"We deeply apologize for the poor viewing experience caused by Raven Tail."
After offering the audience an official apology on behalf of the organizers, Chapati suddenly perked up, hearts practically popping out of his eyes. "Now then, next up is the final match of the day, and the one I personally have been looking forward to the most!"
"Sherria Blendy of Lamia Scale versus Wendy Marvell of Fairy Tail Team A!"
The moment the matchup was announced, the crowd's attention was instantly captured by the two adorable young girls appearing on the holographic screen.
"Oh my, I didn't expect it to be Wendy."
Mirajane blinked and tilted her head with curiosity. "I wonder which one Team A will send out?"
"It should be ours."
Chase glanced at the empty stands across from them and smiled. "My Card Magic hasn't been triggered at all."
The Wendy who had come out to watch today's matches had been their Wendy all along. If they had secretly swapped her with the Future Wendy inside his cards, it wouldn't have escaped his perception.
"This is going to be a wonderful match. That child has been secretly practicing the Sky Dragon God Slayer Magic you gave her." Juvia's expression was full of anticipation.
On the night before they arrived at Crocus, Juvia—who lived in the same dormitory right next door—had noticed Wendy training hard past midnight.
Since the parts that needed developing were still those of a child, Wendy was one of the very few girls not on Juvia's "potential love rival list." No need for vigilance there.
"Slifer the Sky Dragon... that divine power that defeated the Black Dragon Acnologia."
Future Laxus shot a serious glance at the smiling Chase.
From the Thunder God Tribe, he had learned that his counterpart in another world had lost to that very power during the civil war. He also knew the full story of Tenrou Island in Chase's world and the existence of the gods.
"That's right. I just wonder how far Wendy has progressed." Chase nodded.
Speaking of the God Slayer Magic he wielded—
Whether it was Slifer or Obelisk, neither was something an ordinary person could easily master, no matter how gifted they were in magic.
Or rather, even if they learned it, they wouldn't be able to draw out its full power. He had obtained his divine power directly from Slifer and Obelisk themselves.
But Wendy was different. Aside from the unreasonable trait that Dragon Slayers could forcibly consume other powers and make them their own, she also possessed an advantage that even Natsu didn't have.
That's right—Enchantment Magic.
Dragon Slayer Magic originally evolved from Irene enchanting dragon power onto humans.
By the same logic, to learn Slifer's God Slayer Magic, Wendy only needed to find a way to enchant Slifer's power into her own magic.
Of course, that assumed Slifer was willing to provide his divine power.
That was precisely the other reason Chase chose Wendy to learn Sky Dragon God Slayer Magic—besides the fact that "Sky Dragon" and "Sky Maiden" were a perfect match.
If they ever had to face Ankhseram and the gods of the God Realm, Wendy would be able to use something like the "Dragon Slayer Seal" from the 100 Years Quest to turn the entire guild into God Slayers.
"Wendy will be fine. She's always been reliable~" Mirajane said with a smile.
The moment those words left her mouth, her smile froze.
She looked down to see the two girls entering the arena one after another amid the cheers of the perverted audience—
Then thump, both adorable young girls tripped over nothing in perfect unison, putting on a masterclass in the art of the flat-out faceplant.
From a strictly scientific analysis of equal and opposite reactions, the utterly unendowed Wendy clearly hit the ground harder than Future Sherria.
The audience burst out laughing at the two little ones.
"So, so cute! No matter which side, uncle will cheer for you~!"
Chapati seemed utterly charmed, hearts in his eyes as he wiggled his hips relentlessly. Even his usually passionate commentary had turned unbearably greasy and flirtatious.
Future Lahar, ever the serious type, pressed a hand to his forehead with a look of exasperation and muttered to Future Yajima beside him, "Has this guy completely abandoned his public image and persona?"
"Well, it's only natural." Future Yajima gave a very seasoned assessment.
Down in the arena, the gong sounded.
"Alright Sherria, here I come!"
"Gale Wind, Iron Arm Strength, Armor Strength—all attributes boosted!"
After a quick greeting to her opponent, Wendy spread her arms wide, mimicking Natsu's stance. She drew the surrounding air onto her arms with enhanced magic, turning it into powerful currents.
"Sky Dragon's Wing Attack!"
Like a sky dragon spreading its wings, two torrents of hurricane-force wind howled forward and merged into one, striking toward Future Sherria.
Future Sherria remained completely calm. As a fellow Sky-attribute mage, her perception of air currents was exceptionally sharp. She flipped and rolled out of the way with ease, even using the residual force of the Wing Attack to launch herself high into the air.
"North Wind, become the breath of the gods and cleave the earth."
Deep, pitch-black currents gathered rapidly in her palm, churning across most of the arena. "Heavenly God North Wind!"
A black tornado shot back in the same manner.
Wendy was startled—she hadn't expected her opponent to be able to use the same type of magic.
But fortunately, after joining Fairy Tail, her combat experience had grown considerably. She reacted in an instant, leaping clear of the black vortex's range.
"Nice one, Wendy! You dodged that? Then—"
Future Sherria landed smoothly and seized the opportunity, charging through the disrupted air currents caused by their earlier Sky Magic exchange.
"Wind, oh wind, dig open the earth, dance toward the sky—Heavenly God Dance!"
Wendy couldn't evade in time and was hurled high into the air by the sudden explosion of black gale-force winds.
"I'm not done yet!"
Future Sherria's combat experience was equally rich. She bent her knees and launched herself upward, her right arm swirling with black wind, giving Wendy no chance to catch her breath.
But unlike her previous opponents who had been helpless against this move, Wendy moved like an agile sprite, twisting mid-air despite the chaotic currents binding her.
"Sky Dragon's Talon!"
A kick wrapped in gale-force wind sent Future Sherria crashing back down to the ground!
Both small figures landed one after another.
After the exchange, Wendy had a decent grasp of her opponent's power. She stopped holding back, opened her mouth, and drew the surrounding air deep into her lungs.
"Sky Dragon's—"
Across from her, Future Sherria saw through her intent and smiled confidently, striking the same pose. "Heavenly God's—"
"ROAR!!!"
"HOWL!!!"
Pure storm and black storm collided violently. In an instant, raging winds exploded in all directions, and the shockwave swept across the entire arena!
***
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