"Old man, I'm taking these jobs!" Night tossed the three subjugation mission flyers straight at Makarov, who was sitting peacefully on the bar counter. The Master cracked open his half-closed eyes, cast a lazy glance at the papers, and tossed them back, offering a brief: "Be careful!"
However, upon noticing Laxus standing right beside Night, the corners of Makarov's lips twitched upward into a faint smile before his eyes crinkled in a sly, knowing squint.
"Night!" But just as the two young men turned to head for the guild's exit, a slender, scarlet silhouette blocked their path.
Seeing the girl approach, Night immediately broke into a wide smile and said, "Erza, are you here to take me up on that lunch offer? I'm afraid I really don't have the time right now. How about I treat you when I get back with the reward money, deal?" Saying this, he attempted to sidestep her and continue on his way.
But Erza moved with blinding speed. She blocked his path once again, and a sharp magical sword materialized in her grasp.
"Night, please, let us finish our duel from yesterday!" she declared with solemn, unyielding resolve.
Even before Erza had learned of Night's battle with Laxus, she had fully intended to challenge him. And once the rumors were confirmed, that desire had blossomed into an absolute thirst for battle! Looking into her fiercely determined eyes, Night realized that if he didn't accept this fight, he definitely wasn't leaving for his mission today.
"Since you're putting it like that, I simply can't refuse," Night sighed.
"Thank you!" Erza's gaze hardened even further. Gripping her magical sword tightly, she immediately marched outside.
"Sorry, do you mind if we're a little delayed?" Night asked, turning to Laxus with a hint of annoyance.
"Just make it quick," Laxus shot back coldly and arrogantly. He then vanished in a blur of motion, leaping onto the guild's roof to secure the perfect vantage point to watch the duel.
Erza and Night were going to fight!!! The news instantly caused a massive uproar. Almost all the guild members dropped whatever they were doing and poured out into the street, refusing to miss such a thrilling spectacle. It was worth noting that ever since she had joined the guild, Erza had consistently displayed incredible strength, to the point where even the veterans often had to acknowledge her superiority. And as for Night, well, even though he had only been in the guild for a single day, his victory over Laxus spoke volumes. However, rumors were just rumors, and seeing was always believing. Until they witnessed his power with their own eyes, it all still felt somewhat fantastical. And now that they finally had the chance to see him in action, the crowd was buzzing with absolute excitement.
The street in front of the building quickly cleared out, leaving only Night and Erza standing facing each other, ten meters apart. The young girl's face was dead serious, her eyes burning with the thrill of battle. Focusing her energy, she announced: "Erza Scarlet. Requip: The Knight. Please, show me what you can do! Requip—Heaven's Wheel Armor!"
A massive surge of magical energy enveloped the girl. When the blinding light faded, her usual light armor had been replaced by gleaming steel plating. Four metallic wings unfurled behind her back, and her scarlet hair fell slightly over her right eye, giving her an even more majestic and formidable aura.
A faint smile played on Night's lips as he calmly replied, "Night Vermillion. Magic—Light-Make. I'm looking forward to a good fight!"
"What?! Maker Magic?!" The moment Night uttered those words, an astonished gasp erupted from the crowd. It was Gray—a mage who utilized the exact same school of magic.
The rest of the guild members were also burning with curiosity. It was the first time they had heard what kind of magic Night used, and they certainly hadn't expected it to be related to Gray's. The only difference was that Gray's element was ice, while Night's was light!
"Gray, watch closely. You have a lot to learn from Night!" Makarov's voice suddenly murmured right by the boy's ear.
Gray jumped and spun around to see the Master, who had quietly slipped up beside him. Noticing the meaningful smile on the old man's face, the boy gave a firm nod and fixed his intense gaze on Night. He was no longer watching this as some entertaining spectacle; he was treating it with the utmost seriousness.
"Heaven's Wheel: Blumenblatt! Go!" Erza launched herself into the air with a sharp flap of her steel wings. A powerful wave of magical energy radiated outward, and magical blades began to materialize in the space around her, one after another. They hovered behind her in perfect, concentric circles, and within moments, dozens of swords were suspended in the sky. Obeying Erza's fierce battle cry, the blades transformed into a continuous barrage of light, hurtling straight toward Night. They flew with such incredible speed that they left faint, shimmering trails in the air.
The reflections of the incoming swords flashed in Night's pupils. He merely offered a slight smile and, with a single exertion of his will, instantly erected a barrier of pure radiance—a Light Wall.
Clang-clang-clang! The entire deadly hail of blades shattered against the barrier of light. Not a single ripple appeared on the surface of the shield; only the sharp, ringing sound of clashing metal echoed through the area, like the chiming of bells.
What an incredibly powerful defense! Erza marveled inwardly, though she wasn't particularly surprised. Considering Night had managed to defeat Laxus, deflecting her attack was bound to be a walk in the park for him.
Gray, however, who had been watching Night's every move like a hawk, narrowed his eyes sharply at the sight of the Light Wall. A literal storm was brewing in his soul. He hadn't seen the slightest gesture or incantation to prepare the spell! That could only mean one thing: Night had mastered Maker Magic to such an absurd degree that he could cast it instantaneously. That was the exact ideal his mentor, Ur, had strived for her entire life, and the very same goal he was currently chasing! Now he finally understood why the Master had told him to watch closely. That instantaneous creation alone proved that Night was leagues ahead of him. Bluntly put, with skills like that, Night was more than qualified to be his teacher! Of course, even if Gray wanted to become his apprentice, there was no guarantee Night would accept him. After all, just yesterday, the guy had outright refused to even shake his hand!