### Chapter 15: The Second Round
Spending a little time, **Shun** collected all the mission items.
Then he rushed to Eagle Beak Cliff with **Natsu**.
When **Shun** and **Natsu** arrived, someone had already gotten there first.
It was **Laxus** and **Freed**.
"**Laxus**?!"
**Natsu** was somewhat surprised to see **Laxus**. He and **Shun** had collected the items fast enough, but he didn't expect **Laxus** to arrive a step ahead of them.
"**Shun**! You're pretty fast! But no matter how hard you try, it's futile, because the one who ultimately advances to S-Class Mage will only be me!"
**Laxus** lifted his chin arrogantly and looked at **Shun**.
**Shun** ignored **Laxus**'s provocation and smiled, "We'll know who advances after the exam ends."
**Shun**'s relationship with **Laxus** wasn't good, but it wasn't bad either.
It hadn't even been a year since he joined the Fairy Tail Guild, so his interactions with **Laxus** were limited.
Currently, **Laxus** wasn't as twisted as he was during the Battle of Fairy Tail arc, but he was still very rebellious. His personality was a bit nasty, but not evil.
Seeing **Shun** ignore his provocation, **Laxus** stopped talking.
When **Shun** formally joined Fairy Tail, **Laxus** was out on a mission.
Hearing that **Shun** awakened his Magic Origin, became a Mage, and defeated **Mirajane**, he was only slightly surprised.
In his view, whether it was **Mirajane** or **Erza**, he could defeat them easily. So **Shun** defeating **Mirajane** was nothing special.
Beating **Mirajane** was blown out of proportion. *Just wait until we meet; see if I don't beat you until you're looking for your teeth all over the floor.*
Time passed second by second. After about an hour and a half, **Erza** and **Gray** arrived.
Another half hour later, **Mirajane** and **Elfman** also arrived.
They all looked somewhat disheveled, but fortunately, no one was seriously injured.
At this point, there was still half an hour before the end of the first round of the exam.
The latecomers seized the time to rest and recover their magic power, preparing for the next round.
Just as time was about to run out, Master **Makarov** walked over leisurely with his hands behind his back.
"It seems you all have good luck and passed the first round. I thought one or two teams wouldn't make it past the first stage, but this is good too. Now, the second round of the exam begins."
"This round is simple: two-vs-two combat."
"This round is a test of martial prowess. S-Class Mage is not just a title but the face of a Mage Guild. Therefore, only the strongest can become an S-Class Mage."
Everyone was excited upon hearing **Makarov**'s words. Indeed, for Mages, nothing was more convincing than the outcome of a battle.
"Now, we will draw lots for the second round."
"There are four slips of paper inside, numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4. First, No. 1 will fight No. 2, then No. 3 will fight No. 4."
"The winning teams will then face off against each other. The ultimate winner will proceed to the third round of the exam."
**Erza** stepped forward first and drew a number.
"Number 1!"
Then **Mirajane** stepped forward and drew a number.
"Number 2!"
Seeing this result, everyone was slightly stunned.
**Gray** said, "**Erza** is No. 1, **Mirajane** is No. 2, so No. 3 and No. 4..."
**Natsu** continued, "**Shun** and **Laxus**..."
Although four people qualified for this exam, almost everyone knew that **Shun** and **Laxus**'s strength was a cut above **Erza** and **Mirajane**.
The S-Class Mage this time would likely emerge between **Shun** and **Laxus**.
Of course, it wasn't that **Mirajane** and **Erza** had no chance, but the chance wasn't big.
"Since the grouping is decided, No. 1 and No. 2 prepare to come forward."
**Erza** and **Gray**, **Mirajane** and **Elfman** all walked to the front.
**Mirajane** looked at **Erza** and said, "I didn't expect to face you so soon. This time I'll show you how much my strength has improved!"
**Mirajane** and **Erza** were old rivals, and **Shun**'s appearance hadn't changed that.
It was just that they now had one more person to challenge, just like how **Gray** and **Natsu** challenged **Erza** in the original story.
**Erza** drew the long sword at her waist with a serious expression and said, "You're not the only one who has improved, **Mirajane**."
"Ready! Begin—!!!"
**Makarov** announced the start of the match.
"Full Body Take Over: Satan Soul!"
"Requip: Black Wing Armor!"
**Mirajane** completed her transformation, and **Erza** completed her requip, then they rushed toward each other rapidly.
"Beast Soul: Weretiger!"
**Elfman** transformed into his Weretiger form and charged at **Gray**.
"Ice-Make: Lance!"
**Gray** used his two-handed Molding Magic, shooting out a large number of ice lances.
*Crack! Crack!*
**Elfman** waved his claws rapidly, shattering the lances, and rushed in front of **Gray**, swinging his claws at **Gray**'s body.
"Ice-Make: Shield!"
*Shing!*
*Bang—!*
An ice shield opened in front of **Gray**, blocking **Elfman**'s claws.
"**Gray**! I'm going to defeat you, then go help Big Sister **Mirajane**!"
"That's what I wanted to say to you!"