Evil-Crushing Spear possessed the property of destroying all evil power. Against Summoned Demon, it was an absolute counter.
Struck head-on, Summoned Demon immediately dispersed.
"This is bad!"
Erza's pupils abruptly contracted. In the instant Summoned Demon vanished, she caught the faint smile lifting the corners of his mouth.
The next second, a pitch-black magic array appears beneath her feet!
Highly compressed Demon Descending Thunder crashed down from the sky, striking the earth and exploding into deafening, surging lightning!
By the time the heart-stopping commotion gradually quieted for Lucy and the others, and the dust cleared...
Erza stood on the charred ground, breathing slightly heavily. Her armor was already shattered, revealing the figure-hugging black underclothes beneath.
"Chase... you really don't like taking losses, do you..."
Erza sighed deeply and slowly walked toward Chase.
Although Lightning Empress Armor was shattered, she had nevertheless endured Demon Descending Thunder. Her condition wasn't greatly affected.
And Chase, temporarily deprived of several cards, still retained ample magical power within.
In this exchange, neither had gained much advantage over the other.
"Erza, I think that's enough warm-up for now." Chase smiled.
As he spoke, two cards appeared between his fingertips. The card faces showed Dark Magician Girl and a Magic Card with a floating jewel.
If this were an ordinary spar, this would basically be the end. But his ultimate goal hadn't been achieved yet: getting a new card from Erza!
"Your battle intent seems high. In that case, I won't say more."
Erza, who had intended to stop here, smiled calmly. Then her magical power climbed exponentially, a purgatory-like aura gushes wildly!
Th-this was just the warm-up?!?
Lucy vaguely heard their conversation. Looking at the devastated battlefield before her, her mouth twitched violently.
"Hey! Lucy! Standing there might be a bit dangerous now!"
Mira's voice came from far behind.
Lucy looked back and was immediately startled.
Without realizing it, everyone around her had vanished. Even the Master had retreated several hundred meters!
Snapping out of it, Lucy sprinted desperately and finally returned safely to the main group.
Everyone's emotions were now running high, noisy over whether Chase or Erza was stronger.
"Erza! Go! Knock Chase down!"
"Chase! Beat Erza! Show her what a real man is!"
"Chase definitely has manly spirit, but Erza will win in the end!"
"Aye! Erza is the strongest!!"
Lucy looked in surprise at Happy in the crowd, cheering for Erza.
In her memory, Happy rarely joined such heated debates. He usually hid in the back watching the fun.
Why was he so firmly taking sides this time?
'Even among guild companions, Happy still supports Erza from the same strongest team...'
Lucy concluded internally.
"Hey Lucy, want to place a bet?" Cana, sitting on a barrel, asked with a smile.
Lucy took a look. Good grief, these guys had actually opened a betting pool on whether Chase or Erza would win!
Seeing the evenly matched chips on both sides, Lucy suddenly had an idea. "Can I ask who Happy bet on?"
"Happy? He put 10,000 Jewels on Erza."
Lucy: "..."
And here I thought that damn cat was supporting his teammate. He was just worried about his money!
After some thought, Lucy pulled out her last 20,000 Jewels and decisively bet on Chase.
No other reason. She was vindictive and simply wanted to win back the money she'd been cheated from Happy, with interest!
And so...
"Go, Chase! For my entire life savings, you HAVE to win!!"
She too joined the crazy cheering crowd.
On the battlefield.
"Even from this far away, those guys are as noisy as ever." Erza shook her head helplessly.
"Perfect accommodation for the upcoming fight, don't you think?" Chase smiled.
"Be very careful, Chase. What happens next, even I can't control."
Erza's expression was serious. Tangible magical power erupted, blowing her crimson hair and light blue skirt swaying violently.
A magic array containing huge magical power appeared. Following it, Erza's eyes gradually turned crimson and rage.
Heavy, dark black armor revealed itself amidst the storm. Jagged heavy blades crashed down, making the ground continuously tremble.
This was Purgatory Armor—said to possess earth-shattering power with every casual strike, ranking in the top three of all Erza's armors!
"This is how a fight should be."
Chase's lips curved upward as he slapped the cards between his fingertips into the void. "My turn! Summon Dark Magician Girl!"
"Ta-da~"
Dark Magician Girl made a gorgeous entrance, striking a cute pose.
"And then..."
"Activate Magic Card, Sage's Stone!"
[Sage's Stone]: Magic Card. When Dark Magician Girl is summoned, can Special Summon (zero magic cost) Dark Magician.
Unlike Lightforce Sword, Sage's Stone was a chain Magic Card. Purely in terms of magic consumption, it was somewhat lower than summoning Dark Magician directly.
Battles between equal mages were often ever-changing. An extra step could change the entire battle situation.
Therefore, Chase usually chose direct summoning rather than covet the small magic savings.
But now, in a friendly spar with Erza, naturally he'd conserve where possible.
A golden pentagram magic array outlined itself. Dark Magician Girl reached out and touched the crystal clear jewel floating within.
Light burst forth instantly, and Dark Magician, in his purple robe, stepped out.
"Oh ho! Long time no see, Mr. Dark Magician."
Even Erza's tone, beneath Purgatory Armor, had become wild.
"Long time no see, Erza." Dark Magician's words remained few and pale.
"Wow! Erza, you look terrifying like this!"
Dark Magician Girl noticed her magical fluctuations now.
"So you two... better be careful!"
Erza merely raised her jagged heavy sword and lightly swung, stirring up a sword wind as sharp as blades.
"Heh! Even if it's Erza, I won't hold back!"
Dark Magician Girl erected a pink magical screen, blocking the sharp gale.
Master and apprentice exchanged glances, instantly understanding each other's intentions.
Dark Magician gripped his staff, dancing with purple lightning, and began chanting a powerful spell.
Dark Magician Girl summoned her staff, plopped down on it, and transformed into a streak of light charging at Erza, buying time for her teacher.
***
Dive deeper into the story with 30+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!