"Master."
"What are the rules for this year's S-Class Wizard Promotion Trial?"
After stepping out of the vehicle and glancing at the mix of desert and forest in the distance, Ide turned to Makarov and asked.
"The rules this year are very simple."
"The five of you will draw lots here to determine your opponents. The final victor will be the one who qualifies as an S-Class wizard this year."
Saying this, Makarov pulled out a lottery box and presented it to Ide, Ur, and the others.
"Huh?"
Ide hadn't expected the long-awaited S-Class trial to have such simple rules. Dissatisfied, he complained, "Hey, Master! If the so-called S-Class trial is just a bracket tournament, did we really need to drive thousands of miles to this desolate wilderness? A simple tournament could have been held back at the guild!"
"Heh."
Hearing Ide's complaint, Makarov sneered and shook his head. "Do you think I'm stupid, Ide?!"
"If I let you brats hold the S-Class trial inside the guild, you'd probably destroy my guild completely!"
Makarov clasped his hands behind his back, looking like he had seen through everything.
"Ugh."
Ide fell silent. Makarov had a point; he couldn't argue with that.
"Anyway, cut the crap and come draw your lots!"
"Anyone who doesn't draw within five minutes will be considered forfeited from this year's S-Class Wizard Promotion Trial."
"You don't want to have come all this way for nothing, right?!"
Makarov declared domineeringly.
"Tch."
Ide clicked his tongue but didn't argue further. He walked up to Makarov and reached into the lottery box.
"Number One."
After rummaging around for a bit, Ide pulled out a number and showed it to Makarov.
"Number Three."
After Ide left, Ur approached the box and quickly picked her number, showing it to Makarov.
"Number Five."
"Number Four."
"Number Two."
Following them, Macao, Wakaba, and Ivan drew their numbers in turn.
"Next, you will battle according to the order of your numbers."
"Simply put, Number One fights Number Two, Number Three fights Number Four, and so on."
After everyone had drawn their numbers, Makarov announced the battle order.
"Master."
"I'm Number Five."
"Does that mean I get a bye?"
After hearing the rules, Macao looked at the number 5 on his card and asked excitedly.
"Of course not."
Makarov looked at the number 5 in Macao's hand and shook his head silently.
"Uhh."
"So who is my opponent?"
"Don't tell me it's you?"
Seeing Makarov's serious expression, Macao suddenly felt a sense of foreboding. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Not me either."
Makarov shook his head again.
"That's good."
Hearing the denial, Macao breathed a sigh of relief.
"Whichever one of you drew Number Five, come with me."
Before Macao could fully relax, Gildarts, who had arrived early to prepare the exam site, strolled out of the forest. He walked up to the group and spoke softly.
"Ah?"
"I have to fight Gildarts! Are you serious?"
Realizing his opponent was Gildarts, Macao felt like his soul had left his body.
"Wait..."
"I have to fight Ur? Is this a joke?"
Of course, Macao's best friend Wakaba wasn't faring much better.
"What?"
"I have to fight this monster Ide right off the bat?"
"Father, I suspect you rigged the lottery box."
After repeatedly confirming that his opponent was indeed Ide, Ivan's heart filled with unwillingness. His body trembled slightly with fear.
Once he saw everyone's numbers, Ivan was certain that he, Macao, and Wakaba had all been set up by that cunning old fox, Makarov.
Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that the three of them all drew the toughest opponents possible?!
"Cough, cough."
Makarov hadn't expected Ivan to expose his rigging so quickly. He tilted his head back, ignoring Ivan's accusation, and said with feigned seriousness, "Alright, no time to waste! Start the matches immediately."
"A word in private?"
Knowing he was no match for Ide but determined to pass the S-Class trial this year, Ivan resorted to underhanded tactics.
"Forget private. Whatever you have to say, say it here."
Ide couldn't be bothered with Ivan's nonsense and rejected him directly.
"Ide, I assume you know, right?! I am actually Guild Master Makarov's biological son."
Ivan gritted his teeth and used Telepathy Magic to speak directly into Ide's mind.
"So?"
Ide responded indifferently via telepathy.
"So, you should also know that the Fairy Tail guild will eventually be inherited by me."
Ivan continued.
"Just say what you want."
Ide was losing patience and demanded Ivan show his cards.
"Straightforward!"
"Then I won't beat around the bush! As long as you lose to me here, once I inherit the guild, I will promote you to Vice Master."
"Of course, if you refuse to cooperate... when I inherit the guild, I'm afraid your good days will be over."
Ivan's eyes were full of calculation as he threatened Ide via telepathy.
"And then?"
Ide asked.
"And then?"
Ivan froze. Ide's calm demeanor was completely different from the intimidated reaction he had envisioned.
"Sigh."
Ide sighed deeply. He looked at Ivan with cold eyes, as if looking at a clown. "Sometimes I really can't figure out how a man like Makarov could father someone as despicable and shameless as you."
"What did you say?"
"I've decided! When I inherit the guild! I will expel you, you ungrateful bastard, and that scumbag Gildarts from the guild..."
Ivan seemed to snap at Ide's words, practically roaring in his mind.
"Ice Dragon's Crushing Fist!"
However, before Ivan could finish his sentence, Ide's sandbag-sized fist was already pressing against the tip of Ivan's nose.
"I'm going to die."
"Ide, can we still make peace?!"
Feeling the terrifying power of Ide's punch, Ivan's inner voice screamed in panic.