Becoming the Flashiest Guy

The little creature being chased by a rabbit is none other than Eleven, who was separated from Gildarts.

Although Gildarts kept urging Eleven to give up, Eleven was not one to listen to reason; he wouldn't be content without causing some trouble.

While the main force drew Gildarts' attention, this small clone managed to escape on its own. Fortunately, it had been keeping track of the approximate locations of the other three contestants before being split up; otherwise, with its current insect-like fighting power, it might not have been able to find Laxus.

Whoosh!

A thin bolt of lightning descended from the sky, striking the rabbit-like monster precisely in the back of the head, piercing it straight through.

"Eleven? What are you up to?"

Laxus jumped off the rock, cautiously watching little Eleven lying on the ground, panting heavily, full of vigilance. Heaven knows what mischief that kid Eleven is up to now.

"Waaaaah, Laxus, you have to avenge me!" Hearing Laxus speaking to him, little Eleven immediately burst into tears, sobbing, "I was tricked by Macao and Wakaba! Those two not only stole my magic crystals, but also forced me to fight Gildarts! This state I am in is all Gildarts' doing!"

"Waaaaah, you have no idea how dangerous my journey was! I almost died on the way! Gildarts is so awful!"

Perhaps he was genuinely frightened by the various small animals along the way, Eleven's tearful and snotty appearance was completely genuine. As he spoke, he even tried to climb onto Laxus's trouser leg, showing a strong lack of security.

Laxus instinctively wanted to stomp the little thing that kept getting closer to him, but he managed to restrain himself and just took two steps back to avoid letting Eleven's dirty little hands touch him.

Seeing Laxus retreat, Eleven abandoned his plan to wipe his snot on Laxus's trouser leg, sniffed, and continued, "Laxus, in my current state, I can basically say I've failed the test. You just saw it yourself; unless Gildarts is willing to restore me to my original state, I have absolutely no fighting ability."

"However, I absolutely do not want to see Macao and the others win, so, Laxus, I'm here to help you! I can provide you with Macao and Gildarts' locations at any time, and let me assist you in advancing to S-Class!"

Little Eleven tilted his head back and spoke with great passion and sincerity, as if he were ready to sacrifice his life for Laxus at any moment.

Laxus looked down at Eleven, who was only the size of an insect at his feet, and couldn't see his expression at all. However, this did not affect Laxus's judgment; he wouldn't believe a single word Eleven!

Perhaps Eleven really was responsible for Gildarts's current state, but Laxus wouldn't believe it was because Macao and the others forced him to. Eleven definitely courted his own demise and failed, which is why Gildarts dealt with him.

As for having Eleven assist him, he had absolutely no interest in that. He had absolute confidence in himself and did not need anyone else's help.

"Heh, do you think I need your help? Eleven, since you've already lost your fighting ability, just give up already. I'll earn the S-Class throne through my own strength!" Laxus coldly looked down at Eleven, speaking with disdain.

However, Eleven didn't seem to care at all what Laxus said. Shamelessly, he leaned over and patted the rubber sole of Laxus's shoe, saying in a friendly tone, "Hey, don't be so stingy. I haven't had enough fun yet! Besides, it's embarrassing to be the first to quit. At least I'll quit after I've helped you eliminate Macao."

"Laxus, time is running out, let's get going! Oh, and remember to protect me. I'm super weak right now, but if I accidentally die, my original body might really die too. Please, Laxus!"

After saying that, Eleven ignored Laxus's reaction and skipped away into the woods, seemingly eager to begin his revenge plan.

Laxus glanced at Eleven, who had vanished in a flash, pursed his lips, turned around and returned to the rock where he had been sitting cross-legged, continuing to meditate and ignoring Eleven completely.

"What's it to me? Go ahead and die if you want."

However, Laxus had barely sat down when a loud eagle's cry echoed from the woods, followed by Eleven's desperate wails. "Waaah, Laxus, help me!!"

Laxus:(`Д´)

Can't this bastard just behave himself?

Meanwhile, in another direction, in Macao's palm, stood a miniature Eleven, giving a long and eloquent speech.

"Macao, Wakaba, we're in this together now. Although I've lost my fighting ability, I don't want to give up so easily. So, to protect my magic crystal, I've decided to assist you and, without Gildarts discovering us, snipe Laxus!"

Actually, Macao felt a little guilty towards Eleven. Although they were rivals, Eleven was in his current miserable state because of them.

When Little Eleven first appeared in front of them, they almost burst into tears. A dignified near- S-Class mage being chased and screaming by a giant rat? Can you believe it? That's too tragic!

Moreover, after careful consideration, they realized that Eleven's plan wasn't harmful. Regardless of Eleven's future plans, he was currently safe. Furthermore, Eleven's magic crystal was indeed in their hands, so there was no reason for him to jeopardize his own advancement just to harm them.

Macao and Wakaba exchanged a glance, then nodded in agreement, deciding to temporarily follow Little Eleven's orders.

Now let's return to Gildarts' side.

Gildarts, who missed his best chance to escape because he was afraid that Eleven would be attacked by wild beasts, was eventually entangled by the group of Eleven pups.

He was now covered in Eleven from head to toe, standing in the canyon with a look of utter despair, staring blankly at the sky.

Half a day had passed, but Gildarts hadn't gone very far; the large number of burdens hindered his progress.

A little Eleven was swinging on Gildarts' earlobe, completely oblivious to Gildarts's expression of utter despair. He wanted to see how long Gildarts could keep up the act.

"Hey, Gildarts, let me help you find someone, okay? Even though I can't probe very far like this, it's still much better than you just looking with your eyes. Hey, please, please!"