**Chapter 21: Qualification Battle**
"Ah! Those two barely see each other more than a few times a year, right?"
"Both of them are total mission maniacs."
"This might be the strongest showdown of the younger generation!"
"Younger generation? Besides Gildarts, who's already S-Class, who in the guild can even fight these two?"
The adult mages like Macao and Wakaba looked a little embarrassed. Though they didn't want to admit it, they really couldn't beat these two minors.
Makarov couldn't help roaring angrily, "Nonsense! The S-Class promotion qualification cannot be decided so casually by a single duel!"
Suddenly, someone patted Makarov on the shoulder. He turned and saw Gildarts smiling. "Don't get mad, Guild Master. Young people need that stubborn, never-give-up spirit. That's what makes them young. Only with rivals can they keep growing stronger. No matter who loses today, the loser will train even harder."
"..." Makarov thought about Gildarts' words for a moment. There was some truth to them.
Kaito was so wild that almost no one could control him, and Laxus probably needed a proper defeat to change his personality.
"Kaito, what's your opinion?"
"Me? I've been waiting for this! That arrogant bastard has been acting all high and mighty. If I wasn't giving you face, Guild Master, I would've beaten him up a long time ago!"
Hearing Kaito's words, Laxus's anger flared even hotter. He already felt that Kaito's appearance had stolen the spot that should have been his.
"Fine! This idiot who 'acts without thinking'! If something can be solved with fists, why use your brain?!"
"..."
Everyone looked dumbfounded. The logic somehow sounded correct, yet something about it felt completely wrong.
"Sigh! Alright then. The right to participate in the S-Class Exam will be decided by a duel between Laxus and Kaito!"
"Ohhhhh!!!"
Fairy Tail mages loved watching fights more than anything. And this fight was between Kaito and Laxus. Even the disappointment of not being chosen themselves was washed away by the excitement.
Soon, the entire guild moved to a wide open area outside Magnolia Town. Both fighters used extremely destructive magic, so fighting near the guild or town would cause massive damage, and Fairy Tail definitely didn't have the money to pay for repairs.
Mirajane asked, "Who do you think will win?" Although she was a little upset about not being chosen, she knew her own limits—she wasn't a match for either of them right now.
Gray thought for a moment and said, "Laxus. He's older, after all."
Mirajane and Erza were only one or two years older than most of the group, so they were in the same age range. Laxus was five years older and currently stronger than all of them.
Natsu immediately shook his head and argued, "I think Kaito will win! You don't understand. That guy is way too strong! He's practically a monster!"
Natsu loved fighting and especially enjoyed challenging people stronger than himself. He was a bit more careful when fighting girls like Erza and Mirajane.
Of course, he never held back in a real fight. Losing wasn't embarrassing… well, even though he had lost quite a few times already.
That was why he frequently challenged Kaito. Kaito never refused. Every time, Natsu ended up beaten black and blue. Whenever he felt he had gotten a little stronger, he would challenge Kaito again, only to get the same result.
This had continued on and off for a whole year. Natsu had developed a slight trauma toward Kaito, but because his brain wasn't the best, the trauma only lasted about a week before he felt "ready again" and challenged him once more.
At that moment, a firm voice declared, "Laxus will definitely win!"
Mirajane and the others turned toward the voice and saw three people slightly older than them: two boys and one girl.
"Freed, Evergreen, and Bickslow are back too," Erza said as she looked at the trio.
Almost every mage guild was similar—taking jobs was like ranking up. Some went solo, some in pairs or trios, and even five-man teams existed. Guilds actually encouraged teamwork.
The benefits were obvious: better coordination, covering each other's weaknesses, and most importantly, higher safety.
Freed, Evergreen, and Bickslow were all fourteen now and had been teaming up for missions for a long time.
"Please call us the 'Thunder God Tribe.' We have decided to become Laxus's followers," Freed said coolly.
"Thunder God Tribe?"
Evergreen proudly put her hands on her hips. "That's right! Who does that Kaito think he is? Just a newcomer who joined the guild. How dare he be compared to Laxus!"
"That's right! That's right! Bii~!" Bickslow chimed in from the side.
Erza raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. She was one of the few who truly understood Kaito's strength. Nearly a year had passed since their first mission together, but whenever she recalled it, the scene of Kaito's overwhelming destruction and slaughter of the dark guild members was still vivid. Laxus was strong—stronger than her right now—but the sense of danger she felt from Laxus was far smaller than what she felt from Kaito.
Natsu immediately countered, "You guys have no idea how terrifying that monster Kaito really is."
"He's only scary to brats like you~" Bickslow stuck out his tongue and made a face at Natsu.
Natsu instantly got angry. "Bastard! You wanna fight?!"
"Ah! Did you forget how you lost to me last time?"
Just as Natsu and Bickslow were about to start fighting, Erza and Freed quickly stepped in to stop them.
Erza looked straight ahead and said, "Enough. If you want to fight, do it later. The battle is about to begin."