Boom—!!
A world-shaking sound, like the roar of an evil dragon, shook the very heavens and earth.
The entire mountain range trembled. Flocks of birds were startled into flight, plunging from the woods into the high sky like refugees, forming a chaotic mess of "reverse black rain" against the twilight.
Dust and smoke rose from the depths of the valley like a giant beast, swallowing the last of the day's light.
"In the end... it still wasn't enough..."
"Dammit! Just how strong are you, you bastard?!"
The wizards of the guild finally exhausted their last bit of strength and fell helplessly to the ground with a thud.
The dust gradually settled, and Precht walked out, patting the grime off his clothes.
"Although you didn't defeat me in the end, that last move actually made me take a step back. This time, I'll reluctantly consider you to have passed."
His voice remained flat and his expression cold, but those who knew him would understand that Precht's mood at this moment was undoubtedly pleasant.
Unfortunately, no one responded to his words.
The only thing coming through the air was the sound of light snoring.
Precht: "..."
"No way, not even one of them is awake?"
"The quality of sleep among young people these days is a bit too good!"
"Coming back to it, how am I supposed to handle these guys..."
In one day, fifty or sixty people—nearly half the guild's members—had reached this point by passing the first two stages of the examination.
With so many people, Precht certainly couldn't bring them all back to Magnolia by himself.
Should he use chains to bundle them together and drag them back?
Just as this thought popped into his head, a voice came from the woods behind him.
"Are you worrying about how to settle everyone?"
The sudden voice made Precht's nerves tighten for an instant, but he immediately relaxed because he already recognized who was speaking.
"So it's you, Mavis."
"Honestly, you gave me a fright!"
"I was wondering who had the ability to walk up behind me so silently..."
Turning around to look back, he indeed saw the familiar figure walking gracefully out of the forest.
Mavis was the same as ever, not liking to wear shoes, so her footsteps were always quieter than a normal person's. Even someone as alert as Precht often missed them.
"Eh—"
"I thought you should have gotten used to the fact that I walk without making a sound by now!"
Precht didn't reply. He simply walked to the side and sat on a fallen giant tree, silently watching Mavis enter the messy battlefield and head toward the children in the corner.
Mavis reached the children and leaned down to pick up Erza, who was so tired she had fallen asleep, from the ground.
When she stood back up, a simple bed had already appeared beside her.
She gently placed Erza on the bed, then picked up Chris from the ground and placed her beside Erza. Then came Darwin and Makarov.
Once the four children were lying in a row on the bed, Mavis flipped her hand, manifesting four wet towels, and began to wipe the children's faces and hands with focused care.
In the middle of the wilderness, beds and towels don't just appear out of thin air.
The reason these four children had a bed to sleep on—instead of lying on the ground in the cold wind—and could have their faces and hands cleaned—instead of spending the night filthy—was all thanks to Mavis's "Arc of Embodiment."
Not far away, Precht watched Mavis's actions and sighed, "Being able to manifest whatever you need... your magic really is quite convenient."
Hearing his voice, Mavis stopped her movements and suddenly looked up.
"What are you still sitting there in a daze for? Move it, quickly!"
Precht blinked blankly: "...Move? What exactly am I supposed to do?"
Mavis sighed and massaged her forehead.
"In this situation, it's obvious we can't take everyone back to the guild. So, of course, we have to build a temporary camp here to settle them for now!"
"If you heard me clearly, then hurry up and turn that tree under your butt into firewood and start a bonfire. Otherwise, everyone is going to catch a cold!"
Precht was silent for two seconds before grumbling, "I say, Mavis, have you noticed that over these years, you're developing into the image of a 'nagging old lady'..."
Clang—!
A frying pan appeared out of thin air and slammed straight onto Precht's forehead, cutting him off.
"If you don't want another frying pan from this nagging old lady, then talk less and do more!"
Mavis smiled very gently, but she was radiating a murderous aura.
Precht: "..."
Give me a break!
I just finished a 'great battle' with this crowd; can't you let me have a good rest first?
If Mavis were still that youthful and cute girl from years ago, Precht would still follow her orders, but mentally it would be more like "humoring a younger sister."
But the current Mavis gave Precht the illusion that he was facing his late mother.
Sigh...
Forget it!
Don't provoke her, she's not to be trifled with!
Precht rose helplessly and, following Mavis's instructions, began to chop trees, split wood, and start a fire.
While working, he complained secretly in his heart—
These guys sure are sleeping soundly!
They don't have to do any work at all; they really are lucky!
I should just let them lie on the dirt for the night. They aren't kids anymore; they won't catch a cold that easily!
If they actually do end up catching a cold...
Then they should seriously reflect on why their physical fitness is so poor!
Working in silence was a bit dull. Mavis knew Precht wasn't a talkative person, so she started a conversation herself.
"How was Darwin's performance in this examination?"
How was his performance?
I settled it with one punch; I couldn't see any performance...
Precht was silent for a few seconds and decided it was better not to tell the whole truth.
"...It was passable."
"Though he still can't compare to Chris, I can tell his combat experience is much more refined than when he first awakened magic a little over a week ago."
"His magical talent is outstanding, stronger than most people in the guild. If he is cultivated well from now on, he will definitely be able to take over Weston's mantle in the future, become an excellent Guild Master, and lead Fairy Tail to new heights."
That last sentence wasn't just polite talk; Precht truly believed it.
"Is that so?"
Mavis's tone suddenly changed: "Perhaps your judgment is correct. However, actually, Weston and I don't want Darwin to become the Guild Master of Fairy Tail in the future."
Precht was stunned: "Eh? Why?"
"The responsibility of a Guild Master is too heavy!"
"As parents, we still hope his future life can be a bit simpler and easier."
Mavis looked at Darwin, who was snoring away on the bed, her eyes filled with tenderness.