A lightning bolt swiftly traversed through space, and a golden radiance bloomed in its brilliance, causing ripples in its wake.
Crackling sounds echoed as the golden lightning abruptly stopped and vanished, revealing the robust and muscular figure beneath the lightning. Laxus looked down slightly at the scene before him, his gaze carrying a cold demeanor.
In front of him, an already open door revealed an interior filled with magical decorations. Black Mage, hands behind his back, stood with his back to Laxus, quietly observing.
Laxus was already quite arrogant, but the Black Mage appeared even more arrogant. It couldn't be helped; after all, the Black Mage's current identity was the Vice President of the Seven Sins, the Pride of the Seven Sins—Padrey.
"Oh, are you planning to keep your back turned to me?" Laxus said indifferently, though his tone concealed a hint of irritation.
Padrey finally turned around, casting a disdainful glance at Laxus, smirking lightly.
His attitude suggested that Laxus wasn't even qualified to question him.
This caused Laxus's face to turn an iron-like shade of blue.
"Very well, I hope your strength matches the attitude you've displayed," Laxus said as he removed his leather coat, revealing his muscular upper body. The tight-fitting shirt couldn't conceal the bulging muscles, and a formidable aura began to spread around him.
"Not bad momentum. It seems you're quite a powerful human. But no matter how strong, you are still a human. In front of a demon, you are as powerless as an ant," Padrey calmly said with an air of arrogance, maintaining his disdainful expression.
"Demon? Are you a demon?" Laxus ignored Padrey's attitude, instead becoming intrigued by the term he used.
Padrey obviously had no intention of answering Laxus's question. He raised his staff, his gaze turning cold, and spoke coldly, "No need for unnecessary words. If you want to know everything, you'll have to defeat me first!"
As the words fell, a wave of energy emanated from the staff. A mysterious and unpredictable sensation spread out. Upon contact with this wave, Laxus immediately felt a strange feeling, as if it were trying to imprison his entire magical power.
However, Laxus's expression remained unchanged. He just stared at Padrey indifferently and suddenly chuckled.
"So, you're saying I have to defeat you to know everything? That's really quite simple."
"Roar!"
Laxus roared suddenly, and a massive pillar of lightning converged, shooting out from his mouth directly towards Padrey.
Seeing this attack, Padrey's face changed dramatically. He hurriedly dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the massive lightning pillar. Sweating profusely, he looked at Laxus with a mix of fear and surprise. However, Laxus seemed to have done something trivial. He appeared relaxed, with a hint of disdain.
"Is this all?" Laxus mocked, not waiting for Padrey to respond. Once again, he flashed and appeared behind him, his hands already joined.
"Thunder Jaw Strike!"
He fiercely struck Padrey's forehead, instantly creating a large hole in the ground. Padrey was left sprawling in the pit, barely holding onto his staff, and faint electric sparks occasionally emanated from his body.
Padrey's black mage robe's hood was torn apart, and his usually graceful appearance now looked disheveled. He propped himself up with the staff, glaring at Laxus with resentment.
"How is this possible? How can you possess such formidable power?" Padrey shouted loudly, his expression showing some panic.
"Don't underestimate me, and don't underestimate Fairy Tail. The power we possess is something you can't comprehend!" Laxus said in a deep voice, openly expressing his disdain, using the term 'thing' to describe the Seven Sins.
"You bastard..." Padrey cursed under his breath, but he didn't dare to make any reckless moves. Though their skirmish had been brief, he had already realized that, currently, he was no match for Laxus.
One could say there was absolutely no comparability.
"Now I'm the Seven Star's card, possessing power equivalent to an S-class. But why am I completely powerless against him?"
"Unfortunately, my original power hasn't fully recovered yet. Otherwise, I could easily crush this small fry with just one finger!"
"But now things are not looking good. It seems I have to fight using Carl's methods!"
"Really displeasing. I have to imitate the tactics of mere humans!"