The Magic Merchant in Fairy Tail

"It would be the end if I got stabbed!" Happy exclaimed, his tiny paws pressed against his head in exasperation.

"Hahaha! Take that, take that!" Klaue's laughter echoed in the frigid air as she wielded her whip-like Cloud Sword and lashed at Natsu and Happy. Her dual-wielding style, combining a flexible whip and an unforgiving sword, forced the pair to continuously dodge on the snowy battlefield.

The battlefield itself was a nightmare—a carefully constructed maze of cloud-based attacks. The spherical clouds surrounded Natsu like mines, the sea clouds slowed his movements, the rope clouds threatened to bind him, and the iron-cloud sword whipped through the air with deadly precision. All of it was commanded by Klaue, a master tactician whose elemental transformation made her untouchable to physical strikes.

Kira, observing from the edge of the battlefield, could only nod in admiration. "This is remarkable magic. A long-range, elemental-based attack that can restrain opponents while leveraging the environment's advantages… Truly impressive."

But he also noticed Natsu's growing disadvantage. "Unfortunately, in a place like this, Natsu's fire is being suppressed. This battle is heavily skewed in her favor."

Lucy's panicked shout jolted Kira out of his thoughts. "Natsu, watch out!"

Natsu narrowly avoided Klaue's sword, but his path led directly into a cluster of floating cloud spheres. One misstep triggered a chain reaction.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The series of explosions lit up the battlefield with flashes of scalding white steam. Each detonation sent shockwaves across the snow, throwing up plumes of vapor that obscured the area and scalded everything within its reach.

"Natsu! Happy!" Lucy cried.

The explosions continued for several agonizing minutes. By the time the last cloud ball detonated, the battlefield had transformed into a steaming crater. The snowfield had been scorched and melted, leaving a deep pit where the explosions had been concentrated.

Amid the devastation, flames burst forth, evaporating the lingering vapor.

"Ha… ha…" Natsu knelt at the center of the crater, holding Happy protectively in his arms. His clothes were in tatters, and his body was covered in burns and scratches. Despite his injuries, his grip on Happy was firm.

"Natsu!" Lucy rushed forward, helping him to his feet. "You're hurt! You need to stop!"

Kira approached them, taking in Natsu's battered state. Though the injuries weren't life-threatening, it was clear Natsu had pushed himself to his limit.

"Natsu," Kira said firmly, "leave the rest to me."

Though reluctant, Natsu nodded weakly. "Just… don't lose."

With a wave of his hand, Kira summoned a green magic circle. A soothing light enveloped Natsu and Happy, quickly closing their wounds and restoring some of their strength.

Kira stepped forward, his white cloak fluttering in the cold wind. He looked up at Klaue, who stood on a platform of clouds in the air. Her youthful appearance contrasted sharply with the ominous aura she exuded.

"Your magic is formidable," Kira admitted. "But now you're facing me."

Klaue smirked, her confidence undeterred. "You're stronger than that fire boy, I'll give you that. But strength alone won't help you against me!"

"Oh, I'm not just strong," Kira replied, his voice calm and measured. "I'm prepared."

As he spoke, the magical pressure surrounding him began to rise. The sheer intensity of his aura caused the air around him to shimmer, and the snow at his feet began to melt.

"What… What is this magic?" Klaue muttered, beads of sweat forming on her forehead despite the freezing air.

Kira and Klaue stared each other down. Both were casting magic in secret, carefully gauging the other's capabilities.

"Your healing magic was impressive," Klaue said, trying to distract him. "But it's nothing compared to my clouds!"

"Oh, it's not healing magic," Kira corrected with a sly smile. "But I suppose you'll find that out soon enough."

Behind him, Klaue's clouds began to move. Spherical clouds floated silently into position, rope clouds formed tendrils ready to strike, and the sea cloud expanded across the battlefield. All the while, Klaue feigned curiosity, keeping Kira engaged in conversation.

"And your magic?" Kira asked, feigning ignorance. "Surely it's more than just clouds."

Klaue grinned. "Why don't I show you?"

With a snap of her fingers, Klaue unleashed her trap.

"The Cloud Ball shines!" she shouted.

Dozens of spherical clouds converged on Kira, exploding upon contact and filling the air with blinding steam.

But as the smoke cleared, Klaue's grin faltered. Kira stood unharmed, surrounded by a shimmering barrier of light.

"Cute trick," he said, brushing a speck of snow from his shoulder.

"Now, let me show you how it's done."

Kira raised his hand, and a golden magic circle appeared beneath him. Words written in an ancient script floated in the air, glowing with divine light.

"Word Magic: Disperse!"

A pulse of energy rippled outward, scattering Klaue's clouds as if they were mere smoke. Her meticulously crafted battlefield dissolved in an instant, leaving her vulnerable.

"What?!" Klaue exclaimed, her composure breaking.

"Your magic relies on controlling the battlefield," Kira explained. "But without your clouds, you're just a demon pretending to be a goddess."

Kira launched his next attack. "Word Magic: Bind!"

Golden chains materialized, shooting toward Klaue and wrapping around her. She struggled against them, but the chains tightened, restricting her movements.

"This can't be happening!" Klaue growled, her voice tinged with panic.

Kira floated into the air, his twelve wings spread wide. His magic surged, radiating an overwhelming pressure.

"It's over," he said, his voice calm but resolute.

With a final gesture, he unleashed his ultimate attack.

"Word Magic: Judgment!"

A beam of golden light descended from the heavens, engulfing Klaue in its brilliance. The snow-covered battlefield lit up like midday, and a deafening roar echoed across the mountains.

When the light faded, Klaue was gone, her form reduced to scattered remnants of cloud.

Kira landed gracefully, his wings folding behind him. Natsu and Lucy looked on in awe, while Happy clapped his little paws enthusiastically.

"Wow, Kira! That was amazing!"

Kira turned to them, a small smile on his face. "Let's finish this mission and head back to the guild."

But in his heart, Kira couldn't shake the feeling that this battle was only the beginning of something far greater.

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