Originally, Erza's strength wasn't weak. After seven years of training on the Guiltina Continent, her power had risen to an unbelievable level.
Although she was still quite a bit behind Kenichi, instantly defeating an opponent of Flare's caliber was still very simple for her.
"As expected of Erza! She defeated her opponent in an instant!"
While the audience was cheering, Millianna also said with a proud expression.
"Indeed, Erza's strength has improved a lot over these seven years."
Kagura looked at Erza on the stadium, her hand gripping the sword tightening slightly.
"Titania... she has some skill..."
Minerva also looked at Erza, an eager to try expression appearing on her face.
After Flare, defeated by Erza, was carried off the field by staff, the live commentator on the high platform announced again: "Next, we will proceed with the second combat match!"
"The participants for the second combat match are..."
After slightly drawing out his voice, the commentator shouted: "Fairy Tail B Team's Gildarts vs. Lamia Scale's Jura!"
Jura!
As soon as the live commentator announced this name, the stadium instantly erupted.
After all, they knew Jura was one of the Wizard Saints.
Battles involving Wizard Saints weren't common.
"Jura? To face such a terrifying opponent right from the start... Will Gildarts be okay?"
Gray looked at Gildarts over there and said with concern.
"Don't worry! If it's Gildarts, he can definitely defeat Jura, no matter if he's a Wizard Saint or whatever!"
Natsu, on the other hand, was very confident in Gildarts and said with a grin.
"You make it sound easy! Gildarts has a 7-year gap! And he didn't have his Second Origin unlocked by Kenichi!"
"Eh? Gildarts didn't have his Second Origin unlocked?"
Hearing Gray, Natsu immediately looked at Kenichi, seemingly seeking confirmation.
Kenichi just shrugged: "Gildarts said he didn't need it."
"As expected of Gildarts! But even seven years ago, Gildarts possessed strength not inferior to a Wizard Saint. The outcome of this battle is still uncertain!"
After getting Kenichi's confirmation, Erza said with a smile.
While Kenichi and Erza were talking, Gildarts over there called out to everyone, then walked directly towards the stadium.
"Alright, I'm off!"
Looking at Gildarts's unrestrained retreating figure, Cana hesitated for a moment, then shouted: "Do your best!"
Hearing Cana, Gildarts's steps immediately halted.
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
Seeing Gildarts not moving and his body trembling slightly, Laxus was puzzled.
When Gildarts turned his head, they saw his old face, tears streaming down.
"Uh..."
Seeing this, Gajeel and Freed were utterly speechless.
And the muscles on Cana's face twitched, her expression saying 'I don't know this guy'.
"Get down there and fight already, you stupid old man!"
Soon, Gildarts and Jura both appeared on the stadium.
Gildarts didn't have titles like 'Titania' or 'Wizard Saint' attached to his name.
So his name and strength were only known among mages.
The ordinary spectators who couldn't use magic had no idea how powerful Gildarts was.
"That's from Fairy Tail, right? To run into a Wizard Saint right away... such bad luck!"
"Will this match end instantly like the last one?"
"Fairy Tail's luck with first and second place has run out!"
Hearing these discussions from the spectators, the Pumpkin Host over there was actually very pleased.
After all, he was the King and knew about Gildarts's strength.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have arranged for Gildarts to fight Jura.
'Gildarts versus Wizard Saint Jura... This battle should be very exciting!'
The Pumpkin Man looked at Gildarts and Jura approaching each other on the stadium, a gleam in his eyes.
After Gildarts and Jura stood still in the center of the stadium, the Pumpkin Man, holding a microphone, announced clearly: "The match begins!"
Clang~
At that moment, a gong sounded in the stadium.
"Gildarts, then this old man will make the first move!"
Jura, wearing a robe, looked at Gildarts. After speaking, his joined fingers, sharp like a sword, swept forward violently.
"Iron Rock Pillar!"
With the activation of Jura's magic power, a stone pillar as thick as a bucket shot out from the ground beneath Gildarts's feet.
This stone pillar, like an elevator, instantly lifted Gildarts high into the sky.
"Iron Rock Fist!"
After lifting Gildarts, Jura's joined fingers swept towards Gildarts again.
Bzzzt-
An arm condensed from rock shot out from underground, throwing a punch towards Gildarts in the sky.
Although Gildarts was in the air, seeing the huge rock fist coming, his face showed no panic at all.
When the rock fist got close, Gildarts formed a fist and punched back.
Boom-
The moment Gildarts's fist hit the rock fist, the massive rock fist instantly turned into dust.
"He actually destroyed Jura's magic with one punch!"
"This Gildarts is so strong!"
Originally, the spectators thought Gildarts was a nobody.
But after witnessing the power of Gildarts's punch, no one dared to look down on him anymore.
Hearing the audience's cheers, Natsu, Gray, and the others on the stands showed expressions of it was only natural.
"Jura! What are you doing? Hurry up and finish him off!"
The old lady guild master of Lamia Scale, seeing the stalemate on the stadium, immediately urged loudly.
"Master, this Gildarts is an S-Class mage of Fairy Tail! He's not easy to deal with!"
Seeing the Guild Master scold Jura, Lyon immediately explained.
"What's so great about an S-Class mage? Jura is a Wizard Saint!"
"Uh..."
Seeing he couldn't win the argument with the old lady, Lyon stopped talking.