Chapter 16 - Light and Lightning
Alright, got a bunch of ideas floating around, but this marks the end of the fluff and feelings based chapters (at least for this arc).
Get ready kids, after this chapter, a montage is starting soon, and the plot can finally start advancing.
Enjoy!
"W-what was he like? M-my… my father I mean."
"Seijin was many things," The master simply looked into Benjin's eyes, before continuing, "he was a mentor, a friend, he was strong, my god he was strong…"
A smile slowly found its way onto Benjin's face, causing the master to do himself.
"…but above all else, he was family." How?
"But you two aren't even related!" Benjin's answer simply caused the old master to chuckle, to the boy's slight irritation. After, the master simply pointed to the boy's chest, where his guild mark was.
"That. Is what makes him family." Despite the clear look of confusion on Benjin's face, the master simply continued. "No matter the circumstances of your birth, no matter how strong. Everyone who bears the mark of the guild… is family." Benjin felt the master's small hands on his shoulders. "We're in this together, never forget that!"
Benjin stared into the master's eyes, which held the same compassion from before, but this time, with an aura of power and safety that he couldn't explain. Together…
"When I told you to leave…" Benjin began, guilt in his eyes, "Why did you stay?"
The old man looked into the distance, towards where the guild hall was. "Because you looked like you needed family."
Benjin thought back to the master's words - We're in this together - before catching the smaller man into a bone-wrenching hug, one the master was eager to return. The old man felt drips on his shoulder, causing him to tighten his embrace.
Maybe, I don't have to do this alone.
"T-thank you… Gramps."
How long had he been lying in bed?
After the master had left, the silence was accompanied by the quickly darkening skies. Sleeping would have been a good idea, but he was kept awake by his short interaction with the old man.
In this together…
Should he tell them? What would they think? Would they even believe him? If they did, would he still be accepted? Argh, I hate stressing out about this! Maybe he should just come clean and say everything! But… just not now, or ever hopefully.
Whatever, I'll just think about it later.
It took a good three hours at least before Benjin could fall asleep again, and when he did wake up the next day, it was once again, dark. I gotta stop making this a habit… why are my eyes so sore? He rubbed them, which only served to make it worse.
"Ughhhhhh…"
Screw it. He couldn't sleep anymore, so might as well be up. The clock said that it was 6:45am, which meant that no one except the guild geezers would be awake. In fact, most of the kids his age don't show up at the guild hall until at least 9:00am, and that's because Ur is super anal about Gray and Lyon waking up early. Hell, Jellal doesn't even usually show up until afternoon!
Again, he would have to entertain himself with something - fuuuuckkk I don't want to workout today! This wasn't even a problem before! Most of his free time in the past three weeks - time outside of magic practice and reading that is - was spent on building his tree house. Would have taken probably just ONE week if I didn't have to rebuild the damned thing so many times.
Guess he could just read? Or maybe actually try to teach Drajin magic? That dragon was a lot more intelligent than it seemed. The blonde always thought it was more akin to a large scaly dog… that would grow up to fire gigantic lasers from its mouth. Then again, Drajin could talk; if anything, he was probably more like a Toddler. Speaking of Drajin, where did he go off to anyway? Right after the vendor fiasco, he basically just disappeared into the forest, wait, do dragons hibernate?
Benjin smiled at the thought.
Wait, why is the railing broken? With that, memories from yesterday filled his mind. Right, I broke it… Well might as well fix this first before anything. Okay, okay need a hammer. Hammer, where is my freaking hammer.
"…"
Seriously? Another one? Somebody has got to be stealing his stuff! Screw it, he was going to the tool store.
…
In front of a small building, one with a sign saying 'James' Tools,' Benjin went to open the door, except… it was locked. What? He tried a few times, until finally, he saw a small sign, barely noticeable, with the capital letters - C-L-O-S-E-D.
FUCK!
"Alright, which of you idiots took my hammer?!" Benjin shouted as he ran inside the guild hall, an accusatory finger moving from person to person.
Laxus simply gave his trademarked arrogant grin. "Hah! Piss-eyes lost another hammer? That's the tenth one in a week!" Jellal, who was drinking from a large mug, spat out his drink, unable to contain his laughter, causing a vein to bulge from Benjin's forehead.
"Well, the eleventh one is going STRAIGHT up your ass!"
"Yeah Loser?! Why don't you come and try and I'll remind you what happened last time!" Benjin scoffed, frustrated from the fact that he was reminded of his loss.
"I'm going to try all right! And once it's all the way in, the hammer will have friend in the form of that giant stick that's already there!" Laxus, who had been sitting in his corner with his headphones on, took it right off and stomped towards the other blonde, all while electricity sparked from his form.
"So, looks like the 'dumb blonde' thing isn't really a joke after all!" The two suddenly looked to the side, seeing Jellal with his damned taunting smirk.
"Why I oughta-"
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!" A sudden voice screamed from the side, garnering the attention of all three boys. Wait's that just Drajin. Just Drajin. The dragon. The dragon that he hasn't seen for a few days doing god-knows-what. The dragon that he, who was 100% sure, never actually entered the guild before. There was only one thing that he could say, before hell - in the form of a certain dragon slayer - broke loose.
"OH SHI-"
"DRAGON!" Natsu, who had been minding his own business at a table, suddenly dropped the sandwich he was eating and ran at the bright-yellow dragon. "DO YOU KNOW WHERE IGNEEL IS?! TELL ME!" Who the hell is Igneel?
Drajin, who had been happily walking towards Benjin, turned towards the charging dragon slayer, took a huge sniff, then gave off a vicious growl. "Daddy! He's evil!" Oh god, I really didn't want to deal with this…
"Wait daddy?"
"That dragon has a father here?"
Benjin, who was blushing up a storm from the embarrassment, finally found the courage to speak once again. "Drajin! Don't bite him! Just come here!"
Laxus, whose annoyance had been replaced with surprise, raised an eyebrow at the other blonde. "Wait, that thing is yours?"
"Well… I suppose," Benjin narrowed his eyes, spitting out his next words. "And don't call him a thing!"
Drajin, who had obediently ignored Natsu in favour of his 'daddy', suddenly found himself tackled by the pink-haired slayer.
Please don't bite him. Please don't bite him. Oh GOD he's biting him!
"YEOWW!" Natsu screamed in pain as a set of undeveloped dragon teeth sunk into his hand. "ALRIGHT THAT'S IT, I'LL MAKE YOU TELL ME WHERE IGNEEL IS!" Somehow managing to free his hands, the fire user jumped away and began taking a deep breath. Oh no. OH NO. "FIRE DRAGON'S ROAR"
Wait, that was dragon slayer magic! Drajin could actually get hurt! If Natsu even singes a single scale oh Drajin's body, then Benjin would tear him a new one! Wait, no… that's is NOT possible!
Drajin, instead of dodging the large plume of flames, took a deep breath of his own, a small orb of gathering energy coalescing inside its wide-open maw.
"SCREEEECCCHH!" Hey, that's actually kind of cute! Benjin thought Drajin was going to roar, but it turned out to be - WAIT HE JUST FIRED A GODDAMNED LASER.
*BANG*
The two roars/screech met in the middle, dissipating as quickly as it came. Drajin's compressed beam of light seemed to be pressing on, barely losing any momentum, as it scattered the breath of fire around the hall in the form of small embers. Is Drajin actually winning?! Damn, were dragons naturally that strong or is Natsu just shit as his magic? You know what, it's probably the second one.
As the beams died down, both Drajin and Natsu seemed to be standing, neither backing down, ready to charge again, until the dragon suddenly started wobbling and shaking his front paw in the air.
"Ow! Daddy that burns!" No… Benjin looked at Drajin's foot, which had an obvious burn mark. Natsu, you little SHIT.
Instantly, Benjin rushed the pink-haired dragon slayer, catching him by surprise. Unable to defend himself, Natsu could only brace as he was violently slammed on the floor. The light mage was not playing around. He didn't bother to control his magic as the oppressive aura began pressing down onto the boy.
"Natsu." Glowing golden eyes dug into Natsu's black.
"Y-y-yes?"
"If you ever, EVER, even breathe at Drajin wrong, I will annihilate you, UNDERSTAND?!" Despite the tension in the air, some of the older members of the guild actually chuckled at the scene.
Natsu could only stare up in shock, dozens of beads of sweat running down his cheeks as all the colour drained from his face. "Aye Sir!"
"Look's like somebody is a Papa bear!" As soon as he heard that, Benjin's rage evaporated and turned into embarrassment, jumping back with a face resembling Erza's hair.
"I am not a Papa be-"
"THE GUILD IS ON FIRE!" The voice of the master rung throughout the area as tried to pat out the fast-growing flames with his massively enlarged palms.
Benjin, who had been engrossed with his own predicament, looked around the guild hall, only to see multiple flames starting… everywhere.
"Quick, someone who's a water mage, put it out!"
"Our only water mage is sick today!"
"Gildarts! YOU'RE THE ACE, DO SOMETHING!"
The auburn-haired ace deadpanned at the man who actually suggested something like that. "You really want me, to put out a fire?"
"…"
"Someone other than Gildarts, DO SOMETHING!"
This was absolute chaos! He had barely been in the guild for a week and he already got into so many fights and caused a fire! Wait! I have pots of liquid in my storage!
"Don't worry I got this!" Benjin ran towards the fire as a golden portal released his choice of fire repellant into his hands.
Gildarts, who was watching him, caught whiff of what was in the pots, causing him to widen his eyes in terror. "WAIT BENJIN NO, DON'T DUMP THAT ON THE FIRE!"
Too late.
*WOOOSH*
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" A myriad of screams echoed around the guild as the fire doubled in size.
Is it too late to secretly leave and forget about it?
*CRACK!*
"My WHISKEY!"
Yep, definitely out of here.
Already two days after that 'incident,' and he was still thinking about it. Gildarts had the look of the devil on him - he really shouldn't be that attached to alcohol - when his bottle fell onto the floor, enlarging the fire. The ace instantly rage-beat Natsu into the floor, again, and began chasing Benjin around the town. Bad memories…
Just thinking about that actually makes him cringe every time. Surprisingly, it was actually Gray of all people to rid the flames. Somehow he could freeze fire. FREEZE fire. He didn't know how Ice Magic worked but he was pretty sure you couldn't just freeze fire. Damn, Ur must have been some sort of legend in ice magic to create something like that.
Not only that, he had to keep Drajin away from Natsu as it took awhile before the pink-haired boy realized that Drajin had ZERO FREAKING IDEA of where or even who this 'Igneel' was. AND he had to fork over 50,000J to pay for the damages. He would have been even madder had the master not designate half of the damages to Natsu. Except, Natsu was broke so he had to pay all of it anyway… but that bumbling idiot now owes me 25,000J.
Well hopefully bygones will be bygones. Especially since it turned out that the guild hall gets wrecked so often that a good 50% of all the income going into the guild treasury is used for repairs. Seriously, wow. Apparently it's the kids that always wreck it, and it just so happens that Benjin was the only one in his age group who could actually pay for the damages.
Please don't let this become a reoccurring thing…
No matter what though, he was pretty sure that the guild wouldn't be burning down any time soon.
What.
Why is there so many freaking people in the hall? On any other day, you might see anywhere from ten to twenty people, but right now, there are probably over FIFTY in the guild. Are we having a party? Oh god, if they were, he had to get out quick. Shit always goes down and somehow, he always get blamed and his finances end up getting drained again.
Just his luck, there were already people giving him the stink eye for the fiasco couple days ago.
On the other side of the hall, which still had some unfixed char marks, Benjin noticed Jellal sitting with a red-haired girl wearing some sort of chest plate and plate skirt, and decided to go towards them. Is that Erza? She seems… nice.
"Yo, do you know what's happening?" The blue-haired boy looked towards the blonde, shaking his head.
"Not too sure myself, came in here earlier today and it was just filled with people," Jellal looked to his red headed companion, "Erza was telling me about it earlier… something about an exam?" Benjin looked at the girl, who had all her attention on the tattooed mage, her cheeks dusted with the same colour as her hair. I'll get to the bottom of this.
Turning around, the blonde walked back into the middle of the crowd, "Hey!" Benjin called, getting the attention of several people, including Laxus, "is there something special happening? There's so many people here!"
Laxus scoffed, a condescending look on his face. "Of course you wouldn't know," Benjin frowned at his words, "but I'll tell you, since I'm such a nice guy." Nice freaking joke… "Every year, we have something called the 'S-Class Trials, following so far?" The way Laxus was talking to Benjin made it seem like he was talking to some three-year-old, and that was pissing him off.
"Just keep talking, you prick."
"Heh, they're hosted every year, but most of the time, no one passes. All the people you see here, are waiting to see if they get picked." Benjin gave the other blonde a sly smile.
"Well what do you know? You can be a decent, helpful person! Now I know how to be S-Class!"
"Don't get your hopes up, loser, someone as weak as you has zero chance in getting in!"
Benjin was just about to open his mouth to retort before he was cut off by the master.
"OK YOU BRATS, SHUT UP AND LET ME TALK! I will now announce the mages selected to take part in this year's S-Class trails!" The dozens of people that were conversing suddenly stopped, all of them concentrated on the master's small frame. Beads of sweat began falling down and gulps of anticipation could be heard around the guild.
"Laxus Dreyar." WHAT! THAT PRICK MADE IT IN?
"Third time is the charm, eh?" Heh, so that means he fucked up the exam two times already?
"As expected of the master's grandson!" Wait, GRANDSON?! Why wasn't I told about this!
"Cana Alberona." Benjin looked around for the girl, managing to spot her sitting at one of the counters, with a proud smile on her face. She's younger than me and she got in?!
"Lyon Vastia." This time, it was someone else's turn to shout in shock.
"WHAT?!" The light mage looked towards the voice, seeing the - once again - semi-naked boy, Gray, shouting at his fellow disciple.
He had to be picked. That Cana girl and Lyon boy? He could probably beat those two in his sleep. Come on, come on, say my name!
"And finally…" the master began, Yes… "Macao Conbolt!" Damn it!
Well at least Jellal didn't get picked. Maybe it was seniority? He and Jellal had only been in the guild for under a month so it could be unfair if they were picked before others. But he was stronger damn it!
Once the master finished his announcement, the large crowd of mages began dissipating, some straight up leaving the guild - never to be seen again, while others, such as Macao, began binge drinking in celebration.
Benjin took notice of Laxus' aura again, then to the masters, then back again. Hmmm… He may have just noticed this, but now that he looked, really looked, the master's and Laxus' aura actually looked pretty similar - even with the different shape. There was just… something about it. Is it because they are related? Benjin frowned, looking at the other blonde in envy. That guy probably gets all sort of special treatment! Otherwise how would a sparky prick like him even be chosen for anything?
Tch, whatever. I'll show him!
So, apparently the S-Class Trials were being held in the mountain ranges west of Magnolia, something about an obstacle course came up by Gildarts himself.
On second thought, maybe it was better if he DIDN'T get picked.
How long can an exam take? It would take then at most one day to travel to and from the place, and they've been gone for nearly a week!
"Daddy!" Benjin snapped out of his thoughts, seeing the sheep-sized dragon nuzzling against his legs. Awwwww… The blonde bent down and began patting the dragon, who continued nuzzling happily.
"Benjin!" A voice called to the side, causing him to turn. The teen saw Erza, who was once again sitting beside Jellal - figures - having a look of anxious excitement on her face.
"Yea?"
"Can I… Can I pet him? Your baby dragon I mean." Normally, Benjin would probably say yes. In fact, he would probably say yes to everyone except for the four douches, namely - Natsu, Gray, Lyon, and of course Laxus. Natsu was obvious, Benjin wasn't letting that kid within ten feet of Drajin if he could help it. Gray and Lyon was… well, Gray and Lyon. He wouldn't be surprised if those two carry some sort of disease from their constant lack of clothing. And Laxus? He might have let him get close to him on a good day, but for some odd reason, Drajin disliked Laxus just as much as did Natsu. I mean, Laxus IS a prick, but I didn't think dragons could understand prickery… especially if they're like three years old.
Now Erza? She was a nice girl, but he just couldn't turn down an opportunity to fuck with Jellal.
Benjin smirked, gesturing to the blue-haired teen with an open palm. "Why not pet the one right next to you?" Erza immediately blushed and looked at her companion, hope in her eyes.
Said person-right-next-to-Erza simply turned from what he was doing, glanced at Erza, then rolled his eyes at Benjin. "Haha, very funny you blonde prick. Maybe everyone calls you the dragon daddy because of how similar you look in appearance!"
The blonde put a hand on the dragon's head. "Drajin is the most adorable creature in the guild, so thank you for the compliment!" Jellal simply grunted from Benjin's dismissal of his comeback.
"Compliment? Are you sure that Laxus is the prick here?" I am NOT as bad as him!
"Oh please! If I'm a prick then that guy might as well be the god-"
"Who the fuck just called me a prick?" A voice called from entrance of the guild. Benjin smirked surreptitiously, already knowing who it was, and was expecting a third failure from him at the trails.
"I did," Benjin challenged, turning to face the other blonde. "and -what the hell happened to you?" True to that, Laxus had bandages on his bandages! The guy looked like he walked through a forest made of glass then began dancing like Gildarts when he's drunk!
"…" Laxus looked at his own bandages, before looking up with frustration in his eyes. "…Gildarts happened." Gildarts? What did he go this time? Benjin glanced at Jellal, who had the same look of curiousity on his face.
This time, it was the blue-haired teen that asked, "What did he do, exactly?"
Laxus paused for a few seconds, before gritting his teeth. "Nothing." Nothing? Benjin saw Laxus beginning to clench his fists, all while the muscles in his neck tightened. "I had to fight him as the last obstacle… I threw everything, EVERYTHING I had at him, but it did nothing." Just how strong is Gildarts? "He just stood there, unflinching, then he did… that." That?
Benjin raised an eyebrow, expecting the frustrated blonde to continue. "What is 'that', exactly?" Laxus simply scoffed, before sitting in the corner seat that he usually took.
"You know what? I don't gotta tell you shit, you'll probably see for yourself soon enough." Oh? Did the master consider him for the next S-Class trails?
Jellal gave Laxus a condescending smirk. "Well, there's always next year, four tries ain't that bad!" Benjin chuckled at that. Couldn't have said it better myself, heh.
The lightning mage, who had grabbed a drink from the other side of the counter, gulped it all down before spitting out his next words. "I passed you morons!" Wait, this guy got completely DUMPED on and he STILL passed?
Now, Benjin was more than irritated. How could this guy get splattered and basically beat halfway to death and still make it to S-Class? Was it some sort of pain endurance test? No, that would be stupid. Of course, Benjin had no idea just what would happen from his next words.
"You lost bad, and you still got S-Class? You're so lucky that you're the master's grandson!" The temperature seemed to drop as a cackling aura began leaking from Laxus.
"What… did you just say to me, Punk?" The scarred teen's voice was low, lower than before, etched with an uncanny rage, one that Benjin had not seen from him before.
Normally, it would have been good to simply stop while you're ahead; but Benjin, who was still sore from his battle with Laxus, was more than prepared for a rematch. "You only got S-Class because you probably got special treatment! Laxus Dreyar." The emphasis on Laxus' family name only served to add oil to the fire, his aura sparking into the surroundings, splintering the wood.
"You, me, outside. Now." Does he even know his own situation? True to that, as much as Benjin wanted to fight Laxus in an all-out fight, that guy was still injured. Prick as he was, he wasn't going to beat him just for Laxus to come back and say Benjin only won because he was injured.
The scar-less teen crossed his arms, raising his own aura to match Laxus' all while narrowing his eyes. "No."
Laxus was more than shocked to be rejected, his already-white knuckles was pressured even further as his teeth began buckling from the force applied. "No?!"
"Look at you!" Benjin gestured to the various wounds on Laxus' body, "You look like you would die from a single punch!" Laxus was about to retort, but was cut off by Benjin. "If I'm going to beat you…" Benjin's eyes glared right into the other teen's own. "I'm going to do it when you're at full strength." Benjin began walking back to his seat, turning around one more time. "Unless, you really think you can fight in that condition?"
Laxus eyes were completely bloodshot, his veins were visible in all the uncovered parts of his body. It seemed as if he would charge right at the other, before relenting in begrudging acceptance.
The lightning mage's fist were no longer gripped, but the red in his eyes were still burning. "One week from now, at the beach behind the guild. I will destroy you." With that, Laxus stormed back out of the guild, but not before giving Benjin one last glare.
As soon as the master's grandson left, the tension began evaporating from the air, causing a few sighs of relief from the younger members of the guild.
"Man! That was intense!" Benjin looked towards the voice, seeing Gray - the clothe-less Gray - sitting with Cana, who also had beads of sweat running down her face.
"Did you really have to piss him that much? I thought I was going to choke!"
Benjin looked at the two with irritation. "I can take him, he ain't so tough."
Drajin, who had been hiding underneath a table, suddenly jumped out at his 'dad'. "Yeah! You can beat him daddy!"
This time, it was Erza who spoke. "Laxus got S-Class for a reason; the master would never grant him that if he wasn't strong enough… even if he was his grandson." The blonde scoffed at her words.
"Shut up strawberry! I can take him! The dragon said so!" Jellal immediately came to her defense.
"Don't tell her to shut up!"
"I'll tell tomato head whatever I want!" Erza was visibly seething at his words, but Jellal was quicker to the jump.
"Don't call her a tomato head! You robe-wearing banana!" Ba-fucking-nana?! For some odd reason, that one irked him almost as much as 'piss-eyes.' Seriously fuck that name.
With that, the guild was brawling again.
"Did somebody start a fight without me?" From the counter, a certain pink-haired dragon slayer started throwing chairs at his 'rivals,' hitting Gray and nearly hitting Cana.
"Damn it Natsu, can't I eat my ice cream in peace?" Gray jumped at his attacker, only to be stopped by an armoured hand, who did the same with the other boy.
"No fighting in the guild!" Gray gave an expression of droopy frustration, pointing at the two older boys that was fighting in front of the entrance.
"But they're fighting right now!"
Cana, who had been avoiding the chairs as they came, pointed to the blue-haired boy while giving the redhead a sly smirk. "If it's him, then they can fight wherever they want, isn't that right… Erza?"
Erza could do nothing as the redness flowed into her cheeks. "Shut up!"
Benjin was anxious.
That was a given. Despite his bravado from the past week, he knew that he couldn't just waltz in, dick around, and somehow pull off a victory. As much as he disliked that prick; Laxus, if nothing else, was strong, frighteningly strong.
The light mage focused past the decent-sized gathering that had come to spectate their match, landing on his opponent on the other side of the beach, who had a scowl and eyes that promised pain, if he wasn't careful of course.
From their last fight, Benjin could tell that Laxus was mainly a melee fighter, where his ranged attacks consists of various bolts of lightning. Fast, but not too difficult to counter. Which meant that, if Benjin wanted to be the last man standing in this bout, he would have to wear him down from a distance all while conserving his energy, then deliver a finishing strike just like he did in their last fight.
Of course, he didn't fight all out last time, but the same could be said for him. Which means Laxus could easily be hiding some secret technique that could beat his Ethereal Guardian spell, tch! I'll deal with that later!
"1000 JEWELS ON LAXUS!" Shut up Macao…
Benjin looked at the afternoon sun, breathing in the warmth and comfort that it granted him, feeling his magic stirring in response.
I'm ready.
"READY…" Gildarts, who was persuaded into acting as the judge for the match, raised his hand, silencing the idle chatter from the spectators.
I'll hit fast, and hit hard!
"BEGIN!"
A rippling portal appeared, an ornate staff with the sun circle as his tip going into Benjin's hands. "Light Make: Sentinel!" He was the first to attack, forcing Laxus to dodge mid charge as zig-zagging beams of light began firing at him.
Laxus was fast, no doubt about that. That annoying spell lightning body - or meteor rip-off - granted him great speed and nigh-intangibility to most elements… most, but not light.
"Augh!" the lightning mage grunted in pain as he failed to dodge three of the sentinels, causing the beams to dig into his midsection. Benjin simply smirked in response to the death glare that Laxus shot through his discomfort.
The younger blonde's confidence was short-lived however, as Laxus was immediately back to the fight. Tch, recovered already? Figures…
Despite getting first blood, Benjin was nowhere closer to victory as the angered Dreyar charged again, this time bridging the distance in an instant, delivering a devastation punch towards his stomach.
Not gonna happen!
At the last second, Benjin side-stepped, all while sweeping his staff, slamming the tip right into Laxus' legs, forcing him off balance.
"Smite!" You have an activation time for your lightning body… Laxus, who tried to use that exact spell to avoid the pillar, was forced to block as Benjin swung his staff right before the spell's activation. Which means, if I attack in quick succession, you won't be able to use it!
Benjin looked at Laxus, who had a sly grin on his face, causing the younger mage to blink in confusion. What's he planning? Suddenly, Benjin widened his eyes as he detected a spike in Laxus' aura a fraction of a second before he was struck by his spell.
The teen looked underneath him, noticing a magic circle that resembled the one from his own spell. When did he-
*CACKLE-BOOM!*
Benjin gritted his teeth in pain, feeling the electric burn throughout his body despite focusing his aura to block the attack.
"Lightning Pillar, piss-eyes!"
The light mage looked at Laxus, who, despite having multiple singe marks on his body, had an irritating grin on his face. Fucker!
Within seconds, Laxus charged once again. Growling in frustration, Benjin jumped to the side to avoid the punch, only to get nailed in the stomach by a lightning-charged round kick.
"Having fun yet?"
"Ugh!" The teen spat in pain, the air being forced out of his lungs. Benjin, all while Laxus was delivering the next set of strikes, cast his next spell.
"Light Make," Benjin began, pumping more magic than he had ever before into the spell, "Light Chains!" Dozens of constructs rushed at Laxus, who was able to get lightning body off in time to avoid them. Damn! Now where is he going to attack…
The younger mage followed Laxus movements with his aura vision, trying to look for changes to predict when he was going to reform, all while sending his chains into the ground. Now!
Laxus suddenly changed direction, darting towards Benjin. Just as the blonde predicted, the lightning mage reformed in front of him, an electricity powered first heading for his face. Despite the impending doom, Benjin simply smirked.
With a wave of his hand, the chains that had been digging unseen suddenly emerged, completely surrounding Laxus.
The lightning mage growled in frustration, angered he fell for the same trick again. Laxus quickly pumped his magic into his arm, firing a fist-shaped bolt of lightning at the blonde.
Holy Barrier!
*CRACK* What was that magic?! it looked like… Natsu's.
Benjin expected Laxus to try to launch a range attack at him, so he was ready to rebound it with his barrier spell. Normally, such a barrier wouldn't have stood against such a powerful attack, but the light mage angled the barrier to redirect, not block.
Within seconds, the older mage was wrapped in chains, unable to move, at Benjin's Mercy again.
Benjin tauntingly stared into his trapped opponent's bloodshot eyes, lifting up his staff and pointing it at Laxus' chest. "Solar Wave!" He shouldn't be able to tank a direct hit…
Just before the massive golden beam struck however, Benjin saw Laxus' aura explode outwards, stressing the chains but not breaking them.
"AAARRRRGGHHHH!" Laxus' screams of pain resounded throughout the beach, causing some of the spectators to gasp in shock, while a certain short old man frowned in worry.
As the beam died down, Laxus was seen on his knees, injured, but still in the fight. He used the force of his own magic to negate part of the force?! Tch… this guy is tougher than I thought!
Just like before, Laxus recovered quickly and launched another lightning pillar spell. This time however, Benjin was prepared, easily sidestepping out of its range as the attack just barely brushed by him. I can't let this become a battle of attrition, Laxus will no doubt win!
He couldn't just run in and start fist fighting like he does with Jellal in the guild. He had to strategize; lure Laxus in, use false openings in offenses, restrain him then deliver a critical strike. If he was able to do that, all while not wasting his energy, then he could whittle him down enough to pull a victory. But he's strong, I can't let him take the advantage.
"Light Make: Swords!" Half a dozen construct made of light formed from multiple magic circles, all six of them launching towards Laxus at great speeds.
As expected, the older mage dodged and once again tried to force him into hand-to-hand combat. But this was just what I wanted!
"Light Make," Benjin began, outputting more magic than he had throughout the whole fight. I will end it with this! "Ethereal Guardian!" Laxus' charge was slowed by the explosion of magic, the forming body of the giant knight hitting Laxus just as the fists completed, knocking the breath out him. I can't hold this for long, I have to force him into fighting aggressively!
The lightning mage quickly got up, not making a move, opting to observe.
"What's wrong Dreyar? Need help from your Grandpa?!" Instantly, all semblances of planning went out of the window as Laxus charged right into where Benjin was located on his spell… the head.
The living lightning bolt slammed full speed into Benjin's mech, forcing it back. How is he still pushing with so much power?!
After a short struggle, the two mages found themselves at a clearing away from the spectators. What is he up to now?
Once again, Laxus charged, his eyes become more and more feral at the battle went on, his magic power… is STILL rising? He didn't know what sort of secret technique Laxus had, but it was like, he had another source of magic, one just as vast as the other!
Benjin, who had a slight physical advantage with his guardian spell, began trading blows with Laxus. Every strike he delivered weakened the angered lightning mage, while every strike he took cracked his armour more and more. Damn it, I have to end this now!
"I won't lie, you're pretty good," Laxus began, causing Benjin to get into a defensive stance while narrowing his eyes. "But I'm going to finish this now." The older blonde seemed to look around the area, as if looking for something… or looking for something that's NOT here. Benjin's eye widened in realization. The others! But what could he possibly have to gain by them not being here?!
Suddenly, Laxus' already muscular body began enlarging even further, ripping apart his sleeves, all while growing scale-like patterns on his arms and face. I can't beat him like this, I have to use that!
Laxus began taking a deep breath, magical power charging in front of his mouth. This is… Benjin remember a certain pink-haired fire magic. Dragon Slayer magic! No wonder Drajin hated him! Wait, he had to focus!
The younger blonde had no intention of letting Laxus roar. Benjin charged, all while the orb cackling with lightning grew in size. I won't make it! I have to evade!
"Lightning Dragon's Roar!" The unfamiliar spell barreled into Benjin's armour, breaking pieces off the moment it contacted. The light mage quickly forced himself upwards, causing his spell to be destroyed by the beam of lightning.
This is… my last choice!
Benjin reached deep into his reserves, trying to rekindle the power that he once used all those years ago, like a muscle that hadn't been used for ages. This time, both Benjin and Laxus took a deep breath, the same ball of lightning forming with Laxus.
This feeling, I just have to find it!
All the light, the rays of the sun, the reflections from the lake, even from Laxus' lightning being coalescing into a small orb in front of Benjin's mouth. This power, a feeling of strength and control began filling his veins, I can win!
"Lightning Dragon's…"
"Light God's…"
As the two spells readied to battle against each other, Benjin suddenly felt his power leaving him. WHAT! NO! Not now!
"Roar!" The beam of magic from before rushed at Benjin, while his own began dissipating into the air. Why?! I had it! Damn it! The boy could do nothing but erect a last-second barrier, before he was completely engulfed by the blast.
"RAGGHHH!" The barrier was instantly vaporized by the overwhelming force, the beam continuing and assaulting every inch of Benjin's form with lightning magic. Damn it, I lost… again!
Once the attacks faded, Benjin knew that there was no more he could do. His strength left him, his body wasn't responding, and - Benjin looked at the Dragon Slayer -, he's STILL standing.
Laxus retracted back into his normal form, walking towards the downed mage with a scowl on his face, before morphing into a grin.
"I won't deny it, that was a fun fight," Fun my ass, "but you know what? I like to think myself as a patient guy." Benjin, hearing that, simply scoffed at him despite the lack of feeling in just about everything. "I can stand your ugly face inside my guild, but don't you dare, ever, ever say that I got where I am BECAUSE of my blood!" The blonde tried his best to look up, barely managing to look into his eyes that was filled with righteous fury. "All the strength I have, this victory, your defeat, was all from my own efforts, GOT THAT?!"
Despite his loss, Benjin actually had a smile on his face. The blonde prick that he thought was just some lucky bastard, now had his newfound respect.
"Heh, got it… Laxus."
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Chapter 16 Done! Next Chapter: The need for strength
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