Chapter 128

【PS: The year is roughly over; the author is going to become diligent, work hard, strive! Olé!】

Listening to Erusha's explanation, Lucy's face wore an expression of "I see."

Although Lucy had only interacted with Laxus a few times, her impression of him was no better than average.

If it weren't for Laxus being a member of the Weibagong Society, a comrade, Lucy wouldn't have said anything at all.

"If nothing unexpected happens."

Aizen Sōjirō, seeing Laxus nearly pressed against his face, took a small step backward.

Glancing at Makarov, who was winking at him from a distance, and Lucy, who showed a faint hint of anticipation, Aizen Sōjirō felt a touch of helplessness.

Since everyone present had already estimated Aizen Sōjirō's strength and knew he could easily overpower Laxus, Aizen Sōjirō anticipated that the emotional value he'd gain would likely be minimal.

If he could get one-third of 1.5 million, that'd be fine.

Pushing up his glasses, Aizen Sōjirō smiled at Laxus: "Mr. Laxus, if you wish to compare your strength with mine, there is indeed a considerable gap."

"Of course, it's only natural that you fall short of me."

"After all, what Mr. Laxus has experienced is not on the same level as what I've endured."

"Under equal conditions, I might not be able to firmly overpower Mr. Laxus."

Aizen Sōjirō further provoked Laxus.

But Aizen Sōjirō's provocation was secondary; what truly got under Laxus's skin was that everyone else in the Weibagong Society had uniformly adopted the expression "Aizen Sōjirō is right."

Only the Thunder God Squad, led by Laxus himself, still didn't know Aizen Sōjirō's true background.

If Laxus knew Aizen Sōjirō was already hundreds of years old, he wouldn't have been angered by these few words—but right now, judging by appearance alone, Aizen Sōjirō didn't necessarily look older than Laxus.

"Good. Really interesting."

"I admit, you've successfully stirred up a bit of anger in me."

As Aizen Sōjirō finished speaking, Laxus's previously fierce expression suddenly calmed, but the three members of the Thunder God Squad nearby showed signs of concern.

The three members of the Thunder God Squad, who always followed Laxus, knew that this calm Laxus was truly furious.

Normally, Laxus's outbursts, terrifying grimaces, or snarls were merely superficial expressions—he rarely experienced deep emotional fluctuations.

But when Laxus's expression suddenly shifted from anger to calmness, it meant he was genuinely enraged; in this state, anything Laxus did was understandable.

Clearly, Aizen Sōjirō's words were secondary.

What truly enraged Laxus was that the Weibagong Society members genuinely believed Aizen Sōjirō was right—that expression cut deep.

A nobody is spouting nonsense here, and you all think he's telling the truth?!

"Then let's test it."

"Let me see what gives you the confidence to think you're superior and stronger than me."

With that, Laxus sharply waved his hand.

A golden lightning bolt suddenly descended from the sky, striking directly at Aizen Sōjirō's position.

Boom!

Dust flew through the Weibagong Society hall; the entire building trembled faintly, the once-smooth floor now bore a deep crater, and the golden lightning did not dissipate.

It continued spreading toward the spot where Aizen Sōjirō had stepped aside.

Everything the golden lightning passed over turned jet black.

"Mr. Laxus's temper doesn't seem very good."

"This place was just rebuilt not long ago, and now it's damaged again."

Aizen Sōjirō stepped lightly to the doorway, onto the street.

He gathered spiritual energy in his palm, wrapped it around his hand, and gently slapped the incoming golden lightning—immediately, the golden lightning shattered into nothingness.

Such an attack didn't even require Aizen Sōjirō to use a Kidō; merely concentrating spiritual energy was enough to dispel any substandard assault.

"Indeed."

"After all, this place will soon belong entirely to me."

"What will be mine must be cherished properly."

Laxus watched Aizen Sōjirō casually dispel his attack, his expression unchanged.

To others, this massive golden lightning was a formidable strike—but to Laxus, it was merely a casual blow.

So, Aizen Sōjirō blocking his casual attack didn't surprise Laxus much.

Zizla.

The sound of crackling lightning reappeared in everyone's ears.

After speaking, Laxus transformed once more into lightning, reappearing behind Aizen Sōjirō, lightning gathering in layers along his muscular arm.

It finally coalesced into a limb seemingly made of pure lightning, swinging toward Aizen Sōjirō.

"Lei Long's Shattered Fist!"

As if to warn Aizen Sōjirō, Laxus roared loudly at Aizen Sōjirō's back: "Get down!"

Boom!

A tremendous crash echoed—and, as everyone expected, Laxus was stomped onto the ground by Aizen Sōjirō, especially his head.

His head was driven deep into the earth.

The hard rock floor cracked in all directions, forming a dense web of fissures like a spider's nest.

Only because Laxus was a Dragon Slayer Mage.

Regardless of generation, Dragon Slayer Mages all inherit some degree of dragon-like physical attributes.

A normal person hit by Aizen Sōjirō's kick would already be unconscious; someone weaker would be critically injured—but Laxus, beneath Aizen Sōjirō's foot, was still hopping around lively.