Yo!
After a very long, I'm back with the next chapter of Not Yet. All thanks to the votes for the story.
I apologize for the long delay, I can't believe the last update of the story was over 2 years ago. I sincerely thank you for the continued love and support you are showing this story!
Hopefully it continues to get the support in the upcoming polls!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Without further ado, let's get started.
Enjoy the chapter.
Not Yet
Chapter 40
Trail - 1
X781
Hargeon Port
The port town hummed with activity as Fairy Tail mages, accompanied by their partners, gathered in anticipation. The air was thick with excitement, the promise of the S-class trials sparking a competitive energy among them. Naruto stood on the restaurant's first floor beside Makarov and Erza, his sun kissed hair catching the sunlight filtering through the windows. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd below with quiet intensity, while Erza stood beside him, her crimson hair glowing like embers in the light. Her expression was calm but resolute.
As the last team arrived, Makarov stepped forward, his small stature doing nothing to diminish his commanding presence. He cleared his throat, and the room fell silent instantly.
"Dear participants," Makarov began, his voice steady and authoritative, "you stand here today at the threshold of greatness. The S-class trials are not merely a test of power—they are a test of character, judgment, and resolve. Only those who embody these qualities will earn the title of S-class mage."
He paused for effect, letting his words settle over the room before continuing. "This year's trials will consist of three stages. In each stage, teams will be eliminated until only four remain to face the final challenge."
The mages exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from nervousness to determination.
"The first trial," Makarov explained, "will test your mental fortitude. You will face challenges designed to push your minds to their limits. Only five teams will advance to the next stage."
He let that sink in before moving on. "The second trial will assess your control and precision—your ability to achieve your goals without causing unnecessary destruction. From this trial, only four teams will proceed."
Makarov's gaze swept across the room like a hawk surveying its territory. "In the final stage, those four teams will face off against us in combat. But there's a twist: one team will have to battle another in a one-on-one match to secure your place in this round. This match will be decided by drawing lots."
A murmur rippled through the crowd at this revelation.
"Once we have our three finalists," Makarov continued, "each team will face one of us in battle. The results of these matches will determine who earns the title of S-class mage."
Natsu raised his hand impulsively, his fiery enthusiasm evident even before he spoke. "Wait! So not all teams that make it to the finals become S-class?"
Makarov chuckled softly at Natsu's straightforwardness. "That's correct, Natsu," he replied with a knowing smile. "We have to see who will earn that honor this year. However," he added reassuringly, "those who reach the finals will be considered again for future trials."
Naruto smirked faintly at Natsu's puzzled expression.
"Now," Makarov declared with authority, "if there are no further questions, let us head to Tenrou Island!"
A cheer erupted from the gathered mages as they followed Makarov out toward the ship waiting at the dock.
Tenrou Island
The journey to Tenrou Island was smooth yet charged with anticipation. Naruto stood at the helm of the ship as it glided through the waters. And they soon arrived at Tenrou Island, he felt an immediate connection to its vibrant energy. The lush greenery enveloped him like an old friend's embrace, and the towering Tenrou Tree exuded an aura of life and protection that resonated deeply within him. He inhaled deeply, savoring the mingling scents of nature and magic.
"This place…" Naruto murmured softly as he stepped onto the island's soil. "It feels like home."
Erza glanced at him curiously but said nothing; she too felt rejuvenated by the island's unique magic.
Makarov gathered everyone near a clearing beneath the Tenrou Tree and addressed them once more.
"Your first trial begins now," he announced gravely. "Atop this tree lies another landmass where five treasures are hidden—each containing a token of passage for this trial." He pointed upward toward the distant treetop shrouded in mist.
"The task is simple: retrieve one treasure and return here within three hours," he continued. "But remember—there are only five treasures available. Any team that returns empty-handed will be disqualified."
The teams exchanged nervous glances as they absorbed Makarov's words.
"To ensure fairness," he added, "flight magic is disabled on this island for this trial alone, while ascending. Zip lines have been installed across different paths leading up to the treetop. Each path is unique and fraught with challenges—you'll need both skill and teamwork to succeed."
Makarov raised his hand dramatically before shouting:
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
"Let the S-class trials begin!"
The teams scattered instantly, racing toward their respective directions like arrows loosed from bows.
As Naruto watched them disappear into the forest canopy below, he turned to Makarov with a knowing smirk.
"Gramps," he teased lightly, "why didn't you warn them about all those creatures lurking on this island?"
Makarov chuckled mischievously but didn't answer immediately.
Erza crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. "Master… don't tell me you deliberately avoided those areas last time we were here?"
Makarov shrugged nonchalantly as they made their way toward a makeshift headquarters set up near some repaired ruins on the island—a vantage point equipped with lacrima crystals for monitoring key areas.
"It's all part of their exam," Makarov replied cryptically as they entered.
Naruto rolled his eyes but couldn't help grinning at Makarov's cunning approach. He activated one of the surveillance lacrimas and watched intently as teams encountered various challenges.
"Let's see how our lovely teams handle themselves," Makarov said cheerfully as he settled into a chair beside Erza and Naruto.
With Macao and Natsu
The moment the trial began, Natsu's instincts kicked in. His sharp nose twitched as he sniffed the air, catching a faint whiff of something unusual. Without hesitation, he bolted southward, his fiery determination evident in every step. Macao followed closely behind, struggling to keep up with the Dragon Slayer's relentless pace.
"Natsu! Are you sure this is the right path?" Macao called out breathlessly, his voice tinged with doubt as they sprinted through the dense forest.
Natsu didn't bother looking back. His smirk widened as his eyes locked onto a massive creature blocking their path—a quadrupedal reptilian beast with scales that gleamed like polished armor under the sunlight. Its maw was filled with razor-sharp teeth that promised destruction.
"Yep. Don't worry, old man," Natsu replied confidently, cracking his knuckles and rolling his shoulders in preparation for the fight. "I'll take care of this bastard."
The creature seemed to sense the challenge in Natsu's tone. It let out a guttural roar before curling itself into a ball, its hardened scales forming an impenetrable shell. Then, with surprising speed for its size, it began rolling toward Natsu like a living boulder.
"Natsu! It's coming straight for you!" Macao shouted in alarm, pointing at the incoming threat.
Natsu's grin only grew wider. "Bring it on!" he yelled, his fist igniting with flames that danced wildly around his hand. As the rolling beast closed in, he charged forward to meet it head-on.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"he roared, slamming his fiery fist into the creature with all his might. The impact echoed through the forest like a thunderclap, sending sparks flying everywhere. But to his surprise—and Macao's horror—the beast didn't budge. It absorbed the attack effortlessly, its scales remaining unscathed.
"Huh?" he muttered incredulously, staring at the creature as it prepared to roll again.
"Guess I should step in," Macao said calmly, stepping forward with his hands ablaze in purple flames.
"Purple Flare: Net!"Macao commanded, weaving his flames into a glowing net that ensnared the beast mid-roll. The creature thrashed violently within the fiery trap but couldn't break free as Macao tightened the net around it.
The combined heat from Natsu's flames and Macao's purple fire proved too much for the beast to endure. With a final roar of frustration, it rolled backward uncontrollably and crashed into a tree trunk with a resounding thud.
As the dust settled and silence returned to the forest, the duo exchanged triumphant grins. They approached the tree where the creature had collided and noticed something hanging from one of its branches—a zip line leading upward toward the higher island.
"Well, looks like we're heading up!" he declared enthusiastically as he began climbing toward their next destination.
With Wakaba and Gray
Gray trudged along a different path beside Wakaba, his arms crossed and an annoyed expression plastered across his face. "Why are we taking this route again?" he asked skeptically.
Wakaba puffed on his cigarette leisurely before replying. "I saw Macao go that way with Natsu. Figured I'd avoid all that chaos."
Gray sighed heavily and shook his head. "Probably your best decision yet. If we followed that fire freak, he'd burn down half the forest."
They continued walking until Gray suddenly stopped in his tracks and scanned their surroundings. "Where's this zip line we're supposed to find?" he asked impatiently.
Before Wakaba could respond, a loud growl echoed through the trees. Both men turned to see an enormous creature lumbering toward them—a towering reptilian beast covered in thick skin and walking on its hind legs like a dinosaur. Its drooling maw hung open as it stared hungrily at them.
"I don't think that's a good sign," Gray muttered grimly.
"Nope," Wakaba agreed flatly.
Without another word, they turned on their heels and bolted away from the monster as fast as their legs could carry them. The beast let out an ear-splitting roar before charging after them, crushing trees and foliage in its path like twigs.
"Why didn't you warn me there were monsters like this here?!" Gray yelled over his shoulder as they ran.
"As if I knew!" Wakaba shot back defensively between breaths. "Last time I came here, I didn't make it this deep into the forest!"
Spotting a slope ahead, Gray pointed toward it urgently. "There! I'll make it slip—you trap it or something!"
Wakaba nodded without hesitation as Gray skidded to a halt and slammed his hands onto the ground.
"Ice-Make: Floor!"Gray shouted, creating a slick sheet of ice that coated the slope entirely.
The monster charged forward blindly onto the icy surface but immediately lost its footing and began sliding uncontrollably down toward Wakaba.
"Smoke Fake!"Wakaba called out, conjuring multiple smoky clones of himself to confuse the beast further as it flailed helplessly on the slippery ice.
"Now to finish it!" Wakaba added confidently as he raised his pipe high above his head.
"Smoke Magic: Crush!"he commanded, generating several massive fists made of smoke that pummeled the creature into submission with powerful blows.
As one of Wakaba's smoky fists struck something metallic hidden beneath some foliage nearby, both of them paused curiously. Gray walked over to inspect what had been uncovered—a wire leading upward toward another zip line.
"Well," Gray said with a smirk as he tugged on the wire to test its strength. "Looks like we found our way up."
Wakaba exhaled deeply in relief before following Gray toward their next challenge.
With Cana and Sirius
Cana and Sirius wandered through the dense forest, their eyes scanning for any sign of the elusive zip line. The air was fresh, filled with the earthy aroma of damp soil and the rustling of leaves as a gentle breeze passed through. The two walked in comfortable silence until a small movement caught Cana's eye. A tiny rodent-like creature scurried out from behind a bush, its light fur shimmering in the sunlight. It had large, dark ears and a long tail that twitched nervously as it stood on its hind legs, curiously observing them.
"Aw, look at this little guy," Cana cooed, crouching down to pick it up. She gently cradled the creature in her hands, stroking its soft fur. The rodent let out squeaky sounds of contentment, its tiny body relaxing in her touch.
"If you're looking for something to pet, I'm right here, you know," Sirius huffed, his tone dripping with mock indignation.
Cana looked up at him with a teasing smirk. "Is that jealousy I'm hearing?" she asked playfully, raising an eyebrow.
"Jealous? Me? Not at all," Sirius replied with a straight face, but the slight twitch of his ear betrayed his sarcasm.
Cana chuckled softly and returned her attention to the creature in her hands. "You're so bad at hiding it," she teased before standing up. "Alright, what now? Shall we keep moving, or do you want to adopt this little guy?"
Before Sirius could respond, a low rumbling sound echoed through the forest. Both of them turned their heads toward the noise. Emerging from the shadows was a much larger version of the rodent Cana was holding. Its fur was darker, its eyes sharper, and its body significantly bulkier. The creature's presence was imposing despite its otherwise harmless appearance.
"Uh... I think it's not thrilled about you picking up its child," Sirius said cautiously, his eyes narrowing as he took a step back.
"You think?" Cana replied dryly before gently setting the smaller creature down on the ground. "Alright, little one, back to your parent."
The small rodent scampered over to the larger one. The two creatures seemed to communicate with each other through soft chirps and squeaks. After a moment of what looked like an intense conversation between them, the larger rodent turned its gaze back to Cana and Sirius. It gestured with its tail for them to follow.
"Uh... is it just me, or is it telling us to go somewhere?" Sirius asked hesitantly.
"Looks like it." Cana shrugged but decided to follow the creature's lead. "Well, we don't have much else to go on."
The two followed the rodents through a winding path in the forest until they reached a cliff overlooking the sea. The view was breathtaking; waves crashed against jagged rocks below while seagulls circled overhead.
"This is beautiful and all," Sirius said after a moment of silence, "but we need to go up,not down." he said, gesturing up.
As if understanding his words, the larger rodent tilted its head upward and pointed with its nose toward a thin wire stretching across the cliffside into the canopy above.
"Oh!" Cana exclaimed in realization. "It showed us the zip line! Nice work."
Both Cana and Sirius bowed slightly toward their unexpected guides in gratitude before making their way toward the zip line.
With Freed and Bickslow
Freed and Bickslow trudged through another part of the forest in relative silence. Freed led the way with his usual calm demeanor while Bickslow trailed behind him, occasionally muttering complaints under his breath.
"What exactly is this test supposed to prove?" Bickslow finally asked as he swatted away a low-hanging branch.
"Perhaps there's more to it than Master has revealed," Freed replied thoughtfully, his hand resting on the hilt of his rapier-like sword. His sharp eyes scanned their surroundings for any sign of danger—or opportunity.
Their quiet trek was interrupted when they stumbled upon a flock of peculiar birds perched on a cluster of trees ahead. These weren't ordinary birds; they were large creatures with prominent crests atop their heads and horn-like protrusions extending from their abdomens.
"Let's just move past them quietly," Freed suggested in a low voice.
Bickslow frowned but complied—until one of the birds noticed them and let out a loud croak: "Fos fis fos!"
The rest of the flock immediately turned their attention toward Freed and Bickslow. Their beady eyes gleamed with hostility as they spread their wings and took flight, heading straight for the two mages.
"Well, so much for being left alone," Bickslow said with an unsettling grin as he cracked his knuckles. His tongue lolled out slightly in excitement. "Guess we'll have to teach them some manners."
"Indeed," Freed agreed calmly as he unsheathed his sword and began inscribing glowing runes into thin air.
"Dark Écriture: Fear,"Freed intoned. The runes shimmered before flying toward part of the flock. As they struck their targets, several birds froze mid-air before retreating hastily into the forest.
"Hah! Look at them flee!" Bickslow cackled gleefully as he summoned his five floating dolls—his "babies." They hovered around him menacingly.
"Babies! Show these birds what an actual flock looks like!" he commanded.
"Show flock looks like!"his dolls echoed eerily before aligning themselves in mid-air.
"Line Formation!"At Bickslow's command, his dolls formed a vertical line and unleashed a massive crescent-shaped energy beam that tore through several attacking birds at once. The remaining birds squawked in terror before scattering in all directions.
The clearing fell silent save for Bickslow's triumphant laughter and Freed's measured breathing as he sheathed his sword once more.
"Well done," Freed remarked coolly as he surveyed their surroundings. His gaze fell on something glinting in one of the trees—the end of a zip line leading upward.
"There's our path," he said simply before gesturing for Bickslow to follow him toward it.
Bickslow tilted his head thoughtfully before grinning again. "Let's see what other surprises this island has waiting for us."
The two mages began climbing up toward their next challenge without hesitation.
With Mystogan and Loke
The forest was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant animal calls as Mystogan and Loke trekked through its dense foliage. Mystogan kept his hood pulled low, his face hidden as always, while Loke walked beside him, his orange hair catching the sunlight that filtered through the canopy. The contrast between them was stark—Mystogan's quiet, enigmatic presence and Loke's charismatic, talkative nature clashed like fire and ice.
"So, what's the plan?" Loke asked, breaking the silence with his usual flair. His ring glinted as he twirled it absentmindedly.
Mystogan didn't stop walking. "We're heading southwest," he replied in a calm, measured tone. "The area near the edge of the summit should provide us with an easy path upward."
Loke raised an eyebrow at Mystogan's cryptic response. "Still keeping secrets, huh? Fine by me. But just so you know," he added with a huff, "I'm not great at silent company. I talk—a lot."
Mystogan gave a silent nod, his pace steady and deliberate.
"Why do you always use that sleep spell when you come to Fairy Tail?" Loke continued, his curiosity piqued. "Shouldn't you be having fun with us at the guild?"
Mystogan paused for a moment before answering, his voice softer this time. "I prefer doing jobs quietly—helping the guild without causing destruction. There are… personal reasons for my actions. But I care for the guild deeply. It gave me a chance—a home—and I'll always be grateful for that."
Loke tilted his head thoughtfully, sensing an untold story behind Mystogan's words. "That's like all of us," he said after a moment. "We've all got our reasons for being here. You know, I was on the verge of death when Naruto found me and dragged me into his team—whether I liked it or not." He chuckled softly at the memory. "It helped me recover more than I thought possible. Now I want to be strong enough to stand by him when he needs me—and by the guild too, of course."
Mystogan didn't reply but nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
As they continued walking, Loke couldn't help but ask another question. "So… who knows your face? Anyone?"
Mystogan hesitated before answering softly, "Master Makarov… Gildarts… Naruto… and perhaps Laxus—I'm not certain about him."
Loke smirked knowingly. "The blonde saw you, huh? Makes sense why he's so casual around you."
Before Loke could say more, Mystogan stopped abruptly and raised a hand to signal silence.
"What is it?" Loke asked in confusion.
Mystogan crouched down behind a bush and motioned for Loke to do the same. His sharp eyes peered through the foliage at a clearing ahead where a massive beast stood—a creature resembling an oversized pig with dark spots covering its thick hide. Its tusks gleamed menacingly in the sunlight as it sniffed the air.
"This won't be easy," Mystogan murmured, sizing up the beast with a calculating gaze.
Loke leaned forward to get a better look and grinned confidently. "Don't worry—I've got this. Naruto trained me for situations like this." He twirled his ring again, determination shining in his eyes.
Suddenly, the beast charged toward them with surprising speed for its size. Mystogan reacted instantly, creating a glowing magic circle in midair.
"Three Layered Magic Circle: Mirror Water!"he called out.
A shimmering shield appeared before them, deflecting the beast's charge and sending it stumbling backward in confusion.
Seizing the opportunity, Loke stepped forward boldly and unleashed his magic. "Ring Magic: Lion's Roar!"A powerful blast of energy erupted from his ring, striking the beast squarely and pushing it further back.
But the creature wasn't done yet—it shook off its disorientation and charged again with renewed ferocity.
Mystogan glanced at Loke briefly but decided to let him handle it alone to gauge his partner's strength.
"Chain Magic: Crushing Wave!"Loke shouted as glowing chains materialized around him. With a powerful thrust of his hands, he sent them flying toward the beast. The chains struck its tough hide with enough force to create a cloud of smoke that temporarily blinded it.
Using this distraction to their advantage, Mystogan invoked another spell: "Two Layered Magic Circle: Blanket of Sleep."Two intricate magic circles appeared above the creature and bathed it in a wave of soothing magic energy. The beast faltered mid-charge before collapsing heavily onto the ground—immobilized by Mystogan's spell.
As the dust settled around them, they approached the now-docile creature cautiously and spotted their prize—a zip line hanging from a nearby tree just beyond where the beast had fallen.
"Well," Loke said sheepishly as they prepared to climb up toward their next destination, "I guess I could've used my chain magic to get us up there instead."
Mystogan didn't respond but gave him a silent nod before leading the way up the zip line.
"Yeah… Naruto's dumbness rubbed off on me," Loke muttered under his breath as he followed Mystogan upward
With Mira and Kagura
Mira and Kagura moved cautiously through the undergrowth, their senses heightened as they searched for signs of the zipline. The task seemed deceptively simple, but both women were acutely aware that nothing in the S-class trials was ever as straightforward as it appeared.
"What do you think Naruto planned for this?" Mira asked, her curiosity evident in her tone as she brushed aside a low-hanging branch.
"Why are you so sure it's always him? Maybe Master could have planned something," Kagura replied, her voice calm but tinged with skepticism.
Mira chuckled softly, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Hmm, maybe. But all of this screams that blonde troublemaker. I wouldn't be surprised if those ziplines have some pranks set up on them."
Kagura sighed, shaking her head slightly. "It does make sense why Master insisted on using them instead of letting us fly."
Their conversation was interrupted as they emerged into a clearing, and Mira's eyes widened in surprise. "Look at that—a tall beast," she said, pointing ahead.
Standing before them was an enormous creature grazing peacefully on the lush grass. Its towering frame was covered in thick fur that shimmered faintly in the sunlight filtering through the canopy above. Despite its size, the creature exuded a calm and non-threatening aura.
"It doesn't seem hostile," Mira observed confidently, stepping forward without hesitation.
"Mira, wait—" Kagura began but stopped herself as she watched Mira stride toward the zipline positioned just behind the beast. The creature raised its head briefly to watch her approach but didn't react aggressively.
"Let's climb this zipline already," Mira declared boldly, gripping the harness attached to the cable. "I want to kick that blonde's ass as soon as possible."
Kagura followed cautiously, her gaze flicking between the beast and Mira's determined figure. As they grasped the zipline handles and prepared to ascend, they both noticed something peculiar—the zipline glimmered faintly in the sunlight. Upon closer inspection, they realized it was coated with a slick substance.
Mira ran her fingers along the cable and frowned. "It's some kind of oil… This will make things interesting."
A loud yell echoed from somewhere across the island: "DAMN YOU NARUTO!" The voice carried outrage and frustration, making both women exchange knowing looks.
"Looks like we're not the only ones dealing with his tricks," Kagura remarked dryly.
Mira smirked but cursed under her breath. "Damn blonde! Always making things harder."
Kagura tilted her head thoughtfully as she surveyed their surroundings. "This isn't just about defeating beasts—it's about working under pressure. And with how windy it is here, this ride is going to be one hell of a challenge."
Mira groaned audibly at Kagura's realization but didn't let it deter her resolve. "Fine! Let's do this."
The apparatus for the zipline was simple—a harness attached to a pulley with handles for grip. The steep angle of the zipline promised a rapid ascent if they could maintain their hold against the slick oil coating it.
Taking a deep breath, Mira infused her hands with magic to create a thin barrier between her skin and the slippery surface. Kagura followed suit, concentrating as a soft glow emanated from her palms.
"Ready?" Mira asked, determination blazing in her eyes.
"Ready," Kagura affirmed firmly.
With mutual nods, they leaped off the ground together. Their weight pulled down on the pulleys as they ascended rapidly into the canopy above. The wind roared in their ears while the forest floor blurred beneath them in shades of green and brown.
Halfway up, they marveled at the breathtaking view—a panorama of Tenrou Island's lush beauty stretched out before them. But their moment of awe was short-lived as small lacrima crystals embedded along the zipline began disrupting their magic-enhanced grips. The crystals emitted faint pulses that destabilized their magic flow, forcing them to increase their magical output just to maintain control.
"DAMN YOU AGAIN, NARUTO!" Mira yelled furiously as she fought to keep her grip steady against both wind and magic interference.
Kagura gritted her teeth but remained focused on climbing higher despite the challenges. "He really doesn't make anything easy."
After what felt like an eternity battling wind and unstable footing, they finally reached the upper island—alongside other teams who had also struggled through similar ordeals.
Upper Island
As the six teams reached the upper island, their eyes were drawn to towering rock structures scattered across the clearing. These were no ordinary rocks—they were animated golems. Each one glowed faintly with the magic that brought them to life, their jagged forms imposing and unyielding. At their cores lay the treasure boxes each team needed to secure their advancement.
Even though the golems were classified as A-class threats, their challenge was mitigated by teamwork. Alone, these golems would have posed a somewhat danger; together, the teams swiftly coordinated their attacks to deal with the obstacles.
Cana and Sirius were the first to engage after spotting their golem. The creature roared as it charged toward them, its massive stone fists slamming into the ground and sending shockwaves rippling through the area.
"Let's finish this quickly!" Cana shouted, summoning her cards and unleashing a barrage of magical attacks. "Exploding Cards: Barrage!"The cards detonated on impact, creating cracks in the golem's rocky exterior.
Sirius spread his wings and took to the air, dodging a swipe from the golem's arm. "I'll keep it distracted!" he called out before diving toward its head. With precise movements, he sent wind strikes at its face, chipping away pieces of stone.
Cana spotted a faint glow emanating from the golem's chest—the core. "There it is!" she yelled. With a final coordinated effort, Sirius struck from above while Cana launched an amplified card directly at the core. The golem crumbled into rubble, revealing the treasure box within.
"Got it!" Cana exclaimed as Sirius swooped down to grab it. Handing the box to Cana, Sirius held her by her shoulders and swooped into air, quickly making the descent, ignoring Cana's protests of it being against the rules.
Mira and Kagura faced their golem in a quieter corner of the clearing, away from the chaos unfolding around them. The golem loomed large, its jagged rock body radiating an intimidating presence as it lumbered forward with heavy steps. Mira's sharp eyes locked onto the glowing core buried deep within its torso, her hands already brimming with dark energy.
"Kagura, let's separate it from the others," Mira suggested, her voice steady but commanding.
Kagura nodded silently, gripping her sheathed sword tightly. She dashed forward with incredible speed, her movements fluid and precise. Using the sheer force of her sheathed blade, she struck at the golem's joints with calculated precision. Each strike reverberated through the air like thunder, causing cracks to form along its limbs. With a final blow to its knees, Kagura severed one of its legs entirely, forcing the golem to stumble backward.
Mira seized the opportunity and stepped forward, her hands raised as tendrils of dark magic coiled around her fingers. "Darkness Stream!"she called out, unleashing a torrent of concentrated darkness that blasted through the golem's torso. The attack was powerful yet controlled, carving a direct path to its glowing core.
Kagura didn't hesitate. With unparalleled speed and strength, she delivered a series of precise strikes using her sheathed sword to shatter the exposed core. The golem let out a deep rumble before crumbling into rubble, leaving behind the treasure box nestled within its remains.
"Thanks for covering me," Mira said with a small smile as Kagura handed her the box.
"Let's move," Kagura replied calmly, sliding her sword back into place following Sirius's lead, Mira unfurled her wings and carried Kagura to the lower island.
Freed and Bickslow worked in perfect sync against their golem. Freed inscribed runes mid-air with his rapier-like sword. "Dark Écriture: Bind!"The glowing runes wrapped around the golem's limbs, restricting its movements.
Bickslow cackled as his floating dolls swirled around him. "Babies! Show them what we've got! Line Formation!"The dolls aligned and unleashed a powerful beam of energy that blasted chunks off the golem's body.
As Freed maintained control with his runes, Bickslow targeted its core with relentless attacks until it finally shattered. "That was fun!" Bickslow cheered as they grabbed their treasure and began to descend.
Mystogan observed his golem carefully while Loke twirled his ring impatiently. "What's taking so long? Let's just smash it!"
"No," Mystogan replied calmly. "We need precision."
As the golem charged at them, Mystogan created multiple illusionary copies of himself to confuse it. The golem swung wildly at the illusions while Loke took advantage of its distraction.
"Ring Magic: Lion's Roar!"Loke unleashed a powerful blast of energy that struck the golem's chest, revealing its core. Mystogan followed up with a layered magic circle spell that broke it completely.
With one final strike from Loke's chains, they shattered the core and retrieved their box.
Gray and Wakaba faced a particularly aggressive golem that smashed through trees as it advanced toward them.
"Ice-Make: Lance!"Gray shouted, creating sharp ice spears that pierced through its rocky hide but failed to reach its core.
"Smoke Magic: Crush!"Wakaba summoned smoky fists that pounded against the golem relentlessly. Together, they chipped away at its defenses until Gray spotted an opening.
"Ice-Make: Hammer!"Gray conjured a massive ice hammer and swung it directly at the exposed core, shattering it in one powerful blow. Wakaba grabbed their treasure as Gray smirked triumphantly and made their ride to go down.
"Ice-Make: Slide,"Gray called and both of them quickly jumped on the slide.
Macao and Natsu were among the last to engage their golem, the towering rock creature lumbering toward them with heavy, deliberate steps. Natsu cracked his knuckles eagerly, flames already licking at his fists. His eyes burned with excitement as he grinned widely.
"This is gonna be easy!" he declared confidently.
Macao, however, wasn't so sure. He eyed the golem warily, noting its jagged, uneven form and glowing cracks that pulsed faintly with magic. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Natsu," he warned. "This is not as simp-."
But Natsu was already charging forward, his fists ablaze. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"he roared, slamming his flaming punch into the golem's chest. The impact echoed through the clearing, but much to Natsu's frustration, the creature barely flinched.
"What gives?!" Natsu yelled in disbelief as he landed another fiery blow. "Why isn't this thing going down?!"
Macao's heart sank as he scanned the golem more closely. Unlike the others they had seen, this one lacked the telltale glow of a core in its chest—the treasure box they needed wasn't here. He glanced around and noticed something that made his stomach drop: all the other teams were already descending from the upper island with their boxes in hand.
A sinking feeling settled in his chest as realization dawned on him. They had wasted precious time on a decoy.
"We don't have one…" Macao muttered in despair, his voice barely above a whisper. "We're not going to make it."
Natsu paused mid-attack and turned to look at Macao, confusion etched across his face. "What do you mean? We just have to beat this thing and—"
"It doesn't have a core!" Macao interrupted sharply, pointing to the golem's empty chest. "We've been fighting a decoy this whole time!"
Natsu blinked in surprise before frustration took over. "Then let's find another one!" he shouted, his usual reckless enthusiasm undeterred.
"There aren't any left," Macao said bitterly, gesturing toward the distant figures of their guildmates already making their way down.
For a moment, Macao stood frozen in place, the weight of failure pressing down on him like a physical force. 'I couldn't even make it past the first stage… what a shame.' The thought stung more than he cared to admit.
But Natsu wasn't one to dwell on setbacks for long. His fiery determination flared brighter than ever as he grabbed Macao by the arm. "Then let's get moving! We're not giving up yet!"
"But how—" Macao began before Natsu cut him off with a wide grin.
"We'll slide down Gray's ice slope! Come on!" Without waiting for a response, Natsu dragged Macao toward Gray's makeshift path.
Despite Macao's protests about potential disaster—and forest fires—Natsu was already running full speed toward Gray's ice slide. The slick surface glistened under the sunlight as it snaked down toward the lower island.
"You're insane!" Macao yelled as Natsu leapt onto the slope without hesitation.
"Come on! It'll be fun!" Natsu called back, his voice filled with excitement as he slid down at breakneck speed.
Macao hesitated for only a moment before reluctantly following suit. The icy surface was cold and slippery beneath him as he struggled to maintain balance while hurtling downward alongside Natsu.
However, it quickly became apparent that Natsu's lack of control over his flames was causing more problems than anticipated. His fiery aura melted parts of the ice beneath him, creating uneven patches that sent both mages careening wildly down the slope.
"Watch your flames!" Macao shouted in panic as they narrowly avoided crashing into a tree.
"Huh? What flames?" Natsu replied cluelessly, oblivious to the trail of steam and melted ice forming behind him.
By some miracle—or sheer luck—they reached the bottom without serious injury. As they stumbled off the slide onto solid ground.
The other teams had already gathered near Makarov at the starting point, their treasure boxes secured and their expressions ranging from relief to smug satisfaction. Macao felt a pang of regret as he realized they were among the last to arrive—and without a box of their own.
"We didn't make it," Macao murmured under his breath, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
Natsu placed a hand on Macao's shoulder, his usual grin softening into something more reassuring. "Hey, don't sweat it," he said earnestly. "We'll get it next time! Besides," he added with a mischievous smirk, "this was way more fun than I expected!"
Macao couldn't help but chuckle despite himself. "You're impossible," he muttered with a shake of his head.
As they approached Makarov and joined the others, Macao resolved to learn from this experience and come back stronger next time—even if it meant dealing with Natsu's reckless antics all over again.
And Cut!
That'sit for this chapter folks.
AN:
We get see the beginnings of the trials and already Macao and Natsu are already out. Natsu just seems to not get it lol, bro is too chill for these stresses ;)
Who do you think will make to the final round? Which teams will face off against whom? Let me know in your comments/reviews. Once again, sorry for the long wait, but you will hopefully get updates regularly from now on!
You can vote on the polls on both my patron page (you can vote without paying) and Discord server. Here is the link to the server. I go by Henry there, give me a ping to say hi.
link: discord. gg / SPsSwAcq4b
Hope to see you there!
As always, do share your feedback and suggestions on pairings, story direction, anything really!
Thank you for reading.
Good Day!
Black Infinity 1289,
Ja Ne.