"Heh… you really are strong. But you got careless, Ur."
Laxus shrugged off his coat, a confident smile forming on his face.
"What?"
Ur's expression changed slightly. She looked down—
A golden magic circle had formed beneath her feet.
In the next instant, lightning erupted, wrapping around her as a massive pillar of thunder shot into the sky, enclosing her within a sphere of crackling energy.
"Did it work…?" Laxus muttered, lightning dancing across his body as he stared at the thunder sphere.
"Nicely done. When did you set that up?"
Inside the lightning prison, Ur had already reacted. In the instant she was trapped, she activated Ice-Make: Returning Lily, encasing herself completely in ice.
As the lightning dissipated, a massive ice sphere fell from the air and shattered—
Revealing Ur, completely unharmed.
"…As expected," Laxus muttered. He wasn't too disappointed—defeating Ur in one move had never been realistic.
"Ur is incredibly strong. Her Ice-Make magic has reached a very high level," Mavis commented, sitting on a rock and swinging her legs. "Laxus is impressive too—quick reactions, and even managed to turn the situation around."
"Laxus," Ur said calmly, "if this is all you've got, your S-Class exam ends here."
"Don't underestimate me!"
Laxus raised his arm, lightning surging violently.
"Echo through the heavens—the roar that summons lightning! Descend and reduce all to ashes—Raging Thunder Pressure!"
A bolt of lightning shot into the sky. Dark thunderclouds instantly formed above Ur, churning violently.
With a downward motion of Laxus' arm—
A massive sphere of lightning crashed down.
BOOM!
Blinding light forced everyone to shield their eyes. When it faded, only a huge crater remained—
Ur was gone.
Laxus scanned the area, alert.
He didn't believe for a second that attack had defeated her.
"Ice-Make: Unlimited Blades."
Her voice came from above.
Laxus' expression changed.
"…Damn it. No time to dodge now."
Lightning surged wildly around him, forming something like an armor. His body expanded slightly as he inhaled deeply.
A golden magic circle appeared before him.
Ur's instincts screamed danger.
"Lightning Dragon's Roar!"
A massive beam of lightning burst from Laxus' mouth—faster and more powerful than anything before.
"Dragon Slayer Magic?!" Arlen exclaimed in shock.
He hadn't expected Laxus to be a Lightning Dragon Slayer.
"What kind of magic is that?!"
"Never seen anything like it!"
Macao and Wakaba were equally stunned, while Gildarts and Rob remained calm—they already knew.
Mavis only showed mild surprise.
"Not surprising you haven't seen it," she explained. "That's Dragon Slayer Magic—also known as Ancient Magic. It's designed to fight dragons by turning the user's body into that of a dragon. It's extremely rare and difficult to master."
The conversation didn't interrupt the battle in the slightest.
Facing the incoming roar, Ur abandoned her attack, twisting midair to dodge before landing safely.
"Well done," she smiled. "A Dragon Slayer, huh? That's impressive."
"The old man told me to keep it hidden," Laxus said. "But I had no choice. You're too strong… and I don't intend to lose."
"You think that alone is enough to beat me?"
"Only one way to find out."
Ur looked at him, then smirked slightly.
"Show me what you've got."
"Lightning Dragon's Crushing Fist!"
Laxus transformed into lightning, zigzagging forward in an instant. His fists crackled with power, forming massive dragon-scale-like gauntlets as he struck.
"Ice-Make: Dragon's Head."
Ur met him head-on.
Her arm transformed again, and the two clashed in close combat.
Boom after boom echoed as fists collided.
Laxus, empowered by Dragon Slayer Magic, was clearly stronger than before—
But not enough.
Ur deliberately slowed her movements, feigning fatigue.
A trap.
Laxus saw the opening—and took it without hesitation.
His fist shot forward.
Got you—
But—
Ur's lips curved into a smile.
Her body twisted unnaturally, dodging the attack at the last second.
Laxus' pupils shrank.
I've been baited.
Before he could react—
Ur grabbed his arm.
And flipped him over her shoulder.
BAM.
Then—
"Ice-Make: Thorny Rose."
Vines of ice bound him tightly to the ground.
No matter how he struggled, he couldn't break free.
This was the same technique that once restrained Deliora.
"Well? Still want to continue?" Ur asked.
"…No. I'm not your match. Damn it…" Laxus clenched his teeth, unwilling but honest.
"You're already very strong," Ur said, pulling him up. "Among your generation, you're top-tier. You're just lacking experience and raw magic power—and those come with time."
Laxus remained silent.
She was right.
He had been too impatient.
But instead of discouragement—
His fighting spirit burned even hotter.
"Master," Ur said seriously, turning to Makarov. "Laxus has demonstrated exceptional ability—his mentality, reaction speed, strength, and combat awareness are all outstanding. I acknowledge him."
Laxus looked at her in surprise.
"No need for that look," Ur shrugged. "This exam isn't about winning—it's about recognition. And you've earned mine."
"At your age, aside from Arlen, there's no one else in the guild who compares."
Makarov nodded.
"In that case, I declare—Laxus has passed the second stage."
"Congrats," Wakaba said, slinging an arm over Laxus' shoulder.
"Yeah… now it's Arlen's turn," Macao added, shuddering. "Going up against a monster like Gildarts… that's terrifying."
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