Makarov pointed to a plume of smoke rising from Tenrou Island's shore.
"You must head there first. There are eight paths leading inland – each team must choose one path. Only those who get through can advance in the first round."
A magic-infused map appeared beside him, showing eight routes. Each route was marked with the portraits of the four active S-Class mages – Su Yan, Mirajane, Erza, and Gildarts – indicating there were two types of encounters: rival teams and S-Class guardians.
"You'll fight each other," Makarov explained. "Out of the eight teams, two will clash on any path; the winners advance. And of course," he said with a faint grin, "if you run into Su Yan, Mira, Erza, or Gildarts, you'll have the hardest match of all. This first stage tests both strength and luck."
"Luck?"
"That means if you're unlucky, you might face Su Yan…"
Lucy tried to stay positive. "Well, let's just hope fortune favors us."
Cana sighed, less optimistic. "We'll still have to fight other teams. Every one of them is strong in their own right."
Evergreen added dryly, "And in theory, a maximum of six teams can pass, but if people end up against Su Yan or Gildarts, that might shrink to only two who make it."
Elfman blanched. "No way… Su Yan and Gildarts are on a totally different level. That's—there's no bridging that gap."
Levy muttered, sounding deflated, "We could end up with almost no one making it past them…"
Gajeel, however, rested an elbow on Levy's head, smirking. "Heh, I'm getting fired up. Worst-case scenario, we just knock out whoever stands in our way. 'Course, I hope we don't run into Su Yan, but hey, bring it on."
Makarov raised his voice. "Looks like everyone understands the challenge, then. Get ready…the exam begins now!"
"Huh?" Gray blinked. "But we're still on the boat."
Makarov just smiled in response, and Natsu immediately caught on.
"That's right, Happy—!"
"Aye, sir!"
Happy grabbed Natsu under the arms and took to the sky.
"Pick a path first!" Natsu howled.
"Hey, that's cheating!"
"Natsu, you jerk!"
But the duo smacked into an invisible barrier.
"Gaaah! W-what?!"
"A spell?!" Cana gasped.
They spotted the glow of runic symbols forming a barrier around the ship. Freed was the only one who could've set something like this. Sure enough, Freed and Bickslow were already flying off toward Tenrou Island.
Freed glanced back. "No worries. It'll come down in five minutes."
Bickslow shrugged. "We could lock them up longer."
"Then it wouldn't be much of a test," Freed said calmly.
"You traitors!"
"Freed, you jerk!"
"Master, you're okay with this?!" someone shouted.
Makarov spread his hands. "It's not a race, after all."
Lisanna looked anxious. "But if Freed gets too big a head start, he'll rig all sorts of enchantments on the island…"
Freed's spells could be insanely strong if he had time. Yet Natsu was left pounding the barrier, cursing.
"Isn't there someone who can rewrite his runes?!" Lucy cried.
Levy stepped up to the barrier, scribbling to break Freed's enchantment. "I've got this. Still, it's only me and Gajeel!" Without waiting, Levy and Gajeel dived off the boat into the water, swimming hard for the island.
"Levy!" Lucy yelped, stunned that her close friend had left her behind.
"Sorry, Lucy!"
Moments later, Evergreen gave a triumphant smirk. "I've also known Freed a long time. That means I can rewrite his spells, too."
She shot Elfman a look.
"Come on, Elfman!"
"Rgh…a real man never backs down!" Elfman boomed, and together they jumped over the side.
"Damn it!"
"How long until it disappears?"
"Four minutes now."
When the five-minute mark finally arrived, the barrier dissolved.
"Unlocked!"
"We're the last ones here!" Cana shouted at Lucy in a near-panic.
"Don't forget, Mest and Wendy are also missing," Lucy added, looking around.
"Where—?!"
"They vanished!"
Indeed, the boat was practically empty now, with only Makarov remaining.
"Let's hurry," Cana groaned. "We won't get a choice of paths at this rate…"
On the shore of Tenrou Island, Natsu and Happy were the first to land after Freed's group. The moment they set foot on the beach, they felt an intense magic in the air.
Happy gulped, eyes wide. "Wow…there's something powerful in this island's ground."
Natsu clenched his fists, excitement burning in his gaze. "All right, let's gooooo—!!"