"Radiance shines, appear before me..."
As Lucy chanted the second verse, the space around Aquarius exploded, causing intense fluctuations in the nearby waters.
The two Lucys, seemingly protected by star light, remained still amidst the waves.
"Oh, Four Books, I am the ruler of stars, open the door to desolation..."
The figure of Aquarius vanished, and the chorus-like chanting continued in Minerva's ears.
It sounded like sheer provocation.
Minerva pointed two fingers of her left hand at the palm of her right, angrily muttering, "Ilagut (disappear)!"
Most people present didn't understand the phrase, but its effect was clear.
The two Lucys were encased in a translucent sphere of dimly black hue, which exploded instantly.
This explosion was unexpected, centering on Lucy, affecting most of the water sphere. Dazzling purple-white light shot skyward like a towering pillar.
"Lucy!" Her companions in the spectators' area were tense for her.
Future Lucy's fist was clenched tightly; though different from her own experiences, it seemed even more dangerous.
Mira sensed her anxiety, gently holding her fist: "It's okay. Otherwise Rhode would have rushed over by now."
If Lucy were truly in danger, he wouldn't care about rules or matches.
Mebius frowned in thought, as Minerva's words seemed to be in demon-controlling language.
This suggested the magic used wasn't ordinary Space Magic but derived from the Demon-Controlling Eighteen Fighting God Magic?
It was a powerful magic rarer than Lost Magic, and that girl's Magic Power was so strong; what would Lucy do now?
The huge water sphere was almost shattered, with water splashing out, raining on the arena.
Despite getting drenched, the audience showed no complaints, eagerly awaiting the outcome.
The water sphere didn't disappear but slowly replenished due to the arena's magic.
Minerva hovered at the water sphere's edge, smiling contemptuously. Those who defy the king...
"What?"
She suddenly gasped, sensing something and looked up.
Above, there was an old-style clock with limbs, and the two Lucys were trapped inside, squeezed together.
"Eighty-eight constellations of the sky, shine, Star Map History!"
The last verse of the chant was blocked by the Hologram, so no one could hear.
As Minerva looked up, the clock vanished, and she felt like she was no longer in the arena but amidst the starry sky.
The two Lucys emitted circles of golden light, surrounded by countless glowing stars.
"This is..." As Minerva thought to initiate defense, the magic had already struck.
The sky full of stars, with irresistible force, pummeled her from all directions! At that moment, her opponent seemed to be not Lucy, but the entire starry sky!
"Ah!!!"
Minerva screamed, flying out of the water sphere, crashing to the ground, and the water sphere that was slowly recovering was completely shattered by this hit.
Lucy seemed to have exhausted her Magic Power, fell immediately after, and the Gemini-transformed Lucy vanished.
However, the bottom of the water sphere soon replenished a bit, allowing Lucy to land in the water for a slight buffer before penetrating through it and continuing to fall.
Jubia raised her hands upward, creating a gentle fountain beneath Lucy, guiding her softly to the ground where she supported Lucy.
Lucy weakly smiled: "Thank you, Jubia."
Audiences seemed to witness a beautiful sky in the attack, and cheers surged like waves.
Mebius praised, "So beautiful... Another child mastering Super Magic, from the Star Spirit Mage."
Though it needed Gemini's magic source of the same origin to barely perform, it was already impressive.
Guild companions collectively cheered for Lucy.
Natsu and Gray were among those cheering.
Jubia pouted, turned her head, and let go: "Rival!"
"Ah!" Lucy fell to the ground, struggling to get up and tearing her swimsuit's front.
"Oh~~~~" Macao and Wakaba led with strange noises.
And Makarov, as the President, shamelessly joined them.
"How rude!" Lucy hurriedly covered herself, protesting to Jubia.
However, Jubia seemed more aggrieved: "How dare you try to seduce Lord Gray with this method!"
"I didn't!"
The two argued as other contestants came to congratulate: "Great job, Miss Lucy."
"It was a brilliant match."
"Well-deserved victory!"
In contrast, no one cared for Minerva, wounded and disheveled on the ground.
Her provocation earlier was excessive.
Pumpkin Man ordered Minerva moved to the infirmary, then announced the results:
"First place in the sea battle is Fairy Tail A Team, contestant Lucy! Second place is Fairy Tail B Team, Jubia—Because contestant Minerva was eliminated within 5 minutes with only two remaining, she falls to the last place, and other contestants move up accordingly."
This rule was explained before the match, but everyone's focus was on the tense competition, only recalling it when mentioned.
So, now Sabertooth scored zero points.
Rhode chuckled, "I almost pity Minerva."
Gajeel didn't understand: "What's there to pity about that woman?"
Rhode remained silent, not bothering to add insult to injury.
In truth, Minerva's magic could have easily transferred everyone out of the water sphere at the start and won effortlessly.
Instead, she insisted on those harsh words, showcasing some royal demeanor, deliberately prolonging the match...
The result was her being carried off, feeling utterly embarrassed.
Contestants all returned to their guilds, Sherria reminded Liseli to see her for another treatment later, saying even severe burns can leave no trace.
Lucy vigorously waved to Future Lucy before returning to her team.
Jubia returned somewhat dispiritedly: "That woman's magic was too troublesome, I couldn't show the moves trained specially for Lord Gray."
Wendy didn't understand: "What's that?"
"..." Rhode said helplessly, "I have a premonition that you'll achieve the opposite effect with it."
"Is... Is that so?" Jubia wasn't sure.
Sabertooth's previously oppressive atmosphere sank further: "The young lady actually lost..."
"And to the most inconspicuous one."
"Fairy Tail... is so strong."
At this point, Fairy Tail B Team already scored 64 points, and A Team had 52 points, while other teams hadn't yet reached 30.
It was a cliff-like gap.
People couldn't help but wonder if the final match would be an internal battle between Fairy Tail's two teams.