Makarov, was equally astonished, his jaw nearly dropping.
He'd recently spoken with Darius, who had already shown an impressive array of abilities. But this—watching his body move so fluidly, almost like it had no bones—was something else entirely.
"Is he even human?" The absurd thought crossed Makarov's mind before he quickly brushed it aside.
Suppressing his doubts, he put on an air of authority and responded confidently, "Of course, he's human."
"Master, do you know what's going on?" Macao asked, curiosity etched on his face.
Makarov kept his composure, but inwardly, he was at a loss.
Magic was an incredibly powerful and unpredictable force.
In this world, nearly anything was possible with the right kind of magic. Maybe Darius was using an unknown magic.
But admitting that he didn't know wasn't an option—credibility as the guild master depended on it. Clearing his throat, he declared, "It's magic. There are countless types of magic in this world and some are still unknown. Right now, Darius is using one of them."
Macao and Wakaba both nodded, accepting his explanation.
Though Makarov felt uneasy about the situation, he showed no sign of it.
Meanwhile, Gray was stunned. What he had just seen completely defied his expectations.
He thought Darius would dodge his attack as he had before or come charging in with another counter.
Instead, Darius had moved like flowing water, slipping through his ice spear as if it wasn't even there.
"What is this guy?" Gray thought, frustrated.
No matter what he tried, it seemed like nothing could land a hit.
Darius smirked. "Is that really all you've got?"
Gray's frustration boiled over. Feeling underestimated, he decided to step up his game.
"Ice-Make: Floor!"
Slamming his hands onto the ground, Gray created a slick, icy surface underfoot.
"Nice move!" Macao exclaimed, his admiration evident. "By freezing the ground, he's created a slippery surface to throw Darius off balance!"
"Smart thinking!" Wakaba nodded in agreement. "Gray's quick on his feet. This should stop Darius from charging in, giving Gray a better chance."
Even Makarov looked pleased. Gray's ability to adapt mid-battle was impressive.
But Makarov also knew that Darius' abilities went far beyond what they had seen so far.
Darius, unfazed by the icy terrain, continued charging forward.
Everyone held their breath, expecting him to slip.
But instead, Darius leapt into the air.
"This is your chance, Gray!" Wakaba shouted. "He can't fight back while he's midair!"
Gray quickly prepared his next attack, ready to strike.
"Moonstep!"
Just as he was about to land, Darius propelled himself back into the air with a burst of energy beneath his feet.
He hovered effortlessly, standing in midair as if the ground didn't matter.
The guild members stared in disbelief.
"Isn't this... cheating?" Cana blurted out, frustration written all over her face.
Gray sank to the ground in defeat. "You've got speed, defense, and now you can fly? How do I win against that!"
Darius landed gracefully and walked up to Gray, extending a hand. "You've got talent, but you're still no match for me. I'm Darius. From now on, think of me as your older brother. If you ever find yourself in danger, just call on me."
Gray hesitated, then took his hand with a reluctant smile. "I'm Gray Fullbuster. I'll hold you to that."
The battle ended with Darius victorious, and the guild hall erupted in applause.
"The new kid is amazing!" Macao said proudly. "I wouldn't be surprised if he became an S-rank mage in the future."
"Agreed," Wakaba added. "With talent like his, the Fairy Tail's future looks bright."
Makarov beamed with pride, clearly pleased.
"Welcome to Fairy Tail, Darius and Erza!" he announced warmly.
Cheers and applause filled the hall, marking their official welcome into the guild.
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Let me know of any changes.