"Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Crimson Lotus Phoenix Blade!"
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Evil Demon: Iron Spiral!"
"Aquarius Celestial Spirit Dress: Unison Raid: Water Flow Historia!"
"Ice-Make: Ice Cannon!"
On the dueling platform, another round of large-scale magic poured forth.
Under Wendy's full-attribute enchantments and Demon King Mira's demonic enhancements, everyone's ultimate moves were fiercer than usual, like a raging storm, bombarding Chase with irresistible force.
Chase quickly erected a dual defensive magical array using Summoned Demon and Archfiend of Gilfer. Although he managed to block all the attacks with his deep magic power, looking at Natsu and the others charging at him again, he couldn't help but feel deep helplessness and irritation.
These bastards were as energetic as if they had been injected with adrenaline, treating him like some evil mastermind like Brain.
If it weren't for the guild emblem etched on his right arm, they might even be shouting, "We are the mages of Fairy Tail!"
In this guild, strong people really receive a lot of "respect"... Chase sighed softly.
If he hadn't placed a restriction on his demonic power before the fight started, he would have summoned Gandora right about now to blow up the entire venue. At the very least, a Diffusing Wave would teach these guys a proper lesson!
But unfortunately, he couldn't use his cards right now, nor could he actually cripple or kill anyone.
"One after another, endlessly... you bastards are really getting on my nerves!"
Feeling a bit cornered, Chase clenched his fists. Magic power erupted from within him like a volcanic explosion.
BOOM!!
A highly oppressive dark golden storm exploded outward from him, sweeping across the entire venue with overwhelming force!
Natsu, Gray, and Gajeel, who were at the front, were the first to be hit by this terrifying magical shockwave. They managed to hold out for only two and a half seconds before being violently thrown back. After tracing elegant parabolic arcs through the air, they plunged into the lake outside the Nirvana with a loud splash.
Lucy, Wendy, Juvia, and the others were similarly unable to withstand it, flying backward one after another.
In the blink of an eye, the densely packed crowd on the platform was cleared out, leaving only Demon King Mira, her arms crossed in front of her.
"Just releasing his magic power produces such power—"
From the spectator stands, Panther Lily's eyes went wide. Looking at the suddenly clean dueling platform, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Is this guy even human?!"
"Rather than human, 'monster' would be a more accurate description," Carla said, spreading her paws with a calm expression, long since accustomed to this.
"Haha! This is our guild's S-Class mage!" Makarov said, hands on his hips, laughing with proud satisfaction.
Erza narrowed her eyes slightly, looking at Chase on the platform, whose chest was heaving heavily. She said softly, "However, even for Chase, unleashing that degree of pure, attribute-less magic power must consume a tremendous amount of energy..."
Hearing this, the look of shock on Lily's face didn't diminish. In fact, it grew even stronger.
"In other words... he defeated that entire group without even using magic?!"
"That magic power makes even me feel a chill. Truly impressive, as expected of Chase."
On the platform, Demon King Mira lowered her arms. A flicker of brilliance danced in her pitch-black pupils, which reflected Chase's figure. Her heart was far from calm.
The last time she had felt Chase's magic power this intimately was during the Fairy Tail civil war, when he was fighting fiercely against Laxus. And clearly, compared to back then, Chase was now much stronger. He had left ordinary S-Class mages like them far behind, reaching the same level as the master and Gildarts.
Perhaps...
Even stronger!
"Mira, your Demon King Take Over is more troublesome than I imagined," Chase said softly, while adjusting his slightly disordered breathing.
In his original vision, even without using his cards or God Slayer Magic, Mira shouldn't have been able to push him this far. The only explanation was that he had underestimated just how crazy those idiots in the guild could be.
"Although in an actual fight it wouldn't be this effective, I'll take that as a compliment~" Mira said, the corners of her mouth turning up in a sweet, happy smile. "In response, let me show you the true power of the Demon King!"
With that, she slowly raised her long, pitch-black demon finger. A magical array spun at its tip.
She knew that most of her comrades were using the excuse of being "controlled" to settle personal scores. Under these circumstances, the true utility of the Demon King Take Over in a real battle wasn't being demonstrated.
So, Mira proactively lifted the demonization on everyone and opted for a more obvious one-on-one control.
"I choose you!"
Gray, who had just fought his way back using an ice pillar, had the privilege of becoming that lucky individual.
Before Gray could even process the sudden relief of his demonization, a more turbulent and domineering demon king aura suddenly washed over him, enveloping him entirely in a deep black mist.
The black mist spun like a whirlpool, madly surging into his body with irresistible force, eventually manifesting as streaks of black markings on the surface of his skin.
Even his loose hairstyle was affected, standing up into a clean, slicked-back style with a single lock of hair falling over his brow, exuding sharpness!
"What is this?!" Gray exclaimed in disbelief, clenching his fists. "Such... such a strange feeling! And this power... it's way too strong!"
The next second, as if summoned by something, he uncontrollably leaped forward and landed in front of Demon King Mira.
"That's right, Gray. You've now obtained the full power of a demon," Demon King Mira said with a smile, pointing at Chase. "Help me beat up Chase~"
"Haha! No problem! That sounds great!" Demonized Gray laughed heartily, his confidence massively inflated.
In this state, he might actually be able to beat a weakened Chase to a pulp!
Meanwhile, Lucy and the others, having lost their excuse to fight, dragged their wet bodies back to the spectator stands.
"Ah~ So handsome! Gray-sama looks so handsome like this!" Juvia's eyes turned into pink hearts as she gazed at Gray on the platform with a lovestruck expression.
Then, her expression instantly shifted into a fierce scowl. "Mira-nee... no! That damn Mira is trying to take Gray-sama away from Juvia too?!"
"...I think you're reading too much into this," Lisanna immediately stepped in to retort.
"But he really does look strange. Is that the true ability of Mira-nee's Demon King Take Over?" Lucy said, propping her chin on one hand as she carefully observed him. "Just his stance alone somehow gives off the feeling of a strong warrior. Not that normal Gray isn't strong, of course..."
This statement wasn't actually wrong, and it reflected the first impression of everyone present.
But—
"Hey, Lucy! What did you say?! You think this Gray is stronger than me?!" Natsu instantly exploded.
"No, I meant that after being enhanced by Mira-nee—"
"Let's fight, you bastard Gray! I'm the strongest!!!"
Before Lucy could finish her sentence, Natsu, surrounded by raging flames, flipped himself over and charged out, shouting nonstop.
Lucy: "..."
Everyone: "..."
Mira, Chase: "..."
"..."
***
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