"BOOM!!!"
When those "Thunder Palace" magic crystals had shattered, golden dust-like lightning magic began to flicker intensely, immediately followed by a sky full of flashing thunder.
The debris from the three hundred clumps of lightning magic crystals exploded, unleashing three hundred bolts of lightning that struck toward those who had destroyed these magic crystal spheres.
"Quick, dodge! Use magic to block!"
Mirajane was extremely anxious, once again reminding everyone through Warren's "Telepathy Magic."
Earlier, to better shatter their targets, everyone had spread out considerably.
Mirajane couldn't protect them all, she could only dodge the lightning strikes while reminding everyone not to let their guard down.
Erza was also dodging the lightning strikes.
She thanked Mirajane in her heart.
If not for Mirajane's earlier advice not to push herself too hard, she would have stubbornly insisted on quantity.
By now, she would likely be too exhausted to even stand, let alone dodge these lightning strikes.
During the earlier process, Erza had destroyed two hundred lightning magic crystals, which meant two hundred lightning strikes were now targeting her.
For an ordinary person, this would be a hopeless situation, but Erza relied on her own strength to dodge again and again.
These lightning strikes weren't guaranteed hits.
Once released, they could also be completely ineffective—for example, those that missed Erza and Mirajane, or those that struck but were blocked by them, would only take effect once.
"I'll help you!" Mirajane hadn't expended much energy.
She quickly dealt with her own lightning strikes and hurried over to help Erza block the attacks.
Due to the sheer number of lightning strikes, Erza had already been hit several times, leaving her in a rather sorry state.
She had indeed taken on too much for everyone, many of their companions hadn't even been targeted by the lightning strikes.
"Everyone, prioritize aiding the injured! Those who still have strength left, come help Erza together!"
Mirajane shouted again, calling everyone to assist.
These lightning strikes were something they should all bear together.
"I'm coming!!!"
Upon hearing this, Natsu immediately rushed over.
As soon as he arrived, he used his body to block a lightning strike aimed at Erza, convulsing and collapsing to the ground.
The earlier lightning strikes targeting him had also been endured through sheer toughness—the "Fire Dragon" was all about rugged durability.
On the other hand, the "Iron Dragon" wouldn't dare do such a thing. If he tried to endure it head-on, he'd likely be electrocuted into a fool.
In truth, after attacking the "Fairy Law" magic crystal spheres together, very few people had been struck by lightning.
Most were caught off guard.
Mirajane's reminder had been timely, and the majority of Mages had reacted quickly.
"We'll help you together!"
The guild members who were relatively unharmed, upon hearing Mirajane's call, all came over to help Erza block the strikes.
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
Another series of explosions followed.
It took everyone a while to finally deal with the aftermath of the "Thunder Palace."
Many were electrocuted again, convulsing as they lay on the ground.
"Actually, these electric shocks don't seem very strong."
Erza, wearing her "Thunder Empress Armor," had been struck several times but was essentially unharmed, which led her to this observation.
"Indeed, the intensity isn't high—more of a punitive effect."
Erza's words were supported by Mirajane, as she felt the same way.
"Life Link Magic. To set up such a trap, yet only launch a counterattack of this level... That Laxus..."
Erza frowned, somewhat unable to understand Laxus's approach.
This "Life Link Magic" was the reason why the lightning earlier could lock onto and attack them.
When they destroyed the magic crystals, they would be targeted.
Generally speaking, the magic reflected by this "Life Link Magic" wouldn't be weak, as it served as a safeguard to eliminate those who disrupted one's plans.
But the counterattack from Laxus's "Life Link Magic" was completely disproportionate to the power of "Thunder Palace" and his own status as a "ferocious S-Class Mage."
"Who knows what he was thinking. Aside from Marco, no one can have a proper conversation with him. Not many can actually talk to him."
Mirajane didn't pay much attention to it.
Laxus's affairs weren't for them to worry about. They had already completed their task. As for Laxus, let Marco deal with him.
"You're right."
Erza was taken aback for a moment, then smiled as well.
After all, they had successfully completed what Marco had asked of them. Regarding Laxus, they just needed to trust Marco.
....
"You really are as stubborn as ever, especially with that mouth of yours."
In front of the Fairy Tail guild hall, looking at Laxus's constipated expression, Marco couldn't help but tease him.
After "Thunder Palace" was dismantled and completely deactivated, Laxus's "Life Link Magic" was indeed a bit too "gentle."
This magic, which should have knocked out everyone in Fairy Tail, only ended up electrocuting a few unlucky ones.
"It was just a matter of time."
Laxus's explanation for this was straightforward.
Due to the time constraints, he hadn't been able to set up a complex "Life Link Magic."
After all, arranging this magic required both magical power and effort, and he couldn't perfect it in just a few days.
"So that's how it is."
Marco nodded with a smile, not pressing the issue further.
Perhaps it really was as Laxus said—a matter of insufficient time, forcing him to make the "reflection magic" weaker.
But maybe, this was intentional on Laxus's part. Considering that everyone likely expended a lot of magical power after breaking "Thunder Palace," he deliberately made it weaker to avoid causing fatal harm.
"Either way, your Thunder Palace was destroyed by everyone working together, Laxus. What else do you have to say?" Marco spoke with a smile, curious to see if Laxus would back down.
"This outcome truly surprised me. They've earned my respect, but that's as far as it goes. It doesn't change my belief that they should leave the guild. In fact, now more than ever, they should retire honorably with this respect from me."
Laxus didn't try to weasel out of it.
He acknowledged his respect for everyone—at least in this matter, they had managed to shock him.
But that didn't shake his determination to pursue an "elitist policy."
Those weaklings, willing to risk their lives in battle, deserve respect.
But they shouldn't have had to face such risks in the first place.
As long as they left the guild, they could become protected individuals rather than constantly teetering on the brink of death.
They were good people, they shouldn't have to die in various missions and unexpected incidents just because they were weak, their deaths going entirely unnoticed.