After Gildarts, Erza and Mira woke up, they discussed what they would do on the island. The 3 don't want to pursue the matter again or there will be no end to it. They just let it go and focused on their current task, preparing for the exam.

"So, the first test is to judge whether they have the necessary strength to be a S-Class mage or not, huh?" Ben asked.

"That's right, but not only strength, it will also help them face problems like unbeatable enemies. So they will need good tactics too which means they need to use their brain." Mira nodded.

"Well, luck can also be a factor. They also need to learn about their weaknesses." Gildarts added.

"We won't fight to defeat them, but to see if they have the necessary battle prowess to become S-Class mages." Erza responded.

"It's almost impossible for them to defeat us in a serious battle." Gildarts pointed out.

"Hmm, if we need to measure their power, then shouldn't we have a standard?" Ben asked.

"Well, master said that they need to have the power to defeat a weak S-Class magical creature so I think we need to use that level of power." Mira answered.

"Don't think too much about it. We have taken S-Class jobs many times. So we just need to measure whether they can finish such jobs or not, that's it." Gildarts said.

"Using jobs as the standard, huh? That sounds good to me and it's easier to understand." Ben questioned.

They have a discussion for some time and then start to prepare the exam ground. The place hasn't been used for a long time so there were a lot of things to do like clean up. They also need to prepare the route and set up the enchantments.

It would take longer if it was only Gildarts, Mira and Erza by themselves, it would have taken a long time but with Ryu and Ben here, they can finish preparing everything in 2 days. The most problematic preparations were enchantments and mechanisms, which were no problem for Ben.

"It's a good thing we finished it quickly, but now we don't have anything to do. I'm bored." Gildarts confessed.

"Yeah, should we go to Hargeon Port now?" Ben asked.

"Ooh, that's a good idea." Gildarts said.

"Sorry, Gildarts but we're not going anywhere just yet. We have to stay on the island until the exam starts." Ryu shook his head.

"Alright." Gildarts agreed to stay on the island for now.

"Ah, that's right, there's something I wanted to ask. It's regarding one of the participants, Mest. I have thought about it and I really can't remember him at all. Maybe it's because I'm new to the guild, but I've never seen him before." Ben was confused.

"Mest, huh? He participated in the S-Class exam last year and almost succeeded. As for why you didn't see him before, it must be because of...eh? Why is my memory about him hazy?" A confused Erza asked.

Mira was also confused.

"I also can't remember him clearly. What happened?" She asked out loud.

Gildarts is confused seeing their reactions. He had been gone for 3 years and a lot changed in the guild. So not recognizing the young mages was not strange for him.

"I'm starting to become suspicious of Mest. But we can't jump to conclusions now, so let's watch over him for the time being." Ben suggested.

"Alright. I will inform master of this." Mira said.

"For now, let's train while we're here. This island has a lot of magic power, so it's a very good place to train." Ben advised.

"It sure is, but can't we just relax? It's a rare opportunity to rest like this." Gildarts asked.

"Well then, why don't we spar? I'm curious about your strength." Ben offered.

"Ooh, that's a good idea. I'm also curious about your strength." Gildarts accepted the challenge.

"Wait, guys! If you two fought here, it would destroy the surrounding area." Mira shouted.

"Not if a barrier enchantment was set up beforehand." Ryu noted.

They head to a open area and Ben erected a barrier with his enchantment. He erected the strongest barrier he could and hoped that would be enough. Mira, Erza, Ryu and Bella stand outside the barrier while Ben and Gildarts were inside.

Both men get ready and Ben covered his body in solar energy. Gildarts sensed his magic power and released his magic power. He knew Ben was serious and he also needed to be serious.

The sparring match started and Ben flashed towards Gildarts then threw a punch. Gildarts anticipated this and also threw a punch covered in his magic. Their punches clash producing a big shock wave that shook the barrier.

Mira, Erza, Ryu and Bella, who were watching the match outside the barrier, weren't affected but they could see the effect of their clash. From this alone, the four could determine that Ben and Gildarts were in a league of their own. It can be said that these 2 were the S-Classes of S-Classes.

"I have seen Gildarts' power many times, so it's not really surprising for me. But I never thought Ben was this strong. I knew he was strong because he blocked the Jupiter cannon with a single attack, but I never thought he would be able to match Gildarts. It really is surprising." Erza said with a surprised expression.

"You're right, he is full of surprises. Even I am surprised he had grown this much since the last time I saw him his full power." Mira admitted.

"Honestly, the one that's surprised the most is Gildarts." Ryu stated.

It was true. When their punches clashed, he thought his magic would break Ben's magic into many tiny cubes. But nothing happened to Ben's magic and they are just pushing each other back now.

*BAM*

Ben and Gildarts were pushed back, but Ben was pushed farther back than Gildarts. They look at each other and Ben is grinning while Gildarts is still surprised. It wasn't very often he was pushed back in a fight.

"Surprised that your magic didn't break my magic? Do you know why?" Ben asked.

"Well yeah, I'm surprised. But I already know the answer, so don't worry. Your spell's power was at least as strong as mine so it cancels the effect of my magic." Gildarts said.

"That's correct. I may have less magic power than you, but the power of my spells won't lose to yours. It's all about quality." Ben said with a smirk.

"Heh, not bad, kiddo." Gildarts chuckled.

Both of them continue sparring and now Gildarts fought more seriously. He started to push Ben back because his attacks were still stronger. But his Crush Magic can't break Ben's magic because the gap between their power is close.

Both of them fight at close range and show off their martial arts. None of them use tricks and just fight like men. This is the kind of battle both of them like. So they didn't resort to tricks even if they had some.

But even if they weren't using their trump cards, they still went all out against each other. It meant they used all their power in the fight and it was a very intense fight. Mira and Erza couldn't say anything while witnessing their fight because it's just too powerful while Bella continued cheering Ben on.

Ben and Gildarts look equal from outside the barrier, but Ben was slowly being pushed back. Not only were Gildarts' attacks stronger, but he can also aim his attacks at better spots. In the end, Ben took more damage and finally lost when Gildarts found a gap between Ben's attacks and touched his body.

It's just a touch, but it's imbued with Crush Magic which split Ben's body into numerous parts. Then those parts turn into mini versions of him. If he didn't become mini Ben's, then he would be turned into blocks of meat, so he is good as done in this sparring match.

The mini Ben's smile.

"Damn, we lost." They said.