Three days passed in a flash. Having eaten their fill and recovered from their injuries, everyone was gradually getting back on track. However, before they could start taking on mission adventures, there was still a fight to be had.
First, Natsu and Gajeel wanted to challenge Laxus. They were quite unhappy about getting thrashed last time, so they had made an agreement back on Tenrou Island.
Second, Laxus wanted to challenge Acnologia to decide who was the guild's strongest Dragon Slayer Mage.
"For real? Laxus just got back, you two really never learn your lesson."
"Weaklings like Natsu and Gajeel are boring. Laxus versus Acnologia—now that's a battle between powerhouses."
Under the Sky Tree in South Gate Park, the guild's battle maniacs had all gathered, looking at the four people in the center of the field with excitement.
Natsu and Gajeel were furious, suddenly glaring at the crowd: "Which bastard said we were weak?"
Dammit, to think they were being looked down upon. After a series of hard work, they had become stronger again.
Happy cheered, "Go Natsu!"
Lucy also smiled and waved, "Go Natsu!"
Natsu looked pleasantly surprised: "Lucy, Happy!"
He was deeply moved; it turned out he still had two supporters.
Unlike that stinky Iron Dragon, who didn't even have a single person believing in him.
However, he was quickly proven wrong as Levy, Lilly, and Juvia were all cheering for Gajeel.
Dammit! He actually has three supporters!
Natsu found it hard to believe that the stinky Iron Dragon was actually this popular.
Gajeel had his arms crossed with an arrogant look on his face. He seemed to have felt Natsu's faint contempt from beside him just now and glanced at him in surprise. Was it just an illusion?
"Laxus, give Natsu a good lesson. This guy has gotten quite cocky again!"
As a fellow battle maniac, Gray had already started fanning the flames. What he loved most was seeing Natsu get thrashed by Erza or Laxus.
Natsu glanced at the bandaged Gray leaning on a crutch and laughed with a face full of disdain: "You're way too pathetic. A single Erza beat you into this state! If it were me..."
Before he could finish his sentence, a gloomy voice came from behind him: "If it were you, what?"
Natsu's whole body tensed up, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead: "Erza, I was just joking to liven up the atmosphere."
"At least you're sensible!" Erza lowered the mace in her hand. This guy hadn't gotten too full of himself yet.
"Cool!"
Jason, the blonde reporter from Weekly Sorcerer, appeared, frantically taking photos with his camera: "Fairy Tail's strongest duel, Laxus versus Acnologia! I must record this properly!"
"And photos of the members... the three siblings Mirajane, Lisanna, and Elfman; as well as Fire Dragon Natsu, Rain Woman Juvia, Ice Knight Gray..."
Elfman shouted loudly, "Hey! Make sure you take a cool photo of me!"
What kind of junk did he take last time? He had captured a shot of him crying his eyes out.
Irene said boastfully, "My photo was even chosen as the cover for the last issue. They said I was full of Queenly Temperament."
"That bastard!"
Lucy was suddenly flying into a rage out of humiliation. Even Irene had a part in it, but she had never been in the weekly magazine. Was she, a Celestial Spirit Mage, not famous enough?
Jason suddenly leaned in and said, "This is Lucy, right?"
"That's me. Feel free to ask any questions."
Lucy's eyes lit up, and she struck a sexy, enchanting pose, as if she had added a beauty filter to her whole being.
However, Jason turned his head to look at Irene, full of excitement and agitation: "Lady Queen, could you give me an autograph?"
The noble and elegant Queen Irene had captured everyone's hearts as soon as the magazine was released. Many people loved that high-and-mighty, unattainable feeling.
By now, Irene already had a large number of fans, and even Irene dolls had appeared, selling like hotcakes and being in short supply.
"Where should I sign?"
"On my back!"
Irene glanced at the exasperated Lucy, chuckled, picked up a pen, and signed her name on Jason's clothes.
Lucy's face went dark: "Dammit!"
...On the other side, the battle was finally about to begin.
Laxus's tall, burly frame was full of pressure. He stepped forward: "Since we have the chance, why don't you two come at me together? Let me enjoy myself for the first time in a long while."
Natsu and Gajeel looked arrogant: "Last time we could defeat you by teaming up, but now, either one of us can do it alone!"
Gajeel stayed where he was with his arms crossed. Natsu walked forward excitedly, his whole body erupting in flames: "Now, let me show you the results of my training."
Laxus crossed his arms and said indifferently, "I hope you're not just talking big and can actually make me focus."
"Of course, otherwise you'll be the one getting knocked down!"
Natsu was full of confidence, his aura surging as if a victory BGM had already started playing... BGM?
Everyone was puzzled. Where was the music coming from?
Acnologia had a boombox at his feet and said with a chuckle, "For a battle, the atmosphere has to be just right."
This was the most hot-blooded and stirring victory BGM belonging to Fairy Tail from the original work. When the BGM was on, the guild members were invincible.
"As expected of Acnologia, he thought of everything!"
"So cool, just listening to it makes my blood boil."
"A feeling like never before, my very soul is trembling!!!"
Everyone felt as if the BGM had penetrated their souls; it was as if it were one with them. When the music played, infinite power surged forth.
"There is a heat jumping in my heart..."
Lucy felt goosebumps all over. Who created this? It was too amazing. It was as if it were composed specifically for Fairy Tail, existing like a spiritual soul.
The flames on Natsu's body grew even more intense, a confident expression appearing on his face: "I'm all fired up!!"
Being in this hot-blooded BGM, he felt like he was invincible!
Laxus's fighting spirit was also boiling in his heart as he let out a loud shout: "Come!"
In an instant, the momentum of both sides exploded. Flames and lightning soared into the sky like two ferocious dragons clashing in the firmament.
Natsu threw his head back and roared. The flames on his body intensified like a volcanic eruption, the temperature skyrocketing. Amidst everyone's admiring voices, he charged forward at top speed: "Fire Dragons Iron Fist!"
Bang!
With a thud, Natsu was struck squarely on the forehead by a lightning-clad fist, and he fell unconscious instantly with his butt in the air.
The BGM cut off, the flames filling the sky vanished, and white clouds drifted peacefully in the sky.
An instant kill!
Everyone's eyes widened in shock. Natsu's aura had been so strong just now; they didn't expect him to be so useless.
Jason shouted excitedly, "The winner has been decided!"
"Natsu is way too pathetic. To think I actually had expectations."
"As expected of Laxus."
Everyone laughed. After such a long buildup, this guy Natsu was still getting one-shotted just like in the past.
After Laxus accepted everyone's cheers, he turned back to look at Gajeel and said indifferently, "You're up next!"
Suddenly, he froze. At some point, the arrogant Gajeel had completely disappeared.
"Eh?"
Mirajane and Lisanna looked at the spot where Gajeel had been standing; it was empty.
"Where's Gajeel?"
"Dammit, that kid snuck away!"
Everyone was furious. If it weren't for the even more exciting second match, they would have definitely caught that guy and given him a good beating.
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