The soldiers whispered gossip for a while, then remembered that this wasn't just Miss Mirajane's fiancé, but also someone who had helped the Council quite a bit.
——The reputation brought by Rhode's accomplishments spread far less quickly than the scandal with Mira.
Perhaps it's because the contributions weren't significant enough.
Rhode stood around idly for a while, when nine individuals of varying heights, weights, genders, and ages came over.
The Thought Body magic is quite intriguing; even if one learns it only superficially, from a distance it's indistinguishable from the actual person.
The captain, who had just been training, followed the nine folks somewhat nervously, while the Frog People immediately knelt on one knee respectfully and bowed their heads upon seeing the Evaluators.
Rhode couldn't understand this high level of courtesy; he simply walked forward casually, stopping about ten meters from the box the soldiers had brought forward.
The Evaluators halted at about the same distance directly opposite.
Chairman Gulan Domma, standing in the center, did not exchange any pleasantries and went straight to the point: "Fiore Kingdom, Fairy Tail Guild, Mage Rhode.
"A few days ago, Mr. Jura, one of the Ten Wizard Saints of Ishujal, nominated you to become a Ten Wizard Saint, to fill one of the current vacancies."
"After many considerations by the Council, it was determined that you indeed have sufficient renown and achievements, so the nomination is valid. However, there are slight doubts about your capability."
"Therefore, the reason you've been called here today is to test your Magic Power strength. The test results will be considered an important factor in subsequent evaluations. Do you have any questions or objections?"
"What is the method and standard of the test?"
Gulan Domma looked towards the captain.
The captain astutely stepped forward, opened the box, and took out a strange-looking instrument.
From Rhode's perspective, it looked like a small anchor topped with a Magic Crystal.
It also somewhat resembled the architecture of the Council's branch.
The captain thoughtfully explained: "The Magic Power Tester MPF, once attacked, will display a numerical value representing the strength of the attack.
"An ordinary child's magic attack would typically score between 1 to 5. Scoring around 100 allows someone to be a team leader of a five or ten-member group in the Strong Detention Team, and be considered a core strength in an ordinary small guild.
"Scoring above 300 qualifies one to compete for my position. As for even higher levels... it's said some top guild mages can score over a thousand.
"In my experience, the criminal named Ailiger, whom you caught, might reach that level. However, we've never witnessed such high numbers at this training ground."
By 'some guilds,' he likely meant those smaller in scale.
No one would casually test such things at the Council unless they had too much free time. Strong Detention Team members wouldn't idly test criminals either.
So, it's normal not to have seen higher numbers.
Rhode guessed there should be quite a few in his guild who could reach Ailiger's level.
Moreover, this testing method suits him well.
It measures burst, not endurance.
Rhode asked, "So, what level should a Ten Wizard Saint reach?"
"There's no exact number at present."
As the organizer of this test, Gulan Domma didn't seem embarrassed saying such unreliable words.
Rhode thought to himself, worthy of being the chairman, thick-skinned enough.
"According to the standard Captain Trein just mentioned, above 300 qualifies for captain, so a Ten Wizard Saint should be at least ten times that."
Gulan Domma arbitrarily set a benchmark.
After finishing, seeming to feel not authoritative enough, he added, "In the future, we might also seek reference from other Ten Wizard Saints. Anyway, you have three opportunities; try to achieve the highest possible number."
Rhode contemplated which form to use, whether to summon a Dragon or Big Spider for show.
Suddenly, he asked, "What if it's broken?"
Gulan Domma replied, "Don't worry, the Magic Crystal on the MPF is extremely special; even legendary Super Magic can't destroy it."
Super Magic resistant? Such a powerful Magic Crystal, if fashioned into armor to wear... would be much stronger than Erza's Vajra Armor!
Is there some technical barrier?
Rhode speculated inwardly, which didn't prevent him from speaking, "No, I mean, what if I damage the Council?"
The Evaluators fell silent.
It seemed... indeed necessary to prevent that.
Everyone knows that the Fairy Tail mages are quite adept at demolition, and those qualified to be Ten Wizard Saints might be even more destructive.
"Then, we'll relocate the testing site." Gulan Domma didn't press the matter; the Council's funding is precious, having recently bled money, it can't be wastefully spent on such things.
Org glanced approvingly at Rhode; this is indeed Fairy Tail's most reliable man, different from those hotheads.
...
The Magic Power Tester was moved a kilometer away from the Council's branch, luckily the surrounding area was wilderness, finding an open place wasn't difficult.
Following were not only the 9 Evaluators but also Captain Trein and nearly a hundred of his subordinates.
Trein seemed intent on broadening their horizons, cutting down their arrogance, to prevent them each thinking highly of themselves for being selected into the Strong Detention Team.
"Receive · Purgatory Dragon Soul."
Rhode's red Little Dragon People form left the onlookers stunned; it was previously known that he specialized in Summoning Magic and had the nickname Beast Tamer, so why use Receiving Magic now?
Does dating a Demon allow one to get the same magic?
In this wild and domineering look, he does pair well with the Demon indeed.
With three opportunities, Rhode didn't prepare much for the first move, simply flapping his wings and charging up, aiming a fierce punch at the Magic Crystal.
With a loud bang, the entire Magic Power Tester was engulfed in lava and flame.
The flame extended several tens of meters behind the instrument, leaving a deep ditch lined with shattered stones on the ground, the soil burnt black.
The surrounding temperature rose sharply, soldiers couldn't help shielding their faces with their arms, and in their eyes, Rhode's figure appeared somewhat distorted.
This was light refraction caused by air density changes when it gets incredibly hot.
The soldiers were dumbfounded—it was winter, after all!
The Evaluators' Thought Bodies felt nothing, just staring above the Magic Power Tester.
Four bold numbers floated above: 3644.
The soldiers' ranks gradually became noisy.
Four digits! Truly four digits!
And starting with a 3!
This is the power of a Ten Wizard Saint candidate? The difference between them and ordinary people is world's apart.
Captain Trein felt a bit uneasy, afraid bringing them out to broaden their horizons might shatter their confidence instead.
Rhode viewed the Magic Power Tester with interest.
This thing is intriguing; getting hit like that didn't even leave a scratch.
More so, it remained perfectly still, without so much as a wobble.
Even when the grounds underneath had been cleared by the explosion, it merely hovered in mid-air.
Which means, not even a slight change in its vertical position.
Could this thing truly not be fashioned into protective gear?