33 chapter 33 : Separation
Gray's body could withstand 59 tons of pressure now and could exert an equivalent force.
Without all that weight on him, Gray was fast and light, but in addition, Laxus' muscles were affected by the cold generated by the ice spheres and this gave him some delay in his reaction time.
The spheres as they rotated released tiny particles of ice that infiltrated Laxus' body through his airways or skin to cool his muscles and organs.
The effects were quite fast, it was an ice poison to slow down opponents that had a lot of speed in a confined space.
"Laxus, this is my last warning. Let's stop this right now..." Gray warned him but Laxus didn't want to understand anything by attacking Gray once again by attempting a lightning claw strike when suddenly...
*KSHLACK*
Laxus who was still moving saw his ring and little fingers floating in the air with blood right in front of his eyes instead of on his hand.
Gray with terrifying speed and diabolical precision had cut off both of Laxus' fingers with his saber.
Laxus immediately jumped back wondering how Gray had managed to move so fast but he had barely blinked when Gray's blade was already in front of his face, Laxus changed into lightning only to reappear further away then that a long horizontal gash was visible on his nose.
Laxus: HOW CAN A BRAT LIKE YOU BE FASTER THAN ME ?! I AM LIGHTNING !!
"Who gives his opponent the secret of his victory…?!" He heard Gray's voice from the side who punched him to send him flying but in midair, Laxus changed into lightning to move everywhere in a fast and chaotic manner so that Gray lost his bearings and he chose to attack him from above but as he sent his lightning fist, Laxus' arm immediately detached itself from his shoulder and a long gash marked his chest after a quick movement of the ice saber in Gray's hand.
Others :…
Erza: How can he be so fast ?! He barely used ice magic to create his weapon
"Terrifying…and I dared to attack such a demon's guild ?!" Gajeel asked with deep fear.
Laxus, kneeling on the ground, had a look full of disbelief, he was far, very far from imagining Gray being so strong without even deploying too much magic.
However, Gray's strength was logical given that he never misses a time to actively train and especially that on a passive level, he constantly tortures his body with magical pressure seals to make it stronger. Furthermore, Laxus had already spent a lot of magic but was also in Gray's trap with the spheres.
He was a true monster of power on the magical level but also on the physical and strategic level to the point of putting Laxus in this state without even fighting seriously.
He was strong not through the power of will or friendship but because he had trained tirelessly to become stronger and stronger and prevent the tragedy of Ur or his parents from happening again to his relatives.
"Why did you do all that ?! That didn't make any sense, Laxus. You're worth a lot more than you've been showing us for a while now and don't tell me it was just to make the guild stronger." Gray said while standing in front of Laxus.
Laxus: Since...since I was a kid, people have referred to me as the grandson of the great Makarov. I wanted to overcome the old man to forge my own legend and get rid of his shadow.
Gray: Is that why you asked the idiots who followed you to kill our people ? Just for that ?! (sighs) You're older than me but you're such an idiot.
"Finish what you have to do, i'm tired of it all..." Laxus collapsed on his side to lie on his back and Gray made his ice saber disappear as well as the spheres to sigh and make appear Laxus' arm and the two fingers he cut off near them. He then created a glowing thread using holy light magic to sew the arm and fingers back onto Laxus' body.
Laxus: What are you doing ?!!
Gray: The master asked me not to kill anyone even though it's more than what you deserve and I don't intend to bring back to this old man his grandson mutilated like that.
Laxus: So you're just going to take me back to him like that ?! You…little bastard…
Laxus collapsed and fell unconscious, this ridiculous fight was finally over.
"You figure out the rest, I'm taking this guy back to the old man..." he told the others before disappearing with the unconscious Laxus.
Erza and the others looked at each other strangely before dealing with the crowd and the damage.
Later, the guild's troubles were explained to the residents and Gray took care of repairs at his own expense as well as compensation to the residents.
The wounded from the guild were also taken care of at the guild, they didn't want to be taken elsewhere without being reassured of Makarov's condition who was under the care of Gray and Porlyusica.
Makarov was pulled out of the woods much to the relief of everyone in the guild and the next day he was much better and able to make his decisions to deal with the case of Laxus and his men.
Laxus hadn't woken up yet so he dealt with the case of the raijin unit and his decision was far from pleasing to Gray as he, Mirajane, Juvia and Erza discussed it privately with him.
Gray: MASTER, ARE YOU MOCKING US ?! THEY WILL JUST BE PUNISHED ?!
Makarov: This is my decision, Gray. I know that you and the others find it unfair given the seriousness of their actions but-(interrupted)
Gray: They didn't hesitate to seriously injure some and Fried tried to kill Elfman ! Even if they are not sentenced to death or prison, their place is no longer in this guild.
Mirajane: Master…
Erza: Master, I agree with Gray. It's much too light.
Makarov: They regret their blind obedience to Laxus and you know they're not really that bad. We must learn to move forward together...I don't want what happened with my son Ivan to happen to the guild again. Laxus will be banned from the guild for his crime.
Gray: Then think a little about the feelings of others and ban the thunder god tribe as well.
Makarov: ENOUGH, MY DECISION IS MADE.
Gray:...
Makarov: I have faith in Laxus and his maturity to find the right path but for these three...these children still need to be guided.
Gray: You already forced Gajeel's presence in the guild on me despite what he did and now this?
Makarov: This is my decision, my child…
Girls :…
"I see...I understand..." Gray said as he sat on his knees on the ground as the others wondered what he was doing.
Gray: I formally swear not to reveal any information that could compromise the guild to anyone. I will not contact former clients for personal purposes.
They suddenly understood that Gray was reciting the three conditions imposed on a mage leaving the guild.
Erza: GRAY, Stop !!
Mirajane: Gray ?
Makarov:…
Juvia: Gray-sama…
Gray: Even if our paths diverge, I will not give up in the face of adversity. I will always have confidence and faith in myself, my life is precious so I will take care of it. As long as I live, I will never forget those who were dear to me.
Makarov: Is this really your choice?
Gray: You made a choice, I'm making mine. I'm leaving the guild...
Erza: Gray, wait...
Gray: My choice is made.
Mirajane: No...you can't do that...
Juvia: Gray-sama…
Gray: Don't worry my dear, between training I'll come see you.
Juvia: We won't live together anymore?
Gray: I will definitely move to live somewhere else.
Juvia: So Juvia is coming with you.
Others :…
Gray: Are you sure?
Juvia: Fairy tail is like family to Juvia but I want to follow Gray-sama wherever he goes.
Gray picked her up and she laid her head on his chest, he was happy that Juvia wanted to come with him.
In front of them all, he used his magical communicator to give Kevan some instructions.
Kevan: Sir?
Gray: I need you to use your magic to move the mansion. We are going to start the Cold Heart project.
Kevan: Right away, sir...
"I thank you for everything, master. When I arrived in this guild, I had almost no emotions, but you and the others have given me back the joy of life and a home. I'll be eternally grateful... " He bowed to Makarov with Juvia and turned to leave.
Erza tried to stop them but Makarov ordered her not to do anything while Mirajane was in tears. Of course, Makarov felt responsible for Gray's departure.
The others outside had no idea what happened and the couple didn't say anything to them .
Gray told Juvia that he still had one last thing to do and they went to the rest floor where some injured people were with Laxus and Natsu awake although still tired.
" How are you feeling ?" Gray surprised Natsu who looked at him sulkily.
Natsu: I feel ridiculous.
Gray: It's okay, it's not death. Have you heard Laxus ? You have earned his respect so with training and experience you will certainly have your chances of beating him one day.
Natsu: Lucy and Happy told me you beat him easily.
Gray: Yeah but he was coming out of another fight and had already spent a lot of energy, it wasn't very fair. (sighs) listen I came to tell you that I was going somewhere and I came to give you one last gift that you will certainly appreciate.
Natsu: Where are you going? Is this an SS rank quest? Where is the gift ?
"You can thank me next time we see each other..." Gray gave him a childish smile and placed his thumb on Natsu's forehead who felt his consciousness being sucked inside of him to find himself in face of Egneel in his internal magical space.
Outside, Gray sighed seeing Natsu asleep before turning around and leaving with Juvia, Natsu and his father's reunion was none of his business and Igneel could expel Natsu's consciousness from internal space so he was no longer necessary for him to stay.
The fantasia was postponed until the next day and everything went happily, it was only after the party that Makarov announced to the others that Gray had left the guild and that created a general shock that devastated everyone.
He did not reveal the reasons for his departure but even without saying it, some had fair suspicions.
Natsu in complete disbelief ran to Gray's mansion with Levy, Lucy and many others but when they arrived the mansion had completely disappeared from there and instead there was a huge engraved magic circle.
"He's gone...he's really gone..." Natsu wondered in disbelief, Gray had really left Fairy Tail right after reuniting him with Igneel, they were indirectly like brothers but he had left without telling him .
Gray hadn't just left for nothing, he had been thinking about going his own way for a while and he knew exactly what to do, he had the power and means to create his own guild.
[End of first book]
