Ice-Make: Iron Fist!
A massive fist slammed into Gray.
"Guahh!"
Gray was sent flying before he could defend himself.
"Gray, I really have to thank you. Because of your suggestion, I saw a wider world. Do you remember seven years ago, during the Allied Forces' fight against Oración Seis?"
"That was the first time I felt so weak, and the first time I realized how powerful a truly strong Mage can be."
"After we got back, I trained nonstop. For seven years, I kept refining my magic and honing my will."
As Lyon spoke, he raised his hand and conjured a gigantic ice bird. After he pointed at Gray, the bird spread its wings and dived.
Ice-Make: Shield!
Gray threw up a shield.
Boom—
The bird smashed the shield and slammed into Gray.
"Gyaaaahhh!"
Pinned by the ice bird, Gray crashed into the wall and it collapsed.
"He's this strong?!"
Natsu couldn't believe Lyon was wiping the floor with Gray.
Erza's expression turned grave. "Very strong—both in magic power and technique."
Everyone had improved, but two stood out: Jura, whose might she'd seen firsthand, and Lyon, whose growth was simply staggering.
Takeshi was also surprised. With his magic fully released, Lyon's power was second only to Jura's, rivaling Laxus.
The Lyon of the anime had never been this strong, was it because of his interference?
"Take a good look — the gap these seven years have made."
Lyon raised his palm.
Whoosh—
A huge cyan circle unfolded above Gray and an enormous frozen palm descended, slamming down.
Ice-Make: Block!
Gray created a massive chunk of ice to prop it up.
The palm crushed the Block and struck the ground.
BOOOOM!
When the frost cleared, a giant handprint was left in the Grand Magic Games arena.
Gray lay inside it, out cold.
"The victor is decided!"
"Winner: Lyon of Lamia Scale!!!"
"What an upset!"
"Lamia Scale's Lyon is fearsome — Gray never stood a chance!"
Sabertooth.
"Impressive."
Minerva arched a brow. She'd barely noted Lyon before, but now she'd have to watch him—he was no pushover.
Rufus nodded. "Looks like he held back in the first event."
Mermaid Heel.
"Whoa, he's scary-strong!" Beth gasped behind her hand.
"Right? I had no idea he had this in him."
Araña knew Lyon was Lamia Scale's S-Class Mage but had thought him average—not this monstrous.
"A formidable opponent." Kagura said, eyes sharp.
Blue Pegasus.
"He's gotten this powerful?!" Eve was stunned.
Seven years ago against Oración Seis, Lyon had been as useless as them, yet now he'd left them in the dust.
How had the gap grown so wide so fast?
"Our training still isn't enough." Ren clenched his fist.
Lyon was his contemporary. Seeing him surge ahead hurt.
Lamia Scale.
"Amazing, Lyon!" Sherria cheered.
Toby whooped. "Ohhh yeah!"
Yuka smiled. "He's finally showing his true strength."
Jura nodded. "Lyon trained harder than anyone these seven years, the results speak for themselves."
Lyon walked over and pulled Gray to his feet.
"Geez, you're ridiculously strong now." Gray said.
He'd expected improvement, but this was insane.
"After seeing Takeshi's terrifying strike, how could I stay relaxed? And when I heard you'd died, I swore to get strong enough to avenge you. Turns out you're alive and conveniently my opponent—so feel the results."
Ur had died stopping Deliora. There was nothing he could do about that, but Gray's enemy still lived—he couldn't slack.
Gray hadn't realized he'd been part of Lyon's drive, emotions swirled in his chest.
[Oooh, such touching brotherhood!]
[The third day of the Grand Magic Games ends!!!]
[That wraps up today's events!]
[Current overall standings:]
1. Team Fairy Tail A — 42 pts
2. Team Fairy Tail B — 39 pts
3. Mermaid Heel — 33 pts
4. Lamia Scale — 30 pts
5. Sabertooth — 25 pts
6. Blue Pegasus — 21 pts
7. Quatro Cerberus — 14 pts
8. Raven Tail — disqualified
As day three ended, Fairy Tail still held first and second and the guild partied again at the tavern.
Laxus and Makarov sat talking in a park.
"Old man, what exactly is Lumen Histoire?" Laxus asked.
"Ivan asked you, didn't he?" Makarov guessed.
"Yeah. Seems desperate to get it."
"That brat… He called it Fairy Tail's darkness, but that's nonsense. It is, however, our greatest secret, known only to each Guild Master."
"Does Takeshi know?"
"He does."
"Then it can't be anything weird."
"Of course not. But it still can't fall into the wrong hands, especially not Ivan's ambitious ones."
"If it's nothing odd, forget it. Just surprised there's something in the guild I never knew."
Laxus had grown up in Fairy Tail, secrets felt strange.
"Hmph! Brat, there's plenty you don't know."
Natsu jumped onto the table and shouted with glee, "Cheers!"
"Today was awesome!"
"Aye!" Happy chimed in from the side.
"Awesome my ass! I'm not happy at all!" Gray scowled.
He'd just been beaten by Lyon—utterly outclassed in both magic power and technique.
Natsu grinned at him. "That's exactly why I'm so pumped."
Gray bristled. "You jerk—want a fight?!"
Lucy quickly warned, "Hey, you two, this isn't the guild—don't break anything."
"Laxus, you were incredible today. You had me all choked up. I was worried sick at first." Freed said as Laxus walked back in.
"Uh… what's there to be moved about?"
Laxus was speechless, he hadn't done anything worth tears.
Makarov leaped up. "Brats! We haven't won yet—stay sharp! Target: thirty million!"
"You just blurted out what you're really after!"
"Hahahahaha!!"
[Day Four of the Grand Magic Games—Event: Naval Battle. Each guild sends one contestant.]
[Inside a spherical water arena, anyone forced outside the water sphere is eliminated. Last one inside wins.]
[Special rule: if two remain, whoever's ejected within the next five minutes finishes last.]
[Then let Day Four's event begin!]
[Alright—every guild's in the water!]
Every team fielded a girl. Only Quatro Cerberus, lacking female members, sent a man.
"Sabertooth's Minerva, entering the fray."
[She's here! Minerva! Listen to that roar! With this, Sabertooth's top five are complete!]
Lucy murmured, "She's popular, but I won't lose."
Hearing it was a water fight, she'd volunteered. Tired of feeling like baggage, she was determined to prove her worth.
In water, she held a natural edge—her Aquarius was a powerhouse among Celestial Spirits.
"When it comes to water, Juvia won't be outdone."
As a water-magic specialist, Juvia was in her element.
[What a colorful scene—every contestant in swimsuits!]
[Simple rules: leave the water and you're out!]
[Naval Battle—start!]
"Then I'll go first! Sorry, everyone!"
"Open! Gate of the Water Bearer—Aquarius!"
Lucy aimed for a quick win, summoning Aquarius right away.
"Oiiiii! You snot-nosed kids think you can seduce men with swimsuits? Ten thousand years too early!"
Aquarius erupted in rage, whipping up a vortex meant to fling everyone, including Lucy, out of the sphere.
"I won't let you!"
Water Cyclone!
Juvia countered instantly, blocking the torrent with her own spell.
"Eh?!"
Lucy hadn't expected Juvia to interfere Normally they'd clear the rest first, then duel.
Juvia glared. "Rival! I won't let you steal the spotlight!"
"Who's your rival?!" Lucy sighed.
She'd explained a hundred times she wasn't after Gray, but Juvia never listened.
The others began skirmishing, none gaining much ground.
Minerva watched calmly. "Hmm, some planning required. First, eliminate you."
Suddenly—
Juvia felt the water vanish. In the blink of an eye, she stood outside the sphere.
[Unbelievable—first out is Juvia!]
"What just happened?!" Gray stared.
Juvia had been inside a second ago.
"Space Magic." Takeshi stated.
"Space Magic?!"
"Next—you."
With a flick of Minerva's wrist, Risley of Mermaid Heel was gone.
"Followed by you."
Sherria of Lamia Scale was teleported out.
Next went Jenny of Blue Pegasus and Roka of Quatro Cerberus.
Only Lucy and Minerva remained.
***
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