"Hahaha, how ridiculous. A bunch of flashy but useless mages."
At that moment, a sudden change occurred. The flute lying on the ground began to glow—its three grotesque eyes shining with an eerie purple light. A massive amount of dark violet energy spilled out from within it, accompanied by a terrifying surge of magic power.
In an instant, an enormous purple-black magic circle spread across the sky. The overwhelming magic caused the air itself to spark with violet arcs. Everyone stared in shock at the scene unfolding above them.
Alyan's expression turned serious. He stepped forward, shielding Erza, Ultear, and Lucy behind him. His right hand rested on the hilt of Alaya Consciousness, ready to respond at any moment.
"What the hell is that thing?" Lucy clenched a fist against her chest, eyes locked on the magic circle above, unable to hide her tension.
"Something's coming out!" Happy shouted.
"I can't stand watching anymore. You're all worthless—I'll devour you myself."
A horrifying, layered voice echoed through the sky as the magic circle flared with blinding intensity.
From within it descended a massive demon—its body like cracked, decaying wood, enormous and grotesque. Three vertical crimson eyes glowed on its face, and its sheer size radiated destruction.
"How is it so huge?" Lucy blurted out in shock.
"That's what you're focusing on?!" Happy complained.
"What is this thing…? How did Lullaby turn into a demon?" Kageyama, who had personally unsealed Lullaby, stared in disbelief.
"Interesting… truly interesting. Zeref really was something—creating magic that lives," Alyan remarked, unable to suppress a note of admiration.
"Hey, Alyan, what is that disgusting thing?" Gray said with visible disgust.
"It's one of the demons created by Zeref—a living form of magic," Ultear explained calmly.
"I will devour your souls. Offer them to me."
The eerie voice rang out again as all three of its eyes filled with a sinister purple glow, glaring at everyone below.
"Souls? Do those taste good?" Natsu asked curiously.
"How would I know? I've never eaten one," Gray shot back, exasperated.
"What a spectacle… to think relics of such dark history still exist today," Bob said lightly, covering his mouth with one hand.
"Yes, magic like this is rare indeed," Goldmine added, arms crossed.
At the same time, the guild masters attending the regular meeting had all gathered nearby. Though they'd claimed they wouldn't come, their actions said otherwise.
"So… who should I start eating first?" The wooden demon lowered its massive head, its gaze locking onto Alyan and the others.
"Natsu, Gray, Lucy—get everyone out of here," Erza ordered sternly.
The two started to protest, but one sharp glare from Erza instantly shut them up.
"Don't be afraid! It's just a giant monster—everyone, attack!!"
A loud command rang out as a formation of soldiers from the Kingdom of Fiore charged forward in unison.
The demon glanced at them and sneered. "Stand down. You're nothing but insignificant insects."
It opened its mouth and fired a massive purple beam toward a distant mountain. With a single strike, the entire mountain was obliterated.
The commanding officer turned pale with terror and immediately ordered a retreat. Their earlier bravado vanished in an instant.
"What were they even here for?" Lucy muttered, covering her face.
"They may be numerous, but they're ordinary people without magic. Against a demon like that, they'd just be throwing away their lives," Alyan said calmly.
"Ultear, Erza—you two fall back. I'll handle this."
His tone was casual, yet carried unquestionable authority.
"Alright. We're counting on you," Ultear and Erza said after exchanging a glance.
They regrouped with Makarov and the others, dragging along Natsu and Gray—who still looked eager to fight.
"Is it really okay to leave something that big to Alyan alone?" Lucy asked nervously.
"Don't worry. Alyan will be fine," Makarov replied with a confident smile.
"It's been a while since I've seen little Alyan fight," Bob said with interest.
"You think running that far will save you? I've decided—I'll take all your souls!"
The demon roared, summoning another massive magic circle. A piercing screech erupted from its mouth—so intense that those with weaker magic clutched their ears, though it did nothing to help. The sound seemed to penetrate straight into their bodies.
"So damn noisy—shut up."
Alyan snorted coldly as gravity magic surged outward, engulfing the demon.
Boom.
The ground beneath them sank several inches under the immense pressure. The demon's body suddenly felt unbearably heavy—it dropped to one knee with a thunderous crash, its mouth snapping shut as the noise ceased.
"Damn you, brat! You want to die?! I've changed my mind—I'll crush your body before devouring your soul!"
Roaring in fury, the demon swung its massive hand toward Alyan.
Alyan leapt back, dodging effortlessly. At the same time, he drew Alaya Consciousness and unleashed his opening strike—
Wind Scar.
Three golden blades of compressed wind roared forward, tearing through the demon's arm in a single unstoppable sweep, carving deep, hollow gashes through it.
"AAARGH!! I'll kill you!"
The demon howled, rage overflowing. A dark energy sphere rapidly formed in its mouth while its remaining arm continued attacking.
"Hmph. You're nowhere near Deliora. Time to end this—"
"Azure Dragon Break."
Alyan's expression remained calm as lightning surged around him. His blade turned a brilliant azure, crackling with thunder.
In the next instant, a colossal azure dragon materialized, coiling and roaring toward the sky with a deafening cry.
With a single swing of his blade—
The dragon split into twin pillars of lightning, tearing through the battlefield with unstoppable force as they slammed into the demon.
The demon released its own attack, and the two forces collided—
BOOM!!
A massive explosion erupted, blinding light engulfing everything. The shockwave tore across the land, ripping up the ground and forcing everyone to retreat.
As the light faded, all eyes turned back—
The twin lightning pillars had completely overwhelmed the demon, devouring it whole.
"No… no! I was just freed! I need souls—more souls! I refuse to—AAAAA!!"
Its screams echoed before being completely erased.
The lightning condensed once more into the azure dragon, which roared before dispersing into fading arcs of electricity.
Silence fell.
The ground was scorched, steam rising in waves. A massive crater marked where the demon once stood—the mountain behind it completely erased.
Alyan stood expressionless.
With a flick of his wrist, he sheathed his blade and turned back toward Erza and the others.
A gust of wind swept through, lifting his silver-white hair and cloak as he walked calmly away.