Multiversal Travel

As Mira emerged from the cave, she spotted Makarov waiting for her, his arms crossed and a warm, proud smile lighting up his face.

"You've done it, Mira. Congratulations on passing the first test," he said, his tone filled with genuine pride.

Mira, still catching her breath, managed a small smile. "Thank you, Master. It was tougher than I expected," she admitted, wiping sweat from her brow.

Before Makarov could respond, a familiar voice called out. "You've managed to pass, Mira."

Mira turned quickly to see Erza stepping out of another cave. She looked just as exhausted, but her stride was steady and purposeful.

"Erza!" Mira's face lit up, both in relief and admiration. "You made it too!"

Erza nodded, her expression calm but betraying a hint of fatigue. "Yes, but it was no easy feat," she admitted. Her voice was steady, but her tone carried the weight of the challenge she had just faced.

Makarov clapped his hands to gather their attention. "Since everyone is here, I'll announce the results," he began, looking around. "Erza and Gray successfully passed their trial by facing Gildarts. Mira and Elfman, on the other hand, triumphed over Laxus."

Mira's eyes widened, her gaze snapping to Erza. "You faced Gildarts? And… you beat him?"

Erza shook her head lightly, offering a faint smile. "No, I didn't defeat him. I surrendered," she said simply. "He didn't fight to crush me. He fought to teach me. He reminded me that strength alone doesn't make a mage powerful. It's the ability to adapt and learn. Rain taught us similar lessons during training."

Mira nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful as she glanced at her brother, Elfman, who stood by her side. "Laxus wasn't easy either. He fought with everything he had… but I'm proud of what we accomplished," she said with a small smile.

Makarov cleared his throat, cutting through the moment. "Excuse me for interrupting," he said with a grin, "but I'd like to announce the second test."

"Apologies, Master," the four mages said almost in unison, their attention snapping back to him.

Makarov chuckled. "No harm done," he said. "Now, the second test will focus on teamwork and endurance. This time, you'll face off in a two-on-two battle." His voice grew more serious. "Erza and Gray will form one team, while Mira and Elfman will form the other. Your opponent, however, will remain the same."

Before he could finish, Rain stepped forward from behind Makarov. His calm, almost effortless presence seemed to ripple through the air, a quiet but undeniable strength radiating from him.

"Congratulations on passing the first trial," Rain began, his voice even and composed. His piercing gaze swept over the four mages. "But now, things get serious. Let's see if you've truly grown. Which team will prove themselves as the next S-Class Mage candidates?"

As he spoke, Rain allowed a fraction of his aura to seep out. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was enough to send shivers down their spines. Each of them felt the weight of his presence, their minds battling the creeping doubt.

"He's too strong for us," Mira thought, her fists tightening.

"But there's no backing down," Erza countered silently, steeling herself.

Rain's voice broke through their inner struggles. "Master, I recommend we move to a more open space for this test," he suggested, his tone as calm as ever.

Makarov nodded in agreement. "Good idea," he said, turning to the group. "Follow me, everyone."

Rain gestured with a small tilt of his head, and the four young mages exchanged determined glances. No words were spoken, but a silent resolve passed between them. They weren't going to give up. With a unified determination, they followed Makarov.

After several minutes of running, Makarov came to a stop in a wide, open clearing. The ground was firm, and the surrounding area provided ample space for movement. He turned to Rain. "Will this do?"

Rain surveyed the area, nodding approvingly. "Perfect." He turned back to the group. "Come at me with everything you've got. Show me what you've learned this past year."

Erza stepped forward, her eyes blazing with determination. "Gray, let's do this."

Gray smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Ready when you are."

Mira activated her Satan Soul transformation, her demonic aura flaring to life. "Elfman, we can't hold back now."

Elfman pounded his fists together, his voice booming. "This is what being a man is all about!"

Rain's lips curled into a faint, almost amused smile. "Good. Show me what you're made of," he said, beckoning them with a wave of his hand.

With a battle cry, the fight began.

Mira activated her Satan Soul transformation, her body radiating with demonic energy. Elfman roared as his body shifted, growing larger and more monstrous in his Beast Soul form.

On the other side, Erza switched to her Heavenly Wheel Armor, dozens of swords appearing in a glowing circle around her. Gray summoned an intricate ice sword in one hand and formed a shield in the other, his gaze focused.

Rain stretched his neck casually. "Come at me with everything you've got. No holding back."

With a roar, Elfman charged forward first, his massive fists aiming directly for Rain's torso. Rain side-stepped the attack with incredible speed, grabbing Elfman's arm mid-swing and using his momentum to flip him over. Elfman hit the ground with a thunderous crash but quickly rolled back onto his feet.

"Not bad, but you'll need more than brute force," Rain said.

Mira took to the skies, her wings beating with immense force as she dove at Rain from above, her claws crackling with energy. Rain looked up, his eyes narrowing as he raised one hand. With perfect timing, he deflected her claws with his forearm, sending her spiraling backward.

"That's not going to work either," he said calmly.

Meanwhile, Erza and Gray coordinated their attack. Erza launched her swords in a flurry, each one flying toward Rain at blinding speed. Gray followed by casting "Ice-Make: Prison," encasing Rain in a thick barrier of ice.

"Erza, now!" Gray shouted.

Erza leapt into the air, switching to her Black Wing Armor mid-flight. With a dark blade in hand, she descended rapidly, aiming to shatter both the ice and Rain in a single strike.

Just as Erza's sword made contact, Rain's aura surged, shattering the ice prison from within and sending shards flying in all directions. The force of his energy created a shockwave that threw Erza off balance, but she adjusted in mid-air, landing gracefully a few feet away.

"Impressive teamwork," Rain said, his tone still calm. "But you'll need more than that to defeat me."

Gray narrowed his eyes, summoning a new spell. "Ice-Make: Blizzard Fangs!" he shouted, creating a storm of jagged ice shards that swirled around Rain, cutting off his visibility.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Elfman lunged from the side, his fist glowing with energy. "Take this!" he roared, swinging with all his might.

Rain caught the punch with one hand, his grip unyielding. "Too slow," he said, twisting Elfman's arm and throwing him into the air.

As Elfman came crashing down, Mira appeared behind Rain, her claws glowing fiercely. "Satanic Claw!" she cried, slashing at him with all her strength.

Rain ducked just in time, spinning around to block her next attack with his forearm. The impact created a small crater beneath their feet, but Rain didn't flinch. Instead, he countered with a powerful palm strike to Mira's stomach, sending her flying backward.

Erza and Gray regrouped, realizing they needed a stronger strategy.

"Gray, let's combine our magic!" Erza said.

Gray nodded, forming a massive ice ramp. "Ice-Make: Slide!"

Erza dashed up the ramp, switching to her Lightning Empress Armor mid-run. Sparks of electricity crackled around her as she reached the peak of the ramp and leapt into the air. Gray followed, creating a hailstorm of ice shards that rained down toward Rain.

Rain smirked, his eyes following their movements closely. He raised his hand, forming a barrier of energy that deflected the ice shards with ease.

"Nice try," he said, but his smirk faded when he noticed Erza descending rapidly toward him, her electrified spear aimed straight at his chest.

"Lightning Empress Spear!" she cried, unleashing a powerful bolt of lightning.

Rain crossed his arms, absorbing the attack with his aura. The ground beneath him cracked from the force, but he remained standing.

"That was better," Rain admitted. "But still not enough."

By now, all four mages were breathing heavily, their magic reserves running low. Rain, on the other hand, seemed barely affected.

"I think it's time to end this," Rain said, his tone growing serious. He unleashed his full aura, the sheer pressure forcing Erza and Gray to their knees. Mira and Elfman, already exhausted, collapsed entirely.

Erza clenched her fists, refusing to give in. "Not yet," she muttered, summoning the last of her strength. She switched to her Armageddon Armor, a rarely used form that amplified her strength but drained her magic rapidly.

Gray stood beside her, forming a massive ice dragon with the remainder of his energy. "One last shot," he said.

Rain watched them with a calm expression. "Show me what you've got."

Erza charged forward, her massive blade glowing with fiery energy. Gray's ice dragon roared, following closely behind her. Together, they unleashed a devastating combined attack.

"Blazing Ice Tempest!" they shouted in unison.

The attack created a blinding explosion, shaking the ground and sending shockwaves through the air. When the dust settled, Rain stood in the center, completely unscathed.

"Well done," he said, his voice carrying an unexpected tone of respect. "You've proven your determination. That's enough for today."

He deactivated his aura, and the overwhelming pressure lifted.

The Aftermath

Rain approached Erza and Gray, who were barely conscious but still standing.

"You've passed," he said simply. "Erza, you've earned the title of S-Class Mage."

Erza smiled weakly, nodding. "Thank you... Rain."

Mira and Elfman, though defeated, managed faint smiles.

"You two fought well," Rain said to them. "Keep training. Your time will come."

Makarov, who had been watching from a distance, stepped forward. "Congratulations to our newest S-Class mages, Erza !"

The announcement was met with cheers and applause from the guild when they returned.