Chapter 25: The Final Trial! Two Stubborn Girls!
Watching the two of them fight like their lives depended on it, Ren couldn't help frowning slightly.
He patted Zeus beside him and said, "Zeus, go stop them. Bring them here."
Hearing Ren's order, Zeus shot into the sky, rushing straight toward where Erza and the others were fighting.
Soon, due to Zeus's intervention, the two exchanged a few trash-talk insults before stopping the fight.
They both beat their wings simultaneously, speeding toward the cathedral.
Bang!
Erza landed heavily on the ground. Standing up, she looked at Ren sitting on the steps and asked, "Why did you stop me?"
Mirajane followed close behind, staring straight at Ren with a sneer. "Don't tell me you're planning to go easy on this stiff woman?"
"What did you say? You flashy delinquent?! I won't accept that kind of trial! I'll defeat you head-on and become an S-Class mage fair and square!"
"Who says you're defeating who? Flat-chested woman!"
Just like Natsu and Gray, the two were born rivals. They hadn't even spoken two sentences before they were at each other's throats again.
Ren held his forehead helplessly, black lines covering his face as he shouted, "Both of you, stop it!"
A wave of Conqueror's Haki suddenly erupted from Ren, pressing straight down on the two of them.
Fusing Whitebeard's and Big Mom's Conqueror's Haki made it terrifyingly powerful. In an instant, both of them found it difficult even to move.
Seeing them stop, Ren retracted his Conqueror's Haki.
Gasping for breath, they fell to their knees, a look of heaviness appearing in their eyes.
That aura… was so strong!
"If I wait for your fight to end, who knows how long it'll take."
"So I decided to change the content of the trial."
Ren spread his hands and pointed to a large mountain not far away. "Follow me over there."
Saying that, Ren jumped onto Zeus's back and shot toward the mountain, leaving them in the dust.
The two girls exchanged a glance, neither willing to be outdone, and followed immediately.
Soon, Ren landed on the mountain, where there was a huge open clearing.
After Erza and Mirajane arrived, Ren smiled at them and said, "This is the final trial location. Are you ready?"
"Bring it on!"
"I've been ready for ages!"
Mirajane and Erza responded in unison, waiting nervously.
"Alright then."
"So, the final trial is: under my attack, anyone who can still stand becomes an S-Class mage!"
"I'll say this first—people can die. If you want to quit, now is the only time."
Ren said these terrifying words with that same smiling face.
"Who's quitting?! Let's do this!"
"Come on, Ren!"
The two girls looked at each other. As bitter rivals, neither could possibly admit defeat and quit in front of the other.
"Fine. I'll only launch one attack. Anyone who can stand is an S-Class mage!"
"If both of you can stand, I can apply to the Guild Master to let you both be promoted together."
As he spoke, a white sphere of light gathered around both of Ren's fists.
"Requip: Adamantine Armor!"
Seeing Ren's stance, even though Erza had never seen this move before, she switched into her strongest defensive armor ahead of time.
Mirajane prepared to take the hit in her Satan Soul form.
"Here it comes!"
Seeing both of them fully prepared, Ren didn't hold back anymore.
He crossed his arms in front of his chest and crouched slightly.
Then he smashed both fists violently into the empty air beside him.
In the next moment, a shattering sound rang in their ears.
Looking toward the sound, they saw the air beside Ren crack.
It was as if his fists had shattered space itself.
As space fractured, a violent tremor surged out.
The two girls braced themselves, trying not to be swallowed by the overwhelming force.
The mountain collapsed. The ground shattered.
In that moment, it felt like the end of the world. The massive mountain structure crumbled directly, rocks tumbling down its slopes.
Erza and Mirajane were both blasted away by the ferocious shockwave, slamming heavily into the ground.
Because the place where the three stood was relatively open, no falling rocks landed near them.
The ground was cracked everywhere, long fissures spreading out like scars.
Erza and Mirajane spat blood, their bodies wracked with intense pain.
Gritting their teeth, they tried to stand up, but their limbs had no strength left at all.
Ren hadn't used his full power; otherwise, he could have vibrated them to death.
After a long time, neither showed signs of standing up.
Ren spread his hands helplessly. Looking at the two who were about to pass out, he said, "Since neither of you has the strength to stand, I have no choice but to announce that no one passed this trial."
Ren turned to leave.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Erza's weak but determined voice came from behind.
Turning around, he saw Erza and Mirajane supporting each other, gritting their teeth as they stood up.
"I… I haven't lost yet!"
Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth as Erza clenched her teeth and forced the words out, stammering.
Because of the Adamantine Armor, Erza's injuries were slightly lighter.
Mirajane was on the verge of fainting, but her unyielding will kept her eyes open, staring straight at Ren.
Seeing the two of them supporting each other to stand, Ren was surprised.
A smile appeared on his face as he watched them swaying slightly, looking as if a breeze could knock them over.
"Congratulations. You passed."
Hearing Ren's words, Mirajane's taut nerves instantly snapped.
Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted completely.
Erza was the same. After forcing out a smile, her body went stiff and she fell backward.
"Seriously…"
Just as they were about to hit the ground, Ren appeared behind them.
He caught them by their backs, holding them up.
"Zeus!"
With a shout, a white blur sped through the air.
"Let's go back to the guild!"
Ren placed the two girls on Zeus and smiled lightly.
At first glance, seeing the two covered in wounds, even Zeus was startled.
But after hearing Ren's command, Zeus dared not delay and flew swiftly toward Fairy Tail with them.
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