The ripple-like door was probably created using an Illusion Magic Array, Rhode guessed it might be Mystogan's handiwork.
But when he clearly saw the person behind him, he found it was a figure with blond hair, draped in a coat.
Kana widened her eyes: "Laxus!"
That guy's coat finally suited the season.
"It's you guys." Laxus scratched his head, looking impatient, "You're really slow, Kana, and... who was it again?"
Kana was angry: "Laxus! Don't be too much!"
"Huh? What's too much? The guild has so many idle people, am I supposed to remember each one?" Laxus had a provocative expression.
Rhode was amused by him; this guy had about a tenth of Tatsuya's ability to annoy others.
This type of young man, just reply with 'you're right, president's grandson' to piss him off.
But there's no need.
He's here for the exam, not for a quarrel. The more arrogant the examiner, the better.
"Can you please explain the rules? If it's too hard, we might just give up directly and save your time."
"Rhode?" Kana was surprised Rhode could hold it in.
But thinking it was for her exam made her feel a bit ashamed.
'I thought about it, and looking for weaknesses in the S-Class Mage's abilities is too difficult, so it might be better to use their personality weaknesses.
For example, Erza can be overly serious or sometimes very naïve, Mystogan doesn't want to show his face, Laxus... is very arrogant.'
That's what Rhode said to her a few days ago, and the current situation could be considered part of the plan.
But... seeing her companion being looked down upon made Kana still very angry.
Laxus, that bastard!
"You're surprisingly sensible." Laxus glanced at him, saying, "Since it's the old man's request, I'll tell the rules this time."
"There's a flag there." Laxus pointed above, "Then there's a magic array behind me, if one of you can get the flag and stand in the magic array, you pass."
Rhode frowned; this difficulty is a bit high.
Behind Laxus should be considered a valley, like a "One-Line Sky" or "Huarong Path" type of terrain, which can be described as an impenetrable defense.
The flag he mentioned was stuck on the right side of the cliff, about ten meters off the ground.
To reach the magic array, you need to pass through the several dozen meters long narrow passage behind him.
With Laxus's extremely swift Lightning Magic, even if you get the flag, you could be attacked at any time.
The exam content, rather than being about taking the flag, is more like...
Laxus looked at the troubled expressions of the two opposite him, revealing a satisfied smile: "That's right, if you don't defeat me, such a thing is simply impossible!"
Rhode frowned, you can't say it absolute like that. If it were Mest, this task could be completed in a second.
He's now somewhat suspicious whether the president has given Mest a back door; that kind of Teleportation Magic in this exam is simply cheating.
Laxus continued: "But if you want to defeat me... hum hum ha ha ha… do you think you can do it? Hmm?"
"You guy, don't underestimate people too much!" Kana took out a bunch of cards, spreading them like a fan.
"Hahaha..." Laxus didn't mind Kana's words at all, "Let me put it upfront, if you want to fight, I won't hold back. It's still not too late to give up now."
"Summon, Deep Red Beaked Bird! Ancient Stone Beetle!"
A group of Stone Beetles and a group of Beaked Birds, eight wild creatures in total, appeared, lining up in front of Rhode.
A trace of surprise flashed in Laxus's eyes: "Oh? A horde tactic? A boring trick."
Kana threw all her cards: "Your arrogant look should also be put away!"
Laxus moved casually, letting a dozen glowing golden cards brush past, nailing to the ground.
He twisted his neck: "All these years, you still haven't improved at all, Kana."
"Flying Feathers!"
The Beaked Birds flapped their wings, dozens of feathered flying knives shot out, and they charged along.
"The darts are not bad, but too weak!" Laxus waved his hand, golden lightning arcs burned all the feathers shooting at him to crisps.
As for the Beaked Birds charging, Laxus punched the largest one flying, kicked a smaller one, and lightning shot from his foot through the Beaked Bird's body, hitting another three.
Only one remaining Beaked Bird was approaching the flag on the cliff quickly.
"Too naïve!" Laxus seemed to purposely show his speed, turning into a golden lightning bolt, instantly reaching the Beaked Bird, kicking it down the cliff.
"Opportunity!" Kana raised her hand, shooting three cards into the air towards Laxus:
"Starlight!"
"Prayer Fountain!"
"Fate's... Summon Thunder!"
The first card exploded, releasing a blinding light like a flashbang;
The second card sprayed innumerable Water Blades, taking advantage of the flash attacking Laxus;
The third card fired lightning bolts, targeting Laxus who, even if not hit by the Water Blades, should have been wet by the water.
In Kana's view, since Laxus wasn't a Dragon Slayer Mage, attacking a Thunder Mage with Lightning Magic wasn't a problem.
Frankly, this combo attack was strong, normal mages wouldn't react in the air. This sequence could almost be celebrated with champagne.
But obviously, Laxus wasn't an ordinary mage, so Rhode summoned another group of Beaked Birds for a volley.
He also summoned a group of Shadow Wolves, two small ones spinning together for a thrust, the Two-headed Wolf doing a spinning lunge.
Gatsuuga! Wolf Fang!
"Receive, Deep Red Beaked Bird!" Rhode leaped up, flapping his wings to fly.
"This level of lightning, who do you think you're insulting!" Laxus was displeased with them using lightning to attack him, a Thunder Mage.
He tore off the wet coat, his body erupted with lightning, once again burning the feathers shot at him.
Laxus raised his knee, hitting the Two-headed Wolf's chin.
Lightning filled its entire body, burning its fur to char, the Two-headed Wolf fell, emitting black smoke.
Elbowing downwards, the two ordinary wolves were also electrocuted to a crisp.
Only then did Laxus land, while Rhode had already grabbed the flagpole with bird claws, pulling the flag from the cliff.
"!" Laxus noticed Rhode's movements, feeling a bit angry, "You bastard, do you really not take me seriously!"
"Good job, Rhode!" Kana shot two more cards, "Sun's Bursting Flame! Emperor's Wind Blade!"
"Enough!" Laxus swung his right hand backwards, bright lightning light swallowed the bursting flame and wind blade, and even had enough force to fly towards Kana from behind.
"Ah~~~" Kana screamed after being hit by the lightning.
Rhode took the chance to swoop towards the magic array.
Laxus just turned and took a step, when a card at his feet shattered, freezing him entirely on the spot with ice.
Kana, with slightly curled hair, smiled, "Death God's Ice Pillar."
However, the ice pillar shattered as soon as it appeared, Laxus turned into a lightning bolt blocking Rhode's path, kicking him in the stomach.
Rhode flew out, creating a skid mark on the ground, when he flipped and got up, he was back beside Kana.
The flag was already gripped in Laxus's hand, planted on the ground, he said word by word: "I said, that's enough."
Laxus was clad in flickering lightning from head to toe, even lightning spewed from his mouth and eyes.
The stance, like an enraged Thunder God.
Kana was concerned about Rhode: "You okay?"
"I'm fine." Rhode canceled Receiving Magic, "Sorry, just a bit short."
"It's my fault for not holding him back." Kana wasn't discouraged, drawing a few more cards, "This guy is indeed not easy to handle."