"Space Element?" Erza doubted for a moment that Ultear was using the same Requip Magic as her.
But it felt distinctly different.
"No, my magic is the Arc of Time."
Anyway, since the current goal was to delay and let Melty escape, Ultear didn't mind saying a few more words. After all, the Arc of Time wasn't a magic where knowing the name would lead to a counter-strategy.
"Each illusion of a Crystal Ball represents a 'future', a location it might appear in the future.
"I have infinite expectations for the future, so there can be infinite Crystal Balls. Then... the Arc of Time will direct it to the future I desire.
"So... what will your future be?"
"Kana." Erza noticed Ultear's intentions and gave Kana a signal.
"I understand." Kana immediately turned and chased after Melty.
This black-haired woman obviously wasn't easy to deal with. If both of them were held up by her, Demon Heart might just succeed.
But Ultear didn't want anyone interfering, so with a wave, countless Crystal Balls solidified and all shot towards Kana.
Even though it was a different kind of magic from Erza's, the attack method was surprisingly similar.
Kana, like Melty, didn't look back and kept running.
Melty trusted Ultear, and Kana equally trusted Erza.
Indeed, Erza instantly switched to Vajra Armor, blocking all the Crystal Balls' attacks for Kana.
A large number of Crystal Balls exploded with a booming sound against the Defense Magic Array on Erza's shield.
As the flames and smoke cleared, Erza was unharmed, and Kana had already run far after Melty.
Ultear spread her hands: "Oh well. Anyway, relying on that woman won't be able to stop Melty. Not only that, she'll die, you know."
"Don't underestimate Fairy Tail." The Vajra Armor on Erza disappeared, transforming into a black armor with wings, "Requip: Black Wing Armor!"
"Requip Magic, such a speed of changing armor is worth praising, but sadly... our compatibility is not good." Ultear calmly watched Erza charging at her, lightly waving her left hand, "Lead that sword's time to the future—rust!"
The finely crafted longsword in Erza's hand suddenly became covered with rust in an instant and turned to powder as she swung it, scattering in the air.
"That armor, to the future!" Ultear waved her right hand, Crystal Balls shooting towards Erza.
Her Black Wing Armor also rusted and shattered in an instant, revealing the form-fitting clothing underneath.
"What?" Erza was taken aback and hit in the chest by the Crystal Balls, sent flying backward.
"Super Space-Time Sensing!"
Numerous Crystal Ball illusions appeared, then all solidified and plummeted towards the downed Erza.
"Flying Armor!" Erza reacted quickly, Requiping and swiftly leaving the attack zone of the Crystal Balls, swinging her dual blades at Ultear amidst the thunderous explosions.
Ultear retreated slightly: "A speed-type Requip? But still can't beat time!"
The dual blades once again turned to scrap metal, Crystal Balls smashing at Erza from all directions.
Erza intended to use the speed of the Flying Armor to evade, but the Leopard Pattern Armor also couldn't escape the erosion of time, losing all effectiveness.
"Ahhhh..."
Erza's figure was engulfed in the attacks of the Crystal Balls, the relentless barrage wounding her all over.
"Purgatory Armor!"
Erza charged out again, and before reaching Ultear, struck the serrated saber on the ground.
The powerful slash broke through the ground, flying straight to Ultear, forcing her to dodge.
Erza seized the opportunity, stepped forward, and swung for a horizontal slash.
This time, the saber grazed Ultear's body, tearing her clothes, but it ended there.
The Purgatory Saber, too, turned into a pile of rust under the effect of the Arc of Time.
Dozens of Crystal Balls appeared in front of Erza, shooting white-violet beams together, engulfing Erza once more.
The Purgatory Armor shattered unsurprisingly, Erza urgently Requiping to Vajra Armor, but after defending only two or three attacks, it became completely useless again.
Erza realized that Ultear was right; she indeed had terrible compatibility with her.
"Ahhhh!!!"
Erza screamed in pain before collapsing powerlessly to the ground.
She wore casual clothes, a white shirt, and a blue pleated skirt, all torn by the recent attack.
The injuries were evident, with bruises and blood marks everywhere.
Erza lay on the ground, clenched her fists, trying hard to stand up, her form shaky.
"Don't you understand yet? No matter how much armor and weapons you have, you can't win against time."
Ultear even deliberately restored her damaged clothes in front of Erza to show she wasn't using her full strength at all.
Erza looked down, her hair soaking in the rain, water droplets dripping off her bangs: "Kana believes in me."
Ultear didn't catch it: "What?"
"Mira too, she believed I could solve the problems here, so she left assuredly." Erza continued,
"My companions have high hopes for me, they believe in my strength... I cannot fall before defeating you!"
Erza's gaze made Ultear somewhat alarmed. She waved her hand to unleash more Crystal Balls: "Don't underestimate the head of the Seven Purgatory Dependents!"
The back of the head, chin, chest, back, arms, legs...
Erza's body staggered under the barrage of Crystal Balls, looking as if she wouldn't hold on, but she never fell again.
"Why? Why go to such lengths? Why do you have to obstruct me?!"
Erza panted, staring directly into Ultear's eyes: "If I let you go, Kana and the others will be in danger. I must... defeat you!"
Ultear's expression gradually turned manic, her demeanor slightly deranged: "Are you worried about that woman? There's no need, so much time has passed, she's... surely been killed by Melty already!"
"No, I think... it's the exact opposite." Erza tried to regulate her breathing, "Kana won't lose, and neither will I! Requip: Giant Armor! Evil-breaking Spear!"
Erza suddenly hurled the long spear at Ultear.
"I told you, no matter what weapon it is, it can't withstand time!" Ultear waved her hand, turning the spear into a pile of residue.
At the same time, she threw out Crystal Balls, activating the Arc of Time on the Giant Armor.
Erza didn't dodge or evade, charging straight ahead, allowing the Giant Armor to rust and fall off from her body, completing a Requip the instant the Crystal Balls hit her.
"Requip: Sea King's Armor!"
The Crystal Balls hit a set of green armor, Erza frowned, swung at Ultear with her right hand clasped around nothing.
Ultear furrowed her brow, this girl didn't have a weapon, what was she planning to...
"!"
Erza's next move confirmed Ultear's guess.
Indeed, at the instant she completed the swinging motion, a scimitar appeared in Erza's hand, successfully slashing at Ultear!