Chapter 187: Go to Become S-Class
"Great! We cleared the first round!" Levy cheered. Deep down, she'd been sure she would fail in the very first stage, but teaming up with Gajeel against Mest and Wendy had gone more smoothly than expected.
"What's so great about it?" Gajeel grumbled. "That guy named Mest was so weak. How did he even get picked?"
Levy shrugged. "I'm not that strong, and I got chosen too. But I expected Mest to be a bit tougher… Something feels off."
She sighed. "Still, that fight was stressful! It's like neither of you considered my feelings, throwing attacks all over the place…"
At that moment, the pair stepped out from the passage exit and found several others already waiting.
"Congratulations," Lucy called over with a smile. "We were kinda worried we'd run into you, Levy, but I'm glad we didn't. Good job!"
Levy's eyes widened. "Lucy? You made it too? That's amazing!" She'd assumed every other team was formidable, but she hadn't guessed Lucy and Cana could break through, too.
Nearby, Gajeel went straight for Natsu, itching for a fight. "Oi, Salamander—so you passed? Then bring it on!" But Natsu—usually the first to bark back—didn't even react. He just sat there, strangely silent.
"What's with him?" Gajeel muttered.
Gray shrugged. "Dunno. He's been like that ever since."
President Makarov appeared, hands behind his back. "All right, it looks like everyone who passed the first stage has arrived."
Cana and Lucy straightened up, listening intently as Makarov recited the results:
Cana and Lucy defeated Freed and Bickslow in the "Fight" route.
Natsu and Happy overcame Su Yan's trial.
Levy and Gajeel won against Mest and Wendy.
Gray and Loke somehow got past Gildarts.
Elfman and Evergreen …defeated Mirajane.
"What?!" Makarov looked visibly startled as he finished that last part. Based on their power levels, Mirajane shouldn't have lost to Elfman and Evergreen. "How on earth—"
"Don't ask," Elfman said, leaning against a wall, battered but alive. "A real man doesn't talk about it."
Evergreen's cheeks were tinted pink. "We found the smallest gap and exploited it."
Everyone else seemed to guess they must have pulled off something…less than honorable to get past Mira. Still, Makarov cleared his throat.
"Well, in any case, five teams have cleared Stage One. Now it's time for the second stage."
Off to the side, Natsu sat perched on a rock, head down. Happy padded over. "Natsu, how long are you gonna sulk about losing?"
Natsu said quietly, "I'm…just thinking."
"Thinking?!" Happy nearly toppled over. In his eyes, Natsu always charged in headfirst without much thought. Lucy sighed.
Suddenly, Natsu stood up with a snap. "Gray! Cana! Levy! Elfman! Let's settle who's taking S-Class, once and for all!"
Gray smirked. "Heh, as if I'd ever lose to you."
"We won't lose either," Levy added, her eyes determined.
"As a man, I accept this challenge!" Elfman roared. "I'll do my best—OOOH!"
"Yeah!" Lucy nodded at Cana. "We're in this too. We're gonna become S-Class together!"
Gajeel rolled his shoulders. "Hah! You're all yapping nonsense."
"Evergreen, let's wipe the floor with them," Elfman declared.
Evergreen simply patted his arm. "Stay focused."
Makarov watched them with a fond smile, then stepped forward. "All right, everyone. The second stage is simple: find the grave of our first master, Mavis Vermillion. You have six hours. Anyone who locates it in time passes this round."
He turned, nodding toward the depths of Tenrou Island. "Off you go. I'll be waiting there."