"My turn."
With that, Gray stepped into the arena. As the battles progressed, it was clear that the stronger fighters were being saved for later. With Erza and Kaien still waiting, now was his moment to act.
"Go for it, Gray!"
"Show them what Fairy Tail is made of!"
With two wins in a row, the morale in Fairy Tail was sky-high. They had finally vented their frustration in the best way possible.
Just as Gray entered the field, it began to rain.
"Huh? It's raining?"
Moments later, a girl holding an umbrella stepped out from Phantom Lord's side.
"That's right—Juvia, one of the Elements. She's the Rain Woman."
Even Makarov looked surprised. The fact that her appearance alone could cause a change in the weather spoke volumes.
"That girl… what incredible Water Magic talent!"
To shift the weather so casually—this was a rare gift even within the entire magical world.
"I didn't expect you to beat two members of the Elements, but Juvia and Aria won't be so easy to deal with."
"Sorry, but I don't care if you're a woman or a child. You destroyed our guild. That's unforgivable."
Gray's tone was serious.
Juvia stared at him, her cheeks slowly turning red. "I… I see. Then I guess I surrender. Please take care."
Gray blinked in confusion. "Hey hey hey!! What the hell are you doing?!"
But Juvia's heart was pounding. She suddenly wanted to make this man hers. She longed to possess him.
[Fairy Tail vs Phantom Lord – Round 3!]
[Begin———!!]
DONG————!
"Water Lock!"
Rainwater rushed across the field, forming a giant sphere that trapped Gray inside.
"What?!"
He hadn't expected such a sneak attack.
Shhh!
Gray quickly released cold air, freezing the sphere, then shattered it from within.
"Oh, you little sneak. Were you just trying to lower my guard?!"
As he spoke, he started undressing.
"Why are you stripping?!"
The entire audience was confused.
Fairy Tail's members were visibly embarrassed. 'Of all times to strip—why now?!'
Juvia, meanwhile, was flustered beyond belief. Watching him undress in front of a crowd was way more than she was ready for.
"Ice Make: Lancers!"
Gray clapped his hands together, and dozens of ice lances shot toward Juvia.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!!
The lances passed straight through her and hit the ground beyond. Her body had been pierced, but no blood spilled—she simply turned into water. Gray's attack hadn't done a thing.
"Juvia's body is made of water."
"Water?!"
Gray was stunned.
"You attacked me, but Juvia doesn't mind. After all, this is a battle. Goodbye, budding love! Water Severing Slash!!"
Juvia unleashed several slicing waves of water.
"What nonsense are you even talking about?!"
Gray dodged as best he could, but still took several cuts.
"Ice Make: Battle Axe!"
Charging in close, Gray formed an enormous ice axe and brought it down hard across Juvia's waist—but she just turned to water again. His strike passed through harmlessly.
"You can't beat me. If you surrender now, I won't hurt you."
"What kind of joke is that? Neither side can back down now! Don't waste time—let's have a proper fight!"
The rain began to pour even harder.
"This rain… it's really annoying."
Juvia trembled when she heard those words. She whispered, "He… he's just like the others…"
"Just like all the rest———!!!"
She suddenly screamed in fury, startling Gray.
"Juvia will never fall in love again———!!"
She was boiling with emotion.
"What the hell are you even saying?!"
Gray was completely lost. He came here to fight, not to get dragged into some soap opera.
SWISH—!
Juvia's body transformed into a stream of water and surged toward him. Gray dodged, but—
"Hssss!! So hot—!!"
Even just brushing past him made him wince. His skin felt scalded.
"Ice Make: Shield!!"
BOOM—!
The boiling stream slammed into the ice shield, melting it instantly.
"What?! Are you kidding me?!"
"UAAAAAHHH!!"
The water stream sent Gray flying, then launched him into the air. In midair, he bounced around like a ball, unable to regain control.
'Damn it!! I've got to freeze her water! That's the only way!!'
"I won't lose to you!! I won't lose to Phantom Lord!!"
"Freeze!! HRAAAAAAH!!"
"Ice Geyser!!!"
A surge of cold magic burst from Gray's hands. The boiling water around him began to freeze instantly—even the falling raindrops solidified midair.
"AAAAAHHHH!!"
CRACK—!!
The ice shattered. Juvia lay collapsed on the ground.
"Juvia… lost?!"
Just then, the sky cleared.
"Oh! The rain's finally gone."
It was the first time Juvia had ever seen blue skies. They were… beautiful.
To her, Gray stood glowing in the sunlight—like a shining prince.
"Hey! You alright? Want to keep going?"
Seeing an opponent so concerned about her made Juvia's heart flutter. Her eyes sparkled with love—and then she fainted happily.
[The match is over!!]
[Winner: Fairy Tail's Gray!!!]
"YEAHHHHHH!!"
"Great job, Gray!!"
The Fairy Tail side erupted in cheers, while Phantom Lord looked shaken and demoralized.
"What the hell's going on?"
"Even Juvia lost…? Impossible!"
"Useless! All of you are useless!! Losing to just one Fairy Tail mage!"
Jose was on the verge of exploding. Three battles—three losses. And all to nameless Fairy Tail nobodies. They hadn't even sent out a single S-Class Mage yet. His pride was in shambles.
"No helping it. Juvia has zero resistance to handsome guys. But whatever. The early rounds don't matter. As long as we win the rest, it's still our victory."
Gajeel said calmly.
His words helped Jose regain a little composure, though his face still looked like a thundercloud.
Jose turned to Aria and warned, "Aria, no matter what, you cannot lose this one!"
Aria chuckled. "Hehehe… What are you saying, Master Jose? This game ends with me."
Gajeel grinned ominously. "Ohhh, now that sounds promising. Then let Fairy Tail enjoy their last moment of glory."
[The fourth match is about to begin! Fighters from both sides, please enter the arena!!]
"I'm going!"