Elfman didn't hesitate. He opened with a barrage of heavy, rapid punches aimed at Sol. But Sol sprang into the air with surprising grace, slipping past every strike.
"You… once had a younger sister, didn't you?"
Sol asked, his voice slick with malice.
The words hit Elfman like a body blow, and his expression faltered.
"Sand Dance!!"
Sol flicked his hands, summoning a swirling cloud of sand that swallowed Elfman's vision.
"Rock Concerto!!"
He swept his leg across the ground, sending a barrage of jagged stones whipping toward the disoriented giant.
"Uwaaah!!"
"Elfman!!"
Mira cried from the sidelines, her heart sinking as she watched her brother take the hit.
"You failed a Full-Body Take Over once, didn't you?"
Sol mocked, circling him. "You lost control and went berserk. Your little sister sacrificed her life just to stop you. Since that day, you haven't been able to use your full power even once. Am I right?"
"Beast Arm: Iron Bull!!"
Elfman roared, his arm hardening into steel as he swung at Sol.
Whoosh!
Sol dove into the earth like a mole, vanishing instantly—then resurfacing a few feet away. Elfman lunged after him, but Sol's body suddenly stretched and coiled around Elfman's arm like a serpent.
"Hello there."
"Get off me!"
Elfman snarled, skin crawling. Being touched by someone that slimy was revolting.
"Non, non, non! Three 'nons' because you are far too weak!"
Elfman tried to rip him off.
"Let go of me, you worm!"
"I told you, it is Gentleman Sol!"
Sol uncoiled and snapped a sharp kick into Elfman's jaw.
CRACK!
"Is this really the best you can do?"
Sol sneered.
Elfman gritted his teeth. For all his ridiculous mannerisms, Sol's magic—and his timing—were top-tier.
I have to risk it, Elfman thought. He squeezed his eyes shut and reached for his full power. But the moment he did, Lisanna's face flashed in his mind.
"Aaaaah!!"
His magic sputtered and died. The transformation failed.
"Oh? Don't push yourself too hard,"
Sol laughed. "Your magic power is dropping like a stone. Take this!!"
He rushed in and buried a foot into Elfman's stomach.
"Ugh!"
"And now, for a gentleman's grand finale—Plaster Sonata!!"
A massive fist of packed earth and sand slammed into Elfman, launching him across the arena. He crashed into the stone wall and slid down, bruised and bloodied.
Sol strolled over and planted a boot on Elfman's chest.
"And this is the power of the Element 4."
Then he began stomping repeatedly, laughing with every strike.
The Phantom Lord section erupted in cheers. Master Jose laughed along with them.
"That's it! Show them! Let those Fairy Tail losers see the gap between our strength and theirs!"
Mira was in tears, hands trembling.
"Elfman! Kael, please—swap him out! He can't do it! He's going to get killed!"
Kael watched, expression unreadable. His voice carried clearly across the suddenly quiet arena.
"What are you so afraid of, Elfman? I thought you said you were a real man."
Elfman's eyes flickered open at the sound.
"Is this all you've got?"
Kael continued, his tone flat.
"I thought you wanted to be a man who could protect his older sister. If you can't even tame a single Beast Soul, then all your talk is just hot air. If you're going to give up, then get off the field. You're wasting our time."
"OOOOOOOOOH!!!"
A violent surge of magic power exploded from Elfman, blasting Sol backward.
"No!!"
Mira screamed. "Elfman, don't! You can only handle the arm!"
"Full-Body Take Over: BEAST SOUL!!"
Elfman's roar shook the stadium. His frame swelled, muscles bulging and tearing through his clothes as he transformed into a towering, horned beast king.
"NONONONONO!!"
Sol's face went paper-white as he stared up at the monster.
"ROAR!!"
Elfman charged. With a single earth-shattering blow, he smashed Sol into the ground. The arena floor cracked under the impact. Sol's eyes rolled back, and he went limp instantly.
Elfman released the transformation, breathing hard, and raised a trembling fist to the sky.
"I… am a man!!"
[THE… THE WINNER IS DECIDED!!!]
[WINNER: ELFMAN OF FAIRY TAIL!]
The crowd went wild.
"That was incredible!"
"Did you see that transformation?!"
"Fairy Tail has won two in a row! They're on fire!"
Mira collapsed into her seat, sobbing with relief.
Kael watched Elfman stagger back, a faint smirk at the corner of his mouth. He knew Elfman had been training for this for two years. The power was there; he'd only needed a shove past the trauma.
"Phantom Lord! Who's next?!"
Elfman shouted toward the rivals' bench.
Kael rolled his eyes and immediately signaled for a substitution.
[Wait! Fairy Tail is making another swap!]
Elfman trudged off the field, looking frustrated.
"Kael, I can still fight! Why pull me out?"
"Look at you,"
Kael said bluntly. "You're covered in wounds. I only sent you out there as filler. Did you actually think you were part of the main force?"
Elfman's jaw dropped.
"Hey… that's a bit harsh, isn't it?"
"If you don't want to be called filler, then get stronger,"
Kael said, though there was a hint of a smile in his eyes. "Strive to become someone I can't afford to take off the field."
Elfman's eyes lit up with fresh determination.
"I will! Just you watch!!"
Makarov watched from the stands, pride swelling in his chest. Kael might be young, but he knew exactly how to lead—and how to light a fire under the guild.
Jose, meanwhile, was turning purple with rage.
"Trash! All of them! Sol had the win in his hands and he blew it!"
Losing to two "nobodies" from Fairy Tail was an insult he couldn't stomach.
[And now, the third match is about to begin! Contestants, please enter the ring!]