A giant golden magical array, like an upside-down glass bowl, enveloped the open area by the river under the Tenrou Tree.
The array's walls shimmered with light. On its surface, a large number clearly appeared, counting down at a steady pace: 09:12.
After thoroughly explaining the rules of the second round, Makarov had left everyone ten minutes to rest and prepare.
When the countdown reached zero, this brutal competition, about the honor of becoming an S-Class mage, would officially begin!
Inside the array, the seven teams that had passed the first round were spread far apart, separated by over ten meters, each watching the others warily.
As they quietly discussed their next moves with their partners, they also kept an eye on the other teams' movements. The air was thick with invisible gunpowder and scheming.
By the shore of the clear river.
"The second round looks even harder than the first..." Lucy sighed deeply, her voice full of worry.
In the first round, at least you could hope for luck. Even if you were unlucky enough to encounter an active S-Class mage, it was still two against one, and the examiner would more or less go easy out of instructional consideration.
But the second round was much more complex.
Seven teams, but only three landmark tablets pointing to the first master's grave. No matter how you divided them, it wasn't enough.
Even in the most ideal, most peaceful distribution, at least one team would have to clash fiercely with another!
The southern landmark was quite close to Chase and Gildarts's battle area. Huge energy shockwaves occasionally came from that direction, making the ground tremble slightly.
Lucy felt that anyone with a clear head wouldn't be stupid enough to make that their priority.
Moreover, obtaining one landmark was just the beginning. To know the exact location of the first master Mavis's grave, you also needed the information from the other three tablets held by other teams.
That meant that anyone, at any time, could become the target of everyone else, trapped in a desperate situation of being ganged up on by other teams!
And even more importantly, this was the ideal scenario, eliminating factors like speed advantage and interference from forest magical beasts.
Knowing Natsu, Gray, and the others as she did, things would probably fall into chaos the moment the trial started, heading in an unpredictable direction!
"The master did say we could team up with other teams," Éclair suggested after a moment's thought. "Maybe we should find a reliable team first to secure an early advantage?"
"And then, when we're collecting the last landmark, we stab them in the back!" Momon added, lowering his voice.
Lucy thought their suggestions were very reasonable. She sneakily raised her head, ready to choose a suitable "ally."
"Decision made, Happy! When the trial starts, we're going straight for the southern landmark!"
"Aye~! Don't worry, Natsu. With my speed, I'll leave everyone else in the dust!"
There really are idiots prioritizing the most dangerous southern landmark...
And is it really okay for you to discuss this so openly?!
Natsu and Happy's team. Cross them off.
"A man! Let's just take all four landmarks in one go!"
"Hey, please. Can you at least use your brain for once?"
Yeah. Elfman and Evergreen's team. Cross them off.
Gray and Loke, whispering to each other, looked super shady. Cross them off.
Mest, chewing on a tree root and commenting its taste like a fool. Cross him off.
As for Freed and Bickslow, it would be disastrous if he planted an array or took control of their bodies. Cross them off.
That left only Cana and Lily as a suitable choice.
Just then, Cana, who had the same idea, looked over.
With just a single glance, the two instantly guessed each other's sinister, ugly intentions.
A knowing smile appeared simultaneously at the corners of their mouths.
"Oh my, in this kind of situation, it's definitely better to stick together~" Cana said, walking over with a smile.
"I agree, Cana. Let's cooperate. Once we've collected all the landmarks, we can compete fairly!" Lucy smiled back.
"Agreed. If I lose to you in the end, Lucy, I'll accept it gladly."
"Not at all. I'd feel completely satisfied losing to you, Cana."
The two humble girls hugged each other intimately like best friends.
Their inner thoughts, however, were eerily similar: Heh heh. The moment I get the last landmark, I'm going to ambush you and take you out!
As temporary teammates, Éclair, Momon, and Lily briefly exchanged greetings. The Plastic Sisters Alliance was formed.
Though everyone knew this alliance was as fragile as a spider's web in a storm, it still put huge pressure on the other teams.
After the brutal screening of the first round, no one dared to underestimate these two strong competitors who had earned the approval of Chase and Gildarts.
So, Evergreen immediately grabbed Elfman and went to find Freed and Bickslow.
As fellow members of the Thunder God Tribe with tacit cooperation, they quickly agreed.
Elfman, with his "a man" attitude, seemed a bit out of place. Only after Evergreen secretly gave him a "don't worry" wink did he reluctantly agree to the team-up.
As for Gray and Loke.
They seemed to be brewing some sinister plan and didn't follow the trend of teaming up with others.
Not that they had much choice. Natsu, who would start fighting the moment he saw Gray, went without saying. And Mest...
Based on some unspoken tacit understanding between the teams, Mest was not someone you could team up with.
Seeing that two powerful teams had already formed a united front, Wendy couldn't help but get nervous. She tugged on Mest's pants leg and said weakly, "Um, Mr. Mest... should we discuss a strategy too?"
She really wanted to help Mest successfully advance to S-Class.
That way, his master, Mystogan, would surely be very happy.
"Ah! I see! So this is the essence of tree roots wrapped in Tenrou Island's soil? It has the freshness of a forest after rain and the deep fragrance of the earth. What a peculiar texture!"
Mest turned a deaf ear, still busily playing a silly fool.
However, in a blind spot no one noticed, a cold, sharp glint suddenly flashed deep in his downcast eyes. He looked determined, confident of victory.
Hmph. Looking for landmarks is so inefficient. My Teleportation Magic can handle it in a few breaths. Why would I stupidly play this low-level chasing game with you guys?
As he thought this, the corner of Mest's eye glanced at the countdown on the magic barrier, almost finished.
"Ten, nine, eight..."
Inside the stone tablets recording Fairy Tail's history... there might just be some ulterior secrets!
"Three, two..."
The time to make my mark has finally come!
"One!"
The magic barrier quietly dissolved. The second round officially began!
Hahaha! Goodbye, Fairy Tail mages! I win!
Mest laughed maniacally. He grabbed the bewildered Wendy's little hand. A teleportation array suddenly unfolded beneath his feet.
"Don't even think about it! Stay right here!!" xN
Just as his figure was about to vanish, flames, ice, laser beams, cards, starlight, dark text...
A dense barrage of magic howled toward him, all crashing into him at once!
CRASH!
After the explosion, Mest lay flat in the rubble. His neck tilted. A little spirit figure holding a white flag slowly floated out of his mouth. He was instantly knocked unconscious.
***
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