Cana looked at a tarot card in his hand, which showed a traveler carrying a suitcase.
That is the card that represents "Father".
In her mind, the man with orange hair, always carefree, and known as "the strongest Mage" - Gildarts.
That's her father.
However, that man didn't even know she existed.
Every time I see him being so kind to Natsu and Lisanna, Cana feels like a needle pricking his heart.
She wanted to tell him.
I want to shout out "Daddy" loudly.
But she didn't dare.
She felt that she was too weak and not worthy of being that man's daughter.
"Just be S-Class..."
Cana Clenched his fist tightly.
"As long as I become S-Class Mage and prove that I have enough strength, I will have the courage to stand in front of him and tell him the truth!"
At this moment, the light from the magic circle outside swept across.
Cana held his breath nervously.
The light stopped less than ten meters away from the tree hole.
The shrinkage of the safe zone stops.
"Huh..."
Cana breathed a long sigh of relief and collapsed in the tree hole.
Fortunately, I'm still in the circle.
She glanced at the dark jungle outside, and when she heard the Roar sound of beasts coming from the distance, her eyes became firm again.
This night is destined to be sleepless.
The first ray of sunshine in the morning pierced the mist over Tenrou Island, but it could not dispel the tense atmosphere shrouded deep in the jungle.
There is an oppressive magic in the air.
That is a sign that the "Survival Zone" magic circle is shrinking.
The purple light curtain is like an insurmountable high wall, slowly advancing from the surroundings of the island to the center. All trees and rocks touched by the light curtain are instantly repelled and squeezed by some force.
Cana was hiding in a bush, his chest heaving violently.
She looked at the purple light curtain behind her that was getting closer and closer, and a thin layer of cold sweat broke out on her forehead.
"Damn, the contraction is getting faster."
Cana gritted his teeth and held the tarot cards in his hands tightly.
She spent a frightening night. She had to avoid the ferocious monsters on the island, but she also had to be constantly alert to possible competitors.
Now that the assessment has come to an end, the scope of activities has been compressed smaller and smaller.
This means that encounters are inevitable.
"Don't touch Erza... and don't touch Mirajane..."
Cana prayed silently in his heart.
For her now, those two monster-level women are simply invincible. Her only hope is to use the terrain to survive until the end, or to make a mistake.
However, the more you are afraid of something happening, the more likely it is to happen.
Just when Cana was cautiously moving towards the center of the safe zone.
In another dense forest a few kilometers away.
"Boom!"
There was a loud noise.
The two figures collided fiercely in mid-air, causing a shock wave that broke the surrounding trees.
The smoke and dust dispersed.
Mirajane flapped her devil wings and was suspended in mid-air. The crimson vest on her body was somewhat damaged, revealing her fair skin, but her eyes were burning with feverish fighting spirit.
"Finally caught you, Erza."
Mirajane licked his lips, his right hand turned into a ferocious demonic claw, and black magic wrapped around his fingertips.
"Now let's see where you run."
Opposite her.
Erza is holding a long sword and wearing "Armor of the Flame Empress", standing steadily on a boulder. Although her breathing is steady, her eyes are extremely solemn.
"Mirajane."
Erza said in a deep voice, the sword in his hand pressed down slightly.
"Now is not the time for us to duel."
"Huh? Are you scared?"
Mirajane sneered, the wings behind him suddenly flapped, and he swooped down.
"Stop talking nonsense! Defeat me first and then talk!"
"Dang!"
The sharp claws and the long sword collided in the air, and sparks flew everywhere.
Erza flicked his wrist and used the force to jump back and widen the distance.
"Calm down!"
Erza shouted loudly, stuck the sword on the ground, and opened his hands to signal a pause.
"You have a clear look at the current situation! There are less than three hours until the end of the assessment!"
"So what?"
Mirajane stopped in mid-air, looking unhappy.
"As long as I knock you down, there will be one less competitor for the S-Class quota."
"Stupid."
Erza shook his head with a serious tone.
"Have you forgotten? In the last two hours, those two guys will end up."
Hearing this, Mirajane's movements froze.
Those two guys.
Lu Chongwei.
Laxus.
These two names are like two mountains, weighing heavily on the hearts of all candidates.
Erza saw that Mirajane had listened and continued to analyze:
"If we fight to the death here now, no matter who wins, the remaining magic power and physical strength will definitely not be able to support the next battle."
"Let alone facing that monster Lu Chongwei, even if it's Laxus, we have no chance of winning."
"When the time comes, both of us will be eliminated."
Mirajane put away the anger on his face, fell back to the ground, and partially released the reception state.
She crossed her arms and frowned.
Although I hate to admit it, what Erza said is true.
Lu Chongwei is an unfathomable guy, and no one has ever seen him at full strength. Laxus is also a violent maniac, and Lightning Dragon Slayer Magic has amazing destructive power.
Facing the prosperous examiner in a tired state is courting death.
"Then what do you mean?"
Mirajane glanced at Erza and spoke harshly.
"Is it possible that you want to sue for peace?"
"No, it's an alliance."
Erza stepped forward and extended his right hand.
Those eyes that were usually serious and cold were shining with ambition at this moment.
"Let's join forces."
"Join forces?" Mirajane seemed to have heard some joke.
"That's right."
Erza nodded with a firm tone.
"The rules only say to defeat the examiner or survive 24 hours. It does not prohibit candidates from cooperating against the examiner."
"As long as the two of us join forces and defeat one of Lu Chongwei or Laxus first, we can both directly advance to S-Class!"
"This is not only to pass the assessment, but also to prove our strength."
Erza looked at Mirajane with a provocative smile.
"Or do you think you can defeat Lu Chongwei by yourself?"
This sentence accurately hits the pain point of Mirajane.
Lu Chongwei.
The man who smiles and drinks milk all day long, but is ridiculously strong.
Over the past year, Mirajane, although he didn't say it with his mouth, he had been holding back his energy in his heart.
She wants to win him.
Even once.
"Cut."
Mirajane curled his lips and glanced at Erza's extended hand.
"Although I hate your preaching tone."
"But..."
Mirajane reached out and held Erza's hand heavily.
"Beating Lu Chongwei sounds really fun."
The two hands were held tightly together.