Reaching the Summit

The next day, on an unknown island.

Makarov and the others set out from Harujion Port and arrived at the island after several hours of travel.

Makarov said, "The person assessing you is at the top of this island. Your task is to find them and earn their approval."

"If there are no questions, set off."

After exchanging a glance, Erza and Mirajane each leaped off the ship and headed onto the island.

On the ship, Natsu and the others watched the two leave with envious expressions.

Natsu asked excitedly, "Grandpa, can I go onto the island too?!"

Bang!

"You brat still has a long way to go! Stay put!"

Erza's side.

While staying alert to her surroundings, Erza hurried forward. Suddenly, she spotted a figure in the distance.

"It's you, Er Gou?!"

"Tell me where Ye Yang is!"

Er Gou beckoned to her.

"Beat me, and you can go find the boss."

Erza smiled faintly. "I've long heard that you two have been learning some martial art called the Six Styles from Ye Yang. I've never fought either of you before, so let me see what kind of power these Six Styles have today."

With that, Erza charged at Er Gou with her sword in hand.

"Soru!"

As Erza slashed at him, Er Gou vanished from where he stood and appeared behind her in an instant.

"Rankyaku!"

Er Gou swept his right leg fiercely, sending a blade of air flying toward Erza.

Erza looked slightly startled. She had never expected a human to be capable of cutting out an air blade with nothing but their body.

"Impressive! But it's not enough!"

Then Erza cleaved the incoming air blade apart with a single slash. Er Gou had never expected his attack to be so easily destroyed.

As Erza charged at him again, he vanished from the spot once more. Erza's eyes swiftly swept across her surroundings.

Though she could not see Er Gou's figure, repeated thudding sounds rang out beside her ears.

"Here!"

Erza swung her sword fiercely, and Er Gou's figure indeed appeared before her.

Er Gou hurriedly circulated Magic Power through both arms and blocked Erza's strike, his body sliding dozens of meters backward.

"Impressive. Is this the gap between me and an S-Class Mage? She hasn't even used magic."

Erza looked at Er Gou and said, "If that's all you can do, move aside. You're no match for me."

At that moment, Erza saw Er Gou remove the bracelet from his body.

"What is that?"

"A Gravity Ring the boss gave me to train my body."

"What?!" Erza cried in surprise.

"You were right. While holding myself back like that, I really wasn't your match."

As he spoke, he tossed the Gravity Ring onto the ground, instantly smashing a crater into the earth.

"Whew! That feels much easier."

"Come on, Erza. Let's have a second round."

"Soru!"

Er Gou was several times faster than before, and Erza could not see any of his movements at all.

Er Gou's foot struck directly against Erza's armor. The immense force sent her flying, crashing into a tree.

Boom!

Protected by her armor, Erza did not suffer much injury. She rose to her feet and saw that her armor had been slightly dented by Er Gou's kick.

What incredible speed and terrifying strength.

Can someone without magic really wield such immense power? Ye Yang truly is an unbelievable person.

I can't let my guard down anymore.

"Armor Change: Heavenly Wheel Armor!"

Seeing Erza begin to use magic, Er Gou's expression turned serious. Erza using magic and Erza not using magic were entirely different matters.

"Heavenly Wheel: Chaotic Sword!"

"Tempest Kick: Consecutive Blades!"

Dozens of magic swords collided with dozens of air blades. Before long, every air blade was destroyed, forcing Er Gou to use Soru and leave the range of the rain of swords.

"Heavenly Wheel: Flash!"

The moment Er Gou appeared, Erza's sword struck him directly. He was sent flying backward and slammed viciously into a tree, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

By the time Er Gou raised his head, Erza's sword was already before his eyes.

"I lost. The boss is up there. Go on."

Erza said, "You're very strong. Of the so-called Six Styles, I've only seen two. I believe that once you master all the Techniques, becoming an S-Class Mage won't be impossible."

"I'll be going now. The guild master is at the foot of the mountain, and someone will treat your injuries."

With that, Erza continued toward the mountaintop.

"Ow, ow, ow. That really was a painful sword strike. If I hadn't gathered Magic Power around my body, I would've been seriously injured by that."

"I should've learned Iron Body back then. Then I wouldn't have to be afraid of pain."

Elsewhere.

Mirajane had also encountered San Mao.

"You bastard, why are you so good at dodging?!"

"Paper Clone!"

Mirajane's fists continuously struck at San Mao, but his body was like a sheet of paper. She attacked for ages, smashing several Trees to pieces, yet could not touch San Mao at all.

"Arghhh!! This is infuriating!!"

"If I don't hurry, Erza will beat me there!"

"Body Takeover: Satan Soul!"

Looking at Mirajane before him, San Mao could not help swallowing.

"Gulp."

"G-Go easy on me."

Bang, bang...

"Arghhh!!!"

Before long, San Mao lay on the ground bruised and battered.

"Talk! Where is Ye Yang?!"

Trembling, San Mao pointed toward the mountaintop. Mirajane immediately threw him aside and sprinted toward the summit.

Leaving San Mao on the verge of tears.

Before long, the battered Er Gou and the bruised San Mao arrived beside the ship.

The moment Er Gou saw San Mao's appearance, he burst out laughing.

"Did Mirajane really beat you up that badly?!"

"That woman has no martial ethics. I didn't even take off my Gravity Ring before she defeated me with Satan's Soul."

Makarov looked at the two of them and said, "All right, get on the ship quickly."

"Lisanna, bandage the two of them."

"Yes, Grandpa Guild Master."

At the mountaintop.

Erza and Mirajane reached the summit at the same time, both glaring fiercely at each other.

Seeing Ye Yang lying in a chair, they ran over and spoke in unison, "I reached the summit first!"

"It was obviously me!"

"Tell us, who was it!"

"Uh... ladies, becoming an S-Class Mage isn't determined by who reaches the summit first. What's there to argue about?"

"All right, since both of you have reached the summit, I'll announce the final assessment."

The two immediately fell silent upon hearing this.

"The next assessment is simple. The two of you will join forces and attack me. Whoever lasts until the end will become an S-Class Mage."

Mirajane protested, "What if we defeat you instead?!"

Ye Yang said calmly, "Emmm, of course you can. If the two of you can defeat me, I can make an exception and let both of you become S-Class Mages."

The two girls immediately grew excited.

"That's what you said!"