Chapter 7: Survival Game
"He barely even spoke to you. And you're wondering why he was glaring? Maybe because you beat him into the ground during his assessment?" Makarov's mind drifted back to Laxus's last S-Class trial. The kid had been so confident, practically radiating arrogance. He'd either dismissed Dino entirely or challenged him outright—Makarov couldn't quite remember which. Either way, Laxus had been thoroughly demolished with almost no resistance.
Dino crossed his arms, looking indignant. "Hey! You're the one who told me to teach him a lesson! You said to 'knock that ego down a few pegs' and 'show him there are always bigger fish.' Why am I getting blamed for this?"
Makarov immediately put on his best innocent expression, tilting his head. "Did I? Hmm, memory's not what it used to be at my age…" He stroked his mustache thoughtfully. "Besides, you're the guild's only S-Class mage right now. Come on, help your old master out here."
"Fine. But I'm taking a month off after this."
"Deal!" Makarov reached out and shook Dino's hand with perhaps a bit too much enthusiasm, like a merchant who'd just sold a broken wagon for premium price.
On assessment day, all the participants boarded a ship bound for a remote, uninhabited island. Makarov had chosen this location specifically after witnessing the destructive duel between Dino and Gildarts. When Dino fought seriously, collateral damage wasn't just possible—it was guaranteed.
"Ughhh…!" Natsu hung over the ship's railing, looking three shades greener than usual.
"Hang in there, Natsu!" Happy fluttered beside him anxiously.
Gray smirked, arms crossed. "Pathetic! What kind of mage gets seasick? Man, Cana, you really picked a winner for your partner."
Dino glanced over. "Dragon Slayers and vehicles don't mix. Motion sickness is basically a genetic curse for them."
Once the island came into view, Makarov cleared his throat and addressed the gathered participants. "Alright, listen up! This assessment is simple—it's a survival game!"
"Survival game?" Multiple confused voices rang out simultaneously. Even Dino raised an eyebrow—the old man hadn't told him the rules either.
"That's right! Here's how it works: You all have one hour to reach the island. During that hour, you can set traps, form alliances, eliminate each other—whatever you want. After one hour, Dino lands on the island and starts hunting you down. You can hide, you can fight back, you can run—as long as you stay on the island, anything goes."
Makarov's grin widened. "The last person standing becomes Fairy Tail's newest S-Class mage!"
Gray's hand shot up. "Wait, Master, you forgot something. What if we beat Dino?" Erza and Mirajane both perked up at that, clearly thinking the same thing.
Makarov's grin turned downright mischievous. "Oh? If you can pull that off, all three of you can be promoted to S-Class."
"WHAT?!" Several jaws dropped. Three S-Class mages at once? The guild currently only had three total!
"Alright! BEGIN!"
"I'm going first!"
"Ice-Make: Floor!" Gray slammed his palms down, creating a frozen path across the ocean's surface. He immediately started skating toward the island at high speed.
"Requip: Flight Armor!" Golden light enveloped Erza's body. When it faded, she wore sleek black armor with demonic wings extending from her back. With a powerful flap, she shot through the air after Gray.
"No fair, Erza!"
"Take Over: Satan Soul!" Mirajane's body erupted with dark energy as she transformed, demonic wings spreading wide. She launched herself skyward, heading for the island.
"Sis, wait up!" Elfman dove off the boat into the water, swimming frantically after Mirajane with powerful strokes.
Natsu and Cana brought up the rear, with Natsu still looking distinctly green.
Once the participants departed, the four remaining on the boat pulled out a deck of cards.
Dino shuffled and dealt. "Master, these rules are pretty stacked against me, don't you think? You basically told them all to team up and take me down."
"That's true," Levy chimed in, adjusting her glasses thoughtfully. She'd come along to watch and provide emergency healing with her Solid Script magic. "If they fight each other for an hour, they'll waste tons of magic power. Then when Dino shows up, they'll be sitting ducks. But if they team up… they have to worry about backstabbing. The Master's actually given everyone a dilemma."
Lisanna fidgeted with her hands. "But Mira-nee has always seen Erza as her rival. I don't think they'd ever work together." She and Elfman had tagged along to watch their siblings.
Happy flew lazy circles overhead. "Natsu thinks Gray and Erza are HIS rivals!"
"Bwahahaha!" Makarov slapped his knee. "That's exactly what makes it interesting! When facing overwhelming power, do you swallow your pride and cooperate? Do you go it alone? Hide and wait? Betray your allies? Being S-Class isn't just about strength—it requires mental fortitude and tactical thinking!"
Levy drew a card and discarded. "But Master, what if they really do all team up against Dino?"
"What was that, brat?"
Dino stroked his chin with exaggerated concern. "I'm trying to figure out the gentlest way to crush them."
"You cocky brat. Honestly, I'm hoping they knock you on your ass."
An hour passed quickly between card games and banter. The island remained eerily quiet—no sounds of battle echoed across the water. Whether the participants had formed alliances or were simply hiding was anyone's guess.
"Time's up." Dino stood, stretching. "No fighting, huh? They could've eliminated each other and made this easier. Oh well." His grin turned sharp. "Guess I'll announce my arrival properly."
He walked to the bow of the ship and crouched down, crossing his forearms in front of his chest. Both hands clenched into fists, and pale white spherical halos formed around them—the telltale sign of vibration energy gathering. Anyone familiar with the legendary pirate Whitebeard would recognize this stance immediately.