User blog comment:Derax-Pagani/Fairy Tail Chapter 494: The Hill Extending Towards Tomorrow Review/@comment-6401212-20160717094147/@comment-4829046-20160720172854

I think the main factor here is that you take Alvarez foot soldiers too seriously. :P Admittedly Mashima is 'trying' to make it more serious by nerfing the army-buster level mages quite a bit(except Natsu and Erza of course) but the mere fact that the powerful guild mages didn't use the abilities that were proven to shape the environment itself is a red card. Also don't forget that Lisanna was able to solo many many Alvarez soldiers. You know full well what that should imply.

The Mystogan bit though. "I'm" sorry to say that such a claim is on the same lines as those that claim Laxus, Mira, and Gildarts won't improve. We actually didn't see him at his best prior to him being unable to use anymore magic. If he remained on Earthland, by now he would be as strong as Jellal but more efficient since he had no 'baggage'. I'm speculating too of course, but your 'reality' is also just being speculative. Let's just leave it at that.