(Switching back to the Kardia Grand Cathedral.)
After Mystogan left, the searing pain in Noel's mind gradually subsided along with his emotions, allowing him to regain his composure.
His face remained slightly pale, but he knew that now was not the time to dwell on the fragmented images flashing through his mind.
The most important thing at this moment was to defeat Laxus—everything else could wait.
There would be time to deal with it later.
"Noel, are you alright? That's a relief. We can talk about the rest later. Laxus, I'll take you on!" Seeing that Noel had recovered, Natsu let out a breath of relief and turned to glare at Laxus, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
"Noel, Erza, I'm going in—no objections, right?" Natsu turned to ask them.
However, Noel suddenly noticed that Erza's expression was off—her face was pale, and she seemed lost in thought, not reacting to Natsu's words at all.
"Erza?!" Natsu called out anxiously.
At the same time, as if responding to Natsu's voice, Laxus casually unleashed a lightning strike.
It was not a specific technique, nor was it a named spell—just a simple, offhand attack.
Yet, the dazed Erza made no move to react.
She simply stood there, motionless.
Bang!
A soft impact rang out.
The golden lightning strike had been blocked.
Noel had appeared in front of Erza without anyone noticing, effortlessly conjuring a barrier of light to shield against Laxus's attack.
"Haha! As expected of Noel. Have you gotten used to cleaning up the mess left behind by the trash in our guild?" Laxus sneered with disdain.
"LAXUS!! Didn't I already say that your opponent is me, you bastard?!"
Being completely ignored, Natsu shouted furiously at Laxus.
"Oh? You're here too, Natsu?" It was only then that Laxus seemed to acknowledge Natsu's presence, his eyes filled with such obvious contempt that even someone as thick-headed as Natsu could sense it clearly.
"Quit underestimating me already!!" Flames ignited in Natsu's hands as he leaped toward Laxus. "Fight me fair and square, Laxus!!"
"Your stubborn, straightforward personality is really starting to annoy me." In contrast, Laxus looked at Natsu with an expression of growing impatience. "Get lost, you weakling!"
With a flick of his hand, a bolt of lightning tore through the air, streaking straight toward Natsu.
However, Natsu simply twisted his body midair, narrowly dodging the attack before launching himself forward again.
"[Fire Dragon's Claw!]"
His left leg, engulfed in flames, came crashing down from above.
But Laxus easily blocked the strike, and with just a slight push, he sent Natsu flying backward.
As Natsu and Laxus continued their battle...
Noel slowly turned around, quietly gazing at the red-haired girl whose face was filled with confusion.
"What's troubling you, Erza?"
His gentle words reached Erza's ears, pulling her back to her senses.
As she looked at the silver-haired boy before her, an overwhelming urge surged within her—a desire to throw herself into his arms and cry her heart out.
"It's okay. I will protect you, so you don't have to worry."
The boy smiled softly, a smile as pure and crystalline as the snowflakes that fall in winter—flawless, untouched.
It was the same smile he had worn back then, on that sunset-drenched evening, when he had spoken those very same words.
"Thank you, Noel..."
A newfound resolve filled Erza's gaze, and the hesitation and uncertainty in her heart melted away.
"For now, let's put the matter of Mystogan aside. We need to deal with Laxus first."
At the same time, Natsu and Laxus had once again separated.
One stood unscathed, his breathing as steady as ever.
The other was panting heavily, battered and disheveled.
In less than a minute, the gap in their strength was already painfully clear.
More than that—Laxus wasn't even taking the fight seriously.
He wasn't trying to defeat Natsu.
He was toying with him.
Before Natsu could charge forward again, Erza leaped forward and knocked him to the ground.
Then, without hesitation, she donned her Black Wing Armor, took a swift step forward, and slashed toward Laxus, whose hands crackled with lightning.
"Erza?"
"That thing floating in the air… what is it, Laxus?"
"Raging Bolt Temple—you've heard of it, haven't you?"
"Don't tell me… you're planning to attack Magnolia?"
"Hahaha, consider it the new rules. Honestly, it pains me too."
"You bastard!"
"Only two minutes left."
Hearing Laxus's words, Erza could no longer focus on the fight.
Instead, she turned her gaze toward Natsu.
"Natsu, destroy all of it!"
"I can't. Wait… no, that's not it. If I try to destroy those things, I'll end up getting taken out instead."
"What? You mean… it's a bio-linked magic?"
"That's right. With this, no one can destroy the Thunder Lacrima."
"How despicable!"
For a brief moment, Erza lost focus, leaving an opening.
Laxus seized the opportunity and unleashed a blast of lightning.
Boom!
Surrounded by crackling thunder, Erza planted her foot firmly on the ground and leaped back.
By the time she landed, the black-themed Black Wing Armor had already been replaced by the white-toned Lightning Empress Armor.
"The Lightning Empress Armor? Do you really think something like that can withstand my lightning?" Laxus scoffed, his eyes looking down at Erza with arrogance.
Just as Erza was about to respond, a slender yet firm hand extended in front of her, stopping her in her tracks.
The owner of the hand had a calm smile on his face.
"Erza, leave Laxus to me." Noel said calmly.
Though his frame was lean, he gave off an unshakable presence, like a towering mountain.
"Noel, Erza—Laxus is mine to take down!" Seeing that Noel was about to step in, Natsu couldn't help but shout in protest.
Noel turned his head, meeting Natsu's stubborn gaze.
He scratched his cheek slightly before speaking.
"Sorry, Natsu. I can't let you have this fight."
"Why not?"
"If this were any other time, I'd gladly let you fight Laxus. But this time, it's different. This isn't just a battle for the strongest—it's a fight for the fate of Magnolia and Fairy Tail itself. So, Natsu, you'll have to wait for your turn to challenge Laxus. Just this once, please listen to me." Noel's clear and unwavering eyes locked onto Natsu's.
"But this is my chance to reach the top!"
"There will be other chances, Natsu. I promise. But at least for this battle, trust me—just this once."
Natsu hesitated, a conflicted expression flashing across his face.
After a few seconds, he reluctantly nodded.
"Fine… I'll let you have this one, Noel. But Laxus, you better not lose. No—both of you better not lose. Because next time, I'm going to defeat you both!"
Completely unaware of the contradiction in his own words, Natsu spoke with absolute confidence, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Seeing Natsu nod, Noel let out a quiet sigh of relief and turned to Erza and Natsu.
"Alright then, I'll leave Thunder Palace to you two. If you run into Gajeel or any of the others, let them know to help take it down as well. Erza, Natsu—be careful."
"Yeah. You too, Noel."
"Noel, Laxus—you both better wait for me! Next time, I will defeat you!"
As the red-haired girl and the pink-haired boy left, Noel finally shifted his gaze to the blond young man before him.
His lips curled into a smile—one filled with infectious confidence.
"Kept you waiting, didn't I, Laxus?"
"Hahahaha, yeah. I have no interest in those weaklings at all. From the very beginning—my target has only ever been you."
Laxus grinned, baring his teeth in a ferocious, almost menacing smile.
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