### Chapter 17: Passing the First Stage
As soon as the two entered the villa's main hall, they saw a large screen displaying four live feeds.
The feeds showed the four teams currently participating in the exam.
"Hmm? Natsu and Cana ran into monsters so quickly."
Smack!
Seeing the wolf-like monsters surrounding him, Natsu's face showed excitement. Then, with flames igniting on both hands, he rushed forward.
Cana hurriedly shouted, "Natsu! We don't know how many monsters are behind them; save some Magic Power!"
"Wooooaaaahhhhh!!"
"Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!!"
Natsu wrapped his hands in flames, taking down many monsters.
"Dragon Slayer Magic?! Is he the boy in your guild who uses Dragon Slayer Magic?"
Bob was knowledgeable and immediately recognized that Natsu was using Dragon Slayer Magic.
As one of the Lost Magics, Dragon Slayer Magic was extremely rare and powerful.
"A Second Generation Dragon Slayer?"
Makarov shook his head: "No, First Generation."
"First Generation?! How is that possible?!"
Bob was greatly shocked. First Generation Dragon Slayers required dragons to teach them Magic directly, but dragons had disappeared for hundreds of years.
"I'm not sure about the details either, but Natsu is indeed a First Generation Dragon Slayer, taught Dragon Slayer Magic directly by a dragon."
At the same time, Mira and Elfman also encountered monsters. The siblings fought together, cooperating with each other, and the monsters fell one by one.
"Little Mira is amazing! Satan Soul! It's a special Take Over Magic that takes over demon souls!"
Bob also immediately recognized Mira's Take Over Magic.
Hearing Bob praise Mira, a look of pride appeared on Makarov's face.
"That girl Mira has good strength, but her temper is a bit short."
"Eh? This child's Sleep Magic is so strong!"
Bob noticed Mystogan.
On the screen, Mystogan used Sleep Magic to put all the surrounding monsters to sleep, and then easily dispatched them one by one with a knife.
Makarov nodded. Mystogan's Sleep Magic was very domineering; even he could only barely resist it.
Those who were weaker would be slaughtered at will like those monsters after being put to sleep.
However, this kid had communication barriers. He had been in the guild for several years but still hadn't communicated with anyone.
"Oh no! Makarov, that child is surrounded!"
Bob suddenly cried out in alarm when he saw Riku surrounded by a large number of monsters.
"Oh, that little monster! There's no need to worry at all."
Makarov had learned about Riku from Gildarts and knew how terrifying this little monster's strength was.
At this moment, Riku was surrounded by dozens of monsters but didn't panic in the slightest.
"100,000 Volts! Discharge!"
CRACKLE————!!
A blinding electric light suddenly flashed, and powerful lightning spread rapidly from Riku's body, creating what seemed like a lightning domain around him.
"ROAR———!"...
The lightning bombarded the monsters, and all of them were instantly electrocuted and cooked, falling to the ground.
"Wow! Riku is so amazing!"
Happy flew around excitedly. Although he already knew Riku was very strong, every time he saw it, he felt thrilled and shocked.
"Lightning Magic?! The same Magic as little Laxus?!"
Although Lightning Magic was relatively common, it was famous for its power.
Laxus in Fairy Tail used Lightning Magic, and his strength was incredibly robust.
Seeing the relaxed look on the boy named Riku, it was obvious that the Magic just now was merely a casual strike.
Riku directly activated Mantra.
Swish!
The locations of all monsters with Magic Power, as well as the positions of Mira and the others, all appeared in Riku's mind.
"Happy, keep up."
"Aye!"
Boom boom boom boom boom!!
Riku moved rapidly through the forest. Many monsters were taken down by Riku before they even knew what happened.
"So... so amazing!!"
Bob was stunned watching this scene. This was too strong. Releasing powerful Lightning Magic at will, teleporting via lightning, and having such precise perception—this boy named Riku was too powerful.
Makarov wore a proud expression: "Amazing, right!"
Being able to surprise his old friend gave him a lot of face.
However, he was also muttering in his heart. He had heard how strong Riku was and had seen the duel between Riku and Mira, but witnessing Riku in real combat felt too exaggerated.
He finally understood why Gildarts called this kid a monster.
Time passed little by little. When about half the time had elapsed, Riku and Happy were the first to reach the finish line.
"Is the first arrival really Riku?"
At the finish line, Gildarts and Erza were already waiting there.
"Gildarts?! Erza?! Why are you here?"
Happy was very surprised to see the two of them here, but Riku had sensed them long ago, so he wasn't surprised.
"We are the examiners, so naturally, we would be here."
Gildarts said: "Since you're here, just wait a bit first. When the time is up, the second stage of the exam will begin."
After a while, Mystogan, completely covered up, walked over. Seeing everyone, he paused slightly, then without saying a word, found a place to sit down by himself.
"Mystogan?"
Erza looked at Mystogan curiously. She always felt a familiar aura coming from him.
After another while, Mira and Elfman arrived at the finish line. Both of them looked a bit disheveled; obviously, the journey wasn't smooth.
Gildarts glanced at the time and said: "Now only Natsu and Cana's group is missing. It looks like they won't make it."
Suddenly, a voice rang out.
"Wait!!"
Immediately after, they saw Cana supporting Natsu as they walked over. Both were covered in cuts and bruises; one look told that they had been through a fierce battle.
"We passed the first stage!!"