Time passed, and the other teams arrived at their first destinations; all of them received the same welcome from the giant monsters.
At the base camp, the examiners observed how each team's situation was unfolding through the magic spheres.
Gray and Loke were slightly surprised to see a dozen monsters emerge from the sand, but neither backed down. Both were the type of mages who faced adversity head-on. Makarov watched as Gray began unleashing his Ice Magic.
"Gray certainly has a disadvantage fighting in a climate that is the exact opposite of what he's used to, but he's still giving it his all," Mirajane commented.
"Loke isn't doing badly either, using Regulus Light Magic to take down the beasts," Erza added.
Laxus stopped watching and walked off to lie down nearby; to him, this test didn't represent any challenge worthy of his attention. Makarov, Erza, and Mirajane watched him leave, but none of the three tried to stop him.
"Gray and Loke's team will undoubtedly pass the first trial," Erza said.
Makarov nodded, agreeing with her assessment.
"The first trial isn't as difficult as it seems. It's extreme, but it can be completed in due time.
Looking at the other participants... at most, Alzack, Bisca, Macao, and Wakaba might take a little longer, but I know they will eventually pass."
Erza looked at the Guild Master and immediately understood his objective.
"So this trial is also a form of training. You're making them fight under harsh conditions against monsters that aren't actually dangerous to them."
Makarov answered without taking his eyes off the magical projection:
"That's right. The S-Class Exam also serves to forge the mages of the guild. Even if they don't reach S-Class status this year, this experience helps them grow and become stronger."
On the projection, Natsu could now be seen fighting the giant monsters. Dragon Slayer Magic was among the most destructive in the guild. Almost effortlessly, Natsu swept through all the beasts by himself. Although Happy couldn't help much with flying due to the extreme heat, that didn't dampen the Dragon Slayer's spirits in the slightest.
The three examiners watched as a colossal blaze erupted from Natsu's mouth, scorching everything in its path. Fire Dragon fists and claws wiped out the creatures one by one.
Makarov watched Natsu and thought that in a year or two, he should be strong enough to enter the S-Class rank. Of course, having the strength was one thing, and becoming a full-fledged S-Class Mage was another; Makarov didn't even want to imagine the kind of trouble Natsu would cause if he achieved that title. Just thinking about it made his blood pressure rise.
"Maybe when he matures a bit, it'll be time to promote him..." Makarov muttered.
Erza raised an eyebrow.
"Did you say something, Master?"
The Guild Master quickly shook his head.
"It's nothing, just thinking ahead."
Meanwhile, Freed and Bickslow defeated the monsters without any trouble. Freed's Rune Magic trapped the desert beasts inside a barrier, while Bickslow's dolls fired continuous blasts of energy at the trapped creatures, leaving them with no escape.
"Those two are strong as well," Mirajane said. "They should already be close to S-Class strength."
Erza agreed, though she knew their reserved attitude sometimes distanced them from the rest of the guild.
Alzack and Bisca used their magic guns to attack from long range. They took a bit more time because their area-of-effect damage wasn't as overwhelming as the others, but they maintained complete control.
Meanwhile, the middle-aged duo walked their final steps of life leaning on improvised walking sticks.
"Dammit, Macao! Why did I agree to come with you to this godforsaken place?!" Wakaba complained, having a miserable time under the blazing sun.
"Because if you had been the nominee, I would have accompanied you to this damn hell too, and you know it!"
"Tsk," Wakaba could only grunt in acknowledgment.
Both middle-aged men still had enough energy to bicker back and forth until they received the welcome of the first trial. Upon seeing the imposing creatures, both froze in place.
"You've got to be kidding me! If you don't die in the guts of those monsters, Macao, I'll finish you off myself!"
Macao swallowed hard.
"Stop hallucinating and get ready to fight!"
Makarov watched the two veterans fight as usual, admiring that they still had the energy to trade insults.
Even though they were having a tough time against the dozen monsters, neither retreated.
They managed as best they could to defeat the creatures thanks to their solid teamwork. The monsters fell slowly but surely.
With that, all teams secured their first token.
"From here on out is where the real gap between each team will show," Makarov said. "If they decide to hunt for the second token without resting, they'll be the first to find it.
With overwhelming force, they can afford to head straight to the next location; but if they've drained too much stamina and magic, they'll have to rest for the night and move out tomorrow."
Erza and Mirajane understood the strategy. The team that arrived first at the designated zone would have time to rest under the shade of the giant rocks, while the others would arrive worn out by the sun and fatigue.
From what the spheres projected, Cana and Alex were the only ones heading straight to the second location without stopping. Behind them advanced Freed and Bickslow, Gray and Loke, and Natsu with Happy, though slightly delayed by comparison. Meanwhile, Alzack and Bisca, along with Macao and Wakaba, decided to set up camp at their respective spots to recover their magic and stamina.
Mirajane expressed a doubt:
"But Master... wouldn't the last teams to arrive have an advantage? After all, the strongest ones would eliminate each other first in the center."
Makarov shook his head with a smirk.
"It's not that simple. Even if a team loses their tokens, they can still steal them from other teams. That way, everything becomes much more interesting."
Erza and Mirajane narrowed their eyes at the short Guild Master.
"You're devious, Master. That's definitely going to cause absolute chaos."
Makarov crossed his arms and huffed with pride:
"Besides, they're more than used to that kind of brawl back at the guild anyway."
Mirajane added with a slightly worried chuckle:
"True, the guys fight a lot at the hall, but they usually do it bare-handed. This time, in a free-for-all battle with magic, people are definitely going to get hurt."
Makarov shook his head nonchalantly once more:
"Don't worry about it. Alex is there. With his magic, he can reverse any injury no matter how severe."
Without another word, the three kept watching the projection, attentive to the impending battle royale about to unfold.