After a short break, Makarov saw that Cana and Lyon were ready and called them over. The guild members all turned their attention to the field, eagerly awaiting the start of the final round.

Cana and Lyon, their expressions deadly serious, walked to the center of the specially prepared arena and faced each other.

"Now then," Makarov announced to the crowd, "the final round of the S-Class Trial... begins!"

The instant his voice fell, Lyon attacked.

"Ice-Make: Eagle!"

A flock of sharp, ice-hewn eagles burst from his magic circle, diving at Cana.

"The Emperor's Wind Blade!"

Cana swiped a card through the air. A magic circle opened, and a barrage of wind blades flew out, shattering the ice eagles and continuing on toward Lyon.

"Ice-Make: Great Ape!"

A massive ice ape rose from the ground in front of Lyon. The wind blades slashed into it, leaving deep gouges, but failed to stop it. The ape then swung its enormous fist at Cana.

Cana dodged to the side and drew another card. "The Sun's Inferno!"

Several massive fireballs erupted from her new magic circle, roaring toward Lyon. He could feel the blistering heat wave wash over him before they even arrived.

He commanded the ice ape to block. It managed to intercept three of the fireballs before it was blown to smithereens. The remaining fireballs continued straight for Lyon.

"Ice-Make: Shield!"

A shield of ice materialized just in time to block the attack.

BOOM!

The collision of fire and ice resulted in a massive explosion, engulfing the center of the arena in thick smoke and steam, obscuring both of them from view.

As the smoke began to clear, Cana spotted a silhouette in the mist and attacked without hesitation.

"The Summoned Lightning of Fate!"

Several powerful bolts of lightning lanced out and struck the figure, shattering it instantly.

"Got him? No... that's a fake!"

She frantically pulled out another card, and a protective barrier shimmered to life around her. Just as it did, a massive ice claw slammed into her from the side.

"Ice-Make: White Tiger!"

THWACK!

Cana was sent flying, crashing hard onto the ground far away.

The guild members could now see a large ice tiger standing where Cana had been, with Lyon right behind it. The figure she had destroyed was a perfect, life-like ice decoy. In the chaos of the smoke, the trick had been impossible to spot.

Cana pushed herself back to her feet. Thanks to her quick shield, she wasn't badly injured.

The two finalists faced each other again, both panting slightly. The opening exchange had cost them. They stood at a distance, catching their breath. After a brief standoff, Lyon sent the tiger charging in, and Cana countered. The battle was back on.

"Noah," Ultear asked from the sidelines, "who do you think has the better chance of winning?"

Noah just asked back, "What do you think?"

"I'm betting on Lyon, of course," Ultear said confidently. "I know his strength. He's absolutely at an S-Class level."

The other guild members all leaned in, curious to hear Noah's take.

"I don't think so," Noah said, shaking his head as he watched the fight. "My money's on Cana."

"Hmm? Why?" Ultear asked, surprised.

Noah just smiled, a hint of mystery in his eyes. "You'll see. It should be pretty surprising."

"What! You can't just say that and leave us hanging!" Ultear said, annoyed. She reached over and gave his arm a sharp twist.

Noah, who felt nothing, still winced theatrically and gently pushed her hand away.

"Yeah, tell us! Tell us!" Sorano chimed in, patting him on the shoulder. "You can't just get us all curious and then clam up!"

Erza, Mirajane, and the rest of the guild were all staring at him, but Noah wouldn't budge. "You'll know when it happens."

Not satisfied, Ultear and Sorano immediately launched a tickle attack. Seeing this, Erza and Mirajane grinned and joined in. The rest of the guild cheered them on as Noah, helpless against the four of them, burst out laughing.

"Okay! Okay!" he finally managed to say, fending them off. "Look, they're about to finish!"

Even while being assaulted, he had kept his eyes on the fight. After a long, grueling exchange, both fighters were nearly out of magic and stamina. It was time for the final clash.

Ultear and the others stopped, turning their full attention back to the arena, curious to see who would win—and what Noah's secret was.

In the arena, Cana and Lyon were gasping for breath, both bearing injuries. They knew this was the last exchange. They both began to gather their remaining magic for one final, all-or-nothing attack.

Lyon took a deep breath and slapped his left hand onto his right palm. "Ice-Make: White Dragon!"

A massive, coiling dragon of ice rose from the ground, reared its head, and then charged at Cana. The pressure from the attack was immense, and the wind it generated whipped Cana's hair back.

"That ice dragon is powerful!" Sorano said.

Noah just watched Cana, a small smile on his face. "Watch closely. Here it comes."

~~~

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