Gray unleashed his magic!
One using ice, the other using water.
Both types were known for their explosive magical clashes.
This was different from Natsu and Gajeel's battle style.
It looked highly entertaining, with dazzling special effects flying everywhere.
'Click click'
Jehfrit dodged the residual waves of their magic while snapping photos to his heart's content.
Nice move, Gray. When did you learn that?
Wow, Juvia has so many tricks up her sleeve; Gray's in for a treat.
Whoa—boiling water, better keep my distance!
Gray's physical endurance is on par with Natsu's; he can really take a hit.
Ah... indeed, though I admire powerful magic that causes real damage, whether it's Natsu or Gray's battles, they always seem scary because they look painful.
Jehfrit mused to himself.
"Boom boom boom"
Initially, Juvia matched Gray blow for blow, but Gray was a stamina monster who could fight Natsu all afternoon.
Gradually, Juvia began to tire.
Seeing she was about to lose, she poured out most of her magic for one final desperate attempt.
She cast her spell, unleashing a terrifying column of boiling water.
Gray also amplified his magic output, managing to freeze the boiling water instantly!
"That's it!"
While freezing the boiling water, Gray charged towards Juvia, placing a hand on her body.
'Crack crack crack'
Juvia couldn't evade in time, and upon contact with Gray's magic, she was instantly frozen solid.
Tsk tsk.
Gray, you sure know how to catch someone.
Jehfrit found a good angle and captured this moment.
Turns out, absorbed in battle, Gray accidentally placed his hand on Juvia's sizable fat deposits.
"Ahh—" Juvia let out an odd sound—not a scream, more like embarrassment.
"Sorry!" Gray quickly withdrew his hand, awkwardly making up an excuse, "The rain is too heavy, I couldn't see clearly. What annoying weather."
"Haha." Gray forced a laugh.
Unexpectedly, this broke Juvia's defenses!
Rain... annoying...
She recalled her childhood experiences—
Wherever she went, it rained, and people hated her for it.
"Even you think that way?!" Juvia shouted angrily, "Gray, I misjudged you!"
Juvia unleashed her last reserves of magic!
"I'm just an annoying rain woman, a rain woman no one likes!"
"Ahhh!!!"
Juvia transformed into a stream of water, carrying immense magical power, rushing straight at Gray.
Danger!
Gray's pupils contracted; this move contained an enormous amount of magic—it was her last-ditch effort, and he couldn't hold back!
"Freeze already!"
"Ice Make: Prison!"
Gray released his magic at full power.
All the rain in the sky froze instantly!
'Boom'
A massive column of ice surged upwards, instantly encasing Juvia in ice!
It was over.
Having exhausted her magic, Juvia was incapable of further combat.
'Crack'
The ice shattered, and Juvia fell from the sky.
Lost.
Juvia gazed at the sky.
I will fall like rain, shattering upon impact.
For a rain woman always despised by others, this was the most fitting end.
Farewell, everyone. The rain woman you despise is going to die.
Juvia resigned herself and closed her eyes.
'Slap'
Excruciating pain shot through her wrist.
Juvia's body swung as she felt someone grab her hand.
She hurriedly opened her eyes to see the boy above looking at her earnestly.
Gray shouted, "Don't move, I'll pull you up!"
With that, Gray pulled hard, dragging Juvia back up.
Drained of magic and strength, Juvia could do nothing but lie there, sprawled on the damp earth.
Why... why save someone like me?Her eyes, heavy with confusion, lingered on Gray's bruised, bloodied figure.
Above them, the clouds finally began to part.
"Ah," Gray murmured, raising a hand to shield his eyes. "The weather cleared up."
A rainbow shimmered faintly on the horizon.
Juvia blinked, stunned. "This... this is the blue sky? And those colors... a rainbow?"
Tears spilled down her cheeks—uncontrollable, overwhelming.
So beautiful.
The clear sky after a storm.
"Huh? First time seeing it?" Gray glanced at her, a flicker of realization crossing his face. Then he grinned.
"Maybe your magic's been affecting the weather all along. You're strong, Juvia—so strong you probably didn't even notice. Now that you've used it all up, the sky's finally able to show itself."
"In the end... just poor control."
His voice was casual, but kind.
"For someone as powerful as you, burning through all your magic isn't easy."
"That's why you've never seen this before."
Juvia could only stare.
Under the blue sky, bathed in sunlight and streaked with rainbow light, Gray—so wounded, so tired—had never looked more radiant.
"Ahh—"
Juvia felt her heart racing uncontrollably.
"Juvia has been caught!"
With that, overwhelmed by exhaustion and excitement, she fainted.
"Hey hey, are you alright?!" Gray panicked, checking her breathing and pulse before sighing in relief.
"What a strange woman, though very beautiful, she seems quite troublesome."
"By the way, her strength is impressive; she pushed me to my limits."
"I'll rest for a bit."
Gray sat down where he was.
'Click'
Jehfrit took the last photo.
'Boom'
Suddenly, a golden figure dropped not far behind him.
'Crackle crackle' came the faint sound of electricity.
Laxus climbed out of the crater, looking disheveled, only to meet Jehfrit's enigmatic smile.
His expression darkened, and as he tried to muster his strength, he staggered, quickly grabbing onto a pillar for support.
"Laxus!"
"And... Jehfrit?"
Gray saw the two.
Jehfrit's smile faded as the impending crisis loomed.
Darkness spread outward from the top floor building.
This was Jose's magic. From the fluctuations, he was extremely angry.
"Gray, go find Natsu. If needed, I'll call for your help," Jehfrit's voice echoed in Gray's ear.
"Got it." Without wasting words, Gray picked up the unconscious Juvia and quickly fled the scene.
"Laxus, how are you holding up?" Jehfrit asked Laxus.
"Hmph." Laxus snorted arrogantly, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
"Let's cooperate, Laxus." Jehfrit suggested.
"No need." Laxus lifted his chin defiantly.
"Is that so..." Jehfrit pulled out a card, saying, "Gildarts has been out of contact for nearly three years now. I wonder who would be stronger now, you or him."
"Definitely me!" Laxus declared confidently.
Jehfrit flicked the card, transforming it into a photograph.
"That's great. It looks like this—Laxus challenging Gildarts in secret three years ago and getting beaten to a pulp—will become a legendary limited edition scene."
"Speaking of which, didn't you disappear for a whole month afterward, not returning to the guild or home, right?"
Jehfrit flashed a sly grin.
"Jehfrit!!!!" Laxus glared ferociously at him, baring his teeth with a menacing expression, as if ready to transform into a vicious dragon and devour him whole.