Chapter 318: The Duel Before the Drowse
"The Flame Empress Armor, huh..."
Natsu grinned with excitement, licking the corner of his mouth. "That's more like it! Now I don't have to hold back!"
Erza smirked, her eyes gleaming with challenge. "Good. I'll be fighting seriously too."
Makarov raised one hand high, then slashed it downward. "Begin!"
A roar of fire erupted as Natsu burst forward, flames surging from his fist. With a single step, he closed the distance, swinging his arm in a downward arc, flames trailing behind like a blazing crescent. The sheer heat made the onlookers flinch as the temperature spiked.
Erza stepped back, quick and precise, then slashed out with her longsword. Her eyes narrowed, all smiles gone, her blade held the intent to cut, and it showed.
Watching the first clash, Lucy gulped. "Are they taking this too seriously? And is it just me, or does Master Makarov look even more fired up than they do?"
"Rather than worrying about that," said Rhodes from behind her, "you should be more concerned about your safety."
Lucy spun around to see that Rhodes had already pulled Mira back with him to a safer corner of the courtyard. Mira waved at her cheerfully.
"Why'd you retreat so far back?!" Lucy asked.
"I thought you'd already witnessed the collateral damage from when Erza and Natsu get serious," Rhodes said, eyeing the crowd. "And those people standing that close? They're way too confident."