The triple magic array burst into dazzling light.
The sharp earthen spears chasing Lucy and Happy struck the array as if hitting an invisible mirror, instantly reversing and flying back at Hoteye even faster!
Hoteye's pupils shrank; in haste he raised a thick wall of earth. The reflected spears embedded deep, the violent collision sending dust sky-high.
Moments later, arms numb, Hoteye dismissed the wall and stared in shock. "Who's there?!"
From the forest shadows Mystogan stepped out, one staff in hand and four more on his back, each glowing a different color.
"Mystogan!" Lucy cried, near tears.
Happy patted his chest. "Saved, aye~"
"Sorry I'm late."
Without turning, Mystogan said, eyes fixed on the foe, "Fall back with Wendy. Leave this to me."
Lucy nodded and flew off with Happy toward Wendy.
Hoteye narrowed his eyes; the book in his hands turned pages on its own. "Another fool looking to die."
Saul's face changed. He whispered, "Careful—he's Fairy Tail's S-Class Mage, Mystogan. No one's seen his true face; his power is unfathomable."
"Unfathomable?"
Hoteye sneered. "Before these Heaven Eyes of mine, every bit of magic is exposed."
Hoteye earned his name for being born with eyes that see the flow of magic in any body.
By reading an opponent's mana paths he can judge the strength of the next spell and counter it perfectly.
With this gift he can drag out dozens of rounds against stronger Mages.
Yet when he confidently turned those Heaven Eyes on Mystogan, his smirk froze.
The infallible eyes saw no magic flow at all!
In this world every human carries mana—more makes a Mage, less makes a commoner.
Was this man not of this world?
Impossible.
Panic quashed, Hoteye suspected the cloak—its tight weave might block sight.
Who else would wrap themselves until only the eyes showed?
"Hmph! Enough tricks—let's see the face beneath!"
He flung his arms wide; the ground quaked as sand and clay gathered into a colossal hand that clawed at Mystogan.
Mystogan merely drove two staves into the earth; grand arrays blossomed, turning the earthen hand to dust.
Hoteye had expected it; the move was only a feint.
"Earth-Make: Living Plaza!"
At once Mystogan's feet sank; the soil turned fluid and alive, surging to swallow him.
Blinding sandstorm, sucking mire—no footing to cast.
"Haha—die!"
With a roar, sand buried him; twisting spears of clay pinned his limbs, crucifying him to the ground.
Next, clay fists slammed down.
One… two… three… With each blow and the accompanying wail, Hoteye laughed louder, heart elated.
High above, Lucy, Happy, Wendy and Carla watched, expressions odd.
What was the big guy cackling at?
"Hoteye! What the hell did you do?!"
"Why attack Saul all of a sudden?!"
Cobra's furious roar made Hoteye pause—his spells had hit Mystogan, not Saul.
He glanced back: the suited Saul behind him stood unharmed.
Erik must be so desperate to hear his serpent he's started hallucinating.
Hoteye turned to the pummeled figure—and froze.
The half-crushed man impaled on the ground had become Saul!
Then who stands behind me?!
Damn—an illusion!
Hoteye reacted fast, but a seven-layer array already hung above, sealing him; he couldn't muster mana or move a muscle.
Nearby, the suited Saul reverted to Mystogan. Five staves ringed him; he lifted a hand for the final verdict.
"Seven-Layer Magic Array: Nothingness."
Pure light descended, growing denser through each circle until the world turned white.
Hoteye's scream of agony ripped across the battlefield.
The spell wrought no bodily harm—it struck mind and Memory.
His spirit shattered.
Memories, instincts—everything was erased like data.
He would forget how to eat, to walk, to cast, to breathe, his name, friends, kin… kin… kin… "Nooo—!"
Under the seven layers Hoteye had already lost much he could no longer name.
Yet as the last memories of family slipped away he dropped to his knees, slamming his forehead to the earth.
"Please! Turn me a fool, an idiot—only… only Wally—I must not forget him!"
"Please! Please!"
Even such a villain cherished someone that deeply.
Mystogan's casting hand faltered; beneath his mask a bitter look flashed.
In that instant a fearsome dark ray pierced his abdomen, and a torrent of blackness swallowed him.
Lucy and Wendy cried out together as the dark spell struck.
"Mystogan!"
"Big brother!"
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