"How does it feel?"
"…It feels like the gap is pretty big."
Fried and the other two looked dejected. They were clearly older than Natsu and the others, yet far weaker not to mention compared to the five who had actually qualified for the S-Class Exam.
"That's because they've undergone systematic training. Their strength grows naturally, and quickly. You should've realized that since joining Fairy Tail."
Fried and the others all nodded together. When they first joined the guild, they had been shocked by its training environment.
The extensive, structured training methods and the intense, passionate atmosphere had surprised them. They quickly discovered that their progress here was far greater than anything they had achieved training alone. Constant sparring with fellow guildmates rapidly sharpened their combat skills.
On top of that, they could seek guidance from powerful and experienced wizards like Master Makarov or even Noah whenever they needed. Their strength had been improving at a rapid pace.
"You've only been with the guild for a short while," Noah reassured them. "Given time, you'll be able to reach their level too."
After a few words of encouragement, Noah turned his gaze to the five who were taking the S-Class Exam.
"Since Natsu and the others have already tested themselves on the racing track, now it's your turn to continue."
"What's the next exam?"
Kong Nai asked cautiously. Noah only smiled at her, and that smile made her uneasy, as though something bad was about to happen.
"The test is simple. You'll all take it together. The longer you can withstand my attacks, the higher your score will be."
Kong Nai blinked in disbelief.
"What the heck? You want us to hold out against your attacks and see who lasts the longest? Are you serious?"
Having lived under the same roof as Noah and known him for quite some time, Kong Nai understood exactly how terrifying his power was. If they were to take his attacks head-on, wouldn't they be crushed instantly? What kind of test was that supposed to be?
The others wore similar expressions. Though none of them spoke, the look in their eyes said it all. They simply stared at Noah, waiting for an explanation.
Reading their doubts, Noah elaborated:
"Of course, I'll adjust the intensity. I'll gradually increase my strength, I won't go all out from the start."
Kong Nai still felt uneasy, but seeing that Noah's face was serious and not joking she sighed. Glancing over at Erza and the others already preparing themselves, she reluctantly began her own preparations.
With a wave of his hand, Noah transported everyone to the far side of the island. The arena had already been arranged there, reinforced with magic to ensure the surroundings wouldn't be damaged.
Erza and the other four stepped to the center of the field, adjusting their focus with each step.
By the time they stood at the center, their expressions were calm and their eyes sharp. It was clear they were ready.
The rest of the guild gathered outside the arena to watch.
Noah surveyed the scene. Once he saw that everyone was prepared, he stepped into the center himself and faced the five, asking once more for confirmation:
"Are you all ready?"
"Ready!"
The five answered in unison, their expressions tense as their eyes locked on Noah, unwilling to let down their guard for even a moment.
Noah gave a single nod.
"Good. Then the second round of the S-Class Exam… officially begins!"
As soon as his words fell, Erza and the others charged forward at the same time, launching a direct assault on Noah.
"Dark Écriture: Darkness!"
Simon was the first to act. From his position, darkness spread outward in every direction, shrouding the entire area in pitch black.
Noah looked upward. All he could see was endless darkness nothing else remained.
"Not bad, not bad. Working together really does help you last longer. And covering my vision at the start of the fight that's a clever tactic."
But then Noah's entire body suddenly radiated with light. The darkness was forced back, and his vision returned.
At the same time, he brought the thumbs and index fingers of both hands together, spreading out the other three fingers to form an "OK" shape. A golden magic circle appeared before each hand.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
Countless light bullets surged out from the twin circles, raining down on the five figures ahead of him.
"Heaven's Wheel: Circle Sword!"
"Dark Spark!"
"Mini Angel!"
"Ice-Make: Eagle!"
"Dark Arrow!"
The five unleashed their magic simultaneously, not only blocking and scattering Noah's barrage of light bullets, but also counterattacking with their own spells.
"Not bad, not bad. Then how about this Light-Make: Sevenfold Ring of Blazing Sky!"
Noah clapped his hands, and in an instant an enormous, seven-petaled barrier with seven overlapping layers manifested before him. The combined attacks of the five struck it, but it was like droplets vanishing into the sea completely absorbed without leaving the faintest mark.
Without shifting his stance, the radiant shield began to dissolve, transforming into golden spears of light.
"Light-Make: Spear of Light!"
The spears launched forward in rapid succession, streaking toward the five mages.
Erza and Mirajane relied on their speed, weaving through the barrage, while cutting down the spears they couldn't dodge.
Kongnai, lacking their agility, summoned small angels that rushed forward to intercept. Explosions echoed as each spear collided with her summons.
"Ice-Make: Shield!"
Lyon raised a wall of ice, but a single spear nearly shattered it on impact. He frantically layered several more shields, desperately holding back the assault.
"Dark Shield!"
Simon conjured a jet-black wall to block the incoming spear. Being larger and less agile, he could only rely on solid defense. But with light and darkness naturally countering one another, the strain on his magic was heavier than for the others.
Seeing that all five had successfully defended, Noah shifted tactics once again.
"Ice-Make: Snowstorm!"
Taking a deep breath, Noah exhaled. A frigid wind, laced with snowflakes, gusted across the arena, instantly chilling the air. Within moments, the temperature plummeted, and Erza and the others felt as if they'd been dropped onto the peak of a frozen mountain, with an icy road stretching before them.
"Requip: Ice Empress Armor!"
In a flash of light, Erza donned a gleaming suit of ice-blue armor designed to resist the power of Ice-Make magic. An icy blade appeared in her hand, and with a burst of speed, she slashed toward Noah.
"Dark Spark!"
Mirajane clasped her hands together, condensing a black sphere of demonic energy, then hurled it straight through the blizzard at Noah.
"Dark Spiral!"
Simon rolled aside, clasped his hands together, and unleashed a spiraling blast of darkness in Noah's direction.
"Powerful Angel!"
Kongnai crept up from behind, summoning a massive angel that charged forward and threw a heavy punch toward Noah.
"Ice-Make: Great Ape!"
Lyon closed in from the opposite side, conjuring an enormous ape of ice that roared as it swung a massive fist straight at Noah.
....
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