"Boom!"
The terrifying energy unleashed by Amaterasu Formula 100 shook heaven and earth!
Not to mention Precht's unique Amaterasu Formula 100...
With Precht's terrifying magic power, even the most ordinary Amaterasu Formula would be enough to instantly defeat a 'Saint Ten' level powerhouse.
(Side note: in the original manga, the Amaterasu style Precht used to beat Laxus was just the basic form. The anime team got lazy and reused the same effect for both the regular Amaterasu used on Laxus and the Amaterasu Formula 100 he used on Makarov. Also, while the anime showed Precht and Laxus fighting across several episodes, in the original manga, Precht quickly finished off Laxus after testing him with a few moves and getting a feel for his magical power.)
"Rumble!"
Precht stood amidst the fractured mountains and ruins, looking coldly at Gildarts, whose body lay buried beneath the debris after a direct hit. Precht spoke in an icy tone:
"Ever since I created Amaterasu Formula 100, no one has ever stood back up after being struck by this spell. Even Warrod Sequen couldn't."
"Kid, you've lost."
Precht crossed his arms before him, his expression full of confidence. Though many things were uncertain, he was always sure of himself when it came to magic.
Indeed, Gildarts was very strong, but Amaterasu Formula 100 was a magic specifically developed to deal with monsters. It was designed to deal with individuals just like Gildarts.
"You say I've lost?!"
Within the rubble, Gildarts slowly stood up. First, he lightly brushed the dust off himself, then removed the tattered cape behind him—blown to pieces by Precht's Amaterasu Formula 100—and tossed it aside.
"You know, I really liked that cape."
"After all, it was given to me by Cornelia…"
Gildarts' tone was calm, as though stating a trivial fact, as he looked at Precht.
"So what?" Precht still stood there, arms crossed, his gaze cool and skeptical.
"So, I'm very angry."
"Today, let's settle both old and new grudges at once!"
As Gildarts spoke, his magical power surged again. Terrifying energy swirled around him, and the magic particles in the air grew so dense they were faintly visible to the naked eye.
"Kid, how can you still use magic? This is impossible?!"
"You should have been completely stripped of your power by my Amaterasu Formula 100!"
"Even your Crush magic shouldn't be able to shatter the magic particles I implanted inside your body using the Amaterasu formula!"
Precht's brows furrowed as he eyed Gildarts with puzzlement.
"Allow me to explain a bit about the principles of my magic—'Crush'—if you will."
"As you said, my top-tier destructive magic, Crush, is known for destroying all magic and anything visible to the naked eye!"
"However, in truth, my Crush doesn't just destroy what we can see on a macro level—it also obliterates the very essence of magic on a microscopic level, annihilating magic particles entirely…"
"Moreover, my magic is unlike anyone else's! It has merged completely with my magical power. I can't even control it properly. The moment I release my magic, I subconsciously deploy Crush magic!"
"In other words, the moment your Amaterasu Formula 100 invaded my body to disrupt my magic flow, it was instantly annihilated by the Crush magic fused with my own magical power."
Gildarts explained calmly, a slight smile on his lips.
"Integrating magic with your own magical power?!"
"And not just any magic, but the most advanced destructive type?"
"Are you fearless because you know nothing?"
"Or are you just plain lucky?"
"Regardless, achieving this is insane, monstrous!"
Precht was genuinely shaken by Gildarts' explanation. He never imagined that apart from himself, another mage on the continent of Ishgar would practice magic so purely. It was a surprising delight. Yet, no matter how pure Gildarts' magical pursuit was, Precht would show no mercy in battle. Since Gildarts had encountered Precht, he was destined to gain something called 'the experience of defeat.'
"Enough talk. Our battle continues."
After understanding how Gildarts could still stand, Precht rotated his shoulders with a crackling sound, then fixed his gaze on Gildarts, his voice as cold as ice.
"Nothing would please me more!"
Gildarts grinned fiercely. He could hardly wait to pound that old face of Precht's into the ground.
"Shadows of the Abyss!"
Without more words, streams of pitch-black magic surged under Precht's feet. His figure glided as if dancing in midair, releasing countless black shadows that lunged towards Gildarts, intent on devouring him.
If Jose Porla were here to witness Precht's dark magic, he would probably kneel on the spot, begging to be taught. If Jose could learn even a fraction of Precht's dark arts, not to mention the pinnacle of human limits, reaching the level of a "Heavenly King" would be well within sight.
"Crush!"
Facing Precht's dark magic, Gildarts resorted to his old, reliable tactic! No matter what spell Precht used, Gildarts would always use Crush, Crush, and Crush again!
"Dark Pulse!"
Precht raised an eyebrow, his expression unmoved. While his right hand continued unleashing Shadow magic, he waved his left hand, creating a brand-new magic formation.
This effortless display of simultaneously casting different magics with both hands left the Fairy Tail members—protected by Ur's ice wall—stunned. Even Makarov, the third Guild Master, widened his eyes in shock.
This skill wasn't just about abundant magical power. It represented decades—no, centuries—of immersion in magical arts. Only with deep magical experience could one acquire such mastery. Even Makarov, the most seasoned mage in the guild, couldn't do it.
On the other side.
"Glug, glug…"
While fending off Precht's Shadows of the Abyss. magic, Gildarts also had to be wary of the bottomless darkness bog beneath his feet. If his hands got pinned down by Precht, and he got hit by Dark Pulse, sinking into the mire, he'd be finished.
Yet luck would not always be on Gildarts' side!
With a sudden "thump," while he struggled to resist the Precht's magic and carefully avoided the swamp below, Gildarts finally fell into Precht's trap.
Truly, experience triumphs over youth!
"It's over," Precht sneered. He wanted to see how Gildarts would deal with the swamp created by the Dark Pulse when his hands were controlled by the Shadows of the Abyss.
"Crush!"
But Gildarts stomped the ground hard with his right foot, releasing Crush magic from his foot to annihilate the dark swamp beneath him.
"Haha, using Crush Magic with your foot, you really are something, Gildarts..."
"I admire the imagination of you young people."
Seeing this, Precht stopped all the magic he was releasing, reached out and gently stroked his white beard, and chuckled slightly.
Precht was successfully amused by Gildarts' comical action.
"Although it's a bit clumsy, it's effective."
Gildarts remained calm. He stood in the pit that he'd created by destroying the dark swamp with his Crush magic, eyeing Precht on his 'high platform' in the distance.
"Magic is an elegant thing," Precht said, shaking his head slightly. Gildarts' method was too inelegant for his taste.
"Heh…"
"Elegance is for the grand halls."
"Magic isn't something so inconvenient!"
Gildarts chuckled, dismissing Precht's comment without a care.
"Alright, the game of probing each other ends here."
"Gildarts, you should reveal your true capabilities," Precht said. Suddenly, the nature of his magical power changed fundamentally. His terrifying magic shook the earth, eliciting mournful cries.
"Interesting."
Gildarts smirked coldly, letting his own magic surge wildly within him.
"Wait a second…"
"These two have been fighting like this and they were still just testing each other?!"
"What kind of monsters are they? If we let them continue, won't Magnolia be destroyed?!"
"Master, you've got to do something!"
Meanwhile, the Fairy Tail mages, shivering from the cold induced by Ur's ice barrier, huddled while their teeth chattered. Though it was freezing, they couldn't help but complain.
Makarov was wearing the golden coat that the Magic Council ERA had custom-made for him, symbolizing his status as a 'Saint Ten'. Like everyone else around him, he was shivering from the terrifying cold and shook his head, saying, "You brats! Are you deliberately making fun of this old man? Do you think I don't want to? Can I interfere in a battle of this level?"
"Ur, go and stop Precht and Gildarts."
Makarov said, looking at Ur beside him.
"Ah, me?!"
Ur raised her eyebrows, looking at Makarov with a hint of doubt, as if Makarov was talking nonsense. It was obvious to everyone that she couldn't easily stop the battle between these two monsters, Precht and Gildarts.
"Boom!!"
Just as everyone was discussing how to bring a graceful close to Precht and Gildarts' duel, a horrifying surge of magic erupted from both combatants. This time, the energy they released wasn't even on the same level as before.
"What is magic?"
"Magic is a power born from darkness."
"The closer you are to darkness, the closer you are to the essence of magic."
"Now, open your eyes wide and don't miss a thing…"
"I will show you here and now what it means to dwell in the abyss of magic!"
"This is the direction you brats must continue to move forward!"
Precht spoke, his internal magic trembling. Terrifying dark magic formed tangible vortices around him!
At this moment, Precht had completely surpassed human common sense regarding mages. He stood with half a foot in the domain of the abyss.
He seemed to bathe in darkness, merging with it. His snow-white hair stood upright, and his coat floated like ink around him.
At the same time, Precht gently removed the eyepatch over his right eye, revealing the sealed "Demon Eye" underneath.
"Ugh…"
The Fairy Tail mages watching from atop the ice wall widened their eyes. Even among them, Laxus, Ultear, who had stepped into the Wizard Saint level, and Mirajane, who was only half a step behind, were all overawed by Precht's immense magical aura.
"Was the Second Master this strong?" Laxus asked in shock, his mouth agape and his eyes twitching. He felt embarrassed for having once wanted to challenge Precht.
"Turns out the sky is much higher than I thought," Ultear sighed. Compared to the realm where Irene and Selene existed, Precht's power was more tangible and visible—and thus more awe-inspiring.
Because it was more visible, it was more shocking.
So humans could train magic to such an extent.
"I'm still too weak," Mirajane lamented with a bitter smile. She had been upset about failing the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial this year, but seeing Precht's terrifying power, her frustration vanished into thin air, replaced by the realization of her own insignificance.
"Second Master is really strong," Erza nodded softly. Even in the western continent of Alakitasia, Precht would undoubtedly be considered a top-tier mage, worthy of a spot as one of the Shields of Spriggan of the Alvarez Empire.
Of course, even though Precht was powerful, it wasn't enough to truly shock Erza. Having grown up in the Alvarez Empire, she had witnessed how strong human mages could truly become—the man known as the "Magic King."
"Boom!"
On the other side, Gildarts also unleashed formidable magic. Transparent scales began to appear on his skin, and his once blue eyes turned into dazzling, gem-like gold!
In that moment, Gildarts exuded the aura of a creature once dominating the continent, the apex predator of Earthland's food chain—a Dragon!
"You are a Dragon Slayer?"
"This aura can't be wrong…"
"You've unlocked Dragon Force?"
Precht was stunned. He never imagined Gildarts to be a Dragon Slayer. Just like he hadn't used his Demon Eye until now, Gildarts hadn't employed his Dragon Force until now. Both sides had concealed an ace.
Perhaps birds of a feather do flock together!
Both Precht and Gildarts had a second stage hidden up their sleeves.
The good news: Precht still had a "Phase Two" he hadn't used.
The bad news: The enemy also had a "Phase Two."
"Rumble!"
Once Precht and Gildarts both entered their second phases, the sky turned pitch-black from their overwhelming magic. Thunder boomed across the heavens…
The entire Fairy Tail guild's rear mountains and even distant mountain ranges shook violently! Not far away, the town of Magnolia quaked as well. Terrified townsfolk looked up at the sky, puzzled: "This can't be right! Today isn't a festival day. Why is Fairy Tail causing another huge commotion? Are big events going to become routine from now on?!"
If the Magnolia townsfolk had known Fairy Tail would host such an event, they would have evacuated to another city days ago.
"Kid! Come!"
"Today, I will let you witness the legendary magic from the Underworld."
"The super forbidden magic from the Book of Zeref, Chapter 4, Verse 12!"
"Heaven's Executioner—Divine Punishment!!"
As Precht spoke, his magic penetrated the earth. The countless debris, shattered by Gildarts' Crush, began to tremble…
Then one after another, the debris rose under Precht's command, transforming into colossal demons, each radiating immense magical power.
Every one of these demons seemed to possess magic surpassing that of Deliora, the so-called "God of Destruction" who had once wreaked havoc for a hundred years.
"This is the abyss of magic! Are you afraid?!" Precht stood among the giant demons, like their leader, their king.
"Ah? No way?!"
"So the Second Master's strongest magic is just to create a bunch of demons?!"
Mirajane, initially quivering at Precht's boundless magic, relaxed her knitted brows upon seeing Precht's demonic creations. At this moment, she seemed to glimpse a future path for herself after mastering Deliora's soul and breaking past the barrier of the Wizard Saint—a direction to move forward.
"Because these demons are essentially sand and earth, even if you hit them with Crush, they'll reform in the next second! Everything ends here, Gildarts…" Precht said coldly.
"Dragon Slayer's Secret Art! Crushing Evil, Spreading Truth: Second Heaven!"
Without replying to Precht's words, Gildarts channeled all his magical power into his arm. Compared to "Crushing Evil, Spreading Truth: First Heaven," this was far more formidable.
"Hmph! I won't let you rush in!" Precht's thought flickered. The demons opened their jaws, gathering destructive energy that erupted as beams of annihilation aimed straight at Gildarts.
"This can't go on!"
"Ian, stop the fight between Master Precht and Gildarts right now…"
Before Precht and Gildarts could decide the victor, Makarov panicked completely.
If Precht's magic and Gildarts' magic collided, not to mention whether they, the spectators, could escape unscathed!
But there was one thing Makarov was sure of...
That was that the aftermath of these two magic explosions would definitely affect Porlyusica, who was living in seclusion in the eastern forest, and the nearby town of Magnolia.
"Let me think," Ian touched his chin. If he stepped in now and took the combined attack from Precht and Gildarts, he risked getting hurt. The best solution was to let them settle this, bringing the battle to a proper conclusion. Ideally, let Precht and Gildarts resolve their fight now.
"I've got it!"
Ian's eyes lit up. Since Irene's concealment magic could hide dragons from Acnologia's senses, it might also block the connection between Precht and the Heart of the Demon. After all, Precht seemed to be quite far away from the Heart of the Demon right now.
"Enchant - Shielding!"
With that in mind, Ian added another layer of concealment to Irene's original concealment magic.
"Huh?!"
Precht suddenly felt his heart skip a beat. His magic vanished as if it had been smoke blown away by the wind. Even the demons he created disintegrated into dust due to lack of magic supply.
Precht, who had lived over a century, now found himself in the same position as a new recruit. He never imagined that these Fairy Tail brats would be so treacherous as to cut off his 'internet connection' mid-battle.
Wait! Wait..."
After dissipating his magic power, Precht looked at Gildarts' fist, which was close at hand, and finally panicked, shouting for a pause.
"Who cares about you! Fly!"
Gildarts swung his fist at Precht's face and shouted loudly.
"Pfft..."
Precht spat out blood and flew into the sky like a meteor.
Before Precht completely lost consciousness, he roared in his heart, "Ah! Damn it, you brats from the Fairy Tail guild!"
One week later.
"Heh heh…"
When Precht opened his eyes again, he saw a familiar ceiling.
This time, the person by his bedside wasn't Makarov's old face, but the one he missed deeply—First Master Mavis.
"Precht, you've gotten old~"
"That's why I said I no longer need your protection!"
"Everyone in Fairy Tail is really strong!"
"Don't strain yourself anymore…"
Mavis sat by Precht's hospital bed, her fair, bare feet swinging back and forth. She chatted for a long, long time.
However, Precht did not hear a word. His mind was stuck on the first three sentences Mavis said.
First: "Precht, you've gotten old."
Second: "I don't need your protection anymore."
Third: "The youngsters of Fairy Tail are stronger than you."
"Ugh…"
Precht felt as if he had taken an internal blow. He spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted again.
Before darkness consumed him, Precht recalled the image of a certain young boy. For the first time, regret filled his heart: "If I hadn't abandoned him, would things be different now?!"
"Second Master, hold on! You just promised to take over as Fairy Tail's Guild Master! You can't die now!"
Before losing consciousness, Precht seemed to hear Makarov's wailing voice.