บท 74: Chapter 72 : S-Class Mage Promotion Trial??
Faced with Laxus's powerful attack, Gray and the others were worried, but Everit remained remarkably calm.
Natsu tilted his head in confusion, sensing something strange, an indescribable feeling.
Natsu's intuition was vague but spot-on.
Everit looked calmly at the rampaging Laxus before him. Laxus seemed to be charging forward, but there was a subtle hesitation, a hint of fear in his eyes.
He couldn't face reality, much like he couldn't accept that an ugly monster might not intend to harm anyone.
"That's enough, Laxus," Everit said with a smile before activating his magic.
At his second level of deception magic, Everit could silently plant magical seeds into people, and with the right trigger, he could instantly control their emotions.
This could bring even the strongest opponents to their knees in an instant.
In fact, everyone in the guild, including Laxus, had already been "seeded" with his magic.
Uh, that didn't sound quite right.
Anyway,
A wave of fear swept through Laxus, almost instantly overwhelming his senses.
"I'm not afraid of anything!" Laxus shouted, his voice quivering. His entire body trembled; every muscle, every pore, every hair stood on end, shaking with fear.
He forced himself to keep moving, step by step, but each movement felt like a struggle against a rising tide of terror.
Then came the sadness. Laxus burst into tears, sobbing as if his heart had been torn apart. It felt like something was constricting his throat, and his nose stung as if lemon juice had been poured into it.
Laxus gritted his teeth, his whole body no longer crackling with lightning, but he was still leaning heavily on Everit.
"Laxus," Gray said, reaching out a hand, but he hesitated, unsure if he should help.
"As expected of you, Laxus," Everit said with a nod, acknowledging Laxus' willpower.
He felt a mix of helplessness, sadness, and regret.
As Laxus staggered toward Everit, he seemed on the verge of collapse, yet he kept going through sheer willpower.
One eye was completely closed, the other barely open. It was like he was walking on tiptoes as he came within half a meter of Everit.
He raised his arm, as if it weighed a ton, and tried to form a fist, but his grip was unsteady.
"You've lost, Laxus," Everit said.
Laxus threw a punch, but it was weak and without force. He lost his balance and fell forward, his magic depleted and strength spent.
Everit caught him with his left arm, pulling Laxus' head onto his shoulder.
"This time, it's you who's hitting the ground, Laxus," Everit said gently. "So, drop your overconfident act and get back to training."
"Even the best need...," he continued, but Laxus had already closed his eyes, losing consciousness before he could finish.
Everit sighed and whispered, "There's a lot you can learn from Master."
As he held Laxus, he knew that his friend had a long way to go, but at least he wasn't alone.
Everit released his grip, letting Laxus drop heavily to the ground.
"Victory," Gray sighed, taking a few steps back and sitting down on a broken stone pillar. The battle had taken its toll.
A loud snore echoed through the area as Natsu fell backward, already deep in sleep.
Typical Natsu.
Gajeel quickly strode toward the magic circle where Levy had been trapped. As the magical restraints dissolved, Levy was released from her petrified state. Tears streamed down her cheeks; she'd been aware of everything but couldn't move.
"Thank you, Gajeel, thank you, everyone," she sobbed.
Gajeel let out a deep breath, a mix of relief and exhaustion. He looked at Everit with a newfound understanding.
No wonder Natsu and Gray were cautious around this guy—he'd just brought down Laxus with apparent ease. If he turned against Fairy Tail, who could stop him?
"Alright," Everit clapped his hands together and announced, "The Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Promotion Trial is officially over!"
"Huh?" Gray blinked in confusion, not sure what to make of this announcement.
Everit grinned and said, "Now I can tell you the truth. This whole thing was planned by Master Makarov, Laxus, the Thunder God Tribe, and Mystogan. It was all part of this year's Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Promotion Trial."
Gray's mouth fell open, but he couldn't find any words to respond.
"Ahem," Makarov coughed twice, then glanced at the downed Laxus and at Everit. The master looked pleased, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
"A handful of old bones are dying, and here's this crazy boy doing whatever he wants!"
An old woman in a fiery red robe strode into the scene, her presence commanding attention.
"Miss Porlyusica!" Everit greeted her with a sheepish smile.
"Hmph," she snorted, not impressed. "Pick up this old man and carry him on your back."
"Yes, ma'am." Everit nodded and, with a sigh, hoisted Makarov onto his back, trailing behind Porlyusica as she led the way. The mood was light, but everyone knew it could have been much worse.
In the garden.
Mystogan knelt on one knee, clutching his broken staff. It had been a long day, but the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial had come to an end.
Erza withdrew her long sword and said, "It's over on Laxus's side. Looks like Everit has won."
"On our side, you have won," replied Mystogan.
Buzz.
A magical circle dissolved in a shimmer.
Bisca and Cana began to move as they were released from their petrified state.
"Mystogan, do you have anything to add?" Erza asked.
Mystogan spoke thoughtfully: "I was a bit concerned, but no one's changed."
"The heart to protect our friends."
"The strength of our convictions."
"Fairy Tail can go on forever."
"It will always be a warm and safe guild."
"What are you talking about?" Erza frowned.
Mystogan looked at her with a gentle smile and said, "No regrets, Erza. It was a battle worth fighting."
With that, he stood up and slowly walked away on one leg.
Erza furrowed her brow. There was something in his words that felt like a farewell. Like he might leave for good.
He didn't say it outright, so there must be a reason behind his silence.
Erza was concerned but chose not to push further.
Caring about others is important, but respecting their boundaries is too.
The Battle of Fairy Tail during the Harvest Festival had excited the whole town, but it also caused significant damage.
Though no one was injured, the destruction to the property was enough to give Makarov a headache.
His heart was no longer aching from worry, but now his head throbbed.
The Magic Council's reprimands, the mayor's personal demands for compensation, journalists asking tough questions, and pressure from all sides—it was going to be a long cleanup.
"Tsk, tsk." Everit shook his head and looked at Laxus, who was bandaged like a mummy beside him. "This is what the Master of Fairy Tail has to deal with. Laxus, get to practicing."
Laxus didn't say a word; he just turned around and walked away.
A little while later, the issue of compensation had been resolved, and Makarov finally had a smile back on his face. The explanations for the trial had convinced everyone, even though they knew it wasn't as simple as it seemed. But no one felt the need to dig deeper.
In the end, a conflict that could have torn Fairy Tail apart was transformed into something more manageable, thanks in large part to Everit. But he didn't make a big deal about it; he had other things on his mind.
What really interested him was the upcoming "All-Guild Recovery Party" that he had suggested. Once everyone had rested and recovered from their injuries, things would start to get lively again! Everyone was looking forward to it, with anticipation in the air.
Everit grinned and adjusted his glasses. It was time for him to bring everything together.
****
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