"They're on the move!" Jabadi exclaimed excitedly, "Fairy Tail B Team has also started moving, they've split into two... uh... three teams? So many teams!"
"Oh my..." Yajima chuckled at the screen displaying dozens of oddly-shaped summoned beasts, "With this, Fairy Tail B Team holds an absolute 'numbers' advantage."
Jabadi asked somewhat uncertainly, "It's quite exaggerated, but it's not against the rules, right?"
"Of course, Pumpkin..." said the Pumpkin Man, a bit troubled, "Since it's Summoning Magic, as long as the participant summoned them personally..."
Mages of the Summoning Element usually gain a numbers advantage, but generally speaking, having one or two more is already remarkable, with the trade-off being that their main body is relatively weak.
However, Rhode's situation is somewhat over the top.
Not only does he have a large number of summoned beasts, but his main body is even stronger in combat...
After confirming it's not a rule violation, Jabadi switched back to regular commentary mode: "Logically speaking, maintaining so many summoned beasts at once must be exhausting in terms of Magic Power consumption.
"I think Mr. Rhode plans to settle this quickly, raising his points to an unreachable number, so that even if his Magic Power depletes later, it won't matter."
Yajima nodded with a smile, "Perhaps."
"Oh! Contestants have already encountered each other!" Jabadi pointed to a screen, "It's the Blue Pegasus trio, they've run into Mermaid's Heel's Alani and Beth, and they're immediately starting a fierce battle!"
The Pumpkin Man added, "On the other side, Lamia Scale's Yuka and Toby have encountered Dragon's Treasure's Silas!
"Silas didn't use the Invisibility Cloak this time but chose to fight head-on, is he confident in winning one against two?"
"Points scored! The first points didn't come from the two battles just now, but from Mr. Jura!" Jabadi gripped the microphone, speaking faster, "He took down Dragon's Treasure's Reavers with a single hit, truly deserving of a Ten Wizard Saints title!"
Yajima's tone was much calmer, speaking with some anticipation, "However, if he continues down this path, Jura will run into..."
"Could it be?" The Pumpkin Man found the path familiar and quickly glanced at the adjacent screen.
At the intersection of this path, Rhode and Laxus, riding a Two-headed Wolf, were about to reach the corner.
...
Jura sensed something and halted, placing his hands into the wide sleeves, smiling as he waited.
He had already felt immensely powerful Magic Power; it must be a good opp...onent...
"Really, encountered at the start?" Jura rubbed his temples with a wry smile, "Before the match, President Ouba asked me to score more points."
The Two-headed Wolves skidded to a halt, Rhode and Laxus jumped down, standing ready in front of Laxus.
Laxus stood with arms crossed, looking serious.
Rhode greeted with a cheerful smile, "Sorry, Mr. Jura, this time we don't intend for a one-on-one duel."
"Ah." Jura was accepting, "After all, it's a team battle, and this is our tactical mistake."
Both sides got into position, a battle on the verge of starting.
Just then, a green-haired figure suddenly leapt from a nearby rooftop, fist shadowed with black lightning aimed at Jura.
He excitedly shouted mid-air, "I'll take the Ten Wizard Saints' points!"
Oroga, the Lightning God Slayer Mage from Sabertooth, made a dazzling entrance.
However, Jura simply sidestepped the punch casually, drew his hand from the sleeve, and struck Oroga's nape with a hand chop.
With a thud, Oroga crashed through the pavement, body fully embedded in the ground, limbs initially levitated then naturally fell, sprawled silently.
Jura clasped his hands with a smile, "Another point gained."
Laxus's expression shifted slightly, "This scene feels very familiar."
Rhode reminded, "Natsu typically plays the role of that green-haired guy, while Jura's position is either you or Kildas."
Remembering, Laxus nodded.
Boisterous entrance, silent crash — it's indeed Natsu's style.
But Natsu's much more resilient than that guy.
"Then, it's time we settled this." Jura pointed a single hand forward, "Iron Rock Pillars!"
Four stone pillars rose skyward as Rhode and Laxus dashed forth, unaffected.
Only the Two-headed Wolves were unprepared, sent flying by the pillars, powerful enough to dissipate mid-air.
Rhode's hands transmuted into Dragon Claws, forearms covered in blue crystals and golden metal components.
Blue arcs of electricity danced over the fists, and the wind carried crackles of electricity alongside punches.
Jura raised his left arm to block the blue fist, feet entrenched in the ground, body sliding back, carving two furrows in the ground.
Paving stones were plowed by his feet, scattered to the sides.
As Jura steadied himself, blue arcs of electricity spread across his body.
Earth-toned magic power glimmered around him, resisting the tingling sensation.
Then, hearing thunder crackle, golden sparks flashed, with Laxus appearing overhead, a punch aimed directly at Jura's head.
Jura, almost expecting the move, raised his right hand and caught Laxus's wrist, using force to slam him onto the adjacent ground.
"Ugh..." Laxus groaned as he hit the ground, causing it to split open, creating a larger crater than Oroga's.
Jura had no time for pursuit, spinning back abruptly.
For Rhode was raising his hands high above, coalescing a lightning ball larger than a house, hurling it down forcefully.
The intent seemed to not differentiate foe from ally, aimed at both combatants.
As anticipated, the next moment, Jura and Laxus were engulfed by the blue lightning.
Devoid of Rhode's control, the thunderball exploded with terrifying might, silver-blue electric light illuminating the entire street, visible not only to Royal Capital contestants but even to spectators in the arena!
Lightning crackled, thunder boomed, shattering windows on streets nearby, and walls of houses along the road collapsed.
Rhode silently apologized to the residents, not realizing the homeowners were witnessing the scene firsthand in the arena.
Yet far from anger, following realization, they were the first to cheer exuberantly.
After all, losses were handled by the organizers, and for this, he could boast for a year! Until the next Great Demon Fighting Martial Arts!
"What an incredible display of Lightning Magic!" Jabadi, overwhelmed, stood, clutching the microphone, "It's long been rumored that Mr. Rhode once dispatched five Dark Guilds with a single Lightning Magic move, today, we've finally witnessed it!"
The audience erupted in cheers while nervously watching the screen's dazzling lightning.
Would Mr. Jura be taken down by this move?
Furthermore, if Laxus got taken down too, whose points would be counted?
Nobody paid attention to Oroga, swept away by the battle's aftermath for the time being.