Fairy Tail: Collapsing Stars

Chapter 382: I’ll Help You Recover to Your Peak State

"I surrender…"

Mystogan's three faint words, although very short, were incomparably loud, echoing throughout Fairy Tail Guild's hall.

"Surrender…"

August froze. He had not expected that this brat standing before him right now, who saw through the essence of his magic at a glance, would not even intend to fight him and would directly choose surrender.

"Although this brat doesn't have much magic power inside his body, this level of insight is still astonishing. He should possess considerable strength."

August silently thought as he looked at Mystogan. Although Mystogan's body indeed possessed no magic power, merely the fact that Mystogan could see through the essence of his magic as Copy Magic already placed him beyond ninety-nine percent of the Mages in this world.

Leaving aside whether he possessed magic power within his body, purely in terms of eyesight, Mystogan undoubtedly stood at the top level of the entire world of Earth-land. Therefore, August had never underestimated Mystogan because of whether he possessed magic power…

On the contrary, it was precisely because Mystogan himself possessed no magic power at all, yet through his powerful eyesight saw through the essence of August's magic faster than the many Mages present who possessed powerful magic power within their bodies, that August regarded Mystogan more highly.

Besides that, although it was true that Mystogan's body possessed no magic power, judging solely from the fact that Mystogan, with a body without magic power, could participate in Fairy Tail Guild's S-Class Mage Trial, his strength was not inferior to any Mage possessing magic power within their body…

"Those staffs… I see, you are a Holder-type Item Mage?!"

August narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at the staffs behind Mystogan. August had long since noticed the magic tools behind Mystogan, embedded with Magic Crystals and emitting extremely powerful magic power.

At the same time, August saw through the essence of the Holder-type magic tools equipped on Mystogan's body. He knew that the activation conditions of these magic tools were incomparably simple. There was absolutely no need to consider whether the user possessed magic power inside their body. One only needed to consider the user's familiarity with the tools, precision with the tool magic, and eyesight. In other words, whether Mystogan possessed magic power or not had no relation to his combat power…

According to August's judgment of Mystogan, Mystogan's strength could rank within the top three among the candidates participating in this year's Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Trial.

Even among Fairy Tail Guild's current active S-Class Mages, not every one of them dared claim they possessed a one hundred percent chance of victory when facing Mystogan.

Yet despite being this powerful, Mystogan directly chose surrender without even fighting, which caused August's eyebrows to raise slightly, his eyes carrying some confusion as he considered the reason behind it…

"Brat, are you truly not planning to try sparring slightly with this old man? After all, even this old man finds your magic somewhat troublesome~ Perhaps you truly may possess a chance of defeating this old man…"

August thought briefly before ultimately looking at Mystogan and asking aloud, voicing the doubt in his heart.

August's words were not false. He was speaking the truth. His Copy Magic was not omnipotent magic and could not copy every magic in this world. It possessed certain conditions for use.

Of course, for bug-like magic such as Copy Magic, having conditions for use was completely normal. After all, if his Copy Magic could copy every magic in this world, then his magic would not be called Copy Magic, but rather the primordial magic "One."

As for the conditions of August's Copy Magic, or rather its flaw. His Copy Magic possessed one weakness that could not quite be considered a weakness, namely that it could not copy Holder-type Item Magic nor the magic residing on magical tools.

After all, even he could not create magical tools from thin air. Meanwhile, his opponent Mystogan before him was not from the world of Earth-land, but rather from the magic-deficient world of Edolas…

Mystogan possessed no magic power within his body at all. Precisely because Mystogan possessed no magic power and could not use magic.

All the magic on his body was released through Holder-type magical tools. Thus, unfortunately, among the magic Mystogan mastered, there was not a single one August could copy.

Therefore, it could be said that Mystogan was the Mage within Fairy Tail Guild who most countered August.

However…

"I know your Copy Magic should be unable to copy the magic engraved upon Holder-type magical tools, correct? In other words, your Copy Magic actually cannot copy the magic I manipulate! After all, just now, when Gray, Lyon, Cana, and the others attacked you, the only magic you instinctively raised your staff to defend against was Cana's Card Magic…"

Mystogan had naturally noticed August's weakness. Yes, it was precisely after noticing August's weakness and realizing that he actually countered August that Mystogan chose surrender…

"Oh? Your observation is indeed very meticulous. You actually discovered my weakness through my unnatural reaction. I originally thought I had concealed it quite well just now?! However, since you already know my weakness, why did you still choose surrender?"

August froze slightly. He had not expected Mystogan to discover even the secret of his Copy Magic. Looking at it this way, Mystogan might perhaps be even more outstanding than he imagined.

This made August feel incomparably happy. After all, Mystogan was a member of Fairy Tail, and Fairy Tail Guild was the guild founded by Mavis. The moment August thought that such talent could appear within his mother's guild, he felt joy. He felt joy for his mother.

"Haha. This can't be helped, right? After all, even if you cannot copy my Holder-type Tool Magic, you can still use the other magic you already copied to attack me. I don't believe the magic engraved on these tools of mine can defeat someone possessing such enormous magic power as you…"

"Moreover, even if you do not copy my magic, simply using the magic you copied earlier from Gray and the others would already be enough to easily defeat me, right? I don't believe that with my strength, I could dodge the Ice World you used against Gray and the others just now…"

"Senior August, I came to the guild to participate in the S-Class Mage Trial and attempt to prove and surpass myself, not to come to the guild and suffer for no reason…"

Mystogan helplessly smiled bitterly after hearing August's words. The mask on his face had been modified by Wisdom, and the connecting part between the mask and eyes was equipped with Wisdom's latest-developed Magic Power Detector.

Perhaps others had not sensed exactly how terrifying August's magic power was, but Mystogan, who possessed an enhanced Magic Power Detector, understood the magic power within August's body incomparably clearly. Without question, August was a great master of magic power who stood above ninety-nine point ninety-nine percent of the Mages in the entire world of Earth-land, standing at the pinnacle of Mages!

Therefore, after August began releasing his magic power, Mystogan gave up contending against August. The August before him was a monster, a monster wearing human skin. The magic power within his body was even more exaggerated than that of ordinary dragons, terrifying to the extreme, even comparable to Evan…

As for whether the magic power within August's body or Evan's was greater, Mystogan did not know. After all, whether it was Mystogan, Evan, Irene, or Selene, all of their magic power exceeded the limit of Mystogan's Magic Power Detector. The displayed number was always 9999…

"Is that so? You are a child with great talent and intelligence…"

After hearing Mystogan's explanation, August lightly nodded. He smiled slightly and praised Mystogan for making the correct choice.

"..."

Mystogan said nothing after hearing August's words. Just as August said, honestly speaking, Mystogan himself also believed he was rather intelligent.

"Then next, only the final person remains…"

After Mystogan announced his surrender, August looked toward Sonya Animus below the arena.

After August consecutively eliminated Natsu, Gajeel, Kagura, Gray, Lyon, Cana, Lisanna, Elfman, and Mystogan, a total of ten people, only August and Sonya Animus remained in this Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Trial…

In other words, the Mage who would pass Fairy Tail Guild's X779 S-Class Mage Trial would be decided between August and Sonya.

"The troublesome fellows have finally all been eliminated. Then now, it is time for the battle to end…"

"This year's Fairy Tail Guild S-Class Mage Trial will end by my hand! The one who passes this year's S-Class Mage Trial can only be me, Animus!"

Animus had been silently observing the battles between August and the other candidates all along.

As a dragon, Animus still maintained his pride as a dragon. He did not attack together with the other candidates when they attacked August.

Instead, he silently waited all along, waiting for August to eliminate all the other candidates within the guild.

And now, just as August eliminated all the other participants in Fairy Tail Guild, it was naturally the moment for Animus to make his move and harvest the fruits of victory. At least, Animus believed it was time for him to end everything…

"Sonya, quickly get onto the arena and defeat that fellow…"

Animus urged Sonya beside him.

"S-Senior, sorry…"

After hearing this, Sonya immediately lightly walked onto the arena while cautiously apologizing to August before her.

"Oh?!"

"You are called Sonya, right, little girl? You are very interesting. I can sense that your body hides an incomparably enormous magic power. That power does not belong to humans, but rather belongs to the power of dragons…"

"Interesting. A human body yet harboring dragon power. I remember this magic had a certain name? It seems to be called Soul Dragon Magic, correct? A dragon resides inside your body. Am I wrong?"

August narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Animus. His gaze only paused briefly on Animus before falling onto Sonya beneath Animus.

August could sense that a massive power slumbered within Sonya's body. That power was incomparably ferocious and did not belong to humans, but rather a more ancient magic power far surpassing humanity, namely dragon power.

"Y-Yes…"

After hearing August's words, Sonya froze slightly. She had not expected the old man before her to see through her true identity at a glance. This made Sonya feel somewhat panicked. Her body trembled slightly as she nodded tremblingly and admitted her situation. Just as August said, dragon power slumbered within her body.

"So it truly is so?"

August narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Sonya, who admitted it, while inwardly pondering.

"August's magic power nature changed?"

"No way? August only started getting serious now?"

"The previous August still wasn't going all out? He's simply a monster…"

The surrounding Fairy Tail Mages all cried out in shock.

Although August said nothing, the Fairy Tail Guild Mages watching the trial could sense that the magic power within August on the arena had changed. It had become even more powerful than when he dealt with Natsu and the others earlier! Only now had August begun getting serious…

"Haha, then let this old man experience it~"

"The power of dragons that truly ruled the world of Earth-land, the earth, sky, and sea during the ancient age, the power of dragons that only exist in legends, just how powerful is it…"

August smiled slightly as he looked at Sonya while respectfully asking her. Yes, August faced Sonya in the posture of seeking instruction, placing himself in the lower position. After all, August had already seen through Sonya's age. Sonya far surpassed him in age. August had already understood the symbiotic situation between Sonya and Animus.

"Arrogant! A mere human dares seek instruction from a great dragon? You know nothing about dragon power…"

Before Sonya could speak, Animus, standing upon Sonya's shoulder in cat form, angrily shouted first toward August. At this moment, anger filled Animus's eyes. His expression was incomparably cold. In Animus's eyes, humans were merely lowly creatures, at most only pets of dragons. Yet a mere pet actually dared challenge him? Truly courting death?!

Thus, Animus decided that he would use an invincible posture, using his overwhelmingly powerful dragon power to crushfully defeat the August before him.

"Oh?"

Animus's words caused August to freeze slightly. Since earlier, he had been curious why, whenever he questioned Sonya, the one answering his questions was always Animus. After briefly freezing, golden radiance immediately shone within August's eyes as he attempted to directly see through Animus's true form…

As August used Appraisal Magic upon Animus, Animus's original form instantly became impossible to hide before August's eyes. Under August's perspective, Animus's previously cute and soft cat image instantly disappeared without a trace, transforming into a roaring dragon…

"Not a cat, but a dragon?"

"I see. So Your Excellency is the source of the dragon power within Miss Sonya's body. You should be the dragon soul, correct?"

August froze slightly as he looked at the dragon soul before him. He had not expected that the small cat resembling Happy and Charle actually hid such an enormous secret. However, Animus's situation merely surprised August slightly. After the brief surprise, August instantly calmed down. He directly revealed Animus's true identity.

"Hmm!"

August's words shocked Animus inwardly, his expression abruptly changing.

"Is that so? Interesting. It seems Your Excellency was separated from your host's body by Irene-senior or Evan using High Separation Magic, then sealed into a cat body in the form of consciousness. In other words, Your Excellency's soul and power were actually separated?! Magic truly is interesting!"

Before Animus could speak, August continued. His gaze moved back and forth between Animus and Sonya. Ultimately, as if discovering something interesting, August slightly raised the corners of his mouth and cheerfully spoke.

"You fellow…"

Animus froze slightly. He had not expected August to see through his true identity at a glance. This truly exceeded his expectations.

At the same time, after August saw through Animus's identity. Animus tightly frowned. Through August's words, Animus could judge that the August before him might perhaps be far more difficult to deal with than he imagined…

"Haha, interesting. You actually saw through my identity!"

"However, this is as far as it goes, old human! At most, you are merely at the level of humans…"

"Although you indeed helped me eliminate those Dragon Slayer Mages who might threaten me~"

"Unfortunately, however, I absolutely must obtain this year's Fairy Tail Guild S-Class Mage position!"

"So sorry. You can only continue trying next year~"

"And in order to repay you for successfully helping me resolve the matter of those Dragon Slayer Mages, I have decided to go all out and properly show you what dragon power truly is…"

Animus burst into loud laughter as he looked at August, as though he did not place August in his eyes at all.

It seemed that in Animus's eyes, the only ones who could truly threaten him were Dragon Slayer Mages harboring dragons within their bodies like Natsu and Gajeel.

Originally, Animus had worried that at the crucial moment, Igneel might shamelessly lend his power to Natsu to deal with him?!

Honestly speaking, if Igneel made a move, then Animus had absolutely no chance of victory. After all, Igneel was the Fire Dragon King who had once been invincible among dragons before the Black Dragon King Acnologia appeared. At the level of an ordinary dragon like him, he was completely no match for the Fire Dragon King.

However, now both Igneel and Igneel's son Natsu had already been eliminated. There was no longer anyone capable of stopping his victorious advance…

"How terrifying~"

"As expected of the legendary dragon! In that case, let me help you a bit and restore you to your peak state!"

After hearing Animus's words, the Magic King August lightly smiled. While speaking, he directly used the Enchantment Magic he copied from Evan upon Animus.

"Buzz!"

Accompanied by a burst of white light, Animus's figure disappeared from Sonya's shoulder and returned into Sonya's body once more.

"Eh?!"

Animus, who regained control over Sonya's body, first froze slightly before turning deathly pale in shock.

No matter what, Animus had never expected that the old man before him could also use High Enchantment Magic just like Evan and Irene…

"Dragon, now we can battle."

August smiled slightly.