(Heartfelt thanks to 'Zhen Yi', 'Silver Sparkle 7', 'Li Jing Rui', 'Dongfang Wansui', 'Long Lian Qingxue', 'Zhai A Hao', 'Yi Yiying', 'Mikoto-nee', 'Q Yongjiang Yiku Q', and 'Bing Yue Ying' for their rewards!)
"What?"
Sting had only just returned to the contestants' area and had not even had time to say a word before this unexpected matchup jolted him awake.
"Yukino against that man?" Rogue, Rufus, and Orga were equally stunned.
As for Yukino, she froze outright. When she came back to her senses, an unprecedentedly brilliant light bloomed in her eyes. Beneath her coat, her delicate hands slowly clenched into fists and trembled slightly.
It was not fear, but excitement.
Finally...
She could finally display her strength before that person...
What incredible luck...
At this moment, Yukino felt only excitement, without the slightest trace of fear.
Sting, Rogue, Rufus, and Orga, on the other hand, gradually darkened.
Because there was no way around it.
Although Yukino was quite strong, there was still an enormous gap between her and the Ten Wizard Saints.
Her opponent, meanwhile, was someone who could easily defeat even Jura, ranked fifth among the Ten Wizard Saints.
Against an opponent like that, Yukino did not have even the slightest chance of winning.
That was why Sting and the others looked so grim.
On the other side, Noah was also somewhat stunned by this unexpected matchup.
"H-How did this happen?" Juvia was caught completely off guard.
"Master Noah is actually facing that Celestial Spirit Mage named Yukino?"
It was not just Juvia. Even Laxus and Gajeel looked at Noah in considerable surprise.
Everyone had clearly seen the fixation Yukino had displayed toward Noah before.
They did not know what connection Noah had with Yukino, but it certainly could not be something simple.
Yet the organizers had arranged