"Laxus is heading out!!"
Natsu became excited upon seeing Laxus take the stage. Even though Laxus had been bullied once by Kael, his own strength was beyond doubt. Whether in terms of magic power or raw combat ability, he was a cut above the rest.
"The opponent is someone from Ivan's guild."
Erza was a bit worried that the other side would pull some tricks.
"Don't worry, I'm keeping an eye on it."
[Finally, the moment of the father-and-son guild clash has arrived.]
"Both sides, step forward!"
[Let the match begin!!]
Alexei lunged forward rapidly, driving an elbow strike into Laxus. Laxus fell backward, and then Alexei launched a continuous barrage of attacks against Laxus, beating him so hard he had no way to fight back.
"How... how is this possible?!"
Natsu's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Laxus is actually just taking a beating?!"
Lucy watched the scene in front of her in shock.
"Who is that masked bastard?!"
Gray couldn't imagine anyone other than Kael being able to suppress Laxus like this.
"Kael..."
Erza felt that something was wrong. As someone who knew Laxus's strength very well, this was completely unlike Laxus's usual level.
"Mhm, don't worry. Laxus is perfectly fine."
Kael's eyes had already opened the Transparent World; that kind of illusion could not deceive his sight.
"He's perfectly fine?"
Erza looked down. Laxus had already been beaten into a state of heavy injury, yet Kael said he was fine. Could it be...
[Alexei's attacks are like a raging tide; Laxus has no way to defend himself!!]
In the arena, Laxus looked at the projection of himself being beaten miserably.
"What is this thing?"
"This is a type of illusion magic. To the people around us, even if we talk like this right now, they cannot see our physical forms. All they can see is the illusion of the battle taking place. I did quite a beautiful job, didn't I? Not a single person has noticed. The audience only sees the image of Laxus having no way to fight back."
"How could Laxus be taking hits like that?!"
Makarov was in total disbelief. With Laxus's strength, let alone facing some unknown mage, he shouldn't be beaten like this even if he were facing a Wizard Saint.
"Laxus! Hurry up and show your true ability!"
"Damn it!"
The members of the Thunder Legion were all very tense and worried seeing Laxus beaten like this.
"Warren, contact Kael."
Makarov said to Warren.
"Yes!"
Warren immediately used his Telepathy magic: "Kael! Kael! Please answer if you hear me!"
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
Kael asked after hearing Warren's voice echoing in his mind.
"The Master is asking what exactly is going on. Do you know?"
Kael replied: "Tell the Master not to worry. Laxus is perfectly fine. If there were a problem, I would have stepped in."
Warren reported to Makarov: "Master, Kael says Laxus is perfectly fine. There's no need to worry."
"Laxus is fine?!"
The other members of the guild also heard Warren's words. Laxus down there had already been heavily injured; how could he be fine?
Makarov was also a bit confused like the others, but he quickly caught on. He closed his eyes and sensed the air for a moment.
Then he opened his eyes and shouted: "No! That isn't Laxus's magic signature!!"
He had lost his composure earlier because he was too worried, but now he noticed the anomaly. Every mage's magic signature is different. Those with sensitive magic perception can easily distinguish between individuals; for example, Rufus could easily identify different people based on their magic.
Makarov could naturally do this as well. His concern had clouded his judgment, but combined with what Kael had just said, Makarov immediately made his assessment.
"This is an illusion!"
"An illusion?!"
The members of the guild were also greatly shocked.
Even though Laxus was fine for now, Makarov's face still turned ugly: "That bastard Ivan, what exactly is he trying to pull?"
"You seem to be quite admired by the members of your guild. I wonder what your comrades will think when they see you in this state?"
"Hey now, I have no idea what you're talking about. What do you gain by winning against my illusion like this?"
Laxus didn't know what these guys were up to. He was standing right here; if they didn't defeat him, the illusion would be exposed sooner or later.
"Exactly. Our goal isn't 'victory.' This illusion is just a smokescreen used for the people around us. An illusion is just an illusion; the outcome can be changed at will. Depending on the results of our negotiation, it's even possible for us to let you win."
Laxus took off his coat, preparing to take action: "It seems we can't come to an agreement. The illusion doesn't matter at all. As long as I take care of the real you right now, that will be enough."
"That is impossible."
Flare stepped out from behind.
"Reality is cruel."
Then came Nullpudding, Black Snake, and Obra. All five members of Raven Tail were present.
"Even you cannot defeat the elites of Raven Tail all at once. You know my strength, my foolish son." Ivan spoke as he removed his helmet, revealing his face.
Laxus looked like he had expected this: "I knew it would be like this, you stinking old man."
Ivan looked at Laxus and said: "Makarov refused to confess even if it meant his death. But I am different. Can you tell me? The location of Lumen Histoire."
"What did you say?"
"Don't play dumb. Makarov should have told you already. Aren't you his grandson? The one meant to inherit as the next Master of Fairy Tail?"
"I don't know. Also, the choice for the next Master of Fairy Tail isn't me, it's Kael. Why don't you go ask him?" A playful expression appeared on Laxus's face.
Ivan's face darkened. Ask Kael? If it were before, he really had thought about looking for Kael, but after seeing that terrifying value during Jura's magic measurement, he knew that looking for Kael was no different from courting death.
That guy was so young yet already such a formidable monster. He really didn't know how Makarov's luck could be so good.
"No, you know it. Even if that kid Kael becomes the next Master of Fairy Tail, you are still Makarov's grandson. If you don't agree to this condition, then don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Family ties? I didn't understand it before, but now I finally know why the old man kicked you out of the guild. Stop wasting your breath. Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you. Come at me all at once. The Master's enemy is my enemy."
Golden electric arcs erupted from Laxus's body as he beckoned toward them with his hand.
Ivan's face was grim: "It seems it's necessary to let you have a good look at the strength of Raven Tail—the guild specialized against Fairy Tail."
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