"Chase, Erza go handle that guitar guy. I'll take this woman."
Demon Mira's lips curled into a cruel smile.
Perhaps it was the influence of her Satan Soul form, which always brought out her warlike side, or perhaps it was because the one who had tried to harm Chase a person she cared about deeply was now standing right in front of her. Whatever the reason, she rarely took the initiative to challenge Ikaruga to a duel.
"Oh? You can't seriously expect me to ignore that, Mira "
Her long-time rival Erza cut in without hesitation. "No matter how you look at it, a woman wielding a sword is my domain."
"Then that's even more reason for me to take her!" Demon Mira rolled her shoulders, fighting spirit burning bright.
"Your magic has only been unlocked for a short time. You should go practice on the guitar player," Erza replied calmly, the long blade of her Heavenly Wheel Armor gleaming with cold light.
"Don't underestimate me, Erza. Have you forgotten how pitiful you looked when I beat you back then?"
"Oh, that was years ago. And if I recall, you were the one who cried."
"That was because I got sand in my eyes!"
"Then my face wasn't swollen!"
Watching the two suddenly squabble, Lucy's eyes went wide as saucers. She could hardly believe what she was seeing.
Why does this feel so strangely familiar…?
Chase quietly edged backward and leaned toward her, lowering his voice. "I heard from Cana and the others that when Erza and Mira were younger, they used to get along like Natsu and Gray do now."
"Huh? Erza and Mira?!" Lucy was genuinely shocked. She had never heard of such a thing, and her curiosity was instantly piqued. She leaned closer to Chase, eager for more details.
But before she could ask, both Erza and Demon Mira turned their sharp gazes on him.
"Chase! What do you mean by that?!"
Chase: "…What do I mean? What could I possibly mean?"
If he sided with one, he'd get beaten by the other!
Seeing Chase's trapped expression, Lucy suddenly forgot her own grievances and laughed without restraint.
Serves you right after what you did to me earlier!
"Ahem… well, why don't you two just play rock-paper-scissors?"
Chase's survival instincts kicked in, and he made the safest suggestion possible.
Erza and Demon Mira exchanged a glance, then nodded in agreement. Without another word, they raised their fists and began a quick round of rock-paper-scissors.
The lighthearted, almost playful act made the corners of Ikaruga's mouth twitch violently. Her chest rose and fell, her breathing uneven.
As a professional assassin, she had long since mastered control over her emotions. Anger was a distraction she rarely allowed.
But right now… she couldn't hold it back.
"Are you mocking me? I am the captain of the Three Crows!!"
She drew her sword and charged. The change in her expression, the twist of her face her fury was palpable.
"Yes! I won!"
Erza's triumphant cheer rang out. Her fist had beaten Mira's scissors. Without hesitation, she spun toward Ikaruga, the swords floating behind her whirling into motion.
"Heavenly Wheel Blumenblatt!"
The sword flashed Erza and Ikaruga passed each other in a single swift motion.
Click.
Cracks formed along Erza's long sword and across the plates of her Heavenly Wheel Armor. A heartbeat later, both shattered into fragments.
"…This woman?!"
Erza's pupils contracted sharply. She immediately switched into her Flight Armor, flipping backward several times to open distance between herself and Ikaruga, who was slowly turning to face her.
"Whoa… so strong!" Lucy exclaimed, having missed the exact moment of the exchange.
"No wonder they dared to go after Chase."
Mira's transformation dissolved, the demonic aura fading as she returned to her gentle, sweet form. But her eyes held a trace of seriousness. Unlike Lucy, she had seen clearly Erza was facing a formidable opponent this time.
Buzz buzz buzz!
A sharp, screeching guitar riff suddenly split the air.
Vidaldus seized the opening and let his madness loose again. Mouth open in a wild scream, he furiously strummed the strings of his guitar.
"Listen to the rhythm from hell… and become my puppet, Fairy Tail!"
"Rock Sandman!"
The sonic magic warped the air, a visual wave of sound tearing forward with a restless, corrupting energy aimed directly at Chase.
If they could control Fairy Tail's strongest card user, the tide of battle would instantly turn in their favor.
The plan was sound, the timing perfect… but against overwhelming strength, all strategy was meaningless.
Chase, already familiar with Vidaldus's magic, merely raised a hand and summoned the magic shield of the Apprentice Magician.
It blocked every last sound wave.
"I almost forgot about him," Mira said with a glance toward the frenzied Vidaldus.
"What an idiot," Lucy muttered inside the shield. "To try that in front of Brother Chase and Sister Mira…"
She crossed her arms, one hand pressing dramatically to her forehead as she sighed, "I can already picture how miserable you're going to end up."
"Well said. I'll leave him to you." Chase snapped his fingers, opening a gap in the barrier.
"That's right, Brother Chase beat him up! Does that sound wait, what?!" Lucy's eyes widened mid-sentence.
"Now's your chance to put the Dark Magician Training Guide to use. Get payback for the ambush and kidnapping earlier. And don't embarrass me~"
Before she could refuse, Chase simply pushed her out of the shield.
A small fry like Vidaldus someone who could be handled in minutes was the perfect chance for Lucy to gain real combat experience.
That was the whole reason Chase had brought her along.
"I… I get it, Chase! I'll do my best to beat him!"
Facing Vidaldus, whose control magic had just ended, Lucy took a steadying breath. After a few seconds of thought, she drew the whip from her waist, readying herself.
It wasn't just about proving her training. She wanted to grow stronger strong enough that she would never again be used as a hostage to threaten her friends.
"Go for it, Lucy!" Mira's encouraging voice called from behind.
Lucy turned her head and froze, her eyes nearly popping out of her head.
"Eh?! So fast!!"
In the span of a blink, Mira and Chase were already seated side by side on a plush carpet within the shield, a tea set and snacks neatly arranged before them.
"Card magic really is convenient," Chase remarked.
Mira took a slow sip of the hot black tea, her eyes curving in a smile as she glanced at Chase. "But then again, Chase… you really do take special care of Lucy~"
She could tell that Chase's true aim was to train Lucy, but she made no move to interfere. With both of them here and Erza as well the situation was completely under control.
"Aha… ahaha… well, I am considered a veteran of the guild," Chase replied, scratching the back of his head with an awkward grin.
Meanwhile, back in the card space, a certain beautiful girl had returned. Her gaze swept over the tea set, the snacks, and the drinks… only to find several pieces missing.
Her eyes widened, her cheeks puffed, and she stamped her foot in outrage.
....
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