The next day, in a clearing deep within the Eastern Forest outside the guild—Every Fairy Tail member who wasn't on a mission had gathered to watch the match that was about to take place.
"Come at me with everything you've got, Kana," Laxus said seriously, muscles tensing as faint sparks of lightning danced around him. "Show me how far you've come."
Kana turned her head toward Makarov, who stood beside Kael. When she saw Kael give her a reassuring nod, she exhaled slowly and looked back at Laxus. Closing her eyes, she steadied her breathing. Then, as she opened them again, her gaze sharpened—filled with pure resolve. The sudden surge of pressure radiating from her startled everyone watching, including Makarov himself.
"Oh? That's a good look in your eyes," Laxus said with a faint smirk. "Alright then—let's see it."
"Shave!" Kana's figure vanished in an instant, leaving only a swirl of dust where she had stood. Her fist shot out from the right, striking toward Laxus's face at blinding speed.
Boom!The blow was caught midair by Laxus's right hand. A thunderous shockwave cracked through the clearing.
"Not bad. Your strength and speed have improved a lot," Laxus said calmly, his hand still gripping her fist. "But you're still not up to my standards. Kael, maybe your teaching isn't as great as everyone says—"
Before he could finish, his instincts screamed. He crossed his arms just in time as an invisible force slammed into him. A tremendous impact sent him flying backward, flipping through the air before he jammed one hand into the ground to stop his slide.
He looked up, eyes widening. Kana stood where she had struck, her right leg glowing with a slick, black metallic sheen—Armament Haki wrapped tightly around it.
"Oh? Just like Kael's ability back then… and you're angry, aren't you?" Laxus muttered. The sight brought back memories of his own fight with Kael. Though Kana's power wasn't yet on the same level, the resemblance was undeniable—and judging by her expression, he'd just hit a nerve.
The guild erupted in gasps. Even Mira and Erza exchanged surprised looks before smiling knowingly at each other. Natsu and Gray, meanwhile, cheered wildly from the sidelines, fists pumping in excitement.
Kana didn't respond. Instead, she spread her arms and whispered, "Six Arts—Iron Body."
Her fists turned steel-grey, layered with dense Armament Haki. The ground beneath her cracked as she pushed off with immense force. Laxus, crackling with lightning, charged to meet her head-on.
Their fists collided.A violent burst of wind exploded outward, flattening the nearby grass and shattering the dirt beneath their feet. The ground caved inward, forming a shallow crater as both combatants leapt back, only to clash again—over and over, their movements so fast that most of the spectators couldn't even follow them.
"Unbelievable…" Macao whispered."Yeah… I can't even see them anymore," Wakaba muttered.
Each strike echoed like thunder through the forest, proof enough of Kana's new strength.
"Tch… how is she predicting my attacks so accurately?" Laxus thought as he pressed forward. "She's meeting almost every hit head-on… only a few slip through—and even those are blocked by that black aura."
After another fierce exchange, Kana slid back, panting heavily, her boots carving a trail in the dirt. Laxus stood unmoved, barely winded. The difference in raw power was clear.
But Kana didn't back down. "It's not over yet! Show me the strength of an S-class wizard—your real power! I know both you and Kael will take the S-class exam this year, right?" she shouted between breaths, determination blazing in her eyes.
Laxus raised a brow. "Oh? You sure about that?""I'm sure," Kana said firmly.
"…Fine. As you wish."
Laxus's aura erupted. The ground split beneath his feet, crackling with lightning as his magic power flooded the air, pressing down on everyone present. For the first time, Kana experienced what true S-class power felt like—and it was terrifying. But even then, she didn't yield.
She gathered all her remaining magic, compressing it into her right fist until it glowed with condensed energy, Armament Haki wrapping tighter and tighter around it.
"Lightning Spear—Fangtian Halberd!" Laxus roared. A massive trident-shaped bolt of lightning formed in his hands, its radiance searing the sky.
The spectators panicked."Oi, oi, that's a bit much, isn't it?" someone shouted."Master, do something!" Mira cried.
Erza clenched her fist, whispering under her breath, "Kana…" Her eyes reflected pride more than fear. She recognized that same courage—the will to stand her ground no matter what.
Mira turned to Makarov and Kael anxiously. "Aren't you going to stop them? This isn't just a spar anymore!"
"Relax," Makarov said calmly. "Laxus knows his limits. And Kael's watching closely."
Kael nodded. "He's holding back. The spear looks strong, but it's tuned to match Kana's current power. And with the two of us here, nothing will happen."
Even so, Kael's eyes widened slightly. The technique Kana was using… it looked familiar. He'd once mentioned, in passing during training, a legendary female warrior who could channel monstrous strength by focusing her power into a single point. He'd only told her the theory—but somehow, Kana had mastered it. Her destructive potential was astonishing.
Kael's lips curved into a faint smile. "Impressive…"
He didn't realize his hands had clenched slightly as he whispered, "Kana…" under his breath. Watching her refuse to give up, her body trembling yet unwavering, stirred something in him.
Laxus glanced toward Kael, who gave him a subtle nod. Taking that as the signal, Laxus hurled the Lightning Spear forward. The deafening boom of thunder tore through the clearing as the weapon streaked toward Kana, ripping the ground apart in its path.
Kana braced herself, meeting the attack head-on. She roared, slamming her fist into the bolt.
CRASH!
The world flashed white. The earth trembled. Smoke and dust erupted into the air, and the roar of destruction echoed through the forest.
When the dust finally cleared, the ground was a ruin—split and cratered, the center blown wide open. The shockwave had even reached where Laxus had been standing moments before.
But he was gone from that spot. Standing between the blast and Kana was Kael, his arm raised, a shimmering barrier of light surrounding them both.
Kana blinked, dazed. The moment she realized who was shielding her, her knees buckled. Kael caught her before she fell.
"Kana! Are you alright? Where does it hurt?" he asked quickly, genuine worry in his voice.
"I-I'm fine," Kana murmured, face flushed. "Just… a bit exhausted." Her heart pounded wildly in her chest.
"Ahem," Laxus coughed awkwardly from behind them. "Your performance was… acceptable. You pass."
Kael blinked, realizing he was still holding Kana close. He gently helped her stand, both of them red-faced as they stepped apart.
Makarov strode over, chuckling. "So this is that new power you mentioned, Kael—'Haki,' was it? Impressive. I can see why you've all taken such an interest in it."
"Haki?" Laxus repeated, frowning slightly.
Kael grinned, his usual confidence returning. "Interested in learning? I think Observation Haki would suit you, Laxus."
Laxus smirked faintly, lightning crackling in his eyes. "Heh… maybe I will."