Charles looked up at Laxus, who was standing behind the second-floor railing, and could clearly sense the violent and vast magical energy raging within him.
It was no surprise Laxus possessed such power—after all, he wielded Dragon Slayer Magic of thunder.
But unlike Charles and Natsu, whose first-generation Dragon Slayer Magic was directly taught to them by dragons, Laxus's power came from the implantation of Dragon Slayer Lacrima into his body—a second-generation Dragon Slayer.
A regular human body simply couldn't perfectly adapt to dragon power, which was why first-generation Dragon Slayer Magic had the side effect of dragonification.
In contrast, second-generation Dragon Slayer Magic essentially added an organ specialized in using dragon power inside the human body, effectively eliminating the side effects.
However, the dragon power awakened in a first-generation Dragon Slayer belonged fully to themselves, giving them far greater potential and higher limits.
Still, as always, the strength of magic ultimately depends on the strength of its user.
At the very least, the current Laxus was stronger than Natsu, especially since Natsu hadn't fully awakened his dragon power yet.
Not that Natsu himself had any awareness of that—he shouted at Laxus, "Perfect timing! Laxus, I'm challenging you! Let's settle this!"
Laxus sneered. "You can't even beat the others in the guild, and you want to fight me?"
"What did you say?!" Natsu fumed, flames bursting from his mouth.
Laxus stood tall, arms spread. "What I said was… I'm the strongest!"
Charles frowned. It was clear that Laxus had directed that last comment at him—a blatant provocation.
But strangely, the intent in Laxus's aura was hostile but not malicious.
Charles wasn't angry. He knew Laxus was a guy who got so stuck in his own head that he forgot his real intentions.
There was no doubt Laxus loved Fairy Tail as his family just like everyone else.
That's exactly why he wanted Fairy Tail to become the strongest mage guild of all. But his obsession had twisted into an extreme view that sought to eliminate all the "weak" members of the guild.
Yet, when this tsundere actually activated the super-magic "Fairy Law," not a single guild member was harmed—not even Gajeel, who had only just joined at the time.
So Charles didn't take offense. But Laxus's declaration was more than Natsu could take.
"You bastard! Get down here!"
Laxus scoffed. "Come up here, then!"
Unable to endure it any longer, Natsu leapt up to throw a punch—but before he could, a giant hand slammed him back down.
It was Makarov, who had activated his Giant magic. He said calmly, "You're not ready. You can't go."
Laxus added fuel to the fire. "Ooh, Gramps is mad now!"
Makarov looked up at Laxus. "Laxus, that's enough."
But "enough" clearly wasn't in Laxus's vocabulary. Instead of stopping, he widened his scope of provocation.
"I won't hand over the title of Fairy Tail's strongest to any of you! Whether it's the newbie, Erza, Mystogan, or even that old guy… I am the strongest."
This time, everyone in the guild frowned in disapproval. Even Makarov shook his head repeatedly.
Still, no one spoke out against Laxus—because his strength truly did put him among the contenders for Fairy Tail's top spot.
"That title sounds nice," a calm voice said. "I want it too."
Everyone turned toward the speaker—even Laxus glanced down at Charles, who had spoken so casually.
"What are you saying?" Laxus said coldly. "Are you challenging me?"
"Charles, you…" Makarov began, worried.
As the guild's father figure, Makarov didn't like seeing his children at odds. Unlike Charles's earlier match with Natsu, which had been a friendly test of strength, a fight with Laxus carried a different tone.
Charles waved a hand. "Don't worry. I'll be careful—after all, we're guildmates. Besides, someone has to address Laxus's issues eventually."
Makarov was stunned. Despite having only just joined, Charles had already seen through Laxus's problems—and Makarov's own internal struggle.
And the fact that Charles wanted to resolve it… even Makarov felt glad to have him in the guild.
"Alright then," Makarov finally said, sitting back down.
Both Laxus and Charles understood that Makarov had granted his permission. Laxus said, "Since you said that, let's see if you've got the strength to back it up."
He jumped down from the second floor and stood in front of Charles. "Follow me if you dare. You can run away—I won't mock you for it."
Charles spread his hands. "Such a cheap provocation."
Even as he spoke, he followed Laxus out of the guild.
Though he talked as if he looked down on Charles, Laxus could feel his strength. If they fought in town, the damage would be incalculable.
Once they were gone, the rest of the guild finally reacted.
"Laxus is gonna fight Charles!"
Everyone already knew how strong Laxus was—and Charles had easily crushed Natsu. The prospect of this battle had the entire guild buzzing with excitement.
"What are you waiting for?! Follow them! Where's the Master?!"
"Master already left ages ago!"
Someone reminded them, and the whole group stormed out to watch.
Charles had expected the guild to come spectate. But right now, he was focused on snapping Laxus out of his delusions.
The problem was, Laxus had walked this path himself. Beating him up wouldn't fix the issue. Damn it, Charles thought, so jealous of protagonists who can win people over with words!
By the time they reached a place suitable for battle, Charles still hadn't thought of a better approach, so he gave up on planning.
Screw it—he'd just show Laxus how laughable his "I'm the strongest" attitude really was.
Makarov stood in the distance, watching the two begin to face off, his eyes distant.
Laxus was his grandson—the one he worried about the most. As he grew stronger, he never really matured.
Makarov often wondered if it was his fault, if he'd raised him wrong. He could only hope Charles would show Laxus something more and help him let go of his obsession.
There was no need for a referee. The moment Charles and Laxus locked eyes, they moved at the same time.
Their arms clashed, and fire and lightning exploded outward from their bodies.
Neither used Dragon Slayer Magic at first—just physical blows. Yet every punch and kick contained astonishing destructive power.
They poured magical energy into each strike, and the resulting fire and lightning scoured the battlefield clean of any debris.
This kind of fight tested raw fundamentals—magic, skill, physical prowess. Any weakness would be ruthlessly exploited.
Laxus was shocked to realize he was being completely overwhelmed.
His lightning was repeatedly broken apart by Charles's flames—his magic output and control were inferior.
In terms of technique, Charles was on another level entirely. Even his base speed and strength were higher.
What drove Laxus mad was that Charles still looked relaxed—he hadn't even used his full power.
"You're getting cocky, newbie!"
Laxus roared, releasing a burst of lightning to force Charles back.
He transformed into a god of thunder, his body crackling as he charged once more.
"That's more like it! I'm fired up now!"
Charles smiled, flames erupting from him to meet Laxus head-on.
Realizing he couldn't win in pure martial combat, Laxus enveloped himself in lightning—not just for damage, but to paralyze on contact.
That was his strategy—if Charles dared to go blow-for-blow, he'd eventually falter!
Charles didn't seem fazed by the lightning on Laxus's fist and punched back.
His fire spiraled around his fist. Fire and lightning exploded before the fists connected.
From the flames, Charles burst forth, punching through all the lightning and appearing right in front of Laxus.
"Not going all out? Then I'll end this boring fight now!"
He kicked Laxus hard, sending him flying.
Landing heavily, Laxus's face twisted in frustration. "I'll make you regret pissing me off!"
He tore off his coat, lightning flaring as danger radiated from him.
"So, you're finally using it? Thunder Dragon Slayer Magic," Charles muttered.
Knowing Charles wasn't to be underestimated, Laxus unleashed all his magical power.
Charles exhaled slowly. If he wanted to truly humble Laxus, he had to dominate in every aspect.
Time to stop holding back.
"Dragonblood Mode—activate!"
Just as Laxus was about to revel in his power, he saw Charles change—becoming far more dangerous.
"Thunder Dragon Crushing Fist!"
Unfazed, Charles met the attack.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
An immense impact shook the air. Fire and lightning clashed, then detonated, revealing both men locked in place.
Charles was calm; Laxus's face contorted in strain.
The guild had arrived just in time to witness Charles suppressing Laxus.
Macao marveled, "I knew Charles was strong, but to handle Laxus like this…"
Natsu, fired up, shouted, "I'm next! I'm challenging Charles next!"
Happy mercilessly jabbed, "Natsu'll just get KO'd again."
Lucy nodded in agreement.
Back on the battlefield, the tides shifted again.
Even Laxus began to feel powerless. Charles had no weaknesses—no opening.
If this kept up, he'd be completely defeated.
But Laxus wouldn't accept such an embarrassing loss. Dragon Slayer Magic was tied to emotion—and Laxus was about to snap.
Lightning surged violently. His shirt was shredded, revealing his muscular torso.
His dragon power reached its peak, causing dragon-like features to emerge. His chest was covered in diamond-shaped scales, and his pupils narrowed into slits.
"Thunder Dragon's Jaw!"
Laxus raised both fists, charging like a dragon ready to bite.
Typical of a main cast member—trigger an emotional burst and power up!
"Flame Dragon King's Crushing Fist!"
Charles's flames deepened in color. The surrounding air distorted from the heat.
Charles and Natsu had received their Dragon Slayer Magic directly from Igneel, the Fire Dragon King—power on a whole different level.
Now Charles was finally using that true strength.
Behind him, spectators thought they saw a dragon's phantom hurling its iron fist and smashing the lightning dragon's bite.
"Igneel?!"
Natsu was stunned—he recognized what Charles had just done.
Amid the flames, Charles still held his punching stance. Though Laxus had been sent flying, he hadn't been defeated.
His lightning-scale armor had held up surprisingly well.
"So troublesome," Charles muttered. Laxus's power surge wasn't done yet.
It couldn't last forever, but Charles wanted to end this quickly.
"Magic Domain—Dragon's Nest!"
Laxus suddenly felt something pass through his body. His lightning was being suppressed.
He looked up to see Charles's slit pupils—like a dragon roaring into his soul.
"Damn it! Thunder Dragon Heaven Halberd!"
Lightning formed into a weapon, which Laxus hurled at Charles.
But it shattered mid-air. When it reached Charles, it was already full of cracks.
Charles caught it easily, his flames unraveling the remaining lightning.
Lowering his hand, Charles asked, "Well? Want to keep going?"
Laxus, strangely calm now, asked, "What, are you giving up?"
Charles shook his head. "You still don't get it. You can't win against someone who sees their own heart clearly."
"Shut up with your cryptic nonsense!" Laxus roared, electricity flaring as he forced himself forward.
"Still don't get it? Then feel it for yourself!"
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art…!" Both shouted in unison.
"Roaring Divine Thunder!"
Blinding lightning surged from Laxus's hands toward Charles.
"Crimson Lotus Exploding Flame Blade!"
Charles swung his arm, a searing flame spiral slamming into the thunder.
"I won't lose!" Laxus roared, pouring all his power in.
But he couldn't stop the fire—it consumed everything.
Charles's flame was so hot, it melted even Laxus's lightning armor.
Amid the pain, Laxus felt Charles's unshakable will.
When the flames cleared, Laxus lay unconscious, eyes rolled back.
The battle was over—Charles had won.
Charles looked down at the fallen Laxus.
Hopefully… he'd learned something.
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! Only $5 per novel or $15 for all!!] [[email protected]/Mutter]
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]