A clear and easy-to-understand map unfolded before everyone.
The terrain of Tenrou Island was meticulously drawn on the map, with eight different paths extending from the marked starting point.
"As you can see, there are eight paths starting here, and only one team can take each path."
Makarov pointed at the map and explained, "Each path has markers, divided into three types: 'Fierce Battle,' 'Contest,' and 'Quiet.'"
"There are a total of five 'Fierce Battle' routes."
"Teams choosing these routes will directly face the S-Class Mages guarding the path. They might be Gildarts, Laxus, Mystogan, Erza, or Mirajane. Only by gaining their approval in battle can you proceed."
"Of course, if you have the strength, defeating them is also acceptable, but you still need to pass the subsequent exams to be promoted to S-Class Mage."
When Makarov mentioned these names, the expressions of many people present became serious.
Fighting any S-Class Mage from Fairy Tail would not be easy, and defeating them would be even harder. Even Mystogan, who has no magic power in his body, has the strength to instantly take out most of the exam participants.
"There are two 'Contest' routes."
"These two paths will converge midway. The two teams who choose these paths must fight to determine who can continue, and the loser will be directly eliminated."
Finally, Makarov's finger pointed to the only route marked 'Quiet.' "There will be no fighting on this route. You can conserve your strength and pass the first stage directly and safely."
Everyone who heard the rules was stunned.
The probability of 'Quiet' was only one in eight, while the other seven routes required combat to proceed.
Excluding the 'Contest' routes where one team is guaranteed elimination, theoretically, a maximum of seven teams could pass the first stage, but practically, this was impossible.
Laxus and Erza would definitely not hold back.
As for Gildarts, he is too strong; holding back wouldn't matter. Facing him basically means announcing your elimination.
Mirajane and Mystogan wouldn't strike heavy blows, but gaining their approval wouldn't be easy either.
It was possible that only two teams would pass the first stage in the end.
This was a test of "Strength" and "Luck."
Just as everyone was discussing, Makarov suddenly waved his hand, "Alright, everyone take your positions! The first stage of the exam has begun! The 8 routes are first-come, first-served!"
"Huh?"
"We're still on the sea, Master!"
Makarov just grinned, not intending to answer.
Natsu was surprisingly the first to figure it out—the ship they were on was the true starting point. He immediately called Happy to fly him away.
"Haha! We're going to choose a path first!"
However, before they even flew out of the ship's perimeter, Natsu and Happy crashed headfirst into a magic power wall covered in magical script.
"Oh no! It's a Formula!"
When everyone reacted, Fried was already flying towards Tenrou Island with Bickslow.
"Don't worry, the Formula will automatically deactivate in five minutes! We'll be going ahead!"
Watching the two figures fly into the distance, Gray immediately protested to Makarov, "Old Man! Doesn't that count as cheating?!"
"It's not a race, so it's fine."
Makarov leisurely fanned himself with a small fan. "If you don't find a way to catch up soon, Tenrou Island will be covered in Formulas set up by Fried~"
"Wow! How could this happen..."
"That's awful!"
"..."
Just as everyone was complaining, Levy had already rewritten the Formula blocking them. Gajeel, standing nearby, was overjoyed. "That's Levy for you! Let's go!"
However, Gajeel crashed headfirst into the Formula, just like Natsu before. He looked up, and Levy had already jumped off the ship with her partner, Droy.
"Only we can get out."
"Sorry, Gajeel!"
Levy gave a sly smile, stepping on a magical lotus leaf conjured by Droy's Plant magic, and sped towards Tenrou Island.
At the same time, Evergreen also broke through the Formula and leaped down with Elfman. Having known Fried for so many years, she could also rewrite simple Formulas somewhat.
Three teams had left immediately, and the rest could only wait anxiously for the Formula to automatically deactivate.
Five minutes later.
As Natsu took off again, ice and water burst forth. Gray and Loki skated along, while Juvia used the water flow to propel herself and Lisanna forward.
But the fastest was another combination: Salamander's Gods Foot had been trained to the point where he could walk on water, carrying Gajeel and leaving everyone else in the dust, plunging into Tenrou Island in the blink of an eye.
Soon, only Cana and Lucy, who were still swimming, remained on the sea surface.
——
——
Fairy Tail, backyard.
The constant clang of metal made the surrounding members dizzy.
"Let's end this sparring session here."
Hope stopped the sword in his hand.
As his Voice fell, the large, muscular black cat opposite him immediately transformed into a cute small black cat.
Lilly shrunk his magical greatsword to a size matching his current physique and couldn't help but say, "The time I can maintain my original body is still too short."
"Rather, it's because you are too strong as an Exceed, making it difficult to adapt to this environment, forcing you to take the form of a small cat."
Hope returned his sword to his Armor space. "Speaking of which, Lilly, Gajeel actually didn't choose you as his partner."
Lilly didn't mind. "After all, I just became his comrade. A serious trial like the S-Class Promotion Exam naturally requires a compatible partner."
It seemed the Black Cat didn't know that Gajeel and Salamander were hardly compatible.
Hope thought that guy simply wanted to get closer to Levy, which is why he suggested the two bootlickers partner up.
"Bad news, Hope!"
"A large owl has arrived outside! And it's grabbing two people!"
The sudden shout had just arrived when, the next second, Hope was already in the Guild Hall, seeing the so-called large owl and the man and woman he was holding.
They were the Trinity Raven, previously hired by Jellal to guard the Tower of Paradise.
Hope frowned slightly. He remembered these three guys were investigating Grimoire Heart. Could it be that they had found a clue?
All three were covered in injuries. Udadus, the most severely wounded, was unconscious. The leader Ikaruga's kimono was bloodstained, and even her Treasured Sword was broken. Only Fukuro's injuries were relatively light.
Wendy was treating them.
Seeing Hope arrive, Ikaruga forced herself to stand up. "Mr. Hope, the situation is urgent. We received confirmed news..."
"Grimoire Heart and Tartaros plan to surround and kill someone from your guild on Tenrou Island!"
------------------------
There are already 70+ chapters available on my Patreon!
The story will continue to update 1 chapter per day on Webnovel,
while early access chapters are posted on Patreon.
Maybe it's not worth it today but it could be later
[email protected]/Kazenova223
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"