On Kael's side of the battlefield—
Erza unleashed the full extent of her strength, swinging her blade in a mighty arc that released a colossal crimson-and-black slash. It collided head-on with Kael's own strike — a black-and-gold wave of destructive energy. The two forces clashed violently in midair, locked in a fierce deadlock.
But Kael's attack had already been partially drained earlier — when he shattered Lucy's Celestial Grand Magic, Chronicles of the Starry Heavens.
The impact of that confrontation had sapped much of the slash's strength.
As seconds passed, the balance began to tip. Kael's black-and-gold slash wavered, then splintered apart entirely under the overwhelming pressure of Erza's crimson strike.
Her attack cut through his like a hot blade through steel, roaring forward with unstoppable momentum, tearing through the air straight toward Kael.
And yet, Kael remained perfectly calm — even nodding slightly in approval, a faint smile curving his lips.
"Oh… now that's power. Very impressive."
Her attack wasn't ordinary — Kael could sense that much. Not only had it carried the full power of her will and magic, but it had been reinforced by a resonance similar to Dragon Cry — a surge of energy so fierce that even a seasoned swordmaster would've struggled to withstand it.
Even weakened, Kael's slash had been far beyond what Erza could have blocked before.
But this time, she didn't just stop it — she shattered it completely.
Even more incredible, when the shockwave of the broken attacks burst outward, Erza still had enough strength to anchor herself and absorb the backlash with her remaining magic.
Kael's sharp eyes glinted with respect.
Her magic quality… it had undergone a transformation. A qualitative leap — something only achieved through pure battle-tempered evolution.
There was no doubt now — Erza had broken her own limits.
She had found her own path of the sword — her unique, personal Way of the Blade — and stepped firmly into the realm of a true Sword Saint.
At that moment, she stood radiant and reborn, a warrior transformed.
The aura flowing from her body was sharper, steadier — powerful enough to make even Kael's breath hitch for an instant.
But then his gaze drifted to the distance — toward the Fairy Tail Guild.
…If he didn't stop this monstrous slash, the aftermath alone might reach the guild hall.
And if that happened… the first victim of the destruction would be their home.
Kael could already picture the wrath of the Third Master — a towering storm of fury that no one in the guild could possibly endure.
A shiver ran down his spine.
"Yeah… better not risk that."
He raised his arm sharply.
In an instant, several gleaming Holy Shields unfolded before him — magic circles of radiant gold forming a wall of divine protection.
BOOM!
The explosion hit like a meteor strike.
The impact roared across the field, shaking the ground and filling the air with thick clouds of dust and smoke.
Everyone fell silent.
Not a breath, not a murmur — just eyes wide, straining to see through the smoke.
They could sense it — Kael had activated his magic again.
Then—
A tremor rippled through the haze.
"Now's our chance!" came a fierce, familiar shout.
It was Cana.
Her voice rang out bright and defiant. "Take this! Let's see how you handle my fist!"
Before the words had even faded, a figure came hurtling out of the smoke like a cannonball — smashing into the ground with a thunderous crash. Dust exploded outward in waves, scattering the smoke completely.
When the air cleared, everyone froze.
Cana stood tall at the center, arm still extended in a follow-through punch, her knuckles smoking faintly from impact. Behind her, a pair of shimmering wings of wind spread out in a faint glow, catching the sunlight.
She looked absolutely stunning.
"Ohhh yeah! It worked! The plan worked!"
"We actually did it!" the others shouted, leaping in excitement. Cheers and laughter filled the air — a wave of relief and triumph washing through the exhausted team.
Their attack had connected. Finally.
For the first time in ages, they had landed a clean hit on Kael.
It was a huge deal — because in recent months, only through raw physical combat drills had any of them been able to even touch him.
No spell, no combo attack, no elaborate team coordination had ever made him flinch.
And while they had sweated and bled through grueling training, Kael had usually been the picture of calm leisure — reclining under a tree, sipping tea, offering advice in that maddeningly laid-back tone.
It was enough to drive them all insane.
So when Kael himself had told them,
"When facing a powerful enemy, never hesitate. Do whatever it takes to win — any method, any opening,"
those words had stuck. They'd taken them to heart.
And now, when Kael decided to limit himself — to fight without using his full magic — it had given them their opening.
Now, there he was — sprawled in a shallow crater, dust covering his jacket, expression unreadable. Around him, the team was shouting and celebrating like victors in a war.
But then—
Kael chuckled softly.
Rising slowly to his feet, he brushed off the dirt with deliberate calm. Then, his voice rang out clear across the field:
"Good work, everyone. The special training is officially complete."
A chorus of relieved sighs followed.
"Finally…" Cana grinned, dropping to the ground.
Gajeel scowled, cracking his neck. "Tch… that was lame. I didn't even get to go all out."
But the slight upward curve of his lips betrayed his pride.
"Come on, Gajeel," Lily said, folding his arms. "A win's a win. Don't act like you're not happy."
Three months of constant, backbreaking training had forged them into something else entirely.
They all knew now — firsthand — just how terrifying Kael's power truly was.
His physical mastery, his swordsmanship, his effortless control over every form of magic…
He wasn't just strong. He was beyond comparison.
Even holding back, he had still overwhelmed them time and again.
That's why this victory — even a limited one — meant the world.
"Finally done!" Lucy groaned, collapsing onto the ground, gasping for breath.
"Seriously… I thought I was gonna die."
Ultear and Meredy sat down beside her, equally drained but smiling through the exhaustion.
"Yeah," Ultear admitted, exhaling softly. "No wonder the Third Master picked Kael as the next successor. He's… unreal."
"Gray-sama! Are you okay? Juvia was so worried about you!"
Before Gray could react, Juvia was already there — wrapping herself around his arm like a vine, eyes sparkling with affection.
Gray froze, caught completely off guard.
"Juvia— w-wait, calm down! I'm fine, really!"
But his face was already bright red, feeling the warmth of her closeness.
Erza, meanwhile, had reverted to her knight armor. Watching Kael and Cana teasing each other with a grin, she smiled faintly herself — though a quiet shadow crossed her eyes at the thought of Jellal.
Wherever he was, she hoped he was safe.
Kael, still smiling, clasped Cana's hand and stepped forward to face the group again.
"Alright, next up…"
His tone shifted — a hint of gravity creeping in.
"Natsu. Gajeel. Wendy."
He paused, his eyes gleaming.
"Tell me something — do you want to know where your dragons are?"
Instantly, the three froze.
Their hearts pounded in unison as their gazes snapped toward him.
"Because actually…" Kael began — then stopped deliberately.
The silence stretched.
Natsu, Wendy, and Gajeel swallowed hard. Their hands trembled slightly, anticipation and fear twisting in their chests.
Everyone else turned to watch him, breathless with curiosity.
But Kael's eyes had already glazed over slightly — his consciousness slipping elsewhere.
Within moments, he stood in a strange, shimmering mental realm.
And before him stood three colossal figures:
Igneel, the Fire Dragon.
Grandeeney, the Sky Dragon.
Metalicana, the Iron Dragon.
Their voices echoed like thunder.
"Human… it is not yet time."
...
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