“So, only two people can beco S-Class mages?”
After hearing the rules for the third round, Lucy couldn’t help but feel the intensity of the competition.
Sixteen candidates, but only two would advance. Was the S-Class exam always this strict?
“This year, having two people qualify is already a pleasant surprise,” Cana said, standing behind Lucy with a smile. “Do you know the results of past exams?”
Lucy imdiately looked at Erza with curiosity.
“I beca S-Class in the year 780, four years ago,” Erza explained.
Just then, Mirajane arrived with a tray full of refreshing juices.
“I beca S-Class in 781,” Mira said cheerfully. “Ice bubble juice—anyone want so?”
“I’ll take one~”
“ too, please!”
“Thanks, Mira!”
Lucy took a glass as well, sipping through the straw as she glanced at Laxus.
Laxus stood with his arms crossed, exuding his usual cool deanor. Seeing Lucy’s expectant gaze, he finally answered reluctantly, “778.”
Mystogan spoke up on his own. “782.”
Gildarts, perched on the side of the ship with a fishing rod he’d sohow acquired, yawned lazily.
“Hm? Why are you all looking at ? Oh, the year I beca S-Class? I forgot. Haha!”
Lucy counted on her fingers.
Laxus in 778.
Erza in 780.
Mira in 781.
Mystogan in 782.
“What about 779 or last year, 783?” Lucy asked wide-eyed.
Cana rolled her eyes. “You idiot. That just ans no one passed.”
Levy giggled, covering her mouth. “From when Gildarts beca S-Class until now, in the year 784, there have only been five qualifiers in thirty years.”
“See, newbie Lucy~” Evergreen chid in, unable to resist. “Do you understand now? S-Class isn’t sothing you can pass easily.”
Lucy nodded repeatedly, her face full of amazent. “I really underestimated the S-Class exam before!”
She ca close this year, but next year, she would definitely work harder.
Her current magic power wasn’t strong enough. If she could easily perform “double gate opening” like she did in the [Magic Arena], she might have had a chance.
As Nate often said, her magic power needed to reach four-star level or higher.
But how could she increase her magic power?
anwhile, Nate was pondering the sa question.
How could he help Lucy and the others improve their magic power?
The Second Magic Origin?
As he mulled over the idea, the third round of the exam finally began on the broadcast screen.
The setting was a seaside cliff.
“Ultear, can I choose first?” redy asked softly.
“Of course. Good luck, redy. But don’t underestimate them,” Ultear replied with a gentle smile.
redy nodded and stepped forward, pointing at Natsu.
“I choose you as my opponent, Natsu Dragneel.”
“?”
Natsu grinned, rolling his shoulder as he approached step by step.
“You guys just fought a match, and we’ve been resting all night. Don’t you want to recover your magic power first?”
“There’s no need!” redy refused decisively.
“All right then, here I co!” Natsu clenched his fists excitedly, quickly closing the distance as he shouted:
“Fire Dragon’s Iron Fist—”
“I forfeit.”
redy suddenly turned to Makarov and declared.
The crowd was stunned.
Unable to stop in ti, Natsu tripped and fell face-first onto the ground.
Makarov’s jaw dropped in shock. “Why forfeit? Against Natsu, you at least had a chance of winning, redy!”
“I don’t want to waste my magic power.”
For the first ti, a faint smile appeared on redy’s usually calm face.
“I want to save my magic and deposit it into the [Magic Net Bank]—so I can exchange it for Magic Net Coins to draw cards.”
Makarov: “…”
Gray: “…”
Ultear covered her face, exasperated by this silly, card-obsessed girl. If redy wanted to draw cards so badly, Ultear could have just asked Nate for a few.
anwhile, Mavis couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Are you sure you want to give up? If you miss this chance, you’ll have to wait another year, you know.”
“I was never really interested in becoming S-Class anyway. Pardon !”
redy bowed politely and returned to Ultear’s side.
Unable to hold back, Ultear pinched the girl’s cheek.
“Ah! What are you doing, Ultear?”
“Does it hurt?”
“Of course it hurts!”
“Good. You little fool,” Ultear muttered with an exasperated look.
At this point, Natsu finally realized what had happened. Patting the dirt off himself, he stood up.
“So… I won???”
It felt unreal.
“Congratulations, Natsu,” Makarov said.
After so many years of trials, Makarov couldn’t help but imagine the chaos that awaited. If Natsu really beca S-Class, would he rush to take on S-Class missions tomorrow?
No.
Knowing Natsu, he might even aim for the 100 Years Quest!
“Aweso! Haha!” Natsu raised both arms triumphantly, shouting at the cara, “Laxus! Gildarts! And Nate! I’m S-Class now! Haha!”
His overly smug laughter was interrupted by Makarov’s Giant Fist, which sent him flying.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Makarov grumbled. “Next match: Gray vs. Ultear.”
He cast a wary glance at Ultear. “You’re not planning to forfeit too, are you?”
“I won’t forfeit, Master Makarov. Don’t worry.”
Ultear smiled softly, placing one hand on her hip while raising the other. A crystal ball materialized in midair.
“Gray, let test how much you’ve improved on behalf of my mother.”
Gray’s expression turned serious.
He was just one step away from becoming S-Class. How could he afford to falter now?
“I’ll give it my all!”
Gray took his stance, channeling his magic power into his hands.
“Ice-Make: Ice Wall!”
He crouched low, slamming his palms to the ground. Ice magic surged across the earth, forming jagged spikes aid directly at Ultear.
Ultear, unfazed, calmly raised her hand.
“Send your ice to the future—evaporate!”
Whoosh. In an instant, Gray’s ice vanished, dissipating as faint white steam.
“What?” Gray’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“What’s there to be surprised about?” Ultear said with a smirk. “I’ve been repairing the guild every day. Haven’t you figured out how Arc of Ti works by now?”
Her eyes glead with confidence. “Your ice isn’t refined enough. It lts far too easily.”
Damn it. Can she send even magic constructs into the future?
Gray’s face tightened. He had assud the Arc of Ti could only affect physical objects.
As expected of Ul’s daughter.
But he wouldn’t give up so easily.
“Ice-Make: Lance!”
“Ice-Make: Giant Hamr!”
On the ship, those watching—including Makarov, Mavis, and the eliminated candidates—watched in astonishnt as Gray unleashed attack after attack.
Yet each creation dissolved into nothingness before it could reach Ultear.
Even when Gray conjured an ice sword and charged in close combat, the blade vanished the mont he approached.
It was as if he were facing his ultimate counter.
The stalemate dragged on for over ten minutes.
Gray, now sweating and gasping for breath, was nearing his limit from the intense consumption of magic and stamina.
“Would you like a hint?” Ultear asked, her voice calm and composed. “The Arc of Ti cannot affect living beings—at least, not in my current state.”
Gray’s eyes lit up, understanding her implication imdiately.
Abandoning his Ice-Make magic, he shifted his focus, channeling his magic power into his body to enhance his physical abilities. If he couldn’t rely on his creations, he would rely on himself.
Taking a deep breath, Gray closed his eyes and simulated various scenarios in his mind.
He had been training relentlessly in recent months. His rank in the [Magic Arena] had even reached Master, just a few wins shy of King.
In over 200 ranked matches, he had faced countless powerful opponents.
But none had been as overwhelming as Ultear.
After a mont of silence, Gray opened his eyes. His expression was calm and resolute.
“I forfeit.”
The sudden declaration shocked everyone watching.
“I won’t abandon Ice-Make magic,” Gray explained. “I just need more ti to refine it.”
“No one is surprised by the outco,” Mavis said softly, her tone filled with encouragent.
“Giving up, letting go, experiencing failure—rember this mont of frustration and dissatisfaction, Gray. It will make you stronger. Keep working hard!”
“Yes, First Master,” Gray responded respectfully.
Mavis nodded in satisfaction and turned to the cara.
“This year’s S-Class qualifiers are Natsu, Ultear… and of course, Nate!”
Clap. Clap. Clap.
The little ghost girl clapped cheerfully, her smile radiant as the morning sun.
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