Just as Kenichi was thinking, Makarov, who had finished explaining the rules, suddenly announced: "The exam begins now!"
"Eh?"
Natsu, Gray, and the others on the ship were stunned by this sudden start of the exam.
Because the ship was still nearly a kilometer away from Tenrou Island.
In Natsu and Gray's view, the exam should at least start after the ship reached Tenrou Island.
But Makarov declared the start of the exam right here.
As a result, Natsu, Gray, and the others didn't react for a moment.
At that time, Kenichi had already picked up Wendy beside him and, using [Meteor], his figure turned into a stream of light as he shot directly towards Tenrou Island.
As Kenichi and Wendy flew out, Freed also began setting up Jutsu Shiki around the ship. Clearly, he intended to trap everyone on the ship.
'As expected of Kenichi, his reaction is really fast!'
'But oh well, he has already mastered my Jutsu Shiki, so presumably this won't trap him either.'
Freed watched the stream of light in the sky, a curve forming at the corner of his mouth as he thought to himself.
"Kenichi and Wendy have already flown away!"
"That's too sneaky!"
At this moment, the stunned Natsu, Gray, and the others, seeing that Kenichi had already flown away, suddenly understood.
"Happy!"
"Aye!"
Natsu called out to Happy.
Immediately, Happy spread his wings and carried Natsu, chasing after Kenichi ahead.
Unfortunately, just as Natsu and Happy rushed to the ship's railing, they crashed into an invisible wall.
"It's Jutsu Shiki! Freed, you bastard..."
The pained Natsu complained to Freed with resentment.
"Sorry, we're off first!"
Freed said to everyone, then also left the ship with his partner Bickslow.
By now, Kenichi had already brought Wendy to Tenrou Island.
"There really are eight paths! Kenichi-nii, which one should we choose?"
Wendy looked at the entrances to the eight paths and asked Kenichi in a clear voice.
Kenichi didn't immediately answer Wendy's question. He activated his Sensory Magic, and after sensing the magical reactions of Erza, Gildarts, and Mirajane, he pointed to the path where Mirajane was and said: "This one!"
Wendy had no objections to Kenichi's choice.
Then Wendy followed Kenichi towards the path entrance.
After Kenichi and Wendy entered the path, the entrance was sealed.
Clearly, this was to inform those coming later that this route was already taken.
As Kenichi and Wendy advanced along the path, Erza in another path was uncharacteristically showing a somewhat girlish demeanor.
'What should I do? What if it's Kenichi who comes?'
Erza's feelings were complicated.
There was anticipation.
There was worry.
She anticipated that Kenichi would choose her path.
But she was also somewhat worried that Kenichi would choose her path.
As for why she had such conflicting thoughts, perhaps she herself wasn't very clear.
While Erza was conflicted, Kenichi and Wendy's field of view suddenly opened up.
Soon, they arrived at a large arena.
Looking up, they saw Mirajane, dressed in her red dress, standing gracefully there, her hands clasped together and hanging in front of her, her fair, pretty face radiating a warm smile, as if welcoming Kenichi and Wendy.
"Mira-san?!"
The moment Wendy saw Mirajane, she exclaimed.
Actually, Wendy didn't want to encounter Mirajane.
To be precise, she didn't want to encounter anyone… it would be best to choose the path with the [Quiet] character.
The little girl's thoughts were very simple.
Although Makarov emphasized that all other teams were enemies in this exam.
She still thought of everyone as companions.
If they could choose the [Quiet] path, then they wouldn't have to conflict with other guild members.
Kenichi beside her, however, remained expressionless.
After all, he knew Mirajane was here before he entered.
"Kenichi and Wendy?"
"I really don't want to fight you, but it's the exam, so there's no choice."
Mirajane looked at Kenichi and Wendy emerging from the path, said this with a smile, then waved her fair hand.
"Take Over: Satan Soul"
Bzzzt-
At that moment, a light bloomed from Mirajane's body.
The next second, the light dissipated, and Mirajane's figure reappeared in Kenichi and Wendy's sight.
Except now, Mirajane had transformed into the form of the demon, Satan.
Kenichi had seen Mirajane in this form twice before.
Seeing Mirajane like this again was nothing new to him.
But it was Wendy's first time.
"This... this is Mira-san's Take Over Magic, Satan Soul?"
Wendy looked at the Mirajane emitting a terrifying aura before her, shrank back behind Kenichi, feeling a bit scared.
At this moment, the Mirajane in Wendy's vision overlapped with the usually smiling, warm Mirajane.
The stark contrast between the two made Wendy mutter: "A demon and an angel."
A demon and an angel?
Hearing Wendy's words, Kenichi looked at the Mirajane in front of him and raised an eyebrow.
He couldn't help but recall a movie he had seen before, where the actress played both a demon and an angel.
Mirajane's tail twitched slightly, then she said in a cold voice: "Kenichi, even if it's you, I won't hold back!"
"It's better if you don't hold back!"
Kenichi responded to Mirajane, then glanced back at Wendy behind him.
Understanding, Wendy retreated towards the path entrance.
After Wendy had put some distance between them, Kenichi directly used the Fire Dragon Slayer Magic and the Iron Dragon Slayer Magic.
After all, his opponent was Mirajane, so even Kenichi didn't dare to be careless.
Bzzzt-
As the Fire and Iron Dragon Slayer Magic attributes were activated, a violent crimson flame instantly surged around Kenichi's body.
The moment this flame appeared, the temperature in the entire cavern rose sharply.
And Kenichi entered the Iron Fire Dragon Mode.
"Are Kenichi-nii and Mira-san going to start fighting?"
Wendy, watching Kenichi enveloped in crimson flames and Mirajane surrounded by dark purple magical power, said with a slightly trembling voice.