The next morning, after breakfast, Gildarts and Kael set off toward the opposite shore of Tenro Island, leaving the guild members behind to continue the camping activities with the master.
Along the way, Gildarts chatted incessantly, trying to fill the air with lighthearted conversation. Kael responded to every comment, keeping the atmosphere seemingly friendly. Kael felt it was going smoothly, but Gildarts had a faintly strange impression — it almost seemed like Kael was sulking.
"Alright, this is the spot. Laxus took his trial here too," Gildarts announced as they reached the opposite side of the camping beach. Standing with one hand on his hip, he laughed at Kael.
Neither paid any attention to the devastation surrounding them — they knew the landscape might soon look even worse.
"Let the trial begin."
Gildarts's voice turned serious. A surge of pure white magic erupted violently from his body, shooting straight into the sky. The ground cracked and split beneath them, fissures spreading outward as his power increased. A terrifying gust of wind slammed toward Kael, lifting his hair and clothes, but he remained completely composed, observing the scene with calm interest.
Kael's excitement surged. At 90% of his current strength, he was eager to measure his power in the world of Fairy Tail — and here was the perfect sparring partner before him.
He released all of his own magic in response. His golden aura erupted skyward, clashing violently with Gildarts's white energy. Neither side gave way. Finally, Gildarts withdrew his magic, and Kael followed suit. As the golden energy coalesced in Kael's hands, it formed a brilliant sword.
"Heavenly Cloud Sword."
"Uncle Gildarts, please teach me," Kael said earnestly.
Gildarts squinted, impressed. "What a terrifying kid… you may be younger than Laxus, but to wield this much power at your age? No doubt about it — you're S-Class. Let's see just how far you've come."
Kael held the sword across his chest, charging it with energy, and swung, sending a massive crescent-shaped golden slash hurtling toward Gildarts. The older man narrowed his eyes, spreading white magic from his right hand to form a barrier. The golden slash collided with it, holding for a moment before Gildarts crushed the barrier with a single squeeze, reducing it to sparkling fragments that scattered in the air.
Kael knew this move couldn't hurt Gildarts. Immediately, he vanished in a flash, reappearing to the elder's right. His sword bristled with Armored Haki, glowing purple-gold, and came down in a devastating strike.
"When did—?" Gildarts's eyes widened in surprise at Kael's speed and combat awareness. He couldn't react with his right hand in time. But Gildarts's experience won out; he kicked off the ground and swung his right hand, shattering Kael's first strike.
The slash split the beach in two, slicing through the ocean, sending massive waves into the newly formed ravine.
"That was close, kid! Hahaha, not bad, not bad," Gildarts laughed, clearly impressed.
"Tch~" Kael muttered under his breath. He would have been proud if not for his sword dissipating into light particles.
"Unbelievable… you really are strong, just as Laxus said. And in such a short time…" Gildarts muttered, crushing residual magic from the sword with his left hand.
"Not done yet, Uncle!" Kael shot into the sky, pressing his hands together. A golden light formed between his palms, expanding as he stretched them apart. "Holy Light Magic: Eight Shaku Jewel!"
Countless laser-like beams rained down, blanketing Gildarts's area. Explosions shattered the already scarred ground, forming new massive craters. Back at the guild's campsite, everyone stopped what they were doing, turning to witness the spectacle. Cana's eyes widened, anxious for the two combatants despite knowing it was just an exam.
When the smoke cleared, the dense assault had caused the terrain to sink dramatically. Only the ground beneath Gildarts remained intact, protected by a circular white barrier.
"What a tricky magic… can't beat it? Then let's settle this with a martial duel," Kael declared. Armored Haki surged over his body, forming purple-gold armor, and he launched into the air with a shockwave of force, dashing straight at Gildarts.
"Hahaha, I'm fired up too, kid!" Gildarts laughed, excited to test the guild's newest strong talent.
Kael swung his fist with all his strength, colliding with Gildarts's terrifying Crushing Magic, "Exorcise Evil — One Day." Their energies intertwined and exploded outward, cracking the ground, sending rocks flying, and obliterating everything nearby. Both fighters were thrown back by the sheer force — Kael rolled in the air to regain footing, while Gildarts planted one foot to stop his slide.
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The two locked eyes, excitement blazing, and charged again. Fists collided; Kael leapt with a downward kick that Gildarts blocked. Both fighters' mastery of martial arts came to the forefront. Anyone watching would feel compelled to eat extra bowls of food just to celebrate the spectacle.
After an indeterminate period, their martial duel paused. Kael's purple-gold armor was in tatters, his chest heaving. He looked at Gildarts — mostly unscathed except for minor bruises — and smiled.
"Uncle, try this final strike."
Kael released his armor magic and hovered, gathering golden energy in one hand. The orb expanded until, from the ground, it looked like a second sun, radiating oppressive force. Magic overflowed around the sphere, threatening everything nearby.
On the beach, everyone stared up at the "second sun" in awe.
"Insane…" Natsu exclaimed, eyes sparkling with excitement.
Makarov shook his head, muttering in exasperation, and rushed toward the trial site.
Gildarts looked at Kael bathed in light, a slight seriousness in his eyes, though the smile remained — this was pure joy.
"Not bad, kid. Now I'll give it my all."
"Exorcise Evil — Absolute Heaven!"
"Holy Light Magic: Shining Stars!" Kael hurled his orb at Gildarts's strongest magic. A blinding explosion erupted at the point of collision. Makarov, arriving just in time, deployed Three Pillars to absorb the impact.
When the light faded, the shoreline had vanished, leaving only the spots where Gildarts and Makarov stood. The sea rushed in to fill the void.
Kael landed beside Gildarts, gasping. Both were exhausted — Gildarts's cloak was gone, clothes torn, hair in wild disarray — yet he laughed, patting Kael's back in admiration.
Makarov transformed into his giant form, striking the ground to halt both combatants. "Enough, both of you!"
"Kael," he scolded seriously, "never use this spell without my permission if there's no real danger to life. If Gildarts hadn't countered most of it, the consequences would have been severe."
"Yes, Master," Kael replied, bowing in respect.
Guild members arrived, awestruck by the destruction of the shore. Laxus clenched his fists, determined to train harder and catch up to Kael. Erza and Mirajane remained equally stunned, their minds still reeling.
The master declared Kael and Laxus had both achieved S-Class rank, and the guild immediately began preparations for a celebratory feast. Everyone cheered. Kael, already thinking ahead, planned to study new forms of magic to expand his path in the magical arts.