn't care about his own condition; his first reaction was to look back, "Li Li! Little one!"
"I... I'm alright, but Miss Reby..."
Li Li struggled to stand, barely able to move, but Reby had already passed out.
"Damn it..." Gajeel stood in front of Azuma, raising one hand, "Take the little one back, leave this to me!"
"But..." Li Li had realized that this guy wasn't someone Gajeel alone could confront.
"Do as I say!"
"..." Li Li refrained from arguing, decisively picking up Reby, spreading his wings and taking flight.
"Can you escape my explosion range?" Azuma raised his hand toward the sky.
"You wish!" Gajeel's right hand turned into a sharp spear, lunging fiercely at speeds imperceptible to the naked eye, "Iron Dragon Spear... Ghost Wood!"
"Hmm..." Azuma's body finally acquired a wound, forced to retreat, but a smile appeared on his lips, "Magic Power surged, turning emotions into Strength?"
"Iron Dragon Sword!"
Gajeel raised his arm high, transforming it into a massive sword, slashing downward. Azuma retreated to dodge, leaving a dramatic fissure in the ground.
Even though it was the same move as before, its Power had greatly increased.
"Yes, yes, that's it!" Azuma charged forward excitedly, landing a punch on Gajeel's face.
Gajeel felt pain in his cheek, driving his knee into Azuma's stomach.
Azuma endured the pain and punched Gajeel's chin.
The two fought fiercely with fists and kicks; Azuma grew more excited, while Gajeel became weaker.
Magic Power, physical strength, explosive power, Gajeel lagged far behind Azuma in all respects.
This was even though the opponent didn't frequently use his Explosive Magic.
Gajeel hated being looked down upon, yet now he couldn't help feeling grateful for being underestimated.
Because if Azuma knocked him down with full force, Li Li and Reby hadn't yet gone far, and they'd be caught up soon.
Even so, he couldn't hold on for much longer.
No… since when did I become so weak?
Gajeel's gaze became determined, no matter what, he must hold on.
Or even manage to take him down!
'I am now, a Mage of Fairy Tail!'
"Iron Dragon's Steel Fist!" Gajeel threw a punch, hitting Azuma's face and temporarily forcing him back.
He then clasped his hands together, powerful Magic Power brewing within and erupted from his palms, "Dragon Slayer's Secret Art!"
A jet-black Longsword with a radiant glow extended upwards from between Gajeel's hands, towering above most of the trees in the forest, filled with all of Gajeel's fighting spirit.
"Karma Demon Iron Divine Sword!"
The massive Iron Sword, infused with terrifying Magic Power, slashed downward, the gust splitting all leaves and branches in its path in two before even touching them.
Azuma raised a hand, forming a sword gesture, lightly raising his fingers. Dozens of sturdy roots burst from the ground, extending upwards, interweaving into a dense Defense network.
But Gajeel's Iron Sword easily severed these woods, the cuts exceptionally smooth.
The sword continued its descent with barely any reduction in speed.
Another few thick roots entwined to form a giant fist, exploding violently against the Iron Sword.
The Iron Sword ultimately came down, slamming into Azuma's shoulder with full force, pinning him to the ground.
Rumble...
The strike of the Karma Demon Iron Divine Sword tore a long trench into the ground, extending forward, slicing through an entire forested area.
Debris scattered, smoke and dust filled the air, obscuring Azuma's figure.
Gajeel swayed, this move had nearly expended all his remaining strength, with that, he hoped...
"What?"
Four roots burst from the ground, first binding Gajeel's feet, then his hands.
"Damn it..." Gajeel struggled fiercely but to no avail.
Azuma emerged from the dust, a prominent blood mark on his shoulder, "I see, so this is the Strength from protecting comrades, I've witnessed it. Then, I'll grant you due respect...
"Tower of Flame!"
Gajeel's eyes widened as his vision flooded with scorching red Flames.
Centered on him, an area with almost a ten-meter radius was completely engulfed in an explosion, and a tower nearly a hundred meters high rose from Celestial Wolf Island, a tower of explosion!