Magnolia had turned into a battlefield. Magical runes, probably the work of Freed, enveloped the city, trapping mages in forced duels. Paragon, perched on a distant rooftop, observed every movement with analytical precision.
In the streets, Natsu and Gajeel roared in frustration, trapped by Freed's runes, which prevented them from joining the battle until the designated duels were resolved. Gray faced Bickslow, launching ice lances against animated dolls that danced with eerie precision. On the stage, a surge of energy caught Paragon's eye: Erza broke free from Evergreen's petrification, her artificial eye glinting, immune to the magic. She requipped into her Heaven's Wheel Armor and charged Evergreen in a flurry of swords.
Erza is the first to break free. Her will is monstrous, Paragon thought. That artificial eye… she's extraordinary. He memorized every detail: Gray's precise ice constructs, Erza's relentless swordplay slicing through Evergreen's bursts of fairy dust. Soon, Erza's victory over Evergreen shattered the petrification spell, freeing Lucy, Cana, Juvia, Mirajane, and the other contestants.
Lucy, now mobile, scrambled to the sidelines, clutching her keys. Paragon noticed her conferring with a blue-haired mage—Levy, he recalled from the manga—poring over a notebook, likely deciphering Freed's runes. Lucy's smarter than she lets on. She's key to breaking those barriers.
A bolt of lightning struck nearby, scattering debris. Laxus appeared in the central square, taunting the guild. "You're pathetic!" he roared, unleashing a wave of lightning that shook the buildings. Natsu and Gajeel, still trapped by the runes, pounded against the invisible barriers, their flames and iron attacks useless. Paragon squinted, observing Laxus's magic. Raw power, but controlled. He's not even trying.
The interface remained silent, offering no commentary beyond Paragon's own limits. No help here. Just me, stuck watching. He clenched his fists, frustrated by his powerlessness. With Force E and Speed E, he could barely lift a bucket or run without stumbling. His Magic Control E- and Unknown Magic confirmed he had no way to wield magic. A mix of frustration and curiosity surged within him. If I want to survive here, I need to learn. The guild's library… that could be a start.
The battles intensified. Lucy, now paired with Loke—her Leo spirit—engaged Bickslow, her whip and Loke's light-based attacks countering the puppeteer's dolls. Meanwhile, Mirajane, freed from petrification, witnessed Freed threatening her brother Elfman. Her expression darkened, and a terrifying aura erupted as she unleashed her Satan Soul, charging Freed with demonic fury. Gray continued his fight, while Natsu and Gajeel remained trapped, their roars echoing through the city.
The interface flickered once: Limit Breaker System: Potential for Progression: High. Push your body to its limits to break the barrier and reach Rank D.
Paragon muttered, "I'm nothing compared to them. But if I want to move forward…" He tried to focus, searching for a spark of magic within, but nothing came. Unknown Magic. Of course. The idea of Fairy Tail's library—filled with grimoires and magical knowledge—rooted itself in his mind. If I want to become a mage, that's where I'll start.
The battle reached its climax. Lucy and Levy's efforts weakened Freed's runes, allowing Natsu and Gajeel to break free. Laxus activated the Thunder Palace, a network of lightning orbs floating above Magnolia, threatening to obliterate the city. Natsu and Gajeel, now unleashed, united to confront Laxus in an explosive showdown. Paragon watched, captivated by their resolve, but painfully aware of his own weakness. This world is insane. But if I want a place in it, I have to push my limits… until they break.