Chapter 163: FTRJ: Chapter 163

Perhaps Gajeel’s unwavering determination reminded Laxus of his own past self, or perhaps it was the impressive teamwork displayed by Gajeel

Perhaps Gajeel’s unwavering determination reminded Laxus of his own past self, or perhaps it was the impressive teamwork displayed by Gajeel and Levy that ultimately swayed him.

Regardless, Laxus ultimately allowed the pair to proceed to the next stage of the trials.

“That Laxus guy, he’s seriously strong, like a monster,” Gajeel commented involuntarily, overhearing the others’ discussion of the trials.

“Alright, everyone, are we all accounted for?” Makarov’s voice cut through the chatter as he approached the group, his hands clasped behind his back.

“Master,” the guild members responded in unison, turning their attention towards Makarov.

“Then, I shall now announce the results of the first stage,” Makarov declared, his voice resonating with authority.

Makarov surveyed the assembled crowd before announcing the results of the first stage of the trials.

“Cana and Lucy defeated Freed and Bickslow, they advance!”

“What?!” Gray exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief. He couldn’t believe that Cana and Lucy had managed to defeat the formidable team of Freed and Bickslow.

Makarov, unfazed by Gray’s astonishment, continued to announce the results. “Natsu and Happy successfully navigated Gildarts’ trial, they advance!”

“I don’t believe it~~” Gray cried out, his hands flying to his head in disbelief.

“Levy and Gajeel overcame Laxus’s challenge, they advance!”

“And finally, Gray and Loki were fortunate enough to select the ’Quiet’ route, they advance!”

“Does that mean four teams have been eliminated?” Gray inquired, his voice laced with curiosity.

“Essentially, yes,” Makarov confirmed, nodding in agreement. “Juvia and Lisanna encountered Finn, Mest and Wendy faced Erza, and Elfman and Erza faced Mirajane!”

Upon hearing Makarov’s announcement, a murmur of sympathy rippled through the crowd, as the guild members expressed their commiseration for the unfortunate teams who had encountered such formidable opponents.

Just as Makarov was about to announce the details of the second stage of the trials, Elfman’s voice cut through the air. “Wait just a moment!”

All eyes turned towards the source of the interruption.

Elfman and Erza, supporting each other, approached the group.

“We successfully defeated Mirajane!” Elfman announced proudly, his voice filled with a mixture of relief and exhilaration.

“We successfully completed the first stage of the trials!” Erza added, her voice echoing Elfman’s triumphant tone.

“What?!” Makarov exclaimed, his surprise evident in his voice.

“How did you manage to defeat Mirajane?” Happy inquired, his voice laced with curiosity.

“…” Elfman’s eyes twitched slightly, a hint of embarrassment evident in his expression.

“As a true man, I cannot reveal the details of our victory,” Elfman declared resolutely, his voice unwavering.

Erza, equally reluctant to divulge their strategy, offered a similarly vague explanation. “Let’s just say… we capitalized on a fleeting opportunity.”

Upon hearing their responses, the other guild members exchanged knowing glances, surmising that Elfman and Erza had likely employed some less-than-honorable tactics to secure their victory.

“Ahem,” Makarov cleared his throat, attempting to restore order to the proceedings.

He then addressed the assembled guild members. “In any case, we shall now proceed to the second stage of the trials,” he announced, his voice resonating with authority.

The guild members perked up, eager to hear the details of the next challenge.

Makarov stood upon a nearby rock, his gaze sweeping across the assembled group before announcing the details of the second stage of the trials.

“The second trial involves locating the grave of the Fairy Tail guild’s first master, Mavis Vermilion, which is hidden somewhere on this island,” Makarov declared, his voice clear and resonant.

“You have a time limit of six hours,” Makarov stated, his voice firm and unwavering.

Seeming to sense that some members of the audience might not have fully grasped the time constraint, Makarov repeated himself, his voice laced with a hint of emphasis. “Remember, you only have six hours!”

“I shall be awaiting your arrival at the grave of the first guild master,” Makarov concluded, before turning and departing from the scene.

————

Meanwhile, at the Fairy Tail guild’s temporary base on Tenrou Island, Finn and Nancy, having confirmed their suspicions regarding Mest’s suspicious behavior, decided against making a public announcement.

After all, they were still uncertain of Mest’s true motives and his current whereabouts. However, they were aware that Mest and Wendy were currently en route to the temporary base.

Therefore, Finn and Nancy devised a plan to apprehend Mest and question him the moment he arrived.

The wait, however, proved to be rather tedious.

Finn’s face registered a look of utter dismay as he observed Erza and the pot of unidentified soup she had prepared.

“I must say, your complexion appears rather ghastly,” Nancy remarked, her voice laced with a hint of concern as she observed Finn’s grim expression.

Finn discreetly pointed towards Erza’s culinary creation, his expression one of utter apprehension.

“Who on Earth allowed Erza to take on the task of preparing our meal?” Finn questioned, his voice laced with a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

“Why would anyone in their right mind allow Erza to cook?” Nancy exclaimed incredulously, her voice filled with astonishment. “Surely, everyone knows that Erza is widely regarded as the culinary equivalent of a terrifying demon!”

“Why would anyone willingly subject themselves to such a fate?” Nancy added, her voice laced with a hint of disbelief.

“Look at you, all scaredy-cat. It’s just cooking; how bad could it possibly be?” Nancy scoffed, expressing her disdain for Finn’s evident apprehension.

Nancy recalled her experiences surviving in the wilderness, during which she had consumed countless inedible substances.

Surely, anything Erza could prepare wouldn’t be any worse than those culinary atrocities.

Finn shook his head, his eyes filled with utter disdain. “You are far too naive, my dear Nancy. Perhaps you should take a look for yourself?” he suggested, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

Conveniently, Erza had stepped outside the tent to gather additional ingredients. Nancy, completely unconvinced by Finn’s words, spread her wings and flew towards the pot of simmering soup.

The moment Nancy caught sight of the soup’s contents, her expression transformed dramatically.

Slowly turning around to face Finn, Nancy’s face registered a look of sheer terror.

Her small paw trembled uncontrollably as she pointed towards the pot. “It’s… it’s green…” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

To Nancy’s credit, she had never before encountered a soup of such a peculiar, unnerving shade of green. The soup appeared to be practically radiating toxicity.

Nancy swiftly flew towards Finn’s side, immediately offering a sincere apology. “I must admit, my previous statement was perhaps a tad excessive,” she confessed, her voice laced with a hint of embarrassment.

“What are we going to do now? Surely, we’re not expected to actually consume that… that… thing?” Nancy exclaimed, her face conveying a look of utter refusal.

Just as Finn and Nancy were succumbing to despair, Mirajane’s voice echoed from outside the tent.

At that precise moment, her voice sounded like a divine intervention, causing both Finn and Nancy’s eyes to well up with tears of relief.

“We’re saved!” they exclaimed simultaneously.

“Mira!!” Finn and Nancy rushed towards Mirajane the moment she stepped into the tent.

“Huh?” Mirajane exclaimed, her face covered by her hands as she looked at the pair, her expression one of utter confusion. “What on Earth is going on here?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.

“Mira! You’re our only hope now!” Finn declared urgently, his voice filled with a sense of desperation.

“Yes, yes! Mira, please, I implore you, prepare a meal for us. I’m simply not prepared to face the prospect of death!” Nancy pleaded, clinging desperately to Mirajane, her golden face filled with a look of earnest supplication.

After a brief glance at the unidentified substance simmering in the pot over the fire, Mirajane finally understood the source of Finn and Nancy’s distress.

With a gentle smile, she stroked Nancy’s head reassuringly.

“Very well,” Mirajane responded, her voice laced with a hint of amusement, “I shall gladly take on the task of preparing a meal for you both.”

Upon hearing Mirajane’s words, a wave of relief washed over Finn, causing him to involuntarily grasp Mirajane’s hand, his expression one of profound gratitude.

“Mira, you’re truly a lifesaver!” Finn exclaimed, his voice filled with heartfelt appreciation.

“Um…” Mirajane’s face flushed crimson, her cheeks reddening noticeably as she responded softly to Finn’s heartfelt expression of gratitude. “There are others present…” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“Others?” Finn’s gaze shifted towards Nancy, a hint of suspicion evident in his expression.

Upon encountering Finn’s piercing gaze, Nancy instinctively averted her gaze, her expression one of sheepish embarrassment.

“Please, continue with your heartfelt exchange. I haven’t witnessed a thing…” Nancy mumbled, her voice barely audible.

“See? No one’s here,” Finn said, flashing a broad smile.

“Ahem…” Just as the pair were engaged in a tender moment, a series of gentle coughs emanated from outside the tent, causing Lisanna and Juvia to cover their eyes, their faces flushed with embarrassment.

“Um… we sincerely apologize for any interruption,” Lisanna and Juvia stated in unison, their voices laced with a hint of awkwardness.

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