Southeast corner, the activity plaza where intersecting streets met.
The sound of magical clashes echoed. Cana was pushed back by the shockwave, gasping heavily.
Though she looked somewhat disheveled, her eyes remained unwavering, fixed straight ahead. She clutched her tarot cards tightly, maintaining a defensive stance.
Frost scattered. Black wind swirled. Two figures emerged from the smoke and dust, stopping before her.
"Give up, Miss Cana. You're much stronger than I expected. If this were a battle round from earlier days, the outcome would indeed be hard to predict."
Future Lyon radiated waves of cold air, speaking with confidence. "But today's match is a survival battle. With two against one, you have no chance of winning."
Beside him, Future Sherria brushed the dust from her skirt and smiled confidently. "If we keep fighting, I can't guarantee I won't hurt you, big sister from Wendy's guild."
The moment their targeted NPC was "stolen," this pair had moved toward Erza's position, only to be intercepted by Cana here.
Future Lyon had initially planned to leave Sherria to fight while he went after Erza to claim the neutral points. Then came the Pumpkin Head's announcement of the hidden rule.
As a level-headed Ice-Make mage, he immediately realized that what followed would be an intense decisive battle determining the final Grand Magic Games rankings.
So he changed tactics, opting for a safer approach. He turned back to take out Cana first, buying himself and Sherria time to rest and prepare!
However, as it turned out, Cana's point wasn't so easy to claim.
Even the two of them together couldn't defeat her in a short time.
"Thank you for your concern, but I already promised Erza. No matter what, I'll fight until the very end!"
Besides, right now, her father was watching from the stands. She absolutely couldn't embarrass him!
The last part was too embarrassing—if it were broadcast and that bastard Gildarts heard it and felt smug, she didn't have the courage, or the face, to say it out loud.
"Then I apologize. For Lamia Scale and Mr. Jura, we must move forward!"
Knowing the Fairy Tail members' temperament well, Future Lyon said no more. He crossed his fists and launched his attack. "Ice Blade: White Bird Wings!"
A light green magic circle bloomed, seemingly accompanied by sharp bird cries.
Cold air surged as a massive ice bird spread its wings and shot forward at high speed.
Ever since realizing his mistake on Galuna Island, he had returned to the traditional two-handed casting motion for Ice-Make Magic. His casting speed had clearly improved.
The chill rushed toward her. Cana took a deep breath and threw her tarot card decisively. "Sun's Explosive Flame!"
The card flew out, stuck to the giant ice bird's head, and exploded with scorching heat.
The two forces clashed and cancelled each other out, producing a large amount of white steam.
Using the steam as cover, Future Sherria leaped into the air and unleashed her Sky God Slayer Magic. "Heavenly God North Wind!"
A black tornado instantly tore through the white curtain, striking at Cana with an unstoppable, fierce assault.
Before the magic even arrived, the turbulent winds had already whipped Cana's long hair violently, stinging her cheeks.
"Lightforce Barrier!"
A card magic circle bloomed. Cana braced against the gale and activated the tarot card she had prepared earlier. Through the brief exchange, she had already figured out her opponents' attack patterns.
VWOOM!
Holy light bloomed beneath her feet, forming a hemispherical barrier that protected her.
The next second, the raging black hurricane crashed down. Even the outward energy shockwaves alone were enough to overturn the entire street, shattering all the glass windows in the surrounding buildings!
"Wait... that card effect..." Lucy's pupils contracted from the spectator stands.
"That's right. It's probably based on my Mirror Force," Chase said with a smile.
After all, as Gildarts's biological daughter, Cana's magical talent and power had never been weak.
The reason she hadn't shown exceptional performance was mainly due to the limitations of her card magic's monotonous attack patterns, which prevented her from reaching her full potential.
In comparison, the versatile Yu-Gi-Oh! cards were far more comprehensive.
Though she still couldn't fully break through the limitations of card magic, they had compensated for many of its flaws, showing Cana more possibilities.
She had already figured out a card with the same effect as Lightforce Sword. It was only natural she could now use something similar to Mirror Force.
"Hahaha! As expected of my precious daughter!" Gildarts laughed heartily.
"Oh my, at this rate, Cana might become a 'card nerd' just like Chase~" Mirajane nodded seriously.
"Anything but becoming like Chase!!"
The old father's smile vanished instantly. His face scrunched up in anguish as he beat his chest.
In the span of a few words, the battle on the field had already turned.
Cana's Lightforce Barrier held against the Heavenly God North Wind and successfully reflected it back!
Unlike Mirror Force, the Lightforce Barrier could only reflect magic. It couldn't change the magic's attributes, nor could it deliver a "full-field counterattack."
Even so, this card caught Future Sherria completely off guard. She was sent flying by her own God Slayer Magic, crashing heavily into a distant building.
"Chase's cards really are useful."
Cana clenched her fist, delight spreading across her face. She was beginning to enjoy the feeling of laying cards face-down and ambushing her opponents.
Just then, a bone-chilling cold crept up from behind her.
"A Holder-Type Mage's weakness is close combat. Sorry, Miss Cana. We win."
Future Lyon's face was full of confidence. On his crossed hands, Ice-Make Magic was already prepared. "Ice-Make: Ice Dragon Soar!"
The ice dragon filled her entire field of vision. Cana's expression changed drastically. Oh no! At this range, there's no time to use a card!
BOOM!!
Shards of ice exploded in all directions.
"A two-on-one fight is still unsportsmanlike. If only Gray were here instead of me."
Future Lyon sighed helplessly and waved to Future Sherria beside him. "Let's go, Sherria."
"Hey—you think you can just bully one of our guild's girls and walk away? That's too easy."
A middle-aged man's voice suddenly rang out, freezing Future Lyon mid-step.
He turned back to see purple flames crisscrossing into a net that evaporated the frost. A weathered-looking man stood in front, with Cana, who should have been downed, safe and sound behind him!
"You are—"
"Macao Conbolt?!"
***
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