ตอน 24: Chapter 24: The Survival Begins
"Master, quickly announce it. Who will participate in this year's S-Class Mage Exam?" someone shouted from the crowd.
Makarov cleared his throat and began to speak loudly, "Everyone, according to the long-standing rules of Fairy Tail, I am now officially announcing the list of candidates for this year's S-Class Mage Exam."
"Oh!! Announce it quickly, Master," the crowd cheered.
"Everyone's efforts, strength, and wisdom throughout the year have not gone unnoticed by this old man."
"So, I hereby officially announce the candidates for this year's S-Class exam..."
"Erza Scarlet."
All eyes immediately turned to Erza. "If it's Erza, there's no problem. Her strength is well known to everyone."
Erza displayed a pleased expression. She had worked hard for this moment.
Makarov continued, "The second candidate is Mirajane Strauss."
"Go for it, Sis!" Lisanna cheered, raising her fist to encourage Mirajane.
Mirajane, standing in the crowd, clenched her fist excitedly and looked towards Erza, saying, "Erza, this year I will become an S-Class Mage."
"You wish. The S-Class Mage title is mine," Erza retorted, equally determined.
Their gazes met, and sparks seemed to fly in the air.
"These two are already exuding such a strong sense of rivalry before the exam even starts. It's terrifying," Elfman said, shrinking back in fear.
"The third candidate is Cana Alberona." Hearing this, Cana looked up in shock, her eyes filled with disbelief. It seemed she hadn't expected to be chosen for the S-Class Mage Exam.
The S-Class stage held a special significance for her, and now Cana's thoughts were a whirlwind. Finally, she was taking a step towards that stage.
On the platform, Makarov continued, "This year's examination site is an uninhabited island in the eastern seas."
"There are many dangers on the island, which you will need to overcome on your own. The exam will take place in three days, and the specific rules will be announced then. Now, go prepare." With that, Makarov left, taking Laxus and Alex with him.
"Damn it, why isn't my name on the list?" Natsu was spitting fire in frustration.
"Haha, what a joke. Someone who can't even beat me is thinking about the S-Class Mage Exam?" Gray mocked.
"What? Stripping pervert, are you mocking me?" Natsu jumped in front of Gray.
"Isn't that obvious?" Gray replied, ready to fight. The two were notorious for their constant brawls.
Ignoring the fight between Natsu and Gray, others gathered around the selected candidates to congratulate them.
"These kids are really amazing. The oldest among them is only 15, right? Such vitality," Macao remarked.
"It's indeed a young people's world now. Alex became an S-Class Mage at 13, after all. This era belongs to the young, and we're already old," Wakaba agreed.
The two who were at each other's throats just moments ago were now chatting like old friends, as if they had always been close.
Perhaps this was the true spirit of Fairy Tail.
Three days quickly passed, and a ship flying the Fairy Tail flag sailed on the sea.
As the destination, an uninhabited island, came into view, Makarov called everyone to gather around and announced, "Now I will explain the specific rules for the Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Exam."
"This exam is called the 24-Hour Survival Test. You need to survive on this island for a day and a night."
"During this period, you will have no supplies. That means you must find your own food and shelter."
"That doesn't seem too difficult," Mirajane said, puzzled. After all, surviving for 24 hours without food shouldn't be a big deal.
"Of course, being an S-Class Mage isn't just about survival. There will also be combat!" Makarov said with a smile.
"I've set up many magical beasts on the island. They will try to drive you off, and your only option is to defeat them. Additionally, you can also fight each other, but remember, you are only allowed to attack each other after the first 12 hours."
"This is my line, Mira. I thought I wouldn't be able to find you on such a large island, but now you can't run away," Erza retorted nonchalantly.
Off to the side, Alex sighed and muttered softly, "Here we go again, Natsu and Gray version 2..."
Makarov continued, "Additionally, in the last two hours, Alex and Laxus will join the hunt. If they catch and defeat you, you're immediately eliminated."
"And what if we defeat Alex or Laxus?" Erza asked, her eyes gleaming with battle intent as she looked at Alex and Laxus.
Makarov smiled, "If you can manage that, you'll be directly promoted to S-Class Mage."
"I can monitor all your movements on the island, so if anyone loses their combat ability, I'll declare their defeat immediately."
"After 24 hours, the last person standing will become an S-Class Mage."
Makarov emphasized, "Remember, it's the last person standing who becomes an S-Class Mage. If no one survives the full 24 hours, then no one will pass this exam."
"Alright, I've explained the basic rules. Now, prepare to go ashore." As Makarov finished speaking, the boat arrived at the edge of the uninhabited island.
"Takeover: Satan Soul!"
A pure black magic circle appeared above Mirajane's head, and digital-like blocks floated around her body, transforming her appearance dramatically.
With wings on her back, a demon's tail, clawed hands, and markings like cracks on her face, Mirajane looked wild and fierce.
"Hmph, see you on the island, Erza. Don't get eliminated too early," Mirajane said defiantly before flying towards the island.
"You should be the one worrying, Mira!"
"Requip: Heaven's Wheel Armor!"
A pink magic circle flashed, and Erza was encased in silver-white armor. The armor's wings flapped, carrying Erza towards the island.
Cana watched them leave, feeling a bit helpless. "I can't fly..."
In the end, she jumped into the sea and swam to the island.
Fortunately, the boat wasn't too far from the shore. Cana soon made it to land. Seeing that all three had made it to the island, Alex and Laxus headed to the monitoring room.
The monitoring room was filled with numerous magic crystals displaying images from various parts of the island.
Three crystals specifically showed what each of the candidates was doing.
Alex watched the crystals intently, munching on a bag of snacks. He offered some to Laxus, "Want to watch with me?"
Laxus glanced at Makarov and said, "No thanks, this is boring. Call me when it's time for the final hours."
With that, Laxus left the monitoring room.
Alex looked at Makarov, who seemed a bit down. He tried to comfort him, "Master, you know Laxus's personality. It's just the way he is."
Makarov nodded bitterly.
"By the way, I've noticed that Laxus has a lot of resentment towards you. Can you tell me why?"
Makarov sighed and began to explain, "Laxus wasn't always like this. Ever since that incident with his father, our relationship has been strained to the breaking point."
Meanwhile, Cana was facing a massive monstrous bird, feeling a bit exasperated.
But the monstrous bird gave her no time to think. It opened its blood-red mouth, letting out an ear-piercing screech.
"Damn it," Cana cursed, throwing three cards, "Fate of Thunder!"
Lightning crackled from the cards, striking the monstrous bird just as it was about to bite.
Boom! The explosion echoed across the island, marking the beginning of the three's battles.
Not far away, Erza and Mirajane were also engaged in combat, and the island was filled with continuous roaring sounds.
...
Cana, clutching her injured arm, sat down in front of the massive bird's corpse.
"Injured right at the start... How am I supposed to survive the rest of the time?" Cana was confused and frustrated. She was so close to achieving her dream of becoming an S-Class Mage, but reality always seemed to strike her down.
Why was she so obsessed with becoming an S-Class Mage? Maybe it was to get closer to that man. After all, without great strength, how could she acknowledge him?
With this thought, Cana gritted her teeth, stood up, and walked deeper into the forest.
Time passed quickly, and night had fallen. Covered in wounds, Cana hid in a tree hollow. Luck had been on her side earlier when the magical barrier covering the island contracted for the first time.
This contraction was the largest, reducing the island's size by half. Fortunately, the tree hollow Cana found was within the remaining area.
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