The light faded.
The magic gradually dispersed into the air.
Erza regained her vision.
She looked down.
Her armor showed no signs of damage.
Ken, who had been protected behind her, was rubbing his sleepy eyes, as if the terrifying magic from moments ago had never happened.
"Are we... all okay?" Erza asked.
"Of course we're okay," Ken replied with a bitter smile, reaching out to gently smooth the crimson bangs from Erza's forehead. "But I have to say, Big Sis, your first reaction was to protect me behind your back. I'm really touched..."
On the other side, Laxus stood frozen, his face full of shock and confusion.
Empty...?
"How... how could this be...? I clearly activated Fairy Law, and my magic power was definitely consumed. Why!?"
Erza composed herself, recalling what the Master had once explained during the Phantom Lord incident.
She said softly, "Laxus, the Master once told me something about Fairy Law... Although it's powerful, it only targets those the caster truly regards as enemies. Deep down... you didn't see us that way."
Laxus roared in denial, unable to accept the truth:
"Impossible!! Anyone who stands in the way of me becoming the Master of Fairy Tail is my enemy!!"
Ken added lightly, "But none of us were hurt. You can deceive your mind, but not your heart—or your magic."
Laxus's eyes widened, locking onto Ken and Erza—both still standing, still able to fight—and his entire face twisted in frustration.
His last card had been played. The battle was over.
Laxus had imagined many possible endings: victory, failure, even launching Fairy Law across the entire town of Magnolia to crush all opposition if pushed far enough.
But never this.
"I... how could this happen..."
With endless unwillingness, and his body drained of magic, Laxus finally collapsed.
Unconscious.
Ken let out a slow breath. One commission from the Master... completed.
(I remember in the anime, Mistogan showed up to fight Laxus too... Maybe I was too fast? Haven't seen him yet.) Ken mused inwardly.
Because of Fried's barrier spells, the civil war caused no civilian casualties in Magnolia.
As for the buildings damaged in the battles, Makarov—as always—covered the repair costs completely.
After discussion, the Harvest Festival was postponed by one day.
The Fairy Tail Guild's civil war had concluded within eighty minutes.
The battles had happened so fast that many people in town hadn't even seen the Thunder Gods before it was already over.
Afterward, Laxus and the Thunder Gods were moved to a special ward to recover.
When they were finally able to stand again, Makarov visited them personally—and announced Laxus's expulsion from the guild, with only a stern warning given to Freed, Evergreen, and Bickslow.
Laxus accepted the punishment without protest.
The Thunder Gods had expected worse.
Freed had even planned to leave with Laxus, but was sternly stopped:
"I have no attachments to this guild anymore. You're different. Stay here—and get stronger. I don't want to see a bunch of weak Thunder Gods next time we meet."
Even at the end, Laxus kept his proud, aloof attitude.
He left alone.
Near the countryside.
Bathed in the afterglow of sunset, Laxus walked along a dirt road when a small figure appeared ahead.
The silhouette was familiar—but the setting sun made it hard to see.
The figure waved and tossed something.
Laxus reflexively caught it—a can of soda.
As the person jogged closer, his face became clear.
"Ken?"
Ken smiled, punched Laxus lightly on the shoulder, and sat down leisurely beside him, popping open another can.
"Where are you headed?" Ken asked casually.
"Training. I'm not sure where yet. I've been running missions nonstop... Now I finally have time to really work on my magic."
Laxus looked toward the horizon, eyes burning with new determination.
Glancing sideways at Ken, his lips curled into a faint grin.
"Next time we meet—I won't lose."
Ken laughed.
"Looking forward to it."
The two sat side by side, chatting quietly.
Drinks were finished, and the sky darkened.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Laxus adjusted his black coat, preparing to leave.
Before standing up, he said, a little more serious:
"One more thing. Keep an eye on a guild called Raven Tail. They're planning something... and they might target you."
Ken's eyes sharpened at the name.
Raven Tail.
He knew it well.
It had been founded by Ivan Dreyar—Makarov's estranged son—who had been expelled from Fairy Tail after betraying his comrades. Ivan had nurtured hatred ever since, building Raven Tail in secret, preparing for revenge.
He even planted Gajeel as a spy—though unbeknownst to him, Gajeel had already defected.
"I'll be careful," Ken nodded solemnly.
Then, noticing Laxus's hesitation, he teased lightly:
"What's this? Getting all sentimental before you go?"
Laxus glared—but after a long breath, spoke.
"I don't belong to Fairy Tail anymore. I might not come back for a long time. Take care of the old man... for me."
Ken grinned to lighten the mood.
"Don't worry. If I ever become Master one day, the first thing I'll do is call you back!"
Laxus snorted a laugh, cursed under his breath, and turned to leave.
The setting sun stretched his shadow long across the road.
As he waved goodbye without looking back, Ken shouted:
"Hey! There's going to be a magic parade in Magnolia tonight! Watch it before you leave!"
Laxus raised one hand in acknowledgment.
And disappeared into the twilight.
(Next Chapter: A Night of Laughter, A Heart of Stone)