Fairy Tail: Strongest Creature

A short while later, Su Yan and Mira encountered another monster.

Before it could charge, Su Yan rushed forward.

*Boom!*

With a single blow, he struck the monster's head, dropping it instantly. Mira watched in surprise, wondering if these creatures were weaker than they looked. But her own experience quickly proved otherwise. Another monster charged, and it took everything she had to break through its tough scales with her claws. By the time Mira managed to defeat it, she was out of breath, while Su Yan had already taken down more than a dozen, looking completely unfazed.

Counting his fallen foes, Su Yan turned to Mira. "Eighteen down, including the two from before. Just two more to finish this round."

"Let's head deeper in," Mira suggested, catching her breath.

They hadn't gone far when, suddenly—

*Shhh!* 

A magic barrier materialized around them.

"What's going on?" Mira gasped.

Su Yan narrowed his eyes. "A spell… This is Freed's work."

Text appeared in the air: **[Rule: Only one person can exit this spell.]**

Mira's face darkened. "What's that supposed to mean?"

A laugh echoed from above. Laxus and Freed appeared on a nearby rooftop, looking down at them with smug expressions.

"What does it mean?" Laxus sneered. "It means only one of you can leave this barrier. So go ahead—fight each other."

"Laxus! Freed! Stop this! Turn off the spell!" Mira shouted, fists clenched in anger.

Laxus smirked, crossing his arms. "Why should I? The trial says to kill twenty monsters, but it doesn't say contestants can't interfere with each other. All I'm doing is ensuring that I come out on top. That S-rank title is mine."

"Laxus, this is beyond low! If you want a real fight, let's settle it directly!" Mira's voice shook with fury.

"Settle it with you?" Laxus chuckled, looking down at her with disdain. "I'm not interested in fighting someone so weak. And as for Su Yan, he thinks he can just waltz in and challenge me? He's nothing. If he wants to pass this test so badly, he can start by getting through you!"

As Laxus's mocking laughter echoed, Mira's anger flared, her hands clenching into fists. She couldn't believe his arrogance.

Su Yan's calm voice cut through the noise. "Are you done laughing? Because honestly, it sounds pretty pathetic."

Laxus's laughter stopped, and he shot Su Yan a murderous glare. "What did you just say?"

Su Yan smirked. "I said your laugh is irritating. Why don't you drop the tricks and fight properly? You're acting like a spoiled child. I can't believe the Master has a grandson like you."

"You…!" Laxus's eyes flashed with rage.

Freed placed a hand on his shoulder. "Laxus, don't let him get to you. He's provoking you on purpose."

Su Yan's gaze shifted to Freed. "Freed, turn off the spell. You're better than this. You don't have to sink to Laxus's level just to help him win."

Freed's face tightened. "I won't release the spell. This is about making sure Laxus secures his S-Class rank."

Su Yan raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming. "So, you think Laxus can't beat me without your help?"

Laxus whipped around, glaring at Freed. "Freed, is that what you think?"

Freed hesitated, taken aback. "No, Laxus, that's not—"

Su Yan shrugged. "It's simple. Let Mira go, and I'll fight you one-on-one, if you're man enough. Or go ahead and keep hiding behind Freed's magic. I'm sure everyone back at the guild would love to hear how Fairy Tail's 'strongest' had to trap his opponent to win."

Laxus's face turned crimson with fury. "Freed, turn off the spell!"

"But—Laxus—"

"Now!" Laxus snapped.

Freed hesitated a moment longer before reluctantly dispelling the barrier. Su Yan and Mira were freed.

Laxus's body crackled with golden lightning as he dropped down to the street, facing Su Yan. "Congratulations, Su Yan. You got what you wanted. But now you'll pay for it. I'll make sure you regret crossing me."

Lightning danced along his arms, gathering in intensity. Before Su Yan could react, Laxus pointed a hand at him, and a blinding bolt of lightning struck from above. In the split second before impact, Su Yan pushed Mira aside.

*Boom!* 

The ground erupted in an explosion of electricity and smoke.

Mira gasped, staring at the impact. "Su Yan!"

Freed's expression was grim. "This is Laxus's true power. I wasn't holding back with the spell to ensure he'd win—I was trying to protect you. Laxus's power is overwhelming."

Laxus laughed, his voice echoing through the haze. "See that? That's the power you tried to challenge, Su Yan! You thought you could face me, but now you've been reduced to ash. That S-Class title is mine!" He laughed, wild and victorious.

Then, a voice spoke from within the smoke. "Didn't I tell you to stop laughing? It's still weird."