A New Life in Fairy Tail

After monitoring Etherion’s power, Noah found it was stronger than he expected, but he was still confident he could withstand it if necessary.

Walking on top of the Etherion-charged Lacrima was a novel experience, so Noah took a moment to stroll around and feel the sensation.

”It’s massive. As expected of the R-System that claims to resurrect the dead,” Noah commented. He used his magic to capture images of the tower’s new form from the outside.

A colossal crystal structure loomed over the island, with crystalline pillars protruding in a regular pattern. The magic-filled Lacrima emitted a soft blue glow, illuminating the surrounding sea.

Inside, Noah saw lines of different magical scripts arranged on the crystals, forming the intricate spellwork of the R-System alongside the Lacrima itself.

”The Tower of Heaven...”

Jellal also looked around the crystal tower with emotion, wandering through the structure. Seeing the result of eight years of his life and the suffering of countless innocents, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

Noah continued to scan and record data about the tower. This was likely his only chance to gather such information, so he was diligent in his efforts.

At that moment, another Jellal, wearing a white robe, appeared at the top of the tower.

”Oh, your Thought Projection is back. How is the Council?” Noah asked the robed Jellal.

”According to Hades’ instructions, I needed to cause destruction at the Council to fit his narrative of obtaining the keys to unseal Zeref. I destroyed some Council buildings, throwing them into chaos. It will take time for them to recover, which fulfills Hades’ requirements. I made sure no one was seriously injured, just a few minor scrapes,” Jellal explained as he reabsorbed the projection.

He clenched his fists, relishing the return of his full power.

”That’s good,” Noah nodded. As long as the Council wasn’t permanently crippled, it was fine.

After spending some more time, Noah finally finished recording all the data on the Tower of Heaven. He then broke off a few pieces of the Etherion-charged Lacrima, sealed them, and stored them in his pocket dimension.

”Alright, finally done.”

Noah closed his Archive and stretched. He looked at Jellal. ”Rested up?”

”Of course. I can’t wait to fight,” Jellal stood up, loosening his limbs. While Noah was collecting data, Jellal had been adjusting his condition to ensure he was at his peak for the duel.

”Good.”

Noah nodded and stretched his own limbs. Suddenly, remembering something, a Thought Projection stepped out of his body, walked to the side, opened an Archive screen, and began monitoring.

”What’s that for?” Jellal asked, puzzled. Why make a projection right before a fight?

”The tower will definitely be destroyed during our fight. I want to monitor the data of its collapse, so I left a projection to handle that.”

”I see. But won’t that affect our battle?” Jellal asked.

”No. Feel free to come at me with everything you’ve got. One projection won’t impact my ability to fight you,” Noah said, taking his stance in the center of the area, unconcerned.

”Alright. Be careful, here I come.”

Jellal felt slightly slighted. Creating a Thought Projection significantly impacted a mage’s personal strength because it divided their magic power.

Even knowing Noah had defeated Jose, another Wizard Saint, Jellal had his own pride as a young Wizard Saint. Noah creating a projection right before fighting him at full strength felt dismissive. Jellal decided to show Noah through combat that he shouldn’t be underestimated.

Seeing Jellal’s expression, Noah knew what he was thinking. But he didn’t explain. He had several other projections active elsewhere already. Adding one more wouldn’t change the outcome because the gap in their strength was simply that large. Jellal would realize this soon enough.

”Hah!”

Jellal stomped the ground, shattering it instantly, and launched himself at Noah.

BANG!

Noah extended his right hand, catching Jellal’s punch firmly.

Jellal threw a flurry of punches, but Noah blocked every single one with his palms.

Realizing standard close combat wasn’t working, Jellal leaped back.

”Witness my Heavenly Body Magic!”

A magic circle appeared beneath Jellal’s feet. His body was enveloped in a soft golden aura, and his speed skyrocketed.

”Meteor!”

His figure vanished from Noah’s sight.

Noah remained calm, standing still and waiting for the attack.

Suddenly, Noah took a step to the right. An instant later, Jellal materialized in a flying kick right where Noah had been standing, rushing past the empty space.

Seeing his attack dodged, Jellal’s expression turned serious.

He adjusted his posture in mid-air, landed, and kicked off again, darting around Noah at blinding speeds.

Noah began to make small movements left and right, dodging every single one of Jellal’s high-speed attacks.

After Jellal launched over a dozen attacks without landing a hit, his expression grew grave. His speed in Meteor was extreme; most opponents were defeated before they could even react. Yet he couldn’t touch Noah, proving Noah could perfectly track his movements.

”I’ve seen your speed. Now, see mine,” Noah said to Jellal.

Jellal tensed, focusing intently while maintaining his high-speed movement.

”What are you thinking about?”

Suddenly, Noah’s voice sounded right beside him. Jellal was shocked to turn his head and see Noah running alongside him.

Jellal gritted his teeth and accelerated again.

But no matter how much he increased his speed, Noah matched him perfectly.

What was harder to accept was that Jellal was using Meteor to boost his speed, while Noah was clearly using no magic at all, relying solely on physical ability.

While moving, Noah threw a punch at Jellal, forcing him to block.

The two engaged in a high-speed melee while running. To an observer, only blurring afterimages would appear and vanish around the arena.

BANG!

Their fists collided in mid-air, and both leaped back, exiting their high-speed state.

”Phew...” Jellal exhaled heavily. He had barely managed to block all of Noah’s attacks during that exchange.

”Nice speed,” Noah smiled.

”To catch up to my Meteor with just physical speed...” Jellal’s worldview was crumbling slightly. He shook his head vigorously to refocus on the fight.

”Look at my magic!”

Jellal leaped into the air, extending both hands toward Noah. ”Accept the judgment of the seven stars! Grand Chariot!”

Seven magic circles appeared in the sky, arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper.

Seven pillars of light erupted from the circles, raining down on Noah.

Noah simply looked up. A single magic circle appeared above his head, shielding him completely.

BOOM!

The seven beams struck the barrier, causing a massive explosion and blinding light. Jellal had to squint against the glare.

The blast shattered the surrounding Lacrima, kicking up a cloud of dust that obscured Noah.

When the dust settled, the magic circle still hovered above Noah’s head. He was completely unharmed.

Jellal landed back on the ground. Noah’s barrier shrank and dissipated.

Without a word, Jellal waved his hand forcefully. A magic circle unfolded before him, summoning several dark spheres of magic that shot toward Noah.

Noah didn’t move. A magic circle appeared in front of him, firing an equal number of light bullets that intercepted and neutralized Jellal’s spheres one by one.

”Hah!”

Jellal thrust both hands forward, launching a massive sphere of magic larger than a person at Noah. It tore a gouge in the crystal floor as it traveled.

Noah’s magic circle remained. A sphere of light formed on its surface, transforming into a beam that shot out to meet Jellal’s attack.

BOOM!

The two attacks collided, triggering an instant explosion.

A crater formed at the impact site, and smoke filled the air, blocking their vision. Cracks spread across the floor, and nearby Lacrima fractured from the shockwave.

Suddenly, a beam of light pierced through the smoke, heading straight for Jellal.

Recognizing the power of the beam, Jellal didn’t try to block it. He dodged to the side.

CRASH!

The beam punched through the crystal wall of the tower’s peak and shot into the sky, piercing the clouds before disappearing.

On the distant island, Ultear and the others, who knew Noah well, sighed in relief upon seeing the distinct magic.

~~~

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