Deep within the ruins, as the ritual neared its final stage, the ice mountain began to tremble faintly — a sign that Deliora was on the verge of breaking free.
"Finally… finally, the day has come! I'll prove I've surpassed you, Ur!!"
After years of waiting — years of pain, sweat, and obsession — all of Lyon's emotions converged into a single overwhelming force.
His eyes burned with a near-mad determination. The entire world faded into insignificance. All that remained in his heart was his long-standing contest with Ur.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to calm the turmoil in his chest.
But when he opened them again, the fire inside him still raged fiercely.
"Master, bad news — the Fairy Tail group has already broken through!" a panicked subordinate shouted as he rushed in.
Lyon's expression darkened instantly. "They must not disrupt the ritual."
He gave his orders without hesitation. "Zalty, you're coming with me. We'll stop them together."
As he turned to leave, his gaze briefly swept across Wes Elwin, filled with visible wariness and mistrust.
"Relax," Wes said evenly. "I'll keep my end of the deal."
The words were aimed not at Lyon, but at Ultear.
Lyon snorted coldly. "It'd better be that way." Then, without another glance, he led his men out to face the intruders.
"Remember what you said," Ultear murmured in a low, warning tone, her sharp eyes fixed on Wes as if searching for proof of sincerity.
Wes simply smiled — calm, unreadable. That faint, knowing smile of his carried a kind of weight that made Ultear uneasy.
Moments later, the members of Fairy Tail burst into the inner sanctum of the ruins.
Wes's attention immediately caught on a woman with brilliant scarlet hair — Erza Scarlet.
Clad in armor that somehow didn't hinder her grace or power, her sharp eyes radiated confidence, strength, and beauty. Every movement exuded the commanding aura of the "Fairy Queen."
Wes's eyes gleamed with open admiration, and Erza sensed it instantly.
She raised her sword, pointing its tip directly at him. "State your name."
"Erza, this one's mine!" Natsu shouted, stepping forward, flames already flickering around him. His eyes burned with fury.
"Natsu," Erza asked, her tone level, "is he the mysterious mage who defeated you?"
"It's him," Natsu growled, slamming his fists together as fire blazed across his arms.
Wes tilted his head slightly, his voice laced with amusement. "Between the Fire Dragon and the Fairy Queen… I think I'd rather test the Queen."
The remark hit Natsu like a slap. "Bastard! Don't you dare look down on me!!"
In a flash, fire exploded from every inch of Natsu's body, surrounding him like a roaring volcano ready to erupt.
Wes, however, looked unimpressed.
"Child's play from a young dragon," he said coolly. "Once was enough."
To Natsu, those words were pure humiliation. His blood boiled hotter, veins bulging across his arms and temple.
"Damn you!!" he roared and charged forward, the sheer force of his movement cracking the ground beneath his feet, sending dirt and stone flying.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!!" he shouted, his right hand engulfed in fierce, swirling flames — like a meteor blazing through the air, packed with destructive energy as it hurtled toward Wes.
But no matter how powerful an attack might be, it's meaningless if it never hits.
Wes made no effort to dodge. He simply watched Natsu's charge with an expression that could almost be mistaken for pity.
Then, the moment Natsu's blazing fist connected —
— time itself seemed to freeze.
Wes's body dissolved into countless shimmering fragments, like bubbles breaking apart in sunlight.
Natsu's punch struck through empty air as the fragments floated away and vanished completely.
"How… how is that possible…" he whispered in shock.
This was only a clone of Wes Elwin.
Natsu's punch hit nothing but air, the force of it smashing into the wall behind him.
With a deafening boom, the wall shattered open, leaving a massive hole. The entire ruin trembled, dust and debris scattering in every direction.
"Damn it, that move again!" Natsu gritted his teeth, scanning his surroundings in frustration, searching for Wes's figure.
He sniffed sharply, trying to pick up his scent—but there was nothing.
"Why can't I smell him?"
At that moment, Wes's true body appeared before Erza Scarlet.
"Please," he said calmly, "allow me to witness your Requip Magic."
Faced with Wes's "invitation," Erza didn't refuse.
(Natsu isn't his match. I'll need to lead him away.)
But Natsu wasn't about to back down. "Your opponent is me!!" he roared, charging straight toward Wes for another attack.
Ultear quickly intercepted him.
(Lyon might not be able to handle Erza. Since this guy's volunteering to fight her, all the better. I just need to keep this hot-headed idiot busy.)
"Very well. I accept your challenge," Erza said, sheathing her sword. "But this place is too cramped—it limits what we can do."
Without waiting for Wes's reply, she turned and walked out of the ruins.
Erza's plan was simple.
(According to Lucy's description, his magic has a wide area of effect. If I lure him outside, it'll give Lucy and Happy a better chance.)
Wes didn't mind where the battle took place. He already understood Erza's intent—but he was only interested in witnessing her magic firsthand.
"This spot will do," Erza said after glancing around. They had already put enough distance between themselves and the ruins. "You have no objections, I assume?"
"Anywhere is fine with me, Miss Scarlet."
"You know who I am."
"Of course. Fairy Tail's fame reaches far and wide."
"Then tell me your name," Erza said, pointing her blade toward him. "That's the least respect due to your opponent."
"My apologies," Wes replied with a refined bow. "I am Wes Elwin."
"Wes Elwin?" Erza repeated, thinking for a moment. The name meant nothing to her. "Never heard of you."
"Just an unknown mage, that's all."
"Defeating Natsu isn't something an 'unknown mage' could easily do."
(According to Lucy, this guy can use multiple types of magic. I can't let him seize the initiative—I have to strike first.)
Light shimmered across Erza's body as her armor shifted.
Her knightly armor transformed into a wild beast-skin outfit, a strip of cloth armor hanging from her side.
Her weapon became twin swords, and her ears sharpened into animal-like points.
A primal aura radiated from her—feral and powerful.
"Flight Armor," she murmured. Her body flashed again, now clad in sleek, aerodynamic armor designed for speed.
It was one of Erza's signature armors, allowing her to move with extraordinary agility.
"Interesting," Wes observed. "You can summon and switch armors during combat?"
He hadn't even finished speaking before Erza vanished from sight.
Clang!
Her twin blades struck, but were blocked mid-swing by an invisible barrier that surrounded Wes, the impact ringing like clashing steel.
"Ambushing someone isn't very knightly of you," Wes said evenly.
"I'm not a knight," Erza retorted, her movements a blur, "I'm a mage."
She unleashed a furious flurry of strikes, her twin swords dancing in the air. Countless sword shadows intertwined, completely obscuring Wes's vision.
°°°
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