CHAPTER 575: GAJEEL VS AZUMA

"Dragon Slayer Magic?"

Azuma’s eyes lit up with faint interest.

This time, he didn’t counter with explosions. Instead, he met Gajeel’s charge head-on, exchanging blows with fists and feet.

The two clashed in a flurry of strikes, their movements so fast that Levy, who had just managed to get back on her feet, could barely follow them.

"He can actually fight Gajeel to this extent..." she muttered in disbelief.

Lily, who regularly trained with Gajeel, knew how formidable the Iron Dragon Slayer’s strength was. Yet here, against this man, Gajeel seemed completely suppressed.

Not only that, but Gajeel’s full defense was active. His limbs constantly shifted between Iron Dragon’s Club, Iron Dragon’s Sword, Iron Dragon’s Spear, and other forms, yet none of his attacks could break through Azuma’s guard.

"If they’re evenly matched, then we should help him!" Levy raised her hand, preparing to cast.

"Helping isn’t the issue... the problem is that it’s not even a real stalemate," Lily replied grimly. "Even when Gajeel’s attacks connect, they’re leaving no damage at all. But that man’s fists and kicks... they’re shattering Gajeel’s Iron Scales like nothing."

And Azuma was doing it with nothing but his bare hands.

"Is this all you’ve got?" Azuma’s tone was tinged with disappointment as his fist slammed into Gajeel’s abdomen.

"Cough..." Blood spilled from Gajeel’s mouth as he was sent staggering back. But the arrogant tone cut deeper than the blow itself.

"Solid Script: SHINE!"

A blinding flash of golden light erupted before Azuma’s eyes, making him pause.

Lily spread his wings and shot forward, driving an uppercut into Azuma’s chin.

The strike knocked Azuma slightly off balance, and Lily quickly withdrew. "Now, Gajeel!"

If Lily had a blade, he would have pressed the attack himself. But empty-handed, he could only create the opening and trust Gajeel to follow through.

Gajeel inhaled deeply. "Iron Dragon’s Roar!"

A violent storm of iron blades erupted from his mouth, swirling forward in a deadly torrent that engulfed Azuma completely.

"It worked!" Levy cheered.

Lily’s expression eased slightly. "He took Gajeel’s breath attack head-on..."

"Boring." Azuma’s voice came from within the iron storm, calm and unimpressed.

He swung his hand once, scattering the iron blades like dust, standing in the same place without a scratch.

Then, without warning, flames erupted beneath Gajeel, Levy, and Lily’s feet.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The chain of explosions blasted the air apart, filling the clearing with heat and smoke.

"Aaah!"

Levy and Lily were thrown through the air, their clothes singed and their skin marked with burns.

"Ugh," Gajeel staggered under the same attack, his Iron Scales torn away in patches and blood running down his arms.

But he didn’t spare a glance for his own wounds. His eyes snapped back to his friends. "Lily! Shorty!"

"I... I’m fine. But Miss Levy..."

Lily forced himself upright. He could still move, but Levy lay limp, already unconscious.

"Damn it..." Gajeel stepped forward, planting himself between Azuma and the others, one arm raised. "Take Shorty and get out of here. Leave this to me."

"But," Lily hesitated. He knew full well this opponent was beyond even Gajeel’s limits.

"Do as I say!"

Lily clenched his jaw, then nodded without another word. Scooping Levy into his arms, he spread his wings and launched into the air, carrying her away from the battlefield.

"Can you escape my explosion range?" Azuma extended his hand toward the sky.

"You wish!" Gajeel’s right arm morphed into a razor-sharp spearhead, thrusting forward at blinding speed. "Iron Dragon’s Lance: Demon’s Thrust!"

Azuma finally sustained a slight wound, forced to retreat, yet a faint smile curved on his lips. "Your magic power has increased... Are you converting your emotions into strength?"

"Iron Dragon Sword!"

Gajeel swung his arm down, transforming it into a massive blade that split the ground beneath them with a deep fissure. Even though it was the same attack as before, its power had grown dramatically.

"Yes... yes, that’s it!" Azuma surged forward, excitement flickering in his eyes, and drove a fist into Gajeel’s jaw.

Pain flashed through Gajeel’s cheek, but he countered instantly, driving his knee into Azuma’s stomach.

Azuma absorbed the blow and retaliated with an uppercut to Gajeel’s chin.

The two collided again and again, fists and feet striking in a blur, Azuma’s exhilaration growing while Gajeel’s resolve hardened under the pressure.

Magic power, stamina, raw strength, Gajeel was outmatched in every category. And Azuma had not even been relying heavily on his explosion magic.

Gajeel hated being underestimated, yet in this moment, he was almost thankful for it. If Azuma fought at full strength from the start, he would already be down... and Lily and Levy, who had only just escaped, would be in immediate danger.

Even so, he could feel himself nearing his limit.

No. When had he become so weak?

Gajeel’s gaze sharpened. He had to hold on, no matter what.

Or better yet, defeat him outright.

"I am a mage of Fairy Tail now!"

"Iron Dragon’s Hard Fist!" Gajeel’s punch smashed into Azuma’s face, forcing him back for a moment.

Then he clasped his hands together, magic surging violently within him. "Dragon Slayer Secret Art!"

Between his palms, a pitch-black blade burst forth, its edge glowing with an intense, blinding light. The towering sword stretched above the treetops, every inch of it infused with Gajeel’s fighting spirit.

"Karma Demon: Iron God Sword!"

The colossal sword swung downward with a roar, the wind pressure alone shredding leaves and branches before the blade even touched them.

Azuma brought his hands together, forming a sword-finger gesture. With a flick upward, dozens of thick roots erupted from the earth, twisting together into a dense barrier.

But the massive iron sword sliced through them effortlessly, the cuts clean and smooth.

Again, the ground trembled as more roots surged upward, weaving into a gargantuan fist. It smashed into the descending blade, detonating in a violent burst of force.

The iron sword did not stop. Its edge bit deep into Azuma’s shoulder, slamming him into the ground with devastating impact.

Rumble... The slash carved a massive trench through the forest, debris and dust billowing high into the air. Entire trees were severed, toppling in its wake.

Gajeel staggered, his chest heaving. The attack had drained nearly all of his remaining strength. This had to be the end...

"What...?"

Before he could catch his breath, four thick roots shot from the ground, coiling tightly around his legs and arms.

"Damn it!" Gajeel strained against them, but the bindings refused to yield.

Azuma emerged from the settling dust, a vivid slash wound across his shoulder. "I understand now. So this is the power born from protecting comrades... I have seen it. In that case, I will grant you the respect you deserve."

His voice deepened. "Flame Tower."

Gajeel’s eyes widened. His vision filled with blinding, scorching crimson.

Centered on his position, a ten-meter radius erupted in a massive detonation. The explosion roared skyward, forming a towering column of fire nearly a hundred meters high.