Chapter 37 : Juvia!!

"Everit," Elfman exhaled a sigh of relief upon seeing Everit come to Mirajane's rescue. "Thank you!"

"You focus on fighting, I'll get her out," Everit responded.

"Don't even think about it!" Sol commanded the sandstone to attack Everit, but it shattered only an afterimage.

Everit lifted Mirajane, drew Tier, and loaded the jet wind magazine.

"Huh--"

The powerful gust propelled them out of the haunted building, over the water, and back into the open space.

Setting Mirajane down, she spoke with a hint of guilt, "I always seem to cause trouble."

"Trouble?" Everit smiled, gently brushing away strands of her disheveled hair, revealing her beautiful face.

Mirajane blushed, her gaze drifting to the open space beside her, where an unknown flower seedling sprouted among the grass.

"How could you cause trouble?" Everit grinned. "Just as a long-distance runner needs strong legs for a race, but does he lack a bit of skin?"

"Pfft," Mirajane chuckled. "Mr. Everit, what a peculiar metaphor you have."

"Miss Mirajane, may I have a glass of strawberry-flavored sparkling water with ice, please?" Everit requested.

"Of course," Mirajane nodded and headed towards the guild.

After a few steps, she paused, turned back, and hurriedly returned, cautioning, "Everit, Guild Master Jose's magic is highly destructive. Please be careful!"

"I shall heed the advice of this lovely and kind lady," Everit replied with a smile. He placed his palms on his chest and bowed slightly, expressing his gratitude in a gentlemanly manner.

With that small gesture completed, he vanished from sight.

"Wow!"

Rain began to fall.

Everit produced a card and flicked his fingers, summoning a black umbrella.

He glanced upward.

There was something intriguing to behold there.

"Pitter patter," Juvia gracefully approached Gray, who had just emerged from the window, holding a fancy pink umbrella.

"I am Juvia, one of the Element 4. I will be your opponent, a mage of Fairy Tail. What is your name?"

"Huh? I'm Gray, Gray Fullbuster." Gray extended his hand, leaped out, then turned to face her.

His eyes widened slightly.

She was stunningly beautiful, with a slender figure and a delicate waist.

"However, this is an enemy; we cannot afford to show mercy to him!"

"The Element 4 wield formidable power. To hold back is to invite defeat!"

Juvia gracefully strolled, sheltered under an umbrella.

"I hadn't anticipated two of the Element 4 being bested."

"But never underestimate Alya and me."

"Indeed," Gray affirmed, his expression grave and eyes resolute. "Be it woman or child, anyone seeking to harm my comrades will face my full strength in battle!"

Rain cascaded from his hair's tips, gliding down his handsome face. Having just emerged from a skirmish, he exhaled a faint mist.

As Juvia drew close enough to discern Gray's features clearly, she blushed suddenly. Turning her face aside, she murmured, "Oh, is that so? Then I concede. Pardon me."

With that, she turned and departed.

"Huh?" Gray blinked in confusion.

Juvia pivoted, flustered, hands clasped over her chest.

"What's happening to Juvia? Why is her heart racing, and why does she feel so weak?"

"Wait a moment. It's rare to encounter such a formidable opponent. I won't let you escape!" Gray swiftly pursued.

'Poof'

Juvia felt as if an arrow had pierced her heart.

"You won't let me go. Is this... a confession?!"

"Why is this man so flippant?!" 

"Though I am quite fond of her, it's only our first meeting!"

"Hey, I told you to halt." Gray was already close behind Juvia.

One of the Four Phantom Elements.

After a hard-fought chase, she couldn't let her flee! Even if the opponent didn't seem hostile, one couldn't predict on the battlefield.

In the realm of magic, transformations were not uncommon.

Certainly! Here's the translated version of the badly translated Chinese Fairy Tail fanfiction chapter:

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There were numerous instances where magicians fell prey to the schemes of children or pregnant women, only to meet their demise through sneak attacks!

Even though she was a woman, being one of the four elemental mages, she was undoubtedly formidable.

If she were to depart and await the arrival of other companions, it would pose a significant inconvenience!

"Come on, come and try to catch me!"

Juvia blushed, pivoted, and cast her spell.

"Flowing Water Restraint!"

"How did you manage to catch me so effortlessly!"

"Ah!" Gray found himself ensnared within a massive water sphere.

Indeed, this woman was exceedingly cunning. First, she induced him to lower his guard, and then she struck suddenly!

However!

To think he could capture him outright would be underestimating him!

*Kaka*

A frigid magic surged forth, and the water sphere promptly transformed into a solid ice sphere. Gray struggled to break free, causing the ice sphere to shatter into fine ice crystals, dispersing in all directions.

"So dashing," Juvia gazed at him intently.

"That's not the point!"

"You escaped from my water manipulation so effortlessly. You're a formidable enemy!"

"Ice Mage."

"What a serendipitous clash between water and ice!"

"What are you talking about?" Gray stripped off his shirt, officially entering combat mode!

"Ice Make Lancer!"

Gray unleashed his magic, sending numerous ice spears hurtling towards Juvia.

Yet, Juvia remained in awe, fixated on Gray's muscular upper body.

"Damn it!" Gray exclaimed, swiftly redirecting the ice spears to avoid vital points, yet one still managed to pierce Juvia's body.

Was this enemy out of her mind?

She didn't even attempt to flee!

"Hey, are you alright?" Gray's words held a dual meaning.

One, inquiring whether the opponent had suffered a fatal injury. Although she was an enemy, it felt somewhat unacceptable to slay an opponent who offered no resistance at all.

Of course, the more crucial implication was another interpretation—if this woman didn't evade, was there something amiss with her intellect?

"Is this your concern?" Juvia disregarded the ice spear lodged in her body. "You truly are a gentleman, but if you weren't so reckless, perhaps we could develop a relationship gradually."

"What are you blabbering about? Cut the chatter; if you're up for a fight, bring it on. If not, surrender already!" Gray exclaimed.

"Fighting?" Juvia blushed and responded, "Indeed. When two rival guilds meet for the first time, it's customary to settle things with a battle. Ice and water come to understand each other through combat, and sometimes, from that conflict, blossoms a forbidden love."

"If that's what you're hoping for..."

"I can live with that."

"Then let's do this!" Juvia locked eyes with Gray. "Prepare yourself. I won't go down without a fight. I'm not some damsel in distress who can be captured so easily!"

"Water Slice!"

With those words, Juvia unleashed a torrent of water blades.

Gray swiftly evaded, narrowly missing the sharp blades as they tore through the cement pillars reinforced with steel bars behind him.

Incredible!

Gray was taken aback by the sheer power of Juvia's water blades.

Truly, Phantom Lord's elite member lives up to her reputation!

A formidable opponent indeed. Despite her apparent eccentricity, now that she's committed to battle, let the clash begin!

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