Fairy Tail: You call this celestial magic?

"."

Natsu and Gajeel both looked despairing. Had the test already begun? Why was they being tortured like this?!

Standing at the bow, looking at the children standing on the deck, Makarov cleared his throat and prepared to tell them the arrangements this time.

At this moment, they were on a large ship and had already gone out to sea. Looking around, they saw blue sea in all directions.

"Natsu, Gajeel, listen carefully."

Moon reminded the two people lying dead nearby that the main event was about to begin, and even if they were just there for show, they should listen carefully.

"good"

Although Moon thought that the two of them were just there to make up the numbers, Natsu and Gajeel obviously didn't think so. They forced themselves to get up and listen to Makarov explain the rules of the assessment.

The ship has been sailing on the sea for a long time, so it is not surprising that Natsu and Gajeel feel so uncomfortable. Seasickness is indeed a top-level torture, and anyone who has experienced it knows it.

If they had floated on the sea for a while longer, Natsu and Gajeel would not have to take the test and could have gone home directly.

In fact, letting these two guys swim behind me might be more comfortable than it is now, and they can also exercise their bodies at the same time.

"The rules are simple. See that island up ahead? Go there, and only the top nine combinations will qualify for the next level. Then find Laxus. As for the subsequent assessments, Laxus will tell you once you're approved."

Under everyone's gaze, Makarov slowly began to explain the rules.

Everyone looked in the direction he pointed, and saw that a small black dot had indeed appeared on the sea in the distance. It was an island.

"so far?!"

Someone exclaimed that the ship had stopped and was no longer moving forward. It was obvious that they would start from here.

"The top nine combination?"

Everyone looked at each other, and this time more than half of the people were eliminated!

There were more than twenty people taking part in the assessment, and several of them were in their own teams, including Moon, Erza, Mirajane, Natsu, Gray, Gajeel, and Cana. The rest of the people formed nine teams, making a total of sixteen teams.

This could eliminate more than half of the candidates before even reaching the exam venue. Does the competition have to be this fierce?!

As soon as this rule came out, the faces of those veterans who had participated in the exam before changed. Although there were indeed a lot of people taking the exam this time, it was too much to raise the difficulty so much all of a sudden. This would eliminate more than half of the people in one go!

Although the content of the S-level assessment is not static, the rules this time are obviously more stringent.

"No matter what method you use, as long as you are in the top nine."

Makarov then spoke, emphasizing the point, and before anyone could think about it, he shouted:

"The assessment officially begins!"

"Pfft!"

At the first moment, veterans who had participated in the event before jumped off the boat and started swimming directly into the sea. This is the most unpretentious way, relying entirely on physical strength to swim forward.

Moon knew at a glance that it was the "super muscular wizard" Joey. The guy took the lead, swimming very fast like a swordfish, splitting a white crack in the sea.

"Damn it! You reacted so quickly!"

This sudden start made everyone stunned for a moment, but Joey's extraordinary reaction made everyone react quickly.

For a moment, it was like "Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each showing their magical powers". Only the top nine combinations could qualify to enter the next level. Naturally, no one would be humble at this time, and they would definitely show their true abilities to fight.

For Gray, this level was too easy. He jumped into the sea directly, clasped his hands together, and the sea water under his feet immediately turned into ice. It continued to freeze forward to form an ice road. Running on the ice was still faster than swimming.

Seeing this, some people wanted to follow Gray and ran towards him on the icy road, but they slipped and fell into the sea after only two steps.

"Hahaha! Do you think running on ice is so easy?!"

Gray smiled broadly. He dared to create such an icy road, so he was naturally not afraid of others following him, because not everyone could walk on the ice as easily as he did, or even more easily than on the road. Others who wanted to do the same as him would only fall badly.

Seeing this, Gajeel immediately gave up the idea of ​​following Gray and jumped in and started swimming.

It turns out that most of the wizards' magic is useless in this level, and they can only choose to swim through honestly.

"Haha! Just swim slowly! I'm leaving first!"

Natsu was flying in the sky and mocked Gajeel. Of course, he was not flying by himself, but was being carried by Happy. Happy spread his white wings and pulled Natsu to fly in the sky.

Seeing this scene, Gajeel's teeth were about to break. He was even more annoyed that he didn't have a "cat". If he had a cat, he could also fly!

There were many people who could fly, but Happy, who was pulling Natsu, was the slowest and had the most difficulty flying.

After all, the harpy is not very old now, and his magic power is not much. The Transcendent uses wings to fly, which is actually a kind of magic. When the magic power is exhausted, the wings will disappear.

"Fly slowly, Happy, Natsu."

Moon summoned a crow, which flew easily past Happy and Natsu, leaving behind a message. According to Moon's judgment, it was impossible for Happy to fly to the island with Natsu. His magic power was consumed too quickly, and he would probably "crash" in a while.

In Moon's opinion, Natsu should be eliminated in this first level, because after the "crash", he still had to pull the harpy to swim, and he couldn't just leave the harpy here with its magic power exhausted.

From this perspective, Natsu might as well have just swam by himself from the beginning. This was a strategic mistake, and it's not unfair that he was eliminated.

"Damn it! Come on, Happy! Overtake Brother Moen!"

After being overtaken by Moon, Natsu became excited. He urged Happy to fly faster. He couldn't help, so he could only encourage Happy verbally.

“I’m already trying!”

Happy pulled Natsu and flapped his wings continuously to speed up. He was really trying hard. After all, the reason why he could fly was not by flapping his wings, but by magic.

However, Habib's efforts did not allow them to surpass Moon. Instead, the gap between them became wider and wider, and Moon's "taillights" were no longer visible.

"Whoosh!"

Not only that, they couldn't even surpass Moon, they couldn't even maintain their current ranking. Erza, wearing a black armor with wings, flew past them quickly, and the wind she brought up made the harpy unstable.

"Damn Erza!"

Natsu had just complained when there was another "whoosh" sound next to him. Mirajane, who had received the demon, spread her wings and flew past them.

Mirajane didn't even look at them, her eyes were fixed on Erza in front of her.

"."

After swinging in the air like a kite for two circles, Natsu was too tired to complain.

But he didn't faint, because he didn't regard the harpy as a means of transportation. But looking at the few people in front who were almost out of sight, he had a vague sense that something was wrong. It seemed that he and the harpy had no advantage.

Although Moon didn't set out early, he was the first to arrive.

With the help of his magic, the crows flew like fighter jets and brought him to the island in no time.

This island is called "Tenrou Island", also known as the "Fairy Island". According to Grandpa Makarov, "fairies" used to live on the island. As to whether it is true or not, Moon cannot be sure, and this is his first time here.

For the Fairy Tail guild, this place has a very special meaning.

This is the guild's holy land and the grave of the first president, Mavis. Only members of the "Fairy Tail" guild can enter here. In a sense, this can also be regarded as the guild's territory.

There is extremely powerful magic hidden in the periphery and land of Tianlang Island. The magic distorts the vision of others and hides the island, so it is not easy to be discovered by the outside world.

Especially ordinary people without magic power would basically go around it naturally. Therefore, even if there was no one guarding here, basically no one would come to this island.

Moon saw from the sky that the appearance of the island was very special. There was a towering tree on the island, which was very conspicuous, as if the entire island was a potted plant growing on the sea, and the island below was the base of the towering tree.

Not every guild assessment is held on Sirius Island. This time there are more people, so we chose to hold it in this large venue.

If only Moon, Erza, and Mirajane participated like in the beginning, the assessment would not be held on Tenrou Island.

Moon was the first to arrive at the destination. He admired the scenery. He was not in a hurry, but was waiting for others to arrive.

Without any suspense, the second person to arrive was Erza. She was wearing a black feather armor, which had the ability to fly. With the help of her powerful magic, naturally no one could compare to her.

"Moen? Should we wait here for the others to join us?"

After seeing the conspicuous "End" sign on the beach, Erza landed and walked towards Moon. When she was in the sky, she saw Moon squatting there and teasing crabs.

"No need to wait, you can go to the next level."

Looking at Erza, Moon signaled her to move on. Waiting for people was his job. This was the task Grandpa Makarov had just assigned him. How should I put it? This might be the price of being "predetermined," doing some work that was not intended for the candidates.

Chapter 174 Mira, win!

Erza stared and squatted beside Moon. She was not in a hurry at all, which forced Moon to explain to her.

"I'm responsible for determining who the top nine are."

Moon spoke, which made Erza suddenly realize. She thought Moon was waiting here for the people behind to set off together.

"The president really has confidence in you."

There was some emotion in Erza's words. The fact that Moon was responsible for this matter was obvious. He was already taking on some of the examiner's duties.

"Don't you have confidence in me?"

Moon stopped swinging the crab and looked at Erza, then asked with a smile.

Erza was wearing black armor decorated with white cross patterns, had bat-like wings on her back, held a one-handed sword in her hand, and had her red hair tied into a ponytail.

This girl's "dress-changing magic" is a real "one-click change", even the hairstyle will change, just like Sailor Moon's transformation.

"Of course I have confidence in you."

In response to Moon's question, Erza answered without hesitation that she also felt that Moon could definitely pass the S-level assessment.

"But unfortunately I don't have much confidence in you."

Moon smiled mischievously, and these words immediately made Erza, who had a smile on her face, freeze. The little girl was a little annoyed.

"Do you think I don't even have the strength to gain Laxus's approval?"

Erza put her hands on her hips and spoke in a very unconvinced tone. She didn't dare to say that she could defeat Laxus, but just to get recognition, she felt that she could still do it.

"If it were next year, you would definitely get his approval, but this year, it's his first time as an examiner, so the standards will be very high, perhaps even higher than Uncle Gildarts. If you fail, it's not your fault, it's Laxus's fault."

Moon shook his head. If Gildarts were still the examiner this year, Erza would have a better chance of being recognized.

But if it were Laxus who was the examiner for the first time, he would not be recognized unless Erza could defeat him head-on.

Those guildmates who think that Laxus's standards are lower than those required by Gildarts are really overthinking it.

Laxus originally hoped that all his companions in the guild were talented, and he would never lower his standards for the title of "S-class Wizard", which can only be obtained by the most powerful of the powerful. He would definitely use the standards that Gildarts required of him to demand of others, and might even raise these requirements.

"."

After hearing what Moon said, Erza was stunned. She hadn't expected this at all. So, was Laxus deliberately making things difficult for them? Was he simply not going to let them pass?

"How can it be difficult? This is the rule. If the S-class wizard who is examining you feels that you are not qualified to become an S-class wizard, you either defeat him directly or accept it. It's that simple."

Moon shook his head. This wasn't really a problem. They were just doing things within the rules. Recognition of such things was inherently subjective.

Why are there so few S-class wizards in the guild? It's because Uncle Gildarts's demands are too high, and Uncle Gildarts's actions are also tacitly approved by Grandpa Makarov.

The old man is very strict about S-level missions. If you are not at S-level, you will not even be allowed to go to the second floor. He is afraid that the wizards below will secretly take the mission.

Failure to complete the task and damaging the guild's reputation is one thing, but the S-level mission is too dangerous, and it is even more unacceptable that guild members lost their lives because of it. That could have been avoided.

Gildarts has been away for many years, carrying out S-level missions. He enjoys it and does not feel like a beast of burden. He loves traveling and takes doing S-level missions as his travel.

With such a useful cowherd like Gildarts, it’s really not a big deal if there are fewer S-level people in the guild. It just hits the confidence of the companions who have participated in the assessment many times.

As for Laxus, after becoming S-rank, he often went on missions and was very capable. We can only say that the two of them were qualified to raise the standards. Anyway, they did not cause any trouble.

"I'll try my best! And I've also prepared special armor to deal with Laxus!"

After hearing Moon's words, Erza did not give up. After knowing that her opponent was Laxus, she also made corresponding preparations, which was to prepare a set of "Thunder Emperor Armor", which is an armor specifically for wizards who use lightning magic.

"Come on! Show Laxus some color!"

Seeing Erza's stubborn and unyielding look, Moon naturally wouldn't say anything to discourage her, but instead encouraged her.

Of course, Moon still didn't think Erza could defeat Laxus in his heart.

Erza still needs to continue growing. The four-year age gap will indeed take time to catch up. Laxus has already entered a period of rapid improvement, but Erza is just beginning to show her potential. There will be a gap between the two for a long time in the future.

"What are you two talking about?"

While Morn and Erza were talking, Mirajane also reached the end. She landed beside the two of them and asked with a suspicious look on her face.

"Talking about Laxus."

Moon looked at Mirajane. The girl was in her demon form at the moment. She was actually quite handsome and looked quite fierce.

However, Mirajane obviously has not yet fully unleashed the power of this demon. She needs more time to grow than Erza. After all, Mirajane started learning magic seriously even earlier than Erza, and even the best talent needs to be discovered.

"Hmph! Don't underestimate me! I'm going to defeat Laxus right now and show you!"

When Mirajane learned that Moon was not optimistic about the two of them at all, her reaction was even greater. She immediately spread her wings and flew towards the forest of Tenrou Island. Under the huge towering tree was a dense forest, and Laxus was in it.