Just as Mira was prying the Spectre's corner, the battle between Laxus and Joseph had reached its climax.
Because of his age and the experience and knowledge he gained through years of service, Joseph was actually better than Laxus in magic. He was able to easily counter Laxus's magic with his rich experience.
But that's all.
The slight advantage that age brings is not enough for Joseph to defeat Laxus, or even suppress him.
Lightning magic is renowned for its overwhelming attack power and the speed it can achieve when transformed into lightning, rivaling that of speed-based magic. Therefore, defeating a lightning mage is no easy feat.
Moreover, Laxus is no ordinary lightning mage. He inherited powerful magic from his grandfather Makarov, and in addition to lightning magic, Laxus also possesses lightning dragon slayer magic.
As is well known, in addition to its extremely lethal "annihilation" properties, [Dragon Slayer] magic can also be considered a type of body-strengthening magic.
"The Roar of the Thunder Dragon!"
Golden lightning erupted from Laxus's mouth in a roar, mimicking the breath of a dragon. It was the most primal method yet delivered extremely high damage output, a combat technique that every Dragon Slayer Mage knew.
Joseph waved his hand, and a dark red magical explosion severed the Thunder Dragon's roar. At the same time, more than a dozen "ghost soldiers" wielding scythes instantly materialized and rushed towards Laxus.
Based on the legendary Grim Reaper, Joseph created these "ghost soldiers" that can drain life force; if you are cut by their scythes, the consequences are unimaginable.
Facing hordes of ghost soldiers wielding scythes at him, Laxus scoffed and, without even using magic, blasted away the nearest ghost soldier with a cannon punch.
Joseph noticed the dark luster appearing on Laxus's fist. This dark luster had extremely strong defensive capabilities. The Ghost Soldier's scythe couldn't even break through the defense when it struck head-on, let alone extract life force.
The Ghost Soldiers were helpless against Laxus, but Joseph did not withdraw them, treating them as a harassing attack.
Korlaxus had no interest in these annoying flies and casually used "Lightning Magic: Lightning" to annihilate the dark soldiers.
Joseph seized the opportunity and flicked his wrist. "Magic Dark Combo" instantly split into countless magic projectiles, raining down on Laxus.
The next moment, a flash of lightning appeared, and Laxus was no longer in the encirclement. Joseph only saw the black fist wrapped in lightning growing larger and larger, and the surging lightning was released in an instant.
Laxus slammed his right fist into Joseph's crossed defensive magic. Seeing the spiderweb-like cracks on the magic circle, Joseph broke out in a cold sweat and quickly retreated before the defensive magic collapsed.
Damn it, what the hell is that "black" covering my skin?!
Laxus punched Joseph away and looked at the Armament Haki on his hand. He was quite satisfied that even a small portion of it had such power.
Dragon Slayers are skilled in hand-to-hand combat, and their lightning magic excels in both attack power and speed. In addition, they possess Armament Haki, which greatly enhances their defense.
Laxus is now a well-rounded mage with exceptional attack, defense, and speed.
Laxus was convinced that he had surpassed his grandfather Makarov, and that perhaps only Gildarts, the previous generation's S-class mage who also held the title of "Fairy Tail's strongest," could compare to him.
Comparing them? Perhaps I have already far surpassed him.
Joseph looked warily at Laxus, who had suddenly stood with his hands behind his back, wondering what the brat was suddenly acting so arrogantly about.
"Makarov's grandson, I underestimated you."
"Among your peers, even Zeke Rein is probably slightly inferior to you. I, Joseph, would call you the strongest mage of the younger generation!"
The combination of various factors led to the situation where the "Saint Ten" seniors, who should have had the upper hand, could only fight to a standstill against their juniors who were less than half their age.
Joseph's expression turned fierce as he looked at Laxus. To Joseph, a junior from an opposing guild had fought him to a draw was the ultimate insult.
He would rather fight Makarov to the death than accept the reality that he couldn't even defeat a junior.
"Hmph, I am the strongest by nature. Do I need someone like you, who only knows how to use underhanded tricks and is utterly uncouth, to acknowledge me?"
"You should be glad that the council forbids guilds from fighting in private, otherwise 'Ghost' would have been beaten to a pulp by the old man long ago."
In order to learn Armament Haki, Laxus promised Noah that he would stop trash-talking his guildmates, and he had been holding back for the past few months.
After unleashing a barrage of attacks on Joseph, Laxus felt refreshed and much more comfortable.
"You brat, didn't Makarov teach you not to be so arrogant?!" Joseph was trembling with anger. As a dignified Ten Wizard Saint, he had never suffered such humiliation before, but he really couldn't teach Laxus a lesson.
Laxus's eyes were filled with disdain, and his expression grew increasingly arrogant. "Arrogance requires ability, and I happen to have it!"
At the height of his anger, Joseph calmed down.
The mission to destroy Fairy Tail has undoubtedly ended in failure, and the stench of this incident will soon spread throughout the entire magical world.
Not only will the guild become a laughing stock, but Joseph will also be held accountable by the council and other legitimate guilds for initiating a guild war against a legitimate guild without authorization.
The title of "Ten Wizards" cannot absolve Joseph of his crimes this time; in the end, it might be other Ten Wizards who come to arrest him.
Adding to the fact that half of the Phantom Lord's high-ranking forces were disloyal and that Joseph had seen Gajeel and Juvia's actions, he knew that his chances of winning were slim.
The Phantom Lord is finished.
With that in mind, Joseph had no more reservations. He stomped his foot hard, and the Ghost Castle MK-2 roared into action.
A massive magic circle rose from within Ghost Castle, rapidly expanding to encompass the entire Magnolia, with profound patterns inscribed on its surface by the four elements of magic.
In an instant, magic surged, the wind swirled, and light and shadow reversed.
Laxus sensed something, his face darkening. "This magic...you bastard! You actually used forbidden magic! Are you trying to drag the entire city down with you?!"
"Hahahaha, you're wrong, it's to be buried with your fairy tails!"
Joseph's expression was ferocious. He knew what he was doing, but at worst he could go to the Dark Guild and go back to his old ways.
"From this day forward, the Phantom Lord and the fairies will cease to exist!"
Forbidden Magic: Purgatory Shatter!
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