"Th-that's… incredible…"
Simon's voice trembled as he spoke, his understanding of magic, built over eight years, completely shattered by today's events.
He'd initially planned to throw himself in front of the attack to protect Erza, but he stopped short after hearing her and Natsu's conversation. From their words, it was clear this guy named Kira was at least as strong as Jellal.
But Simon never imagined Kira could so effortlessly dismantle such a powerful spell.
As a dark magic user himself, Simon knew how terrifying Jellal's Dark Paradise spell was. Only a highly skilled mage wielding a superior, elementally countering spell could neutralize it so easily.
"How… how did he do that?"
Natsu was just as shocked as Simon. If it were him, he might've been able to break through Dark Paradise with his Dragon Slayer Secret Art, but the resulting shockwave would've been massive.
He knew Kira could handle it, but not like this—resolving the crisis with such finesse.
Happy, on the other hand, didn't overthink it. He just knew Kira was awesome. "That's our Kira for ya!"
Kira's ego swelled at Happy's praise, and he stood a little taller. "Hmph, mere celestial magic? Pathetic."
"How… how is this possible?"
Jellal collapsed to his knees, clutching his throbbing head, his mind in shambles. His ultimate trump card had been crushed so easily. He'd expected Kira to counter with some powerful magic, but this effect? Unthinkable.
One question consumed him: What the hell is Annihilation magic?
Kira stepped forward, unable to resist rubbing it in. "Look at you now, Jellal—pathetic!"
"Your years-long plan? Snatched away just as it was about to bear fruit. Your precious magic? Nothing but a joke in front of me."
"Eight years, and all you've proven is that you're a complete failure!"
In that moment, Kira got why villains in novels loved to gloat. He understood why manga bosses always died talking too much. Man, this feels good.
"One last thing," Kira added. "What I said earlier about Zeref not being dead? It's true."
"No… that's impossible! I clearly…"
"Everything you thought you knew about Zeref's 'spirit'? Fake. All of it was Ultear playing you!"
It was the final straw, shattering Jellal's long-held beliefs. He snapped.
"You've gone too far! I'm done holding back!"
"True Celestial Magic: Star Collapse!"
Unlike the Seven Star Sword, this spell's aura was far more intense—a cataclysmic explosion akin to a meteor strike.
This was Jellal's true final move, Kira thought. Not one to back down, he gripped his weapon. "Perfect timing. Let's test out my newly created ultimate move on you!"
Word Magic was useful, but having to shout the incantations was a glaring weakness. Kira sometimes mixed in other spells to cover it, but it wasn't foolproof.
So, he decided to create his own magic.
Crafting a powerful new spell wasn't easy—it required inspiration. His first target? The spells of Fairy Tail itself. Why bother with rare external magic when the guild's own arsenal was right there? That's how he ended up secretly studying Makarov's Amaterasu magic behind his back.
The results were impressive. The Amaterasu magic circle he used during the Phantom Lord battle was one outcome—a defensive spell.
But he didn't stop there. He'd also developed a new attack spell.
Everyone knew Fairy Tail's three super magics: the crowd-control, morale-crushing Fairy Law; the single-target, star-powered Fairy Glitter; and the absolute defense, belief-linked Fairy Sphere. Each had its drawbacks—Fairy Law drained the user's life force, Fairy Glitter demanded high aptitude, and Fairy Sphere took time to dispel.
If someone could create magic, someone could improve it. Kira, a magical genius, figured enhancing a super magic or two was par for the course.
After nearly a year of work, he'd finally made a breakthrough.
Kira extended his hands forward, palms facing each other, and channeled his magic. A surge of holy light gathered, forming a radiant white orb.
Above, the sky shifted. Dark clouds swirled, forming a massive vortex. At its center, above the clouds, a faint holy light shone, awe-inspiring and divine.
This was his newly created super magic, an upgraded version of Fairy Law—
"Fairy's Judgment!!"
The sight stunned everyone present.
Natsu and Happy's jaws dropped. "That magic… that power…?"
"It's like the Master's Fairy Law, but different!"
Erza's expression was grave. She was awestruck by Kira's strength but also gripped with worry for Jellal's life. Her grip on her sword tightened, her heart torn.
He was her enemy, and she'd prepared for this outcome, but he was also her first love—her untouchable white moonlight.
"Jellal…"
Star Collapse versus Fairy's Judgment. The two magics clashed, but the outcome was worlds apart.
Like a divine verdict smiting evil, like lightning shattering darkness, the Judgment's power descended from the heavens. It pierced the clouds, sliced through Star Collapse, and struck Jellal directly.
"Arghhh—!"
Clouds, magic, stones, the island itself, and even Jellal seemed powerless before this force.
The immense energy punched through the island, dragging Jellal into the unfathomable depths of the sea. All that remained was his fading, resentful roar and a massive, ten-meter-wide crater.
Dust swirled, winds howled, and seawater rushed in. The cacophony overwhelmed everyone's senses, their eyes barely able to stay open, the ground shaking so violently they could hardly stand.
Natsu nearly mistook the trembling earth for a rollercoaster, teetering on the edge of nausea.
From their ship in the distance, Lucy, Gray, and the others watched in stunned silence. They'd thought the earlier black-and-white magic clash was impressive, but this heavenly super magic—even with Etherion as a benchmark—rewrote their understanding of magic.
"What… what kind of magic is that?"
Juvia could only feel grateful. "It's too strong… Thank goodness he didn't use it during the Phantom Lord fight…"
"Watch out! The sea!"
Lucy's shout snapped them back to reality. The magic had pierced the island down to the ocean floor, stirring up massive waves.
Gray reacted quickly, clapping his hands together. The water beneath the ship froze solid, stabilizing it.
But Gray clearly hadn't studied physics—ice like that wouldn't hold on the open sea due to insufficient buoyancy.
As the ship began to sink, a voice called out, "Leave it to Juvia!"
Juvia dove into the sea, her body merging with the water. She became one with the ocean, pushing the waves away with all her strength.
Once the waves subsided, Juvia returned to the ship, unharmed. Seeing her safe, Gray let out a relieved sigh.
"Let's head back and check on everyone!"
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