December 10, X780
The Fairy Tail Guild was packed.
With the exception of Gildarts Clive, who was away on mission and Mystogan, who remained a ghost, everyone had gathered.
The mages who had been busy completing solo tasks over the past few months returned like birds migrating home.
The atmosphere was tense.
Today was the day!
Last year, Ultear and Erza had been victims of fake news. Raizel had confidently assured them that Makarov wouldn't restart the S-Class exams until they were adults, so they had continued to team up for missions.
Raizel was completely wrong.
Makarov had held the exam last year, but with a strict rule: Candidates must complete missions alone during the final three months to qualify.
Because of this, only Cana Alberona and Mest Gryder had qualified.
Cana had defeated Mest in the preliminary round, but then she encountered the final boss: Laxus Dreyar.
Laxus, being Laxus, didn't know the meaning of "holding back."
He crushed her with lightning, forcing her to use every card in her deck before ultimately failing.
Raizel agreed with Laxus's approach—if you aren't strong enough to survive the examiner, you aren't strong enough for S-Class quests.
Death doesn't go easy on you.
This year, things were different.
Makarov Dreyar, unlike his usual drunk and joking self, stood on the bar counter. He wore his formal Master's coat.
"Cough. Cough."
He cleared his throat loudly to get everyone's attention.
"Everyone!" Makarov's voice boomed. "Over the past year, I have carefully observed your abilities, your mindset, and your spirit. In accordance with Fairy Tail's traditions, I now officially announce this year's list of participants for the S-Class Trial."
"WOOOO!!!" The guild erupted.
"I'm fired up!" Natsu clashed his flaming fists together.
Even though he had been passed over every year, his spirit never wavered.
"This year's exam will once again be held at our Guild's sacred ground—Tenrou Island," Makarov announced.
"There are a total of five participants."
The murmurs started immediately.
"Five people? That's a lot."
"Usually it's just two or three."
"Erza and Ultear are locks, right?"
"Cana qualified last year, she has to be in."
"What about me?!"
"Quiet!" Raizel stepped forward, standing beside Makarov. His voice cut through the noise. "Listen to the Master."
On the second floor, Laxus lay on a recliner, eyes closed, listening to his Sound Pod. He didn't even look down.
Makarov unrolled a scroll.
"The participants are..."
"First: Erza Belserion!"
"Second: Ultear Milkovich!"
"Third: Mirajane Strauss!"
"Fourth: Cana Alberona!"
"Fifth: Kagura Mikazuchi!"
The crowd gasped. It was an all-female lineup!
There were reasons for the exclusions of male members.
Mest had been injured during a solo mission—a nasty encounter with a Vulcan pack—and failed to meet the quota.
Mystogan had intended to participate, but he was reportedly injured while stopping a small Anima portal in the West.
He had sent a message withdrawing his candidacy.
The Thunder God Tribe (Freed, Bickslow, Evergreen) were loyal to a fault; they only took missions with Laxus, disqualifying them from the "solo mission" requirement.
Natsu and Gray... technically had the strength. But their tempers were volatile.
Makarov wanted them to mature a bit more before handing them the responsibility of S-Class.
Kagura was the wildcard.
Her raw strength was borderline, but her temperament was steady as a rock.
Makarov felt it was acceptable to make an exception and let her give it a try. Besides, with so many strong participants, Kagura was unlikely to pass anyway.
"WHY ISN'T MY NAME ON THE LIST?!!"
Natsu stomped his feet, breathing fire. "I did tons of solo missions! Well, Happy helped too, but he's a cat!"
"I didn't make it either, so why should you?" Gray scoffed, crossing his arms. He was, of course, naked from the waist up.
"Have some self-awareness, Flame Brain."
"What did you say, Droopy Eyes?"
"I'm talking to you, Slanty Eyes!"
They lunged at each other, starting their daily brawl.
"Aye! Isn't it perfectly normal that you two aren't included?" Happy sighed, watching them roll on the floor.
Meanwhile, the five chosen women formed a circle.
The air crackled with intensity.
"Erza," Mira said softly.
Her eyes were narrowed into a smile that didn't reach her soul.
"I look forward to learning from you."
"Likewise, Mira," Erza replied, her hand drifting to her sword hilt.
Sparks seemed to fly between them.
The "rivalry" that Raizel had supposedly diffused was flaring up again.
"Don't forget about me," Ultear stepped in. A green crystal ball materialized in her hand, glowing ominously.
"I intend to win."
"I won't admit defeat either," Kagura gripped the hilt of Archenemy. Her purple hair floated as her gravity magic surged. "Even against you three."
"I feel like I have no hope again this year..." Cana muttered, sweating as she looked at the monsters around her.
Then she shook her head, slapping her cheeks.
"No! I am Gildarts' daughter! I can't give up before it starts!"
She had worked hard for months completing solo quest.
She was ready.
These five were the idols of the guild.
They were famous across Fiore, regularly featured in Sorcerer Weekly for their beauty and destructive power.
"Wait..."
Raizel's voice broke the tension. He looked at the five women, who were practically radiating battle auras.
"The Master hasn't even announced the trial contents yet. You're getting ahead of yourselves."
The intense atmosphere deflated instantly like a punctured balloon.
Erza, Ultear, Mira, Kagura, and Cana all turned their heads. They glared at Raizel and Makarov with disdain.
'Why didn't you say so earlier?'
"Hahaha..." Makarov and Raizel laughed awkwardly, scratching their heads.
The truth was, they were enjoying the catfight too much to interrupt them.
Makarov cleared his throat, regaining his dignity (barely).
"Ahem. The details."
He held up three fingers.
"There are Three Examiners this year."
"Ur Milkovich!" "Raizel Bael!" "Laxus Dreyar!"
The crowd went silent.
"The examination will take place one week from now," Makarov explained. "During this week, you must choose one partner. The assessment will be conducted in pairs."
"We will gather at Hargeon Port next week. The specific rules of the first round will be announced aboard the ship."
Ur stepped forward from the bar. She radiated an icy confidence that chilled the room.
"Prepare yourselves," she said, her blue eyes scanning the candidates. "We won't go easy on you just because we're family. If you want the title, you have to take it."
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