### Chapter 16: I Must Obtain S-Class
On the other side, the clash between **Erza** and **Mirajane** was even more intense than **Gray** and **Elfman**'s.
Both sides were giving no quarter. Because they were stimulated by **Shun**, both of them had been training desperately for the past half year.
Their strength had improved significantly. Through their daily battles with each other, they both grew rapidly.
Therefore, they were very familiar with each other's moves, and for a while, no winner could be determined.
"Have **Mirajane** and **Erza**'s strengths reached this level?"
**Makarov** was somewhat surprised watching the duel between **Erza** and **Mirajane**. Their strength was much greater than half a year ago, improving much faster than he had anticipated.
During the battle, the four participants' magic power was rapidly consumed. **Gray** and **Elfman** were the first to falter, their magic power nearly exhausted.
Even so, neither of them gave up. If they couldn't use magic, they used their fists.
The situation with **Mirajane** and **Erza** wasn't much better. Magic power is a Mage's life force.
Rapid consumption of magic power causes physical and mental exhaustion. If consumed too much, it could even endanger one's life in severe cases.
After a while.
*Bang! Bang!*
**Gray** and **Elfman** punched each other in the face simultaneously, and both fell to the ground unconscious.
**Mirajane** and **Erza** also exhausted their magic power and lay on the ground.
"That's enough!"
Seeing **Mirajane** and **Erza** still struggling to stand up, **Makarov** hurriedly spoke to stop them.
Their strengths were similar, and neither could stand anymore. Continuing the fight would yield no result. **Makarov** usually stopped them when such a situation occurred during their duels.
"Grandpa, what about the winner?"
**Natsu** asked curiously.
**Makarov** said grumpily, "Winner, winner, you only know about winning and losing. Do they look like they can continue to compete? We'll talk after the result of **Shun** and **Laxus**'s duel comes out."
**Mirajane** and **Erza**'s duel this time was very intense. It would take at least a day to fully recover, so they had completely lost the ability to compete with **Shun** and **Laxus**.
Duels were like this. When two capable contenders clashed, both ended up hurt or eliminated, allowing a third party to win the championship.
So, as the saying goes, luck is also part of strength.
**Erza** and **Mirajane**'s luck in drawing lots wasn't necessarily bad; after all, they both avoided the strongest, **Shun** and **Laxus**.
Ending up with both sides hurt like this only proved one thing: they weren't strong enough.
If they were strong enough to defeat all opponents, it wouldn't be like this.
"**Shun**, **Laxus**, both teams get ready."
**Shun** and **Natsu**, **Laxus** and **Freed** all came before **Makarov**.
**Laxus** looked arrogantly at **Shun** and said, "**Shun**, if you don't want to be beaten too badly, you'd better admit defeat now. That way, at least you can suffer a little less."
**Shun** didn't speak, but **Natsu** immediately shouted indignantly, "I won't admit defeat!"
"Alright! Stop chatting, are you all ready?"
"S-Class Mage Promotion Exam, Second Round, Second Match, Team **Shun** VS Team **Laxus**."
"Now... Begin—!!"
**Makarov** announced the start of the match.
**Laxus** sneered, "Since you won't listen to advice, don't blame me."
**Laxus** waved his palm, and a bolt of golden lightning shot out from it.
*Crack————!!*
The lightning shot toward **Shun** and **Natsu**. **Shun** and **Natsu** jumped to either side to dodge.
*Boom!!!*
The lightning struck a tree behind where **Shun** and **Natsu** had been.
*Crack—!*
The tree trunk was snapped by **Laxus**'s lightning.
**Freed** quickly charged at **Natsu**. When chatting with **Laxus** earlier, **Laxus** had already arranged it.
King against King, General against General.
He would deal with **Natsu**, while **Shun** would be left to **Laxus**.
**Shun** also instantly activated his Nine-Tails Demon Fox One-Tail form. He was now very proficient in activating One-Tail form and could complete the transformation rapidly without causing much commotion.
Seeing **Shun** transform, **Laxus** couldn't help but tease, "Oh? Is this your battle form? Isn't it a bit too cute?"
**Laxus** had heard that **Shun** took over the Nine-Tails Demon Fox, but this was the first time he saw **Shun** activate his battle form.
"But the cuter something is, the more I want to destroy it."
"Lightning Lance!!"
**Laxus** raised his palm, releasing a powerful electric current that formed a golden spear of light shooting straight at **Shun**.
**Shun** stood still and waved his claw rapidly.
The Lightning Lance was casually knocked away by **Shun**, shooting into a nearby rock.
*Boom————!!*
The rock exploded with a crash.
"Hmm?!" **Laxus** was startled. He hadn't expected his magic to be blocked so easily by the opponent.
**Shun** looked up at **Laxus** with vertical pupils and said indifferently, "Sorry, **Laxus**, I'm taking the S-Class Mage title this time. You can get promoted next year."