The Magic Merchant in Fairy Tail

"Hmmm… so warm…" Lucy murmured as she stirred awake. She rubbed her eyes, her voice soft as she called out instinctively, "Natsu?"

"Hehe… That guy isn't back yet," Cana teased, her tone playful. "What's the matter? Did you have a wet dream or something?"

"Wha—what are you talking about?!" Lucy blushed furiously, her voice jumping an octave.

As her cheeks flamed, she glanced around the room to get her bearings. Erza, Loki, and Elfman were either sitting or standing nearby, their attention fixed on something outside. Lucy turned to follow their gazes and froze, her breath catching in her throat.

About 500 meters from the tavern, a surreal sight unfolded—an endless expanse of red and white. Fire and ice painted the entire sky and ground, creating a breathtaking yet terrifying landscape.

It was as though two opposing worlds had collided, bringing the heat of summer and the cold of winter into one explosive battleground.

The flames twisted skyward like roaring dragons, while the frost coiled along the ground like serpents. Sparks and shards clashed like birds of prey mid-dive. The elements, imbued with life, attacked and counterattacked as if locked in a duel of dominance.

Lucy's wide eyes reflected the chaos, her voice barely a whisper. "What… what is this? Did Natsu and Gray get into a fight?"

"Are you still half-asleep?" Cana placed her hand on Lucy's forehead. "No fever, so you're just being ridiculous. Even if they were fighting, do you honestly think they could pull this off?"

Lucy blinked, then shook her head. "Wait… it's Kira and that demon, isn't it?"

"That's right," Erza confirmed with a nod. "They've been fighting like this for almost an hour now."

"An hour?!" Lucy gasped, her disbelief evident. "With that kind of magic?!"

In the midst of the battle, Kira's body was dusted with frost, while Ace's figure was marred by searing flames. The two fighters stood as embodiments of their respective elements, both showing signs of wear but refusing to yield.

"I can't believe a mere human possesses such vast reserves of magic," Ace said, his tone laced with grudging admiration.

"And I didn't expect that devouring those demons would boost your strength so significantly," Kira retorted. "Is this the legendary qualitative change that comes from quantity? Or are you finally harnessing the power of the Sea Demon King?"

"Perhaps it's both," Ace replied, his icy aura intensifying. "You're strong—stronger than any human I've encountered in my centuries of existence. Maybe you've even touched the edge of enlightenment."

Kira raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by the supposed compliment. "That just means your perspective is limited. There are plenty of people in this world far stronger than me."

Though Kira's words were sincere, Ace took them as mockery. The demon's expression twisted into one of disdain. "How disappointing. I thought I'd found a worthy rival, but instead, you belittle yourself? That's not the mark of a strong man."

What's wrong with this guy? Kira thought, bemused. Is he trying to form a bond of camaraderie? I'm not interested.

If I had Gray's demon-slaying magic right now, you'd be finished in a minute.

Annoyed by Ace's presumptions, Kira silently intensified the flames surrounding him.

The supercharged battle had stretched Kira's mana reserves thin, depleting them by nearly 50%. Even with his seemingly boundless energy, the prolonged combat was taking a toll.

Ace, too, was feeling the strain. His icy domain was holding, but barely. His once-unrelenting attacks faltered, and the diminishing magic within him raised a new dilemma: fight or flee.

If only I hadn't run my mouth so much earlier, Ace thought bitterly. His bravado had trapped him in a fight he now regretted. When did I even start enjoying combat? I've always preferred studying and planning… Wait. Studying? Where did that come from?

Confusion clouded his thoughts, and for a brief moment, his magic faltered.

Kira, ever perceptive, seized the opportunity. His flames surged forward, overwhelming Ace's icy barrier in a single, decisive wave.

The inferno engulfed Ace, leaving his body charred and his aura flickering like a dying candle. He staggered, his once-menacing presence reduced to a hollow shell.

Kira approached cautiously, noting Ace's vacant expression and lifeless eyes. Something was clearly wrong.

Deep within Ace's mind, chaos reigned.

Who am I? Ace wondered. Am I the Ice Demon? The Snow Demon? The Fog Demon? Or the Sea Demon King?

His fractured identity spiraled out of control, leaving him paralyzed.

Kira recalled Winter's explanation:

"Demon cannibalism magic was designed to destroy demons. It robs them of not only their power but also their sanity. The more they devour, the more their minds fracture."

He muttered to himself, "So the stronger they grow, the more unstable they become…"

The wisdom of the gods and humans who created this curse now made perfect sense. Ace, once proud and powerful, had become a victim of his own hunger.

By the time Erza, Lucy, and the others arrived, the battlefield had transformed into a barren wasteland.

Kira stood unharmed, his white cloak billowing gently in the aftermath of the storm. Ace, however, was a charred husk of his former self, his once-mighty aura now erratic and weak.

"Kira," Gray said, his voice tinged with awe, "I didn't think you'd gotten this strong."

"Didn't think so?" Kira smirked, not even turning to look at him. "That's because your experience limits your imagination. Stick with me, and maybe you'll learn a thing or two."

Gray scowled. "You're as annoying as ever."

Kira chuckled, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "And you're as predictable as ever, stripping at the first sign of heat."

The group burst into laughter, the tension lifting as they teased each other. Even Lucy managed a wry smile. "So Kira's greed for money isn't his defining trait after all?"

Kira feigned indignation. "Greed for money? That's called strategic business acumen!"

The lighthearted banter spread among the group, a much-needed reprieve after the grueling battle.

But as they laughed, Kira's gaze lingered on Ace, now bound and helpless. The battle was won, but the implications of the demon's fall lingered in his mind.

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