The battle reached its climax.
Raizel, in his towering Alphamon form, was bound by the massive chains of ice created by Ultear and Gray.
The Evil-Destroying Spear, propelled by Natsu's explosive punch, hurtled toward him like a meteor.
Raizel didn't panic.
He simply crossed his massive, armored arms over his chest.
"Hmph."
With a violent outward swing, he shattered the ice chains. Shards of frozen water exploded outward like shrapnel.
THOOM.
He easily caught the spear.
His armored hands clamped around the shaft of the giant weapon.
The sheer kinetic force of the impact drove him backward, his metal boots carving deep trenches into the rocky ground.
Dust billowed around him.
After steadying himself, Raizel hefted the Giant's Spear and slammed the butt of the weapon firmly into the ground, standing it upright like a monument.
Then, the dark purple digital data swirled around him again.
"Take Over: Release."
The towering black knight vanished, revealing Raizel in his human form.
He dusted off his clothes calmly.
The battlefield fell silent.
Ultear and Erza stood up while panting, sweat dripping from their brows.
They looked at Raizel with confusion.
'Why did he stop?' Erza thought, gripping her swords.
'We still have magic left. The fight has just begun.'
Raizel looked at the four exhausted mages standing before him. He made eye contact with each of them.
"I've felt your strength," Raizel announced, his voice carrying across the clearing. "I have witnessed your coordination, your resolve, and your will."
He paused for a dramatic effect.
"I officially announce the successful candidates for the X780 S-Class Mage Promotion Exam..."
He pointed to the two women.
"Erza Belserion!"
"Ultear Milkovich!"
...
For a moment, there was only the sound of the wind.
Ultear merely furrowed her brows slightly, processing the information. She remained composed, though a flicker of relief crossed her eyes.
On the other hand, the Dragon Slayer exploded.
"WHAT?!"
Natsu began hopping up and down, his face turning red with indignation.
"That's it?! That's the end?! I haven't fought to my heart's content yet! I still have more fire! I haven't used my secret technique! Hey, Raizel! Fight me!"
He was simply too noisy.
BONK.
Erza, who was still clad in the massive Giant's Armor, swung a heavy fist downward.
She pounded Natsu directly into the dirt, burying him up to his waist.
"Be quiet, Natsu."
Feeling that the world had finally quieted down, Erza turned back to Raizel.
She didn't look happy, she looked puzzled instead.
"Why?" she asked, her voice tight. "We haven't defeated you. We haven't even scratched you."
Raizel smiled, a look that said, I knew you'd ask that.
"I don't think I ever said you had to defeat me to pass the S-Class exam, did I?" Raizel crossed his arms.
"I clearly stated earlier: 'As long as you put up a fight that satisfies me, that's enough.'"
"That's enough?" Erza retorted immediately, her pride as a warrior flaring up.
She felt unsatisfied.
Not only did Natsu feel like he hadn't fought enough, but she felt the same way.
Raizel hadn't really fought back during this battle; he had just stood there as a target, testing their attacks.
Moreover, they clearly still had plenty of Magic Power left.
Based on Erza's understanding of Ultear's reserves, the Time Mage probably had enough juice left to restore the damaged landscape of Tenrou Island if she wanted to.
"That is enough," Raizel said, his expression suddenly turning serious.
He nodded firmly.
"An S-Class exam isn't a death match. There is no need to fight until your Magic Power is completely depleted or until you pass out. I have long been aware of your raw strength. I wasn't testing your mana capacity."
He walked closer to them.
"I was observing your qualities."
He looked at Erza.
"From the first round with the Sword Spirits, you demonstrated remarkable leadership and adaptability. You took command of the situation immediately. The fact that you could make Natsu of all people cooperate so obediently and seamlessly was proof enough of your capabilities as a leader."
"Even I might not be able to make Natsu follow orders that well," Raizel chuckled. "That is something I admire about you, Erza."
He turned to Ultear.
"Ultear, you were lucky in the first round, and luck is a skill. But in this battle, you showed your tactical brilliance. You understood the importance of striking decisively. You used your Arc of Time and Ice Make not just for damage, but to control the battlefield and restrict my movements."
"Both of you demonstrated teamwork and the spirit of never abandoning your comrades," Raizel concluded.
"You have the strength. You have the heart. Why shouldn't I let you advance?"
Makarov stepped forward from the sidelines, nodding in approval.
"I agree as well," the Master declared. "Your Magic Power, physical strength, combat skills, and teamwork have been fully demonstrated in these two rounds. I fully support Raizel's decision."
"Mhm, mhm, mhm!" Mavis nodded enthusiastically from her perch, pursing her lips with an air of seriousness.
Seeing the Master and the First Master agree, Erza finally let out a breath she had been holding.
The tension left her shoulders.
She turned to Ultear and Gray and they high-fived in celebration.
"We did it," Erza whispered, a smile finally breaking through her face.
Natsu... was still unconscious in the hole.
...
While the winners celebrated, Ur walked over to the others.
She patted Cana's shoulder gently, comforting the girl who looked down at her feet in disappointment.
"Not just Ultear and Erza," Ur said, her voice warm. "But you too, Mira, Cana, and Kagura—don't be discouraged. You all did well. Take some time to adjust, analyze your weaknesses, and you'll definitely have opportunities next year."
Mira tilted her head and smiled with her eyes narrowed.
While losing was frustrating—especially losing to Ur—she had gained something from it. She had felt the gap between herself and a Wizard Saint, and she had made progress in controlling her power.
Cana took this setback as a harsh lesson. She clenched her fists.
She agreed with Laxus's critique.
'My cards are too weak,' she thought. 'After returning, I need to search for more powerful cards. Legendary decks. Even if I have to ask my old man for help!'
And then there was Kagura.
The young swordswoman was still unconscious, resting against a tree.
Kagura was the one who moved Ur the most.
Watching the girl break sixty-one ice walls had nearly brought Ur to tears.
She had almost wanted to announce that Kagura passed the first round right then and there!
But Ur knew that pity wouldn't help a warrior like her.
'I might have made that test too hard,' Ur thought with a pang of guilt. 'It was an impulsive decision. I didn't think anyone would actually try to break them all.'
It was essentially a matter of bad luck for whoever encountered Ur's path.
But it taught a valuable lesson: sometimes, you face an impossible wall, and you have to break it anyway.
"Let's go then!" Makarov shouted, throwing his hands in the air. "Back to the Guild! TO CELEBRATE WITH A FEAST!"
His tone started flat but pitched up into a squeal of excitement, losing all traces of his dignity as a Guild Master.
...
The group began to board the ship.
"First Master, are you coming back with us?" Ultear asked, looking back at Mavis.
Mavis often chose to return to Magnolia with them when they visited Tenrou Island, enjoying the lively atmosphere of the guild she founded.
"Hmm..." Mavis tapped her chin thoughtfully for a long time. She seemed to be weighing a major life decision.
Finally, she shook her head.
"No. I have some matters to attend to, so I won't be going this time."
"Alright," Ultear nodded.
Laxus had already left via lightning transport before the final battle had even begun.
Raizel was the last to board.
As he stepped onto the deck, he cast a meaningful glance behind Mavis, toward the deep forest.
He smiled slightly, then turned away.
The ship sailed into the distance, disappearing over the horizon.
Mavis stood on the shore, waving goodbye until the ship was just a speck in the distance.
"August," she said softly to the empty air. "Let's go."
The air shimmered.
An old man with a long white beard and a majestic staff materialized beside her.
The General of the Spriggan 12, the Magic King, August.
"Yes, Mother," he replied gently.
As the year was ending, Mavis had expressed a secret desire to travel around the continent of Ishgar.
August had agreed immediately. He planned to take his mother on a tour of the world she had left behind.
With the enhancement of August's immense magic sharing, Mavis could temporarily regain her five senses.
She could feel the wind. She could smell the flowers.
And most importantly, she could taste food.
If she had returned to the Guild for the banquet, she would have been happy, but she would have been a spectator—watching them eat, unable to taste the cake herself.
"I want to eat delicious things," Mavis beamed. "And I want to see the places you've seen."
Moreover, she still didn't want to reveal August's identity to the guild.
The more people who knew about August, the greater the danger that the news would reach Zeref's ears.
She hadn't had enough of being a mother yet.
She felt she owed August too much. She wanted to walk the paths he had walked and experience the life he had lived.
But this time, it was different. August wouldn't be alone.
His mother would be holding his hand.
"Raizel probably guessed I was here," August said, looking at the spot where Raizel had stood.
"He's sharp," Mavis giggled.
August had noticed that glance.
But August knew Raizel was purely guessing—with the Magic King's stealth capabilities, few in this world could truly detect him, and Raizel, despite his growth, wasn't quite there yet.
"Shall we?" August extended a hand.
Mavis took his large, wrinkled finger with her small hand.
"Let's go on an adventure!"
...
The ship docked in Hargeon, and the group returned to Magnolia.
Upon entering the guild, Raizel and the others faced a barrage of questions from the members who had stayed behind.
"Who won?!"
"Did Natsu survive?!"
Makarov climbed onto the bar.
"Listen up!"
He announced the results and the guild immediately erupted in cheers.
"WE GOT TWO NEW S-CLASS MAGES!"
The barrier to the second floor was lifted. Erza and Ultear walked up the stairs, joining the ranks of the elite.
This year X780 was special.
With the addition of two S-Class Mages, the guild's strength had reached a new peak.
And as usual, Makarov threw a grand banquet that lasted for three days and three nights!