Promoted to S-Class Mage!

Having said that, Gildarts abruptly withdrew his magic, revealing a smile on his face.

Without the support of Gildarts' magic, the vast torrent above the three of them suddenly pressed down, as if the Milky Way were collapsing and about to engulf them.

But none of them cared about the impending crisis; they were all focused on accumulating magical power within their bodies.

Golden lightning coiled around Laxus's body as he channeled all the magic he had obtained from Yuri into his right fist.

Blinding, violent lightning surged wildly in his hand, seemingly eager to unleash it.

Yuri's Devil Bringer shone with the most dazzling blue light ever seen, as if he had squeezed every last drop of magic from his body, constantly pouring it into the illusory magical arm.

Only when the exaggerated fist swelled to its limit did it suddenly begin to contract, completely merging into the Devil Bringer.

The dazzling blue light also began to recede and compress until it transformed into a faint white light that clung to the Devil Bringer.

But unlike before, the white light in Yuri's hand flashed three times in succession, becoming brighter each time, until the final fourth time, when the faint white light finally became as dazzling as the brilliant blue light.

"Dragon Slayer Secret Technique: Thunderous Roar!"

"Earthshaker - Inferno!!"

Laxus and Yuri stood on either side of Gildarts, facing each other, and simultaneously unleashed their strongest attacks.

A devastating impact and a torrent of lightning.

For a moment, Gildarts seemed to see a ferocious Devil and a raging dragon roaring at him.

Faced with this powerful combined attack, he slowly raised his right fist.

Just like I said before, he will never let us off easy!

The gathered magic was released in an instant, and Gildarts' fist was enveloped in a dazzling white light.

Faced with the teenagers' determination to give their all, he responded with the utmost sincerity.

"Dispelling Evil and Revealing Justice - One Day!"

"Boom--!"

As the three fists collided, the surging magical power was detonated in an instant.

A magical shockwave, like a dome, spread outwards, flattening everything within its range.

The earth trembled, the river flowed backward, and a deafening roar echoed throughout the entire Lansala Rainforest.

S-Class magical beasts trembled in fear under this might, while magical beasts below S-Class were so terrified they ran away in terror.

The lake that was originally located in the very heart of the Lansala Rainforest has long since disappeared, leaving only a bottomless crater that looks like it was hit by a giant meteorite.

Makarov, perched on the cliff, stared wide-eyed at the scene unfolding in the distance, clutching his head in terror. "What the hell did those brats do?!"

He seemed to have already foreseen the scene of Magic Council!

Should we compensate for such a huge hole? I hope we don't lose all the extra money we made this time!

The thought of all this left Makarov feeling utterly exhausted, as if his very soul was about to leave his mouth.

A long time...

Gildarts emerged from the jungle behind them, carrying Yuri and Laxus on his shoulders.

The two were covered in injuries, their heads and bodies drooping helplessly, seemingly unconscious.

Laxus was alright, because he had the physique of a dragon, so even though his body was covered with wounds of all sizes, it wasn't a big deal.

Yuri, however, was in a worse state; his right arm was twisted in a strange shape, like a mountain path leading to his grandmother's house.

His entire body was covered in bruises, and even if it wasn't as bad as his right arm, it probably wasn't much better.

His physical attributes and recovery abilities are clearly no worse than Laxus's, and may even be stronger, than those of Laxus who was modified by Dragon Slayer Magic.

But he was still injured like this, which shows just how crazy he was back then.

As for Gildarts, he was not unscathed either.

His orange slicked-back hair was scattered like a chicken coop, and because of the lightning, it had become somewhat curly and charred.

His chin was also swollen and protruding, and his cloak and clothes were covered with holes of all sizes.

He looked quite disheveled.

And...

"What happened to your arm?" Makarov asked, noticing something amiss with Gildarts's right arm.

Gildarts moved his right hand slightly and said with a wry smile, "It's slightly dislocated."

"Dislocation?" Makarov asked, puzzled, then shook his head helplessly. "No matter what, you've gone too far."

"Haha, this was an accident, an accident. I didn't expect them to grow up so fast." Gildarts scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed.

Recalling the collision at the bottom of the lake, the injury to his arm was basically the result of Yuri's attack.

That guy really meant what he said; he went to such lengths just to give him a good punch.

Honestly, have I offended him somehow recently? Why would he be so ruthless...?

This kid is really impressive; perhaps it won't be long before he truly surpasses him.

Final.

Yuri and Laxus woke up in a small cabin in the woods east of Magnolia.

This is the secluded home of Porlyusica, a close friend of the president in his youth. This tall, elderly woman possesses exceptional medical skills and healing magic.

After her treatment, both of their injuries healed quickly.

However, the president had a terrible time. It's said that when she first arrived, she was given a severe scolding by Granny Porlyusica.

He's a grandfather, yet he's being insulted like a grandson, and he doesn't even dare to talk back...

In Porlyusica's words, "That kid's right arm was almost shattered to pieces, and he had fractures of varying degrees all over his body. If it weren't for his incredibly strong will to live, anyone else would have died eight hundred times over."

The president repeatedly apologized, expressing that he recognized his mistake.

"So who won the S-Class Exam in the end?" Yuri, wrapped up in bandages like a mummy, asked.

Although not as exaggerated Yuri's, Laxus, whose chest and head were also bandaged, looked over at the same time.

Looking at these two incredibly competitive kids, Makarov sighed and facepalmed. Did they even understand the real focus of this S-Class Exam?

But...

That being said, the announcement still needs to be made, and he was indeed very satisfied with the two's performance this time.

Makarov stared intently at the two of them, coughed twice, and then spoke seriously, "Gildarts and I have both seen your performance in this assessment."

"Whether it's strength, perseverance, willpower, or spirit."

"So..."

Makarov paused, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the two men, before finally announcing slowly, "You've both passed!"

Gildarts leaned against the doorframe and congratulated them, "Congratulations on becoming two young, newly promoted S-Class Mages."

"S-Class, huh..." Laxus muttered to himself, his eyes darting around, lost in thought.

"But isn't our assessment based on who gets the most points?" Yuri suddenly raised his right hand and asked.

"Idiot, don't move around like that!" Porlyusica's irritable voice came from the other side, Yuri quickly lowered his hand.

Makarov shrugged and casually explained, "Hehehe, because you both had the same final score, you both became S-Class Mages."

"Huh? What's that!" Yuri protested, gesturing wildly.

"I told you not to move!"