Chapter 563: Figure Eyes Vs Stone Eyes

Chapter 563: Figure Eyes Vs Stone Eyes


The word "brother-in-law" had quite the impact on Evergreen, mainly because it brought back some terrifying memories.


Even though Rhodes had later insisted he was just pretending at the time, she never fully believed him.


Standing behind Elfman, Evergreen fell into thought, her mind drifting to all sorts of possibilities.


Fortunately, when Elfman mentioned the word "stunt," both Freed and Bickslow seemed to register something. A flicker of recognition passed over their faces.


It was like the entire Thunder God Tribe collectively lagged for half a second.


Elfman seized the moment. He lunged forward and drove his fist into Bickslow.


Bickslow and his dolls were knocked away, flying through the air like rag dolls.


"Bickslow!" Freed’s eyes gleamed with crimson light as he drew his sword and etched glowing runes onto his body. "Dark Ecriture: Kagekiri!"


A streak of purple-black energy flashed as Freed’s upper body became encased in dark, armor-like markings. His face twisted into something demonic, and his eyes burned red with power.


"Kagekiri? Be careful!" Evergreen shouted in warning.


But it was too late.


Freed’s figure shot forward like a bolt of dark lightning. His punch caught Elfman full-on and sent him crashing into the dirt.


With a sharp turn, Freed sidestepped Evergreen’s retaliation and slammed into her as well, knocking her straight into the cliff wall.


"Whoa!"


"Ahh!"


The two of them hit the rocky mountain wall one after another, groaning in pain.


Freed, like a phantom, didn’t pause. He darted toward Evergreen again, determined to take her out quickly. He knew her weaknesses well, and if they were going to win, he had to act fast.


"Take Over: Beast King Soul!"


Elfman suddenly appeared in front of Evergreen, transformed into a towering form radiating strength. His left hand caught Freed’s punch midair, while his right fist barreled toward Freed’s face.


Freed was thrown back, skidding across the ground with a trail of dust in his wake.


"Elfman, move!"


"Freed, move!"


Evergreen and Bickslow shouted at the same time. As if rehearsed, Elfman and Freed immediately jumped to the side.


Evergreen adjusted her glasses, activating her Stone Eyes, while Bickslow lifted his helmet to reveal his Figure Eyes.


Both eye-based magics triggered simultaneously, clashing in midair.


Bickslow’s body stiffened as he was petrified by Evergreen’s magic. At the same time, Evergreen froze in place, her body locked by the power of Bickslow’s Figure Eyes.


But Bickslow, who had managed to lock Evergreen in his gaze, had already turned to stone before he could issue a command.


Without further instruction, his magic faded, and Evergreen quickly regained control of her body.


"That was too close," she muttered with a sigh of relief. She then turned to stand beside Elfman, who still radiated the overwhelming aura of the Beast King.


A few tense seconds passed.


Then, Freed quietly stepped back, returning to his usual composed self.


"I give up."


Evergreen asked in confusion, "You’re giving up just like that? I saw you write a spell just now. Why didn’t you activate it?"


Freed gave a helpless smile. "Because I only had time to inscribe one enchantment: ’Those who enter cannot use magic.’"


"If it were anyone else, that would’ve been enough. But you two..." He glanced at Elfman’s impressively muscular frame with a trace of admiration in his eyes. As much as he looked forward to a solid, close-quarters brawl with such a Manly Man, the situation just didn’t favor him.


Fighting two against one while sealing magic usage, especially when Evergreen could still attack from outside the barrier, would be asking for defeat on a silver platter.


As Freed finished speaking, the stone entrance beneath the banner marked "Fight" slowly opened. The result was official now, there was no going back.


Elfman returned to his regular form. Evergreen, now smiling, lifted her fan and released Bickslow from his petrification.


The two teammates grinned at each other, high-fived, and walked toward the next stage of the trial.


Before leaving, Evergreen raised her chin in a proud little huff at Freed, as if to say, "This is what happens when you pick him over me."


Freed chuckled gently. "Still holding onto that, Evergreen?"


Bickslow, unsure of what had happened during his time as a stone statue, scratched his head. "Looks like we lost. Sorry, Freed."


"It’s fine," Freed replied calmly. "Evergreen knows us too well... and that Man is undeniably strong."


"But you’re still trying to carry on Laxus’s will."


Freed looked up at the cave’s ceiling. "I said it’s his will, so it has nothing to do with rank. As long as we have the heart to protect the guild, Laxus is always right there with us."


Bickslow nodded quietly. Freed’s words resonated with him.


"Thanks to you this time. I appreciate it, Evergreen," Elfman said sincerely.


Evergreen placed her hands on her hips and glared at Elfman. "Hey, who said you could call me Evergreen? That name is reserved for Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe."


"Listen, I’m sorry?"


When Elfman apologized, Evergreen pouted. "Forget it. Since you showed what a Manly Man you are just now, I’ll make an exception and let you call me that."


She snapped her fan closed, pointed it dramatically at Elfman, and said in a haughty voice, "Accept it with gratitude."


"Yeah... sure." Elfman sighed. Women were really troublesome. Then he looked up at the path ahead and muttered, "I wonder how Lisanna is doing. I just hope she doesn’t run into my sister or Erza."


If Lisanna encountered Gildarts or Rhodes, it wouldn’t be so bad. Gildarts treated her like his own daughter, and Rhodes like a little sister. They’d go easy on her.


But those two women... Elfman shuddered at the thought.


Evergreen watched him quietly for a moment. His concern for his family made him look unexpectedly endearing.


After some thought, she offered a serious word of comfort. "Isn’t her partner the Rain Woman? She’s strong. I’m sure Lisanna will be fine."


...


"Lisanna!!"


Juvia shifted into her water form and flowed back to her original position, guarding Lisanna, who had just been knocked back.


"Mm, I’m fine." Lisanna reached for the hilt of the sword strapped to her back. If the fight kept up like this, she might have to draw it soon.


Gajeel also paused and asked gruffly, "How about you, shorty?"


"I’m fine," Levy replied, then scowled. "But call me by my name properly!"


Gajeel ignored her, jerking his thumb toward Juvia and grumbling, "Tch, I came to this exam to beat up some bastards, not to run into you, woman. Why’d you two have to pick the cave path that connects to ours?"


"Juvia didn’t want to run into Gajeel either," she huffed. "But Juvia and Lisanna arrived first, so technically, it’s Gajeel’s fault for choosing this route."


Even when arguing, Juvia spoke politely, using honorifics, especially with Gajeel, despite being one of the people she knew best.


When the blame was tossed back at him, Gajeel looked a little awkward. He couldn’t exactly admit that his team was the last to arrive and didn’t have any path options left.


He looked away and muttered stiffly, "Doesn’t matter. I still need to take someone down, so I guess it’ll have to be you two."


"Juvia will defeat you both here, and then..." Her voice trailed off as a blush crept onto her cheeks. "Then Juvia can continue clearing the way for Gray-sama, and then he might..."


Lisanna let out a soft sigh and rubbed her forehead. Juvia was undeniably cute like this, but it still made her worry a little. Life was bound to be rough for her with that kind of single-minded devotion.